Splash pads are a fun, interactive way to stay cool as the weather starts to heat back up! Here are 22 free Tampa splash pads all over the Tampa area that you kids will love. So pack your bag and let’s go for some fun in the sun.
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Anderson Park (Kate Jackson Splash Park)
About: The Kate Jackson splash park is concrete with several water jets for kids to run through. THere are several lion statues around as well. There is plenty of parking which is a huge bonus. In addition to the splash park there is a playground, basketball courts and nice walking paths.
Admission: Free
Address: 821 S Rome Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone #: 813-259-1608
Hours: 9am – 7pm
Tips: There is not much shade, make sure you pack the sunscreen!
Apollo Beach Park and Recreation Center Splash Pad
About: The splash pad is ocean themed with fun jets shaped like fish and jellyfish. There are small buckets that dump out when full too. There is a covered seating area for the parents as well. This park has a lot to offer from a playground, to tennis and pickleball courts, a running track, and a skate park. There are public restrooms available for use too.
Admission: Free
Address: 664 Golf and Sea Blvd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572
Phone #: 813-671-7635
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am -9pm
Closed Sunday
Tips: The restrooms are occasionally out of order so do your best to plan accordingly.
All Person Rotary Park
About: Fenced in park and splash pad for the kids to play in. The splash pad is concrete and water jets, there are no toys to climb on. There are two playgrounds so there is plenty of room for everyone. The park is accessible to kids with special needs and wheelchairs so everyone can enjoy the outdoors no matter what. There are also public restrooms available for use.
Admission: Free
Address: 800 S Parsons Ave, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone #: 813-744-5595
Hours: 8am – 8pm
Tips: One large slide in the playground is broken and is blocked off with zip tied plywood. Keep an eye out and stay safe, hopefully it gets fixed soon.
Ballast Point Park
About: This water feature has concrete floors, water jets, buckets that dump water and a few other fun things. It is a great splash pad for young kids. This park provides lots of shade and there is a restaurant nearby with great food. It is near the water with great views of downtown and a cute pier to walk on and fish from if you’d like.
Admission: Free
Address: 5300 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611
Phone #: 813-274-8615
Hours: 6am – 8pm
Tips: The park is on the smaller side so don’t expect anything huge. But it is nice. Parking is limited and can be hard to find during peak hours and on weekends.
Carrollwood Village Park
About: The splash pad has jets and a few spraying features along with a large bucket that dumps on the kids when full which is always a big hit. The splash pad is fenced in. There is plenty of free parking, public restrooms available, walking trails and outdoor exercise equipment, a playground with astroturf, dog park, and even a small skate park where you can also ride bikes on. There is a large covered pavilion right next to the playground that is nice to sit under while having snacks.
Admission: Free
Address: 4680 W Village Dr, Tampa, FL 33624
Phone #: 813-269-2466
Hours: 8am – 9pm
Tips: The astroturf under the playground is softish but it can get pretty hot. Be careful of young kids that may be caught unaware and be sure each kid has on shoes to protect their feet.
Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park
About: This is a small park located downtown next to the Tampa Riverwalk. There is a small waterslide along with other play equipment, definitely not the biggest water features around. There are public restrooms, a nice pier, jogging path, playground, even a place to launch a canoe. THe park is near the riverwalk and many notable downtown sights like Amelia Arena and the Tampa Aquarium.
Admission: Free
Address: 601 Water St, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone #: 813-274-8615
Hours: 7am – 10pm
Tips: The park is in the heart of downtown so parking is very hard to find. If you are lucky you may be able to snag one of the few spots right in front of the park.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
About: The fountains can be played in by kids on hot days if they would like to. The park is a large grassy area that is a popular place to hold events and seasonal attractions put on by the city. There is a small dog park you can visit with your pets and the park is in a great central location right off the riverwalk. There is a bathroom available but it can get busy.
Admission: Free
Address: 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone #: 813-274-8615
Hours: 7am – 10pm
Tips: This park is also located downtown so parking can be difficult to find and pricey at times.
Cypress Forest Recreation Area ($5 parking)
About: Fun spray park that kids of all ages can enjoy playing at. Nice large boardwalk and path to walk along, bathrooms available and there are often activities for kids put on by the Rec Center.
