When looking for an alternative to pools and rivers, and when you don’t want to spend tons on a waterpark entrance, splash pads are the local heroes! There’s no need to worry about the Texas summer weather, the intense heat, or the same expensive places you’re still considering taking your kids to.
San Antonio has many wonderful locations where you can escape the scorching Texas sun while enjoying the freedom of running wild in a place designed just for children! Here we share our guide for you to choose the best splash pads in San Antonio for your little ones.
Free Splash Pads in San Antonio
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623 Hemisfair Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78205
Union Pacific Railroad Splash Pad
The first free splash pad in San Antonio that most people would mention is the Union Pacific Railroad Splash Pad at Yanaguana Garden, a hit among families. It has private changing booths, shade umbrellas, and Adirondack chairs. Additionally, at Yanaguana Garden your family can enjoy the playground with climbing structures, dual disk swings, and the blue Boomerang. They also have toddler-friendly splash zones and play areas for little ones aged 2 to 5 years old.2
100 Randolph Plaza, Universal City, TX 78148
Northview Splash Pad
Universal City is home to the Northview Splash Pad, an awesome splash pad park in San Antonio for cooling off! The splash pad has 16 water features divided into levels or ‘bays’. The bays include the Toddler’s Bay with more gentle equipment for the little ones, the Family Bay, which features a 23-foot spider with water effects, and the Teen Bay with a 15-gallon dump bucket!3
303 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78215
Gustav’s Geysers Splash Pad at the Pearl
While parents enjoy a meal and a beverage from the Pearl’s Bottling Department food hall at the Historic Pearl, kids can cool off and have a blast for free at one of the most awesome splash pads in San Antonio! Nothing beats the heat from a day of shopping than this oasis in the middle of town.4
4700 Old Pearsall Road, San Antonio, TX 78242
Pearsall Park Splash Pad
Pearsall Park has one of the free splash pads in San Antonio, and neither you nor your kids will want to miss it! This splash pad features plenty of water spouts and water sprayers to run through and a full playground for kids (and adults) to enjoy! You have to see it to believe it. Besides, you’ll find a disc golf course, fitness stations, the largest skatepark in the city, and great running courses.5
1820 McQueeney Rd., New Braunfels, TX 78130
Fischer Park Splash Pad
Fischer Park is the largest park in the New Braunfels park system and one of the best parks to enjoy summer water play for families. Fischer Park’s huge splash pad features a giant bucket that periodically floods, spraygrounds, and tons of opportunities for water play, cooling off, and spending a wonderful time with family and friends. Your family can also enjoy over two miles of greenway trails or relax at the two beautiful fishing ponds.6
3700 W. Commerce St., San Antonio, TX 78207
Elmendorf Lake Park splash pad
One of the greatest splash pad parks in San Antonio, Elmendorf Park also has a lake, a covered playground that will protect kiddos from the San Antonio sun, and plenty of space to run around. You can also take advantage of the nice fitness stations that provide five stationary pieces for resistance training, cardio, stretching, and balance.7
N. Vaughn Ave, Seguin, TX 78155
Park West Splash Pad
If you’re searching for parks with splash pads in San Antonio, you can’t miss Park West. This 47-acre park is packed with fun! Besides a skate park, a hike and bike trail, an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible playscape, an off-road bicycle trail, a basketball court, a playground, and more, there’s an awesome splash pad with a variety of water features to be soaked and cool off!8
700 El Portal Dr., Hollywood Park, TX 78232
Voigt Park Sprayground
Another great splash pad in San Antonio is Voigt Park, which has a small sprayground that will become all you need on a hot summer day out with the kids. Toddlers can run around and get soaked in the toddler-friendly splash zones, and if you want more, there’s a pool right next door that you can access for a fee.9
9374 Valhalla Drive, Selma, TX 78154
Stage Stop Splash Pad
When looking for open splash pads in San Antonio, consider visiting Stage Stop Park. It has everything for a fun summer day: a playground and a splash pad. The colorful splash pad is perfect to cool off when kids get tired of playing and running in the sun.10
2477 N Loop 1604, San Antonio, TX 78232
Emmitt Park Splash Pad
Emmitt Park is a beloved splash pad in San Antonio, free of charge. It features a cool splash pad with many water geysers to cool kids and adults off! The park also features a playground, a picnic area, and more fun features! It’s one of the best places to cool off with kids!11
500 Saltillo Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
Benavides Park Splash Pad
Benavides Park is a small, modest park, but don’t let the size fool you: good things come in small packages, and this is a great example! Kids can cool off in the small splash pad, enjoy the shaded playground, and have a great time. It’s a great option if you’re looking for free splash pads in San Antonio!
BONUS: Splash Pads and Water Features with a Fee
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5223 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio, TX 78233, USA
Morgan’s Wonderland Inspiration Island
If you can pay for a themed splash pad in San Antonio, don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit Inspiration Island, the water play area at Morgan’s Wonderland, where you’ll find five themed splash pad areas and a river boat water ride that the whole family will love! Kids love the waterfall and the pirate ship.2
2800 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX 78209
The DoSeum
The DoSeum, always encouraging children to learn while having fun, has an outdoor water area with streams and boats, and the chance to learn about science! Definitely, a fantastic option for a splash pad in San Antonio. And, if the water features are not enough to battle the heat, you can go back inside, and the kids will continue to have fun.3
555 Funston Pl., San Antonio, TX 78209
San Antonio Botanical Garden’s No Name Creek
This is also an awesome option for a water splash pad in San Antonio! It features a waterfall, spraying geysers, and more! This is totally worth the entrance fee, especially on a hot summer day! There’s plenty more to see and do at the Gardens as well.4
3903 N. Saint Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212
San Antonio Zoo
If your visit to the zoo gets a little hotter than usual on a hot day, visit the Kronkosky Tiny Tot Nature Spot, which includes a small stream for wading!For your kids, there’s nothing better than playing at splash pads on a hot day. Splash pads not only allow your children to cool themselves off, but also provide them with a chance to enjoy fresh air and do physical activity. So, choose your favorite splash pad in San Antonio and prepare to have a blast with the whole family!
While there’s not any indoor splash pad in San Antonio, we recommend that you consider these great Swimming Classes for Kids.
And for more fun, outdoorsy, and FREE places in San Antonio for kids, make sure to take a look at these awesome parks and playgrounds!
