Stay Cool at These South Sound Spray Parks and Splash Pads

On a hot summer day, there’s one thing that’s sure to please nearly everyone: playing in the water. And that’s what free spray parks and splash pads are all about.

There are many incredible opportunities to splash around in the South Sound. Try them all this summer and you may find a new favorite!

(Closer to the Seattle area or heading that way? Don’t miss our guide to spray parks around Seattle, the Eastside and North Sound.)

Tacoma spray parks

Metro Parks’ spraygrounds, listed below, are open 10 a.m.–8 p.m., seven days a week, May 24–Sept. 1. Check the website for occasional updates.

Editor’s note: South Park Sprayground is closed for the 2025 season due to needed repairs.

SERA Campus Sprayground

This large spray park is next to the STAR Center in south Tacoma. After kids are done splashing, they can play in the STAR Center’s unique Treetops Playgrounds, a staffed indoor/outdoor playscape with a huge range of play equipment.
Hours: Open daily, May 24–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September.
Location: 6002 S. Adams St., Tacoma

Norpoint Sprayground

With landscaped rain gardens, eco-turf and a playground as well as a sprayground, there are many reasons to visit Norpoint Park.
Hours: Open daily, May 24–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September.
Location: 4818 Nassau Ave. N.E., Tacoma

Wright Park 

This beautiful park in northeast Tacoma is a 27-acre arboretum with an almost 1-mile trail. Explore the nearby W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory on your visit.
Hours: Open daily, May 24–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September.
Location: 501 South I St., Tacoma

Jefferson Park Sprayground

Spanning more than 15 acres, this park has a renovated spray park and playground, plus athletic fields.
Hours: Open daily, May 24–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September.
Location: 801 N. Mason Ave., Tacoma

Verlo Playfield

Have a picnic after the kids work up an appetite splashing in the sprayground. Note, some still know this playfield by its former name, McKinley Playfield.
Hours: Open daily, May 24–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September.
Location: 4321 McKinley Ave., Tacoma

South Park

The trees at this forested park provide plenty of shade when you need a break from splashing or strolling around the gardens.
Hours: Closed for repairs for the 2025 season.
Location: 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma

Wapato Hills Park

The Skip and Laura Vaughn Playfield and sprayground at this park is adjacent to a natural area with trails.
Hours: Open daily, May 24–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September.
Location: 6231 S. Wapato St., Tacoma

Titlow Park

This 75-acre park on Tacoma’s west side boasts a spray park, lagoon, a playground, plus basketball courts and playfields. Tip: Come on a low-tide day to inspect what marine life lives in the shallow water. 
Hours: Open daily, May 24–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September.
Location: 8425 Sixth Ave., Tacoma

Franklin Park

This park has a sprayground, walking trails and an expanded community garden.
Hours: Open daily, May 24–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September.
Location: 1201 S. Puget Sound Ave., Tacoma

Kandle Park

This park boasts a huge outdoor pool, a free mini sprayground, spray toys and a separate spray pool.
Hours: Open daily, May 24–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September.
Location: 2323 N. Shirley St., Tacoma

More Tacoma splash pads

Sprinker Recreation Center Outdoor Splash Pad

This splash pad opened last summer next to a thrilling new playground. Parents and caregivers can fit in a workout on the nearby exercise equipment.

Hours: Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays for cleaning.
Location: 521 Military Road S., Tacoma

Point Ruston Children’s Splash Pad

Tacoma’s revitalized Ruston Way waterfront is packed with attractions for families, including a ferry boat-themed playground and splash park. If you stick around until the sun goes down you’ll get to see the colorful fountain light show which runs from dusk to 10 p.m.
Hours: Open daily, noon–10 p.m., beginning in June.
Location: 5005 Ruston Way, Tacoma

Fife

Colburn Park Splash Pad

This brand-new splash pad, sponsored by The Old Cannery, planned its opening just in time for the July Fourth weekend. It has colorful spray features and an accessible, slip-resistant concrete surface. Plus, families can rent one of two cabanas at the park to relax in the shade or throw a summer party. 
Hours: Open daily through summer, 9 a.m. to dusk.
Location: 5506 20th St. E., Fife

Puyallup

Kiwanis Kids Spray Park 

This spray park features multiple spray structures in Pioneer Park, adjacent to the public library. You’ll also find the Puyallup Farmers Market at the park on Saturdays in the spring and summer.
Hours: Open daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Location: 322 S. Meridian, Puyallup

Auburn 

Les Gove Park Rotary Spray Playground

The colorful water-spray features here make this destination one of the most popular spray parks in the area. Tip: Les Gove also includes the terrific, fully accessible Discovery Playground and a very nifty crow.
Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Location: 910 Ninth St. S.E., Auburn

Federal Way

Town Square Park Splash Pad

This flagship community park features tons of fun for kids, including a zip line, a play structure and a seasonal splash pad.
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., weather dependent.
Location: 31600 Pete von Reichbauer Way S., Federal Way

Gig Harbor

Scott Gallacher Memorial Spray and Play Park at Gateway Park

Come splash and play at the gateway to the Key Peninsula! Gateway Park offers playgrounds, a splash pad, grassy areas, a dog park, restrooms, abundant parking and even a picnic pavilion. You if have more energy after all that, you can find the trailhead to the popular 360 Trails and enjoy some time in the woods.
Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Location: 10405 State Route 302 N.W., Gig Harbor

Olympia 

East Bay Public Plaza

This unique reclaimed water stream near the WET Science Center and fabulous Hands On Children’s Museum has water to spare, stepping stones to climb on and much more. To avoid possible disappointment, check the Facebook page for occasional closures before heading out. 
Hours:  Open daily, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., May–August.
Location: 325 Marine Dr. N.E., Olympia

Woodruff Park

A fun sprayground was added in a renovation of this Olympia-area park. It includes high-flying water features to keep the little ones cool on a hot day. 
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., seasonally.
Location: 1500 Harrison Ave. N.W., Olympia

Heritage Park Fountain

This is an Olympia favorite for wading and splashing. The fountain is occasionally closed for maintenance, so check the website before heading out!
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.–8 p.m., from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Location: 330 Fifth Ave. S.W., Olympia

Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago and updated most recently on May 22, 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with a thorough fact-check and details for summer 2025. Elisa Murray contributed to this article.