Miami is full of sunny beaches and the opportunity for little ones to get down and dirty with some sand and seaweed. But, at some point, all know that they’re going to end up covered in bucketfuls of sand.
Not feeling up to putting yourself — or your babysitter — through a marathon bathtub scrubbing session with an increasingly irritated kiddo? I don’t blame you. At times like these, I turn to my trusty summer standby: the splash pad!
Memorial Day weekend kicked off splash pad season around Miami. It’s when our local water wonderlands open their doors and extend their operating hours. The five spots on our list really deliver on the fun factor for kids. Whether they’ve got slides, cannons, squirting sea horses, or faux surfboards, these places deliver fun H2O action, and they do a fantastic job at safely wearing out your children when you’re looking for a way to cool down without the whole post-beach cleanup.
[MOMS ALSO READ: “Pool Safety for Kids“]
Because, you know what? Not today, sand. Not today! Pack up your sunscreen and set your GPS for one of these five kid-approved splash pads around town.
Zoo Miami
Address: 12400 SW 152 St., Miami, FL 33177
Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fees: Adults (ages 13+), $21.95 | Children (ages 3-12), $17.95 | Children (ages 2 and under), Free | Click here for more Zoo Miami ticket options.
Sure, Zoo Miami has some amazing animal habitats, but it also houses one of the best splash pads in the city. A few waterplay areas are located around the park, but the Ocean Voyage playscape inside the Playworld Playground is leagues (ha, see what I did there?) ahead of the pack. Kids will get soaked splashing around overflowing buckets, a spouting whale tail, and various timed fountains.
There’s a dry area studded with faux surfboards and shark fins, so little ones can practice their “Hang 10” technique without slipping off. When your kiddos have sufficiently pruned up, they can dry off while navigating bridges, tunnels, and swings on the sizable playground that sits adjacent to the splash area.
Good to note: There’s a food pavilion right next to the Playworld Playground, along with thatched Tiki huts for fueling up in the shade.
Splash ’N Play at Pinecrest Gardens
Address: 11000 Red Rd., Pinecrest, FL 33156
Hours:
- Spring & Summer: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Fall & Winter: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fees: General Admission, $5 | Seniors (ages 65+), $3 | Active Military w/ ID, Free | Click here for more Pinecrest Gardens ticket options.
Ideal for the smaller set (5 and under), Pinecrest Gardens’ Splash ’N Play area offers a safe space for little ones to splash around. The area is enclosed by a fence and plenty of foliage that do a solid job of thwarting any escape attempts by your tiny Houdini. Cascading mushrooms and squirting flowers provide water-filled action, while jumping fountains are good for a surprised giggle or two.
The best part about this place is that you can really make a day of it here. Kids can feed the fish in the pond, play chess and checkers with 25-inch-tall pieces out in the garden, spot the swan gliding around the lake, and spend time getting to know the farm animals in the petting zoo. It’s also a great spot for enjoying a picnic before setting off to explore the property.
Miami Springs Aquatic Center
Address: 1401 Westward Dr., Miami Springs, FL 33166
Hours: Monday – Friday, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.
Fees:
- Miami Springs Residents: Adults (ages 18-59), $5 | Children (ages 0-17) & Seniors (ages 60+), $3
- Miami Springs Non-Residents: Adults (ages 18-59), $10 | Children (ages 0-17) & Seniors (ages 60+), $5 non-residents
- Click here for more Aquatic Center ticket options.
A relative newcomer to the splash pad family, the Miami Springs Aquatic Center reopened last year following some much-needed repairs, and the new facility is definitely raising the bar when it comes to H2O fun. A beach-entry shallow pool plays host to a variety of squirting windmills and towering pumps that kids can control.
Without a doubt, the star attraction here is the long, swirly slide. Older kids can’t resist lining up time and time again to shoot down this blue-and-yellow striped fixture. And, in the summer, the center also offers swimming lessons for kids of various ages.
Grapeland Water Park
Address: 1550 NW 27 Ave., Miami, FL, 33125
Hours:
- June 11 – Aug. 19: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Aug. 20 – Sept. 24: Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Fees:
- Miami-Dade County Residents: Adults (ages 14+), $12 | Children (ages 2-13), $7 | Children (ages 1 and under), Free
- Miami-Dade County Non-Residents: Adults (ages 14+), $15 | Children (ages 2-13), $7 | Children (ages 1 and under), Free
- Click here for more Grapeland ticket options.
Operated by the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Center, the whimsical Grapeland Water Park is a watery ode to pop art. Brazilian artist and Miami resident Romero Britto’s signature brightly colored style is splashed around this 13-acre park filled with water slides, lazy rivers, and pools. Rest assured, there are 24 lifeguards on duty at all times, and they’re certified in both American Red Cross CPR and first aid.
[RELATED: “Learning Child CPR Can Save Your Child’s Life“]
The Shipwreck Island splash area, specifically designed for kiddos under 48 inches, offers life jackets to make it easier to navigate buckets overflowing with water, jumping fountains, and spraying sea horses. The slides here move at a slower pace and are wide enough for parents to sit with little ones as they meander down the gentle slopes.
There’s also a snack bar on premises for when the munchies strike!
Founders Park Splash Pad
Address: 3105 NE 190 St., Aventura, FL 33180
Hours:
- May 29 – Sept. 4: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Open Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 4), 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Sept. 9 – Oct. 22: Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fees:
- Aventura Residents w/ ID, Free | Each resident may request one guest pass per household | Each Additional Guest, $10
- Non-Residents: Park Entrance Fee, $10 | Adults, $5 | Children (ages 0-17), $3
- Click here for more Founders Park ticket options.
Nozzles, loops, and pop-up fountains make up this primary-colored splash pad in Aventura. Because there’s no standing water and zero water depth, the Founders Park splash pad is a safe swimming pool and beach alternative when you’re looking for a way to cool off with your kiddos.
There’s also a playground area here that’s split into a tot lot for the smaller set and a more intense climbing structure for older kids. Plenty of swings, picnic tables, and a community garden round out a set of outdoor activities that’ll have no problem keeping your little aquatic warriors entertained on a sunny summer afternoon.
