Keeping our kids cool in the Florida summer requires creativity and lots of options. One great option for free/low cost summer fun is visiting a local splash pad! There are almost a dozen free splash pads in Pinellas county, with 3 of them being located in St.Pete. As local explorers with Sunshine City with Kids, we have visited almost all of these splash pads and have everything you need to know about some of our favorite spots to splash!
Majeed Foundation Splash Pad at the St. Pete Pier
The St. Pete Pier is in the regular rotation for places we visit with our kids. The Majeed Foundation Splash Pad is located directly in the middle of all of the fun that the St. Pete Pier has to offer! It’s a quite sizable splash pad with plenty of room for all ages to run and play. We appreciate the many tables and chairs nearby that offer plenty of shade. After splashing, walk over to the neighboring cafe for some food, drinks, or ice cream or continue the fun at one of the many other pier attractions including the playground, beach area, and the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.
Address: 600 2nd Ave NE
Good to know: The splash pad is located close to the covered parking area (parking fees apply).
James P. Ernst Park and Splash Pad
This is the smallest splash pad on our list, but still worth the visit! We really appreciate that this splash pad is fenced in (if you know, you know). This splash pad features a fun water sprayer and showering arch. To get the water started, there’s a button on the ground you have to push, which took us a minute to figure out. This splash pad is attached to a nice shaded playground with picnic tables and swings. We really appreciate the quiet setting of this little neighborhood park and splash pad.
Address: 4600 58th St N, Kenneth City
Good to know: Parking is free and very near to the play areas.
Coachman Park and Splash Pad
Coachman waterfront park in Clearwater was renovated and opened in summer 2023 and is an awesome place to spend the day with kids. Within steps from the massive pirate ship themed playground is the beautiful splash pad with multi colored lights, seating, and shade. It’s brilliant to have it so close to the playground as a fun spot to cool off in between pirate and sea monster adventures. The new Coachman waterfront park offers walking trails, waterfront views, and bathrooms located very close to the splash pad.
Address: 300 Cleveland Street, Clearwater
Good to know: The paid parking is within walking distance to the kid-friendly amenities. 
R.O.C. Park and Splash Pad
Remember our Children (R.O.C.) park in Madeira Beach is an absolutely beautiful waterfront park that was created as a memorial to celebrate the lives and memory of lost loved ones. The enclosed splash pad at R.O.C. Park is overlooking the water and offers shaded seating areas for parents and fun water features that are great for all ages of kids.. We enjoy the quiet serene views and vibe of this park. The area surrounding the splash pad is wonderful and offers public bathrooms, a walking path, plenty of shade, a playground, covered picnic tables, a pier, and a recreation area.
Address: 200 Rex Pl, Madeira Beach, FL 33708
Good to know: The parking here is free but a short walk from the splash pad, so bring a stroller if you have a littler one. 
Pollywog Pond at Skyview Pool
Pollywog Pond is best described as a mix between a splash pad and a shallow water play area, perfect for non-swimmers. It features multiple fun amenities including a zero depth beach entry, frog slide, umbrella waterfall, interactive bicycles, a squirting rocking whale, and plenty of fountains and showers. Though it is shallow enough for even toddlers to stand, there are lifeguards on duty. The hours are Monday- Thursday, 10am-4pm & Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 12pm-4pm. There is a small entry fee associated with this splash area as well.
Address: 9040 54th Way N, Pinellas Park
Great features of this splash pad: We love the shallow pool-like feeling of this water play area and the close access to the larger pool for our older kid to swim too. Adjacent tables, shade, and bathrooms are also a huge plus.
Kiwanis Sprayground
The Kiwanis Sprayground is located in Highlander Park in Dunedin. This park is a little bit of a drive from St. Pete, but definitely worth it if you have young kids. This epic fenced-in splash pad has multiple pirate and sea themed water features that kids of all ages will love. There are areas for parents to sit on the perimeter of the splash pad and spots for kids to take a break from the water when needed. Our kids love the giant pirate ship and water slides.
Address: 937 Ed Eckert Drive, Dunedin
Good to know: You can spend the whole day here enjoying multiple playgrounds, picnic tables, pavilions, a community pool, nearby bathrooms, and free easy parking.
Dell Holmes Park and Splash Pad
Dell Holmes splash pad has been a go-to of ours for years. It is a medium sized splash pad with multiple fun and colorful ocean themed water features. We appreciate that it offers something for every age child to enjoy. There are soft turfed areas surrounding the splash pad to set up a picnic, some benches for seating, and some nice areas of shade. The splash pad is fenced in, which is a huge plus for parents of younger kids. It is attached to a massive playground that is a great area for kids to continue exploring once they’re done in the splash pad. Dell Holmes park is beautiful and also offers a walking trail around Lake Maggiore, a fishing pier, multiple covered pavilions, and is very close to the plentiful free parking.
Address: 2741 22nd St S
Good to know: Lake Maggiore has alligators that like to sun on the banks, monitor closely if you’re outside of the fenced in play areas.
So what are you waiting for?? Grab your towels, sunscreen, and swimsuits, and escape the dog days of summer at one of these awesome splash pads today! Be sure to follow @sunshinecitywithkids on Instagram for all of the latest information on kid and family friendly things to see and do in the St.Pete/Tampa Bay Area.
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