Best Splash Pads in Columbus Ohio (2026 Guide)

Updated: May 2026

When it comes to summer fun with kids, splash pads are the real MVP. 🙌 They’re easy, safe, and honestly? A total win for parents who don’t feel like squeezing into a swimsuit. 🙃

As much as my kids love water, traditional pools used to give me anxiety. The deep end, slippery edges, the constant “Where are they?!” But splash pads? Total game-changer. The water stays low, the vibes stay high, and everyone leaves happy (and tired).

They’re perfect for spontaneous playdates, midday picnics, or just burning off that wild summer energy without turning it into a whole production. And luckily, Central Ohio has SO many good ones. 💦

Here are some of our favorite splash pads, spraygrounds, fountains, and water play spots around Columbus for summer 2026!

Check out this list of things we typically bring with us on water adventures! My favorite might be the collapsible buckets and of course, the portable fans.

Gahanna’s Splash Pad

• Address: Gahanna Pool, 148 Parkland Dr, Gahanna, OH 43230
• Website says opening May 1, but the weather hasn’t been great – as of 5/14, I do not think it is open, but assume it willsoon! Will update!
• 8 AM – Noon after the pool opens, Before pool season and after pool season, it is open 8AM – 8PM.

The splash pad at Gahanna Swimming Pool is open daily May – October, weather permitting. During the pool season, the Splash Pad is open from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. for free use by the community. During pool open hours, visitors must access the splash pad through the GSP entry gate and pay regular admission or hold a pool membership.

Ballantrae/Bunny Park – Dublin

• Address: Ballantrae Community Park – 6350 Woerner Temple Rd., Dublin, OH 43016
• Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., every day
• Season: May 23 – Sept. 7
• Website

Read about our visit here

Barnett Park – Columbus

• Address: 1184 Barnett Rd. Columbus, OH 43227 
• Open for the Season May 23
• Hours: 12–6 p.m.
• Closed: Memorial Day (May 25) Juneteenth (June 19) Independence Day (July 4) Labor Day (Sept. 7)
• Website

Blackburn Recreation Center Sprayground – Columbus

• Address: 263 Carpenter St. Columbus, OH 43205
• Open for the Season May 23
• Hours: 12–6 p.m.
• Closed: Memorial Day (May 25) Juneteenth (June 19) Independence Day (July 4) Labor Day
• Website

Veterans Spray and Play – Delaware

• Address: 1121 S. Houk Road. Delaware, OH 43015
• Hours: 10:00am to 8:00 pm
• Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
• They have an AWESOME playground next to the spraygrounds. If your kids like dinosaurs, they will love it!
• Website

DORRIAN GREEN

• Address: 50 South Belle St. Columbus, OH 43215 (In front of COSI)
• Open for the Season May 23
• Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Seven Days A Week
• Dorrian Green and Scioto Mile fountains will be shut down the week of Sept. 5.

Learn more about this park + the fun playground the have here.

Easton Town Center – Easton {Town Square Splash Pad}

• Address: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219 – Located by Brio.
• Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10AM-9PM, Sunday: 12PM–6PM {Might close early for special events}
• TBD on Opening
• Website

Fryer Park – Grove City

The bright, colorful interactive water play structures follow Discovery Frontier’s space theme and include a rocket slide and a variety of whimsical spray effects with accessibility for all.

• Address: 3899 Orders Road, Grove City 43123
• Hours: Open when the Grove City YMCA outdoor pool is open.
• The Splash Pad is closed on Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
• They have an AMAZING playground just across the lot from the splash pad!
• Website

Fountainside at the Scioto Mile – Downtown

• Address: Bicentennial Park – 233 Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
• Season: Opens May 23rd
• Hours: Daily interactive play (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) and evening light shows (7-10 p.m.)
• Make sure to mark your calendars for FountainFest on May 23! ☀️💦 Celebrate the reopening of the Scioto Mile Fountain at Bicentennial Park with live entertainment, food trucks, free ice cream for the first 400 guests, splash time, and family-friendly fun all day long. Don’t miss Puppy Pals Live, the comedic stunt dog show, at 2 p.m.! Admission is free.
• Website

Mark your calendars for the FREE Fountain Fest May 24-25 from 1 a.m.-10 p.m. A free family fun with live entertainment, food trucks, art and fountain play. Perfect way to kick off the summer!

Hanby Park – Westerville

• Address: 15 E. Park St Westerville, OH 43081
• Hours: Opens Memorial Day weekend
• Website

There’s this awesome little playground right next to the spray ground. And guess what? It’s just behind the Westerville Library, which is the coolest place for kids! I suggest you pack a picnic and turn it into a super fun afternoon adventure! Read more in this blog post.

