Chicago Area Splash Pads To Enjoy During Summer 2019

Summer 2019 is off and running, and the hot weather is making itself known across the area. Splash pads across the Chicago suburbs can help keep the kiddos cool in the suburbs. These sites are an easier and quite convenient way to keep your little ones entertained this summer.

There are also some splash parks located within pools and aquatic centers, which could be a great option for families wanting to make a day of it, while others are located in parks, where there are other amenities and playgrounds worth checking out.

Cook County

BARRINGTON:

• Freddie Herriman Pederson Splashpad: Aqualusion Pool, 235 Lions Drive in Barrington. The splash pad is free from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 1 to 8 p.m., you will need to pay for entry to the pool and splashpad. More via the Barrington Park District website.

BUFFALO GROVE:

• Spray 'N Play: Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 McHenry Road Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The splash park is open through Aug. 28 and it must be at least 70 degrees for the Spray 'N Play to open.Buffalo Grove Park District Spray 'N Play, one of the largest facilities of its kind, features over 20 water toys, sprays and fountains, plus a picnic area. It's completely interactive and there is no limit to the fun that can be had at the Spray 'N Play, according to the Buffalo Grove Park District's website. Admission costs for the Spray 'N Play Park are $3 for children and adults, $1 for seniors, $1 for twlight time (the last two hours of the day) and free for children 12 months and younger.

McHenry County

• Cool Off At These Splash Pads Across McHenry County

Kane County

GENEVA:

• Moore Park Spray Ground: Northeast corner of East Side Drive and Geneva Drive. Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Spray Ground is free and full of interactive fountains, water cannons, arches that spray, and bubblers. It's a wild and wonderful watery adventure for kids of all ages, especially toddlers, according to the Geneva Park District's website. Comfortable benches are provided for adults to relax while their children stay cool. More info is available on the Geneva Park District website.

ST CHARLES:

• Otter Cove Splash Park: 3615 Campton Hills Drive. Hours operation: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Sunday (through Aug. 22). More information is available on the park district's website for hours of operation after Aug. 23.

The splash park is a part of the St. Charles' Park District's Otter Cove Aquatic Park. The splash area includes interactive water play features on top of safety surface. Children can make a sand castle in the sand/water play area. Shade structures and lounge chairs are available at the splash park, which also includes spray loops, dumping buckets, spray cannons, bubblers, geysers, spray columns and water wheels. Admission costs to Otter Cove Aquatic Park can be found on the park district's website. More information here!

ELGIN:

• Festival Park Spray Park: 32 S. Grove Ave. Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Both a neighborhood park and an entertainment venue, Festival Park provides a beautiful riverside setting with unique playground and spray park, according to the city of Elgin's website. The Spray Park fountain hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on most days. The splash pad and bathrooms close for the season on Sept. 19.

Lake County:

GRAYSLAKE:

• Grayslake Spray Park in Central Park: 501 Lake Street in Grayslake Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day (depending on the weather) through Labor Day. The spray park closes daily from 3:15 to 3:30 for maintenance. Located in Central Park, this free spray park is designed for children 10 years and under. Central Park also has a community size playground, picnic shelters, disc golf course, restroom building, fishing piers and plenty of open space nearby.

MUNDELEIN:

• Mundelein Parks Spray Park at Keith Mione Community Park: 1401 N. Midlothian Drive. Hours of operation: The spray park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m; 2:30 pm to 6:30 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. On holidays, the spray park is open from 12 to 6 p.m. This water fun zone consists of interactive water features a sand play area, sand volleyball courts, and shuffleboard. The cost is $1 for residents and $2 for non-residents.

And more! —

OAK BROOK:

• Splash Island: 1480 Forest Gate Road. Introduce your kids to water at this zero-depth entry water playground that has a water slide, shower-style sprayers, bubbler jets, animal-shaped water fountains, dumping buckets and a shaded area for lounging. Lifeguards are on duty at both the indoor and outdoor water features. Cost: Non-residents—adults $12, children $8. Residents—$10, children $6

Feel free to email the editors amie.schaenzer@patch.com or rebecca.bream@patch.com if you would like a local splash pad included in this roundup.