HH Review:
Splash Pads
This summer we made it our mission to visit the local splash pads to cool off and beat the summer heat! We made sure to visit our favorite website for recommendations: my Kids List! Splash pads are the perfect options for little ones as they are water recreation areas with little or no standing water. These pads can provide children with a sense of independence and freedom without the parental fears of pools and deep water.
Prospect Park in Park Ridge
Prospect Park Splash Pad is located in Park Ridge, IL and the first stop on our summer list of to-dos. The park did not disappoint. The Splash Pad features a large, pirate-themed water play area and is surrounded by a beautiful park with a playground for additional fun. Daily Fees: Residents are $4 and Non-Residents are $7 with children under 11 months FREE. There are tons of interactive water features and two tot slides. The concession stand had light snacks & easily accessible restrooms. Evening private rentals are available for all those warm summer celebrations. Pro Tip: Arrive at opening so you can save yourself a chair and umbrella, nice option to have when you need a few minutes out of the sun and some water.
The Splash Pad is located near the downtown area which is ideal for brunch or lunch prior or post activity. After our splash pad adventure, we had brunch at our favorite spot, Pennyville Station. The outside patio and picnic tables are perfect for eating with kids. The kids enjoyed some butter noodles and peas while we sipped on some sparkling rose and sampled a delicious spread.
Behrens Park Splash Pad
Behren's Park Splash Pad is located in Elmhurst, IL and the second stop on our splash pad visits. The park was geered much more for our 15 month olds. The Hub features a 6,000-square-foot spray ground including nine exciting water features & two Big Squirt filling stations for refillable water toys that can be purchased onsite. Daily Fees: Residents are $6 and Non-Residents are $7 with FREE admission for children under 2. The HUB also includes mini golf and batting cages for a enjoyable family outing of all ages. This location would be one of our top recommendations for young kids around 15 months!
The Hub is not far from downtown Elmhurst. Since the kids are awake at sunrise, we met for breakfast at Egg Harbor. The staff was friendly and we had the backroom to ourselves. The kids feasted on fruit and pancakes while we enjoyed coffee/tea and egg scramblers. With food in their bellies they were ready to tackle to sprinklers!
Oak Brook Splash Pad
The Splash Island in Oak Brook is not your average splash pad. It is almost like the park district intended to create the most extreme and intense splash pad ever! This splash pad features a zero-depth entry pool, slides, interactive features, dumping buckets, jets and other spray features. They even have an indoor splash pad that is separate from the outdoor one. Although Splash Island’s webpage says it is age appropriate for everyone it is best suited for older swimmers. We saw several middle schooled aged children having a blast at this outdoor aquatic playground. The splash pad reaches a depth of 18 inches and even the smallest slides are equipped with intense water features. For younger kids who might not be ready for the water there is a separate splash pad with bubblers and jets, featuring animals.
Splash Island is available for private party rentals and even has a firepit and separate covered play area. Lifeguards are on duty and there was an ample amount of lounge chairs and overhead shade structures for sun relief. Residents pay $10 while non-residents pay $12 for entry and children under 2 are free. The Oak Brook Shopping Center is less than a mile away offering an array of dining options for your hungry kiddos.