Explore These Awesome St. Louis Splashpads, Fountains and Water Play Parks This Summer

When the heat is on and the pools are crowded, a parent's go-to strategy for finding the perfect summer activity that keeps kids happy and cool is to find the nearest splash pad. St. Louis is full of them, ranging from small neighborhood parks with pop jets, to sprawling water features with fountains and wading pools. 

Here are some to explore across the St. Louis area, and most are free:

Tower Grove Park. The Muckerman Children's Fountain & Pop Jets at Tower Grove Park are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting June 14. The park also has two playgrounds. Visit on Friday mornings when you can also see free performances by some of St. Louis' best-known children's entertainers. All activities are free.

Forest Park. Visiting the 17-acre Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape is a cool adventure just by itself, with its sand play areas, willow tunnels, stump steppers, boulders, rocks and lots more. In the warm months, play is taken to the next level with the water features

The Children's Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Splash Area in the Children's Garden turns on when temps reach 70 degrees and are included in Children's Garden admission. Hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am. to 4 p.m. It's free on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon for St. Louis City & County residents.

Kiener Plaza. Cool off in the city's Kiener Plaza, where you'll find a fountain garden with a splash pad, and a fantastic playground as well.

Citygarden.

Photo credits: Forest Park Forever,