Hilliard Station Park – Hilliard

• Address: 4021 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026
• Hours: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. May 12 – August 31 & 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sept. 1 – 30
• Splash pad closes for the season October 1
• Website

Clyde “Butch” Seidle Splash Pad hours:
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. May 12 – 23
Open as part of pool admission May 24 – Sept. 1
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sept. 2 – 30

John Bishop Park Splash Pad – Whitehall

• Address: 4815 Etna Road, Whitehall, Ohio 43213 – Enter from Kae Avenue Elementary access road or from Langley Avenue
• Hours: TBD
• Season: TBD
• Website

LINDEN CENTER FOR OPPORTUNITY SPRAYGROUND

• Address: 1350 Briarwoord Ave. Columbus, OH 43211
• Open for the Season May 23
• Hours: 12–6 p.m.
• Closed on Memorial Day (May 25), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), and Labor Day (Sept. 7).
• Website

Obetz Splash Pad – Obetz

• Address: 4390 Lancaster Avenue 43207 Obetz, OH
• Opens May 30, 2026
• Obetz Black Card Holders: Free admission
  • Black Card Guest Policy:
    Each household may bring up to 2 guests per visit (not per individual cardholder).
    The Black Card holder must remain with their guests during the visit.
  • Non-Residents: $5 per person for the day, all ages are the same fee.
• Website

Partners Park – Marysville

• Address: 125 E. Sixth St.  Marysville, OH  43040
• Hours: 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, unless closed for maintenance/testing. 
• Opening Memorial Day Weekend
• Website

Polaris Fashion Place – North Columbus

• Address: 1500 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240
• Hours: TBD

Powell Splash Pad – Powell

• Address: Village Green Park, 47 Hall Street, Powell, Ohio 43065. 
• Normal hours are 9am-9pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day, but may vary depending on weather, maintenance, or events happening in the park.

Before visiting the Splash Pad, check the City’s homepage of the website or Facebook page to see if the Splash Pad is open or closed.

SCIOTO SOUTHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER SPRAYGROUND

• Address: 3901 Parsons Ave.Columbus, OH 43207 
• Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM
• Open for the Season May 23
• Hours: 12–6 p.m.
• Closed: Memorial Day (May 25) Juneteenth (June 19) Independence Day (July 4) Labor Day
• Website

Another great way to soak up summer? Creek play. 💦 It’s one of those timeless, low-key activities that just never gets old—splashing around, flipping over rocks to look for tiny critters, catching crayfish, or simply cooling off in the shade of the trees. It’s such a fun (and free!) way for kids to connect with nature and let their imaginations run wild. That said, a few safety reminders go a long way: always supervise little ones closely, have them wear water shoes to protect their feet from sharp rocks, and keep an eye out for strong currents or deeper pools. With a little prep, creek days can be pure summer magic—and the memories made are the kind that stick.

• Columbus Metro Parks
  • Sharon Woods and Highbanks Metro Parks are our favorites! Sharon Woods has a natural play area further back in the park, while Highbanks is easier to access and offers a ton to explore, with its flat and shallow water. For first-timers, we suggest checking out Highbanks – you can get all the details in this post. To plan your visit, head over to the Metro Parks website – it’s very user-friendly and offers a comprehensive overview of everything the parks have to offer. We’ve also heard great things about the creek at Prairie Oaks, so be sure to check it out if you’re in the area.

• Shale Hallow (Delaware)
  • If you’ve never been to Shale Hollow, you’re in for a treat! This hidden gem boasts absolutely stunning views, with the Shale Hollow stream winding along a twisting corridor lined by towering 20- to 40-foot-tall shale cliffs. You can see many remnants of concretions (round rock formations) in the cliffs and along the stream bed, while the creek itself is filled with pieces of Ohio shale that have eroded out of the cliffs and wash down the creek. The shale is even nicknamed “potato chip shale” due to its brittle nature! Additionally, the park features intermittent waterfalls that add to the park’s natural beauty.

• Franklin Park Conservatory (Downtown)
  • For those seeking a luxurious version of creeking, look no further than the Children’s Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory. With a towering Sandstone Bluff inspired by the geology of Hocking Hills, visitors can discover friendly Wayside Gnomes and explore the wonders of My Ohio Woods. Along the 166-foot bluff, kids can encounter moss, lichens, ferns, and fossils, immersing themselves in the dynamic landscape of Ohio. While admission is typically required, Franklin County Residents can enjoy free admission on the first Sunday of the month with reservations, or visitors can obtain a free temporary membership by checking out a Columbus Library pass.

• Gantz Park (Grove City)
  • Not only do they have a pretty cool playground, just behind it there is a little creek to explore.

Looking to add a few new spots to your summer park lineup? Here are a few that are still on my list to explore (so if you beat me there—report back! 😉): Amberleigh Community Park, Kiwanis Riverway Park, Blues Creek Park, Indian Run Falls, Char-Mar Ridge Park, Friendship Park, Blendon Woods, and Sycamore Creek Park. So many trails, creeks, and playgrounds… so little time. 🌿🛝☀️