Are you looking for a {free} wet fun summer activity for the kids? Here's a list of Columbus' free splash pad and water fun areas, along with our comments on each.
Easton Town Center (in Town Center): Turns on one hour before mall hours and turns off one hour after hours. On weekends (starting Jun 6th) through August, Easton provides towels for your kids to dry off (so you don’t need to bring any!) This service is Saturdays (10am – 5pm) and Sundays (12pm – 5pm). This has a nice medium-sized splash pad for playing (water spouts). Parents can sit on benches on outsides of fountain area or at the bistro tables they have set up, as well as the grassy areas surrounding the fountains. (Please note: each Wednesday, the pads will turn off at 4:30pm for concert prep, and Tuesdays at 6pm starting in June in prep for movies. It will also be closed June 14th for their Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party.) There are many fun events throughout the summer (like the movie nights) that you could wrap an afternoon around with a picnic, splash pad and event – check out our newsletter or calendar for these. Questions: call 614-416-7000.
Ballantrae Park (Dublin, south of 161 off Avery): Open 10am – 8pm. Large (long) fun splash pad area (water spouts) with some waterfalls against the walls as well. There are a few picnic tables and also a big grassy area for sitting, but not much shade. Bathrooms are by the parking lot. Right above the splash area, on the hill, is a sculpture of three bunnies dancing – it’s fun to go up and walk around it, then roll down the big hill (or as mine do, roll down again, and again, and again, and…).
Powell Splash Pad (47 Hall St.): Open 9am to dusk. This is a medium sized splash pad that has water spouts, as well as water squirting (as in you can squirt it), water arches and more (not the best for infants or young toddlers if they need a more passive water experience). There are a few benches that surround the pad for parents, but not a ton of grassy area to seat (by the splash pad). A new solar pavilion was built last year and is not far from the splash pad, which would be a great shaded area for those of you with older kids (who can be watched from afar). In addition to the splash pad, there is also a fun little playground adjacent so kids can go back and forth between wet and dry fun! Questions: call 614-885-5380 or see their website (On the left side of the website in the middle you will see the splash pad status) and Facebook page.
Fountainside at the Scioto Mile: Nice large water splash pad with water spouts and over head water outlets. Some seating for adults, with Bicentennial Park close for picnicking. Open April – October all day (at night it is lit). Also, on certain Wednesdays throughout the summer (listed in our newsletter and calendar), they have a special event called FountainSide with themed games, crafts, characters and free ice cream from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM - INFO. Questions: call 614-645-3300. Website (hours and description/photos)
Polaris Town Center (in open mall area): Open during mall hours. Small splash pad with a few benches for parents. Great place to cool off after shopping, or if you live close and want something more passive for your younger kids. Not worth a special trip just for the splash pad, BUT it still seems relatively unknown and therefore typically very few kids are there making it ideal for younger kids or sensitive kids.
Barnett Park (1184 Barnett Rd, Columbus 43227): Open noon to 7pm. We've never been to this but the photos on the site look so fun! Erin, one of our fabulous Mac Kid readers submitted this new splash pad and she says it's a great spray park!! Website {Another great subscriber commented on how much her children loved this splash pad.}
Mary Virginia Crites Hannan Park (Circleville): One of our great readers, Debra, tipped us off on this great splash park which has a picnic area and adjacent dry playground within running and playing distance of the splash pad (doubling the fun). The website says the splash pad is over Memorial Day through Labor Day from 1pm - 7pm (but also says that the opening date is still pending??). Website
What to bring: Towels, sun screen, blankets (for sitting), lots of water to drink, maybe a change of clothes and snacks or lunch if you want to make a day of it.
Have fun!
Please note: Occasionally these splash parks will need to shut down for regular maintenance, so it's always good to call first if you are making a trip there.
Find more free and low cost local events to do with your family in our CALENDAR. We gather all of the events for you, so that you have more time to enjoy with your kids. Also check this week's edition for other summer resources, like a Summer Bucket List (with ideas of fun things to see and do in Columbus), Vacation Bible School (VBS) list, Summer Reading programs (where kids can earn free prizes and books), Kids Eat Free nights, and more! http://necolumbus.macaronikid.com/
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Created by a Columbus mom, for other Columbus parents.