Admission: Free but there is a $5 parking fee
Address: 650 Pine Ave N, Oldsmar, FL 34677
Phone #: 813-749-1152
Hours: Monday – Thursday 9am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 6pm
Saturday 9am – 4pm
Closed Sundays
Tips: There is not much seating available outside the rentable pavilions. It would be a good idea to bring a couple chairs to use just in case the seating is taken.
Dell Holmes Park
About: Large playground and splash pad that is perfect for kids to burn off their excess energy. The park is large and entirely fenced in which is so nice to help keep an eye on them. The playground has astroturf and there are clean restrooms close by available for use.
Admission: Free
Address: 2741 22nd Street S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Phone #: 727-893-7441
Hours: 7am – 8pm
Open from April – September
Tips: This is a large park with a couple of covered pavilions, it is a great place to hold a birthday party.
Giddens Park Splash Pad
About: Large park with a small splash pad area. The park has some shade although the splash pad does not have any. There are restrooms available as well as a pavilion and basketball court.
Admission: Free
Address: 5202 N 12th St, Tampa, FL 33603
Hours: 6am – 9pm
Tips: The splash pad is open, not fenced in, just keep that in mind as your kids play.
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Julian B Lane Riverfront Park
About: Large park near Armature Works in Tampa. There is a large splash pad as well as a large age-zoned playground. The splash pad has a GIANT orange water bucket that dumps when full. It is well taken care of and very popular so it does get a little crowded sometimes. The Splash pad is fenced in which is very handy.
Admission: Free
Address: 1001 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone #: 813-274-8615
Hours: 9am – 10pm
Tips: There is not much shade so make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and water to drink for everyone.
Kiwanis Sprayground Highlander Park
About: This is a bright, colorful and fun sprinkler park that is really fun for kids on hot days plus it’s free of course! The whole splash pad is fenced in as an extra precaution to prevent runaway kids. There is a large playground nearby as well as public restrooms.
Admission: Free
Address: 1937 Ed Eckert Dr, Dunedin, FL 34698
Phone #: 727-812-4530
Hours: Monday – Thursday 10am – 12pm and 3pm – 6pm
Closed Fridays
Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm
Northdale Park and Recreation Center
About: Large rec center that frequently hosts classes and free community events. Outside there is a splash pad that is open for public use. There is also a park, public restrooms and a basketball court. There are walking trails you can visit and the area is dog friendly if you’d like to bring your pup along. Lastly there is plenty of parking available so you don’t have to worry about that.
Admission: Free
Address: 15550 Spring Pine Dr, Tampa, FL 33624
Phone #: 813-264-8956
Hours: 7am – 10pm
Tips: The closest restrooms do not have a changing table for infants, the area is very family friendly otherwise so this is a let down. The car trunk is my diaper changing go-to when all else fails.
Park Square Splash Pad
​​About: This splash pad is in the town center where there are several shops and restaurants. The fountain or splash pad area has several fun water jets that kids can run through. There is also a large grassy area for kids and families to run around and play on. There is lots of parking around too!
Admission: Free
Address: 16132 Churchview Dr, Lithia, FL 33547
Phone #: 813-643-3550
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 6am – 9pm
Friday: 6am – 11pm
Saturday: 8am – 11pm
Sunday: 8am – 8pm
Tips:
Perry Harvey Sr. Park
About: This park in downtown Tampa pays tribute to African American culture and their part in Tampa’s history. There is an interactive fountain that kids can play in. There is no other playground equipment but there are statues and signs taking you through history as well as a skate park, restrooms, and barbeque stations.
Admission: Free
Address: 1000 E Harrison St, Tampa, Fl 33602
Phone #: 813-274-8615
Hours: 7am – 10pm
Tips: There is a small parking lot with free parking so look there first if you can!
Sims Park Splash Pad
About: The Sims Park splash pad is simple, it is water jets on concrete but kids never fail to have fun here nonetheless. Plus the park has a lot of other bonuses. Right next to the splash pad is a wonderful covered playground and several shaded pavilions where parents can sit while the kids play. There is also a large grassy area, long walking trails that go around a small lake and outdoor exercise equipment. Parking is free and there is a lot of it. If the smaller front lot is full there is a large parking lot on the backside of the park.
