Milwaukee Splash Pad Guide: Where to Cool Off in 2026
When Milwaukee summer finally turns up the heat, sometimes the best family adventure is also the simplest: swimsuits, sunscreen, water bottles, snacks and a splash pad.
The greater Milwaukee area has a growing collection of splash pads, spraygrounds and water-play areas where kids can cool off without committing to an entire day at the pool. Most are free, although a few are connected to pools or beaches that charge admission.
Here are some of the best splash pads around Milwaukee, the North Shore, Lake Country and surrounding communities to keep on your summer list.
Hours can change because of weather, maintenance or special events. Check the linked municipal page before making a long drive.
💦 Greater Milwaukee Splash Pad Guide
Find a Splash Pad Near You
Tap a marker for hours, cost, notes and directions. Always check official pages before heading out because splash pads may close for weather, maintenance or staffing.
Thiensville Village Park Splash Pad
One of the newest additions to the North Shore summer scene, the Thiensville Village Park Splash Pad opened in June 2025.
The splash pad is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., weather permitting. It is unsupervised, and children 8 and younger should be accompanied by an adult. Swim diapers are required for children who are not toilet trained.
Village Park also has a playground, pickleball and tennis courts, picnic areas, restrooms, a boat launch and walking paths along the Milwaukee River. On Tuesdays, families can pair a splash-pad visit with the Thiensville Farmers Market, held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Why families will like it: Long hours make this an easy option for an after-dinner outing, and the riverside park offers plenty to do before or after getting wet.
Hart Park Splash Pad — Wauwatosa
Hart Park is already one of Wauwatosa’s strongest family parks, and its splash pad sits next to a nature-inspired, accessible playground.
The park also includes trails, picnic areas, public restrooms, a skate park, tennis and pickleball courts, athletic fields and plenty of open space. The splash pad generally operates during the summer season, typically from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Hart Park itself is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Because splash-pad operations may be affected by maintenance or weather, check with the city before making a special trip.
Why families will like it: The combination of water play, an accessible playground and nearby restaurants in the Wauwatosa Village makes it easy to build a full outing.
Milwaukee Recreation Splash Pads
Milwaukee Recreation operates free, user-activated splash pads at several city playfields. They can generally be turned on from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily from early June through Labor Day weekend.
Operating sites listed for summer 2026 are:
Burnham Playfield — 1755 S. 32nd St.
Carmen Playfield — 7320 W. Carmen Ave.
Emigh Playfield — 495 E. Morgan Ave.
Franklin Square Playfield — 2643 N. 13th St.
Green Bay Playfield — 3818 N. 8th St.
Modrzejewski Playfield — 1020 W. Cleveland Ave.
One important 2026 update: Milwaukee Recreation says the splash pads at Clovernook Playfield and Columbia Playfield are closed indefinitely. Stark Playfield also does not appear on the department’s current summer 2026 splash-pad list.
Milwaukee Recreation describes these splash pads as intended for children ages 6–17. They are timed to reduce water use and can be activated by visitors.
Why families will like them: They are free, spread across Milwaukee and connected to neighborhood playfields where kids can continue playing after they dry off.
Milwaukee County Parks Splash Pads and Wading Pools
Milwaukee County Parks operates a separate system of splash pads and shallow wading pools.
For 2026, county splash pads and wading pools are scheduled to operate June 18 through August 16, daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the air temperature is at least 72 degrees. Admission is free.
County splash-pad locations include:
Carver Park — 911 W. Brown St.
Clarke Square Park — 2330 W. Vieau Place
Dineen Park — 6901 W. Vienna Ave.
Gordon Park — 2828 N. Humboldt Blvd.
Lucille Berrien Park — 3629 N. 16th St.
Madison Park — 9800 W. Glendale Ave.
Moody Park — 2201 W. Auer Ave.
Washington Park — 1859 N. 40th St.
Gordon Park’s pirate-themed water features make it one of the more distinctive options, while Dineen Park offers larger spray features and plenty of surrounding park space.
Children 7 and younger must be accompanied by a caregiver who is at least 12. Youth ages 12 and older may use these facilities only when caring for a younger child or when accompanied by an adult.
Check the county’s daily pool and splash-pad status before leaving home. Individual facilities can close because of weather, staffing, water-quality issues or maintenance.
Why families will like them: These are free, straightforward neighborhood options, and many are connected to playgrounds, picnic areas and other park amenities.
Drexel Town Square Splash Pad — Oak Creek
The free Drexel Town Square Splash Pad is one of the best south-suburban options.
It typically operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Three silver buttons activate four-minute water cycles, while additional buttons allow kids to change some of the spray effects.
Public restrooms are located nearby. The splash pad is also within walking distance of the Oak Creek Public Library, restaurants, shops and Drexel Town Square events.
Why families will like it: It is easy to combine with lunch, a library visit or a walk through the town square.
The Grove at Village Park — Sussex
The Grove at Village Park is one of greater Milwaukee’s best destination splash pads.
The free, 5,200-square-foot inclusive splash pad has separate active, family and toddler zones. Features include water cannons, arches, fountains, team sprays, toddler-friendly water play and a 20-foot dumping feature.
It is open from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. or dusk, whichever comes first. It does not open when the air temperature is below 63 degrees.
The adjacent 14,000-square-foot inclusive playground adds accessible swings, a zip line, climbing structures, tall slides and play areas for younger children.
Organized groups of 10 or more must register in advance and attend during designated group times.
Why families will like it: This is a true “pack the snacks and make a morning of it” destination, especially for families with children of different ages and abilities.
Lake Country Rotary Splash Pad at Nixon Park — Hartland
The Lake Country Rotary Splash Pad at Nixon Park is a free Lake Country favorite.
