Splash Pads and Cool Water Play in Richmond, VA
It is summertime in Richmond, Virginia and the weather is humid and hot! Families looking for a fun activity and way to cool down will love the outdoor great splash pads available for kids of all ages!
Splash pads are a great option for parents who have smaller kids, families who do not want to navigate a busy pool, or are looking for a new and exciting water feature option to check out in the Richmond metro area! Families will love these 9 splash pad options in various areas around Richmond, VA!
Check out one splash pad in Richmond, Virginia or visit them all this summer to beat the heat and cool down with the whole family. The best part of the 9 favorite splash pads in Richmond, VA is that 7 of the 9 are FREE!
Free splash pad play is an amazing resource for families during the summer months in Richmond, VA to stay busy! Go check out the splash pads around Richmond, VA on your own or meet up with friends to have some outdoor water play fun!
9 Splash Pad Water Play Options in Richmond, VA for Kids and Families
Splash Pads in Henrico County, VA
Dorey Park Splash Pad
Richmond, VA's new splash pad is available and open in 2023 and is going to quickly become the favorite Richmond, Virginia’s family splash pad option! The Richmond, Virginia spray park is located adjacent to the barn at Dorey Park. Make your trip to Dorey Park an all-day fun trip by taking advantage of the amenities Dorey Park has to offer while there visiting the spray park with your children.
Dorey Park includes a large pond with walking trail, meandering walkways through the woods, an awesome playground, and open space for running and playing as well as a gazebo and picnic shelter options. Pack a snack or lunch and make your family trip to Dorey Park a success.
Dorey Park is open daily dawn to dusk and location 2999 Darbytown Rd, Henrico, VA 23231. Visiting Dorey Park splash pad is free.
Twin Hickory Park Splash Pad
Twin Hickory Park opened in July 2014 but still is one of our favorite splash pad options in Richmond, Virginia. Twin Hickory Park Splash pad features include walking trails, open play areas, a big multi-purpose field, landscaping, irrigation, a picnic shelter with restrooms, a great playground with separate areas for ages 2-5 and one for ages 6-12.
The most unique characteristic of the park is the spray park, a small, whimsical, zero-depth water play feature intended for children 12 or under with adult supervision but is best for little kids. Twin Hickey Park is located in 5011 Twin Hickory Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059. Visiting the Twin Hickory Park is free.
3. Eastern Henrico Spray Park and Splash Pad
This Richmond, Virginia family spray park option is perfect for younger kids. There are picnic facilities on site as well as open play areas for kids to bring sports equipment to run and get energy out! The Eastern Henrico Spray Park also has basketball courts, play equipment and a exercise trail.
The Eastern Henrico Spray park and rec center has a gym is open for designated activities such as badminton, basketball, and pickleball. All activities are free, but do require an access pass. The Eastern Henrico rec center has community rooms offer a variety of recreational activities and games such as basketball, air hockey, arcade games, charging stations and arts/crafts.
The Eastern Henrico Recreation Center is located at 1440 N. Laburnum Avenue Henrico, VA 23223. Visiting the Eastern Henrico Spray Park is free.
4. Dunncroft / Castle Point Park and Splash Pad
Located at the entrance to Hungary Creek Middle School, this park features trails, picnic area and shelter, play area and equipment, a spray park, and a nine-hole disc golf course. This playground is one of my favorites in Richmond, VA. Dunncroft / Castle Point Park and Splash Pad is located at 4901 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Visiting the Dunncroft Castle Point Park is free.
5. Short Pump Park and Splash Pad
This Richmond, Virginia park includes a dog park, spray fountains, athletic fields, play equipment, picnic facilities, and a restored 1902 two-room schoolhouse. The Short Pump Park Dog Park has separate areas for small and large dogs, each surfaced by a synthetic grass specifically designed for dog parks.
This Richmond, Virginia splash pad is a great conveniently located option for families with little ones and dogs! There is something for everyone in a family at Short Pump Park located at 3401 Pump Road, Richmond, VA 23233. Visiting Short Pump Park is free.
Splash Pads in the City of Richmond, VA
6. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden water play splash pad area is perfect for young children to cool off while visiting the gardens. Lewis Ginter is reopening the water play splash pad area in summer 2023 after a revamp. Lewis Ginter splash pad is only one of the amazing play features for children and families.
Your family can pay per visit to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, but I highly recommend a family annual membership pass which pays for itself very quickly and comes with a ton of added bonuses for your family. Membership to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden comes with daily admission for 2 adults and up to 6 children under 18, Two guest passes (for one-time visits), Discounted admission to Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights (plus free admission on select Member Nights), Discounts on Garden classes and summer camps, Discounts in the Garden Shop, and Free admission to over 300 American Horticultural Society affiliate gardens among other benefits.
