North Texas is heading into that stretch of the year when the pavement gets hot enough to think twice before crossing it barefoot. The first 100-degree day will be here before we know it, and summer is settling in whether anyone’s ready or not.
Luckily, cities across Collin County are already one step ahead with a simple fix: splash pads. No deep water, no swim lessons required — just open play spaces where kids can run through fountains and everyone gets a break from the heat.
Think of them as the closest thing to a resort day without leaving your neighborhood park. Bring sunscreen, something you don’t mind getting wet, and a little patience for joyful chaos.
Here are some of the best splash pads around North Texas:
Windhaven Meadows Park
5400 Windhaven Parkway, Plano
Opens first Saturday in April | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m
Windhaven Meadows makes an easy escape on a hot North Texas afternoon, with multiple playgrounds and a spacious splash area designed for nonstop play. The water features include streams, jets and a hands-on play table with small dams for kids to explore. The splash pad is also surrounded by large boulders that double as built-in seating — an ideal spot for parents to cool off and keep an eye on the action.
Plano Aquatic Center
2301 Westside Dr, Plano
Opens first Saturday in April | Hours vary
The Plano Aquatic Center offers more than just an indoor 25-yard lap pool. Outside, a spray ground gives kids a place to cool off and run through water features during warmer days. The area has some shade and nearby picnic tables, making it easy for families to settle in while kids play.
Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center
5801 Parker Rd, Plano
Opens first Saturday in April | Hours vary
The Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center is best known for its leisure pool and water slides, but it also includes a large outdoor spray pad. The space features spray fountains, small slides and a nearby playground, giving families a mix of water play and dry land fun in one spot.
Jack Carter Pool
2601 Pleasant Valley Dr, Plano
Opens May 23 | Hours vary
Jack Carter is built for the whole family, even for those who’d rather stay out of the pool. Younger kids can tackle mini slides, dart under the tipping water bucket and explore the multi-level splash structures, while older kids head to the deep-water pool for the diving platform and climbing wall.
Celebration Park | Photo: Alyssa Vincent
Celebration Park
701 N Angel Pkwy, Allen
Opens May 1 | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
KidMania Sprayground at Celebration Park is designed for a full day of family time, with nearby pavilions, picnic tables, sports fields and a hike-and-bike trail all within reach. Open daily except Wednesdays, the spray ground features water jets that keep kids of all ages moving, cooling off and coming back for more. Spanning more than an acre, KidMania is also one of the largest handicap-accessible playgrounds in Texas.
Frisco Commons Spray Park
8000 McKinney Rd, Frisco
Opens May 15 | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Frisco Commons Park spans 63 acres and has been a go-to community space since opening in 2004. One of Frisco’s most popular parks, it offers walking trails, two playgrounds, open fields and pavilions for gatherings, along with a fishing pond and a splash pad that sees plenty of action in warmer months.
J.R. Newman Spray Park
8211 Twin Falls Dr, Frisco
Opens May 15 | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Because this splash pad is smaller than others in the area, it tends to stay less crowded, making it an easy spot to spend a relaxed couple of hours cooling off. To get the water features going, just tap the sensor at the top of the blue pillar on the south side of the splash pad. Right next door, a farmyard-themed playground adds a playful touch that’s especially fun for younger kids.
Kaleidoscope Park Splash Pad
6635 Warren Pkwy, Frisco
Open when temperature hits 60 degrees or higher | 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Frisco’s newest park is full of surprises, from one of the largest public art pieces in the state to a sprawling playground, there’s no shortage of fun. Now that warm weather has arrived, kids can splash around at the new splash pad whenever the temperature hits 60 degrees or higher.
The Kids Colony Splash Park
5151 N Colony Blvd, The Colony
Opens May 25 | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Kids Colony Splash Park is bursting with splashy surprises, including a ship’s mast rigged with tipping buckets ready to soak unsuspecting landlubbers, and a cheeky spraying fish named Finn who’s always aiming to make a splash.
Prestwyck Park | Photo: City of McKinney
Prestwyck Park
1617 Prestwick Hollow Dr, McKinney
Opens May 1 | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
With Prestwyck’s above-ground sprayers, it’s the perfect spot to cool off and enjoy some water play. The park also boasts a variety of amenities, including playground structures, covered play areas, fitness and learning stations, a zip line, ping pong and game tables and a basketball court. For those looking to unwind, there are hike and bike trails, along with picnic tables for a relaxing day outdoors.
Aviator Park
1201 Monticello Dr., McKinney
Opens May 1 | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Aviator Park’s splash pad takes off with an aviation-themed design that lets kids’ imaginations fly (literally). Situated near McKinney Airport, the park offers the added bonus of watching planes take flight while the kids cool off in the splash pad. Featuring a fun three-ring water spray, it’s the perfect spot for family fun and a bit of skywatching.
Oak Hills Splash Park
1225 Royal Palm Lane, Carrollton
Opens May 1 | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
With multiple slides, tipping buckets and lots of room to roam, Oak Hills is a splash zone built for maximum fun. The water features run automatically during regular hours — no buttons, no fuss. Amenities include a pavilion, picnic tables and grills, all first-come, first-served. Restrooms are available to the public while the splash park is open.
The Fountain at Fairview Town Center
329 Town Pl, Fairview
Opens May 5 | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Fountain offers a lively outdoor space built for summer days, with a splash pad and water features that keep kids busy and cooled off. Parents can settle in nearby and enjoy a more relaxed setting while the action unfolds. Its location near shopping and dining also makes it easy to turn a quick visit into a longer outing.
Nancy Best Fountain at Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas
Open when temperature hits 55 degrees or higher | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Nancy Best Fountain offers a standout way to cool off in the heart of Dallas, with a 5,000-square-foot splash pad that draws plenty of families during the day. At night, the space shifts into a light-and-water show set to music, but play doesn’t stop when the performance begins. The fountain is framed by three 15-foot stainless steel “trees,” along with rosebud bubblers and more than 100 nozzles designed to ripple like moving leaves, giving the space a lively, kinetic feel from every angle.
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