Admission: Free
Address: 6433 Circle Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone #: 727-841-4560
Hours: 9:30am – 7pm
Tips: This is another park I would recommend water shoes for, the ground can be rough and slick at the same time.
Springhill Park Community Center
About: The community center has a park and splash pad that is open to the public. The sprinkler park is small but fun with tunnels and other water jets. Plus it is fenced in to contain the kids prone to wander. There are also basketball courts and a large field to play on.
Admission: Free
Address: 1000 E Eskimo Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Phone #: 813-274-3314
Hours: 9am – 5pm
St. Pete Pier Splash Pad
About: The new St. Pete Pier has just about everything anyone could want. The splash pad is a is a concrete area with water jets for kids to play in and cool off. There is seating all around and public restrooms nearby. There is also a large playground on the pier, a small beach area that is fun although not the nicest beach around. The pier also boasts restaurants and a small museum.
Admission: Free but parking costs $2 an hour if you use pier parking.
Address: 600 2nd Ave NE, St Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone #: 727-822-7437
Hours: 6am – 11 pm
Tips: There is almost no shade on the pier and it gets HOT with all the concrete. Bring sunscreen and water and shoes for everyone. I would avoid going in the middle of the day.
Tarpon Springs Splash Park
About: Cute maritime themed splash park that kids love! It is fenced in which is helpful for parents’ peace of mind while watching the kids play. There is a nice big parking lot with plenty of spots. There is also a playground, a big dog park, and a large covered pavilion perfect for eating a picnic after playing all day. Inside the splash pad area there is very little seating and shade though.
Admission: Free
Address: 508 Live Oak St, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone #: 727-942-5610
Hours: Sunrise to sunset everyday
Waterplay at Zephyr Park
About: Nice big fun splash pad that is completely free and open to the public. It is fenced in and has seating for the parents, though there isn’t much shade to be found. There is a nice path that goes around the whole lake, pavilions for rent, a playground and public restrooms.
Admission: Free
Address: 5039 4th St, Zephyrhills, FL 33542
Phone #: 813-780-0022
Hours: 9am – 6:30pm
Tips: It can get busy so bringing a folding chair is a good idea if you want a guaranteed place to sit.
Water Works Park
About: This next Tampa splash pad is next to the riverwalk and armature works. It is a great playground and splash pad for young kids. It has several water jets and a large yellow bucket that dumps water. The bathrooms and play areas are all fenced in.
Admission: Free
Address: 1701 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone #: 813-274-8615
Hours: 7am – 10pm
Tips: The concrete ground gets very hot so water shoes are a good idea.
Veterans Memorial Park
About: This super fun, colorful splash pad is a good one. The sprayers are bright and spray in just about every direction. There isn’t much seating available so you may want to bring foldable chairs along. There is also a pool, basketball court, racquetball court, soccer field, playground and more. Plus restrooms available.
Admission: Free, the pool costs $3.00 per child and $4.00 per adult.
Address: 14333 Hicks Rd, Hudson, FL 34669
Phone #: 727-861-3033
Hours: Sunrise to sunset everyday
FAQ’s
What to bring to the splash pad?
When heading out to the splash pads as a family I recommend bringing:
- Sunscreen
- Towels
- Snacks
- Water for drinking
- Water toys
- Swimsuit
- A change of clothes
- Water shoes
What to wear to the splash pad?
For kids I recommend wearing a swimsuit and swimsuit cover to the splash pads and then bringing along a change of clothes to change into for the ride home. You could also have the kids sit on a towel for the drive home if they won’t complain too much.
For parents I recommend wearing a swimsuit and swimsuit cover too. Or an outfit you are ok with getting a little wet. Inevitably a little kid will need to be hugged or picked up plus there is water being splashed everywhere so don’t expect to stay perfectly dry.
When are the city of Tampa splash pads open?
The Tampa splash pads run on two different schedules. One from April to October and another from November to March. So the times do vary and I recommend checking before you visit.
At all the parks the water turns off if the temperature drops below 40 Fahrenheit.
Free Tampa Splash Pads
Well there you go, 22 free splash pads in Tampa all over the downtown and suburban areas. Look for the one closest to you or travel around and try to see them all.