Lewis Ginter splash pad and botanical garden is located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue Richmond, VA 23228
7. Battery Park Pool and Splash Pad
Battery Park is known for its tennis courts where Arthur Ashe learned to play. In addition to the tennis courts with push button lighting for anytime play, the park includes basketball courts, two children's playgrounds, restrooms, horseshoe pits, a community center that houses a free computer lab, and a swimming pool. 2803 Dupont Circle, Richmond, VA 23222. Visiting Battery Park Pool and splash pad area is free.
Photo Coutesy of Battery Park Richmond Parks and Rec8. Children's Museum of Richmond Splashmor Splash Pad
West Broad St Richmond Location. Located in the front yard late May - August at the downtown location only. The Splash pad at Children's Museum of Richmond is perfect for families and meeting up for water play dates and is fully enclosed. There is partial shade at this splash pad and is great for families of children of all ages to have fun!
Visit just the splash pad or bring a change of clothes and visit the exhibits inside of the Children's Museum too! Pay per visit or purchase a family membership and visit all year long for 149$.
9. Stony Point Fashion Park / Pop Jet Fountain
The Pop Jet Fountain and splash pad runs daily, Monday – Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday, 12 – 6 pm. (Seasonally). Stony Point Fashion Park's splash pad is perfect for young children to play in on a hot day. Getting to the splash pad from the parking lot is very simple for families.
Stay up to date on events at the shopping center on the Facebook page. You can find the splash pad at Stony Point Fashion Park at 9200 Stony Point Parkway Richmond, Virginia 23235.
Splash Pads in Chesterfield, VA
There are not currently any splash pads in Chesterfield, Virginia that are specifically open just as a free water play / splash pad option.
However, Pocahontas State Park does have a water play activity pool available for guests who pay to enter the water play area. Pocahontas State Park is a Virginia State Park, and the aquatic pool area was reopened in 2022 after being closed for 2 years for a $2 million dollar renovation. Keep in mind that this is not just a splash pad. Pocahontas State Park's splash park and Aquatic Center, which has a toddler pool, fountain wet deck, three-foot and five-foot-deep leisure outdoor pools, an activity pool and two tubular water slides, affords seasonal water-based activities for all is big.
If you are planning to visit a splash pad solo with multiple young children, I would recommend the splash pads above. If you are looking for water park play for older children who can swim, or you are visiting with another adult then Pocahontas State Park would be a great option!
Pricing for Pocahontas State Park Water Play: Visiting the aquatic area at Pocahontas State Park is 9$ for 3–12-year-olds, 10$ for 13 and up on the weekends and free for children two and under. The daily pass prices for Pocahontas State Park are 7$ for ages 3-12 during the week and 8$ for 13 and up during the week. Pocahontas State Park is located at 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832 Pocahontas State Park is a beautiful water park option for families who want to see how their children do at a water park before tackling a larger water park option like Water Country USA or Kings Dominion Soak City.
You can also visit Cobblestones Park in Glen Allen, Virginia which is a smaller water park but a great option for families looking for a family swim opportunity in large pools outdoor and water slides for older children. The pool decks are also able to be rented for special events on the weekend. Parents can relax in lounge chairs and feel safe with life guards on duty as well for older children. Visit Cobblestones Water Park for $18 on weekdays and $20 on weekends. Your family can also get ca season pass for 85$. Pool hours vary but are typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Find pool schedules and event information on the Cobblestones Park website.
What Should Parents Pack for Splash Pads in Richmond, VA?
Swim / water Shoes to protect little feet from hot concrete and stubbed toesBandaids / First Aid KitLots of sunscreenHatsWater toys / cups / sand toysSnacksWater bottlesBathing suitsSwim diapersChange of clothes
Why are splash pads a great option compared to pool?
Not all families in Richmond, Virginia have a pool membership. If you are visiting the Richmond, Virginia area and want to cool down without having to spend a lot of money these 8 splash pads make a great way to enjoy water play without having to navigate a busy pool.
Splash pads are also a great option for families who want to enjoy water fun without knowing how to swim as well. Splash pads make great options for families with multiple children so that parents can watch children play in the play area and also can accommodate babies as well.
I loved taking my boys to splash pads for water play when I had an infant and couldn't get into our neighborhood pool as easily solo when my husband was at work! It is always nice to have a change of scenery and meeting friends at the splash pads in Richmond, Virginia is the best activity for little kids this summer!
Stay cool and enjoy great water play options in splash pads this summer around Richmond, VA at these 9 splash park options for families. Visit one or visit them all for fun all over Richmond, Virginia!
