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 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 July in prep for movies. It will also be closed June 22nd and 23rd.) There are many fun events throughout the summer 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. There are also some large rocks in the grassy area that kids like to climb. 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 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).
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.
Homestead Park (4675 Cosgray Rd, Hilliard): On during park hours. This location has a different type of splash park / water area than the others. There are two play areas – one for children 5 and under and one for older children. The area for children 5 and under has a few hands on water play areas where you can turn on the water and interact with it as it moves down the tables. There are also small climbing structures and other things. The older kids area has a fort structure for pretend play. There are three water nozzles (squirt guns) and one faucet. Most kids bring squirt guns to add to the fun of running and chasing throughout the fort structure. The ground is a combo of small gravel and concrete, which can make it a little easier to slip, so make sure your kids wear shoes with good bottoms. There are a few areas for adults to sit. If you have children in the two age groups (therefore wanting to utilize both spaces), though the play areas are next to each other, you cannot see the opposite play area well – so keep that in mind. There are shelters and picnic tables for picnics, as well as a nice play area, small pond and a caboose within the park. Bathrooms aren’t far. Questions: call 614-652-3922.
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.}
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.
Please note: Occasionally these splash parks will need to shut down to regular maintenance, so it's always good to call first if you are making a trip there.
Have fun!