The splash pad operates seasonally from around Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Published 2026 information lists daily hours of approximately 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., although families should check for current hours before leaving.
Nixon Park also has playground equipment, picnic shelters, athletic areas, walking paths and restrooms. Downtown Hartland is just steps away.
Why families will like it: It combines free water play with a traditional community park and a walkable downtown.
Kohl’s Splash Pad at Village Park — Menomonee Falls
The free Kohl’s Splash Pad at Village Park opened for the 2026 season on May 23.
The touch-activated pad runs in four-minute cycles, and LED lighting comes on around dusk. It is more of a ground-fountain experience than a large sprayground with overhead structures, but it works well for younger children who want to run through the water.
Village Park also includes an accessible play area, restrooms, pickleball and tennis courts, trails, a picnic shelter and a performance stage. The park hosts concerts, beer gardens, food vendors and other downtown events throughout the summer.
The splash pad is unsupervised, so adult supervision is recommended.
Why families will like it: Families can combine the splash pad with the playground, a downtown walk, the farmers market or one of Village Park’s summer events.
Garrison’s Splash Pad at Play Pewaukee — Pewaukee
Garrison’s Splash Pad is part of the Play Pewaukee all-inclusive playground at the Pewaukee Sports Complex. The playground and splash pad officially opened in August 2025.
For 2026, the splash pad opened around Memorial Day weekend and operates during posted daytime hours, weather permitting. It may remain closed when the forecast temperature is not expected to reach 63 degrees.
Because this is still a relatively new facility and hours have varied among published listings, check Play Pewaukee’s current updates before leaving.
Why families will like it: The splash pad sits beside a major all-inclusive playground designed to welcome children with different ages, needs and abilities.
Kinderberg Park Sprayground — Germantown
The free Kinderberg Park Sprayground is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Kinderberg Park also has a playground, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, soccer fields, restrooms and a rentable shelter. The sprayground is Germantown’s only public municipal aquatic facility.
Why families will like it: It is a free, uncomplicated park stop with enough surrounding amenities to keep kids busy well beyond the water play.
Hickory Park Splash Pad — Jackson
The Hickory Park Splash Pad is located near the Jackson Area Community Center and is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer season.
The splash pad is fenced and located next to an accessible playground, giving it a more contained feel than some open plaza-style pads.
Why families will like it: The fencing, reliable daytime hours and neighboring playground make this an appealing choice for families with younger children.
Oconomowoc Rotary Splashpad at Roosevelt Park — Oconomowoc
The free Oconomowoc Rotary Splashpad is part of Roosevelt Park, home to the inclusive Imagination Station playground.
It operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Roosevelt Park also includes picnic shelters, restrooms, a skate park and access to the Lake Country Trail.
The splash pad initially opened in 2024, with additional seating and improvements added as the community continued developing the site.
Why families will like it: It combines free water play with one of Lake Country’s best-known inclusive playgrounds.
Regner Park Rotary Splash Pad — West Bend
Regner Park is a full-day summer destination with a swimming beach, splash pad, playgrounds, concessions, a fishing pond and paved walking paths.
The Rotary Splash Pad is open daily from noon to 5 p.m. from June 5 through September 13, 2026.
From June 5 through August 16, splash-pad admission is included with a Regner Beach daily swim wristband or season pass. From August 17 through September 13, the city plans to offer free splash-pad admission.
Why families will like it: It is a good choice when you want beach time, splash-pad play, concessions and a playground in one location.
Elm Grove Village Pool Splash Pad — Elm Grove
The Elm Grove splash pad is located inside the Village Pool facility, making it different from the area’s free municipal splash pads.
For 2026, the pool and splash pad opened June 12. The splash pad is available during regular open-swim hours:
Monday–Friday: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday: 1–8 p.m.
Splash-pad-only hours are offered Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. During those morning sessions, only the splash pad is open.
Splash-pad-only admission is $4 for Elm Grove residents and $8 for nonresidents. Children 2 and younger are free. Regular open-swim admission costs more.
Why families will like it: The weekday splash-pad-only sessions are especially useful for toddlers and preschoolers who may not need access to a full swimming pool.
What to Bring to a Splash Pad
A little preparation can make a splash-pad outing much easier:
Swimsuits or quick-drying clothes
Towels
Water-resistant sunscreen
Water shoes or sandals
Refillable water bottles
Swim diapers for children who need them
Dry clothes for the ride home
Snacks or a picnic
A waterproof bag for wet clothing
Remember that most splash pads are unsupervised. Even though the water is shallow or zero-depth, children still need close adult supervision. Water shoes can also help on hot pavement and slippery surfaces.
For bigger slides, pools and aquatic attractions, see our guide to outdoor water parks near Milwaukee. You can also explore our guide to the best playgrounds in the Milwaukee area or find a different adventure with our Milwaukee summer activity quiz.
Quick Tips Before You Go
Check hours before you leave. Splash pads can close because of storms, cool temperatures, maintenance, staffing, or private events.
Bring water shoes. Concrete and splash pad surfaces can get hot and slippery.
Pack towels, sunscreen, and dry clothes. Even a “quick stop” usually turns into a soaking wet adventure.
Watch the weather. Many splash pads close during severe weather, and some do not open if temperatures are below a certain point.
Supervise closely. Most splash pads are unsupervised, even when they are located near a pool or playground.
Final Splash
The best splash pad is the one that fits the day. Need something close and easy? Thiensville, Wauwatosa, Milwaukee Recreation, or Milwaukee County might be the move. Want a bigger adventure? Try Sussex, Pewaukee, Oak Creek, Germantown, or Regner Park.
Either way, keep a splash bag in the car this summer. Around Milwaukee, you never know when a hot afternoon will turn into the perfect excuse to cool off.
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