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Looking for a spontaneous activity on a hot summer day? Spraygrounds — or playgrounds with a water area — are sprinkled all over the city and suburbs. They’re like splash pads but they offer cool water features like toys, sprays and fountains for kids to play on for hours.

We know that we’re always looking for ways to beat the heat! Here are some of our favorite spraygrounds and splash pads to help cool your kids off.

Note: Some of these spraygrounds might be closed depending on the weather, so please check before heading out! Looking for more things to do with kids? Check out our summer fun family guide!

City

Adams Playground Park

• Address: 1919 N. Seminary Ave., Chicago
• Cost: Free

Tucked away on Seminary Ave. on a quiet, tree-lined Lincoln Park street, this sprayground is a child’s paradise, featuring pipes “springing leaks,” wheels to control water misters, and of course, a short-enclosed side that’s perfect for the toddler set.

Crown Fountain in Millennium Park

• Address: 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
• Cost: Free

While not technically a sprayground, we would be remiss if we didn’t add to this list the most popular water area in all of Chicagoland that comes alive in the summer: The Crown Fountain in Millennium Park. A tradition in the city, kids love to splash around this open area, consisting of two 50-foot glass towers that use projection to give the illusion of water spouting from people’s mouths.

Portage Park Water Playground

Address: 4100 N. Long Ave., Chicago

Cost: Free

Set right in the middle of a zero-depth pool, the Portage Park Water Playground is surrounded by water sprayers. Kiddos can take a wet ride on a tire swing, and manipulate wheels to control water sprayers from every direction.

Dunbar Park Splash Pad

• Address: 300 E. 31st St., Chicago
• Cost: Free

Dunbar Park’s water feature is simple with tall, flower-shaped towers spraying water to help kids cool off. It’s also about a 15-minute walk away from 31st Street Beach, one of our favorite city beaches for families.

North/Northwest Suburbs

Buffalo Grove Spray ‘N Play

• Address: 951 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove
• Cost: $4 per children and adults; kids 12 months and under are free

Featuring more than 20 water toys, sprays and fountains, the Buffalo Grove Spray ‘N Play is one of the largest facilities of its kind. Little ones will love launching water cannons and running beneath — and through — rainbow arches.

Fountain Square Park

• Address: 1751 Gibson Drive, Elk Grove Village
• Cost: Free

While this splash pad is simple, bring along some sand buckets and water toys to let your kids roam free through the water fountains.

Prospect Park Splash Pad

• Address: 733 N. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge
• Cost: $7, $4 residents

Kids will go nuts for this pirate-themed sprayground, complete with a pirate ship to explore, squirting crabs, and barrels and dripping fish overhead! Reservations are no longer needed.

Skokie Water Playground

• Address: 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
• Cost: $15, $8 residents

This giant multi-level play area houses dozens of jet sprays, a twisty open slide and a 500-gallon drop bucket that soaks everyone when it gets too full!

South Suburbs

Oak Lawn Memorial Park

• Address: 103rd St., Oak Lawn
• Cost: Free

This interactive zero-depth pool gives families plenty of space to enjoy some water fun. The elements here include spray guns, fountains and more to make sure your kids get soaked.

Sprayfari Aquatic Park

• Address: 11930 S. Kostner Ave., Alsip
• Cost: $14 non-residents, $7 residents, kids under 2 are free

While the aquatic park has a pool, diving wells and slides, anyone with littles will appreciate their safari-themed splash pads. Need a break? Eat some snacks at the picnic area or under the shaded gazebos.

Walker Country Estates Park Splash Pad

• Address: 299 Lenox St., New Lenox
• Cost: $5 non-resident (under 21), $3 resident (under 21), parents and guardians (ages 21+) are free

During the summer months, take advantage of this suburban splash pad when you want to beat the heat. Nearby, you can also enjoy a playground, fishing station, fitness equipment and more. Concessions are available when the splash pad is open, too.

Western Suburbs

Splash Island

• Address: 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook
• Cost: $12, $10 residents, Free for kids ages 2 and under

Kiddos who visit Splash Island in Oak Brook will feel like they hit the sprayground jackpot. With a zero-depth entry pool, giant wide slides perfect for water races, dumping buckets and jets, Splash Island offers every bit of water fun a child could possibly want.

Ty Warner Spray Park

• Address: 55 E. Richmond St., Westmont
• Cost: $6 children, $4 resident children (adults are free with paid child admission)

This Westmont sprayground is loaded with interactive features for kids of all ages, including mushroom cap waterfalls, dumping buckets and a giant misting whale’s tail.

95th Street Community Plaza Splash Pad

• Address: 3109 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville
• Cost: Free

As one of the newer spraygrounds to hit the Chicago area, your kids will love exploring the dumping buckets, sprays and more. It’s also worth the visit to explore the playground next door, which features a book theme.

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