The Best Splash Pads in Phoenix

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Everyone in Phoenix knows summer starts early here, and it’s crucial to always have a swim suit and towel in your car and ready to go.  You know, just in case you decide to wander into a luxury resort and dip your toes in their pool and order a margarita! Or, for the times when your friends invite you over for an impromptu play date.  And of course, most realistically, when you run to the mall to pick up a new outfit for a bbq or that upcoming summer vacation and your kids spot a splash pad.  Well, whatever the reason is for getting you out of your air conditioned house into the three digit temps, you’ve gotta keep the kids cool, and these splash pads in Phoenix are my best reward system.

Oh you ate all your breakfast? Splash pad.

Oh you want to play at the splash pad?  Better clean your room.

And most relevant: Mommy really needs just  5 minutes to try these yoga pants on; I promise to let you play at the splash pad.

The Best Splash Pads in Phoenix 

CityScape Splash Pad

CityScape

This splash pad is located downtown next to the Palomar Hotel {if you know me, you know I love a local staycation with a rooftop pool and a good bath tub- check back for an upcoming post}.  Make sure to park in the CityScape parking garage, go up the elevator and across the street. This splash pad is less crowded, has some shade from tables and umbrellas, along with a solar charging station under a covered seating area.  My daughters love this splash pad because the water didn’t go above their faces, it was oval shaped so they could run in circles, and there were ‘rainbows’ in the water sources {I think this means it was reflective or maybe lights at night}. After our fun in the sun, we popped into The Corner Market just south of the splash pad and munched on donuts from Fractured Prune.  The girls loved this little surprise and got to pick out their own totally custom donuts with maple frosting with rainbow sprinkles, and vanilla frosting with M&M’s.  This is my kids’ favorite splash pad, although the donuts may have swayed their vote!

  • Location: 1 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Phone: (602) 772-3900
  • Hours: 9am-8pm daily, year round. Free 2 hour parking with validation.

Scottsdale Quarter Splash Pad

Scottsdale Quarter 

Mama’s favorite splash pad.  It’s got great seating if you get there early enough, faux grass on both sides for kids to picnic in, a lululemon within eye site, and two restaurants with call ahead ordering in the same courtyard.  Heeyyyy, True Food and Zinburger!!! Oh, and there is a juice bar {juby true} and coffee shop {press} on site so it’s pretty much the best outing for a foodie mama like myself and my littles.

  • Location: 1503 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ | Phone: (480)-247-8123
  • Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm and  Sundays 10am-6pm

Phoenix Zoo

Leapin’ Lagoon is one of the best ways to spend your day at the zoo.  It’s hot and the animals are taking naps so while they’re resting, the littles can run around and cool off.  When doing my research on splash pads, this was one that was unanimously suggested to me.  If you have a zoo membership, I’m sure you’ve been!

  • Location: 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 | Phone: (602) 286-3800
  • Hours 9am-5pm, but check their website because hours can vary by season.
  • Cost for zoo admission: $20, $14 for ages 3-13; free for age 2 or younger.

The Orchard Splash Pad

The Orchard 

This brand new splash pad is currently only open during Pomelo Phx’s business hours. It is the perfect neighborhood watering hole, with a small circle of water features nestled into a cozy courtyard. We’re excited for Luci’s at the Orchard to open up for warm morning hang out sessions while sipping on lattes.  This splash pad has an on and off switch so if you show up and you’re the first one there, simply use your hand or shoe-free foot to push the big black button (pictured near the right edge in this photo of the pad) to get splashing!  We tried the Garden Fresh Pizza sitting at one of the courtyard tables while the girls played within eyesight.  Once Splurge is open, you can enjoy ice cream “water side” on a bar stool with an open window directly into the parlor.  This is going to be a popular summer spot for sure!

  • Location: 7100 N 12th St Phoenix, AZ  |  Phone: (602) 633-2600
  • Hours: Sun-Thur 11am-10pm,  Fri-Sat 11am-11pm

The Teapot Splash Pad

The Teapot

The perfect backyard splash pad.  Okay, no, this isn’t technically a built in pad, but it is a summer feature the Teapot is offering on their back patio.  It’s a small feature perfect for that backyard play date vibe without actually having to host people at your own home, because who has time to clean and make snacks? {Oh, you do? When can we come over???}.  They have delicious scones, coffee, tea and some small menu samplings for kids and adults.  Recently, we met up there and my kids played there with babies {like the mini humans that can’t walk yet} and while the bigger splash pads can be fun for older kids, they can be a little overwhelming for the itty bitty ones.  This little water feature is perfect for a small scale mid-morning cool down.  You might want to call ahead or ask when you get there if the feature is turned on because it’s only on when kids are actually playing in it.

  • Location: 818 N 5th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Phone:(623) 522-6027
  • Hours: Open daily 8am-2pm (water on by request)

Andie’s Coffee

Andie’s Coffee is a hidden little gem nestled in the Chaparral Christian Church.  It is definitely a place you want to check out.  It has a very quaint and welcoming little coffee shop with delicious drinks, some great food options, and kids’ snacks too (individual food pouches, Annie’s snacks, goldfish, etc.).  There’s a small splash pad right outside in the courtyard.  You’ll find great seating, shade offered by umbrellas, and a wide open space which is great for get-togethers. Check it out this summer!

  • Location: 6451 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ | Phone:(480) 221-3946
  • Hours: Monday:  7:30am-11:ooam, Tuesday-Friday: 7:30am-5:00pm, Saturday-Sunday: 8:30am-12:30pm (Water on by request if it isn’t already on)

Are there any splash pads in Phoenix you love and frequent regularly that I left off of my list?  Please comment below with your go-to spots!

4 COMMENTS

  1. I’ve been waiting for this list! I can’t wait to visit all the splash pads listed! Who can deny donuts and splash pad day?? Plus Make a day at the Quarter with water and lunch and then crashed out kids at home! Perfect! Thanks!

  2. Great list. Open to the public there are also two splashpads that I have heard of that look great and have great reviews; Pioneer Community Park and Rio Vista Community Park both in Peoria.

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