Splash pads, Spraygrounds, and Pop Jets

Splash pads are so much fun! During the hot summer months, we spend a lot of time at them. Who doesn't love that they're free??? To be clear, I'm talking about the free splash pads that are on or near public playgrounds. I realize that some pools have splash pad features and pop jets and sprayers, but those are real swimming pools and they charge admission, so that's a different animal. That list can be found here.

The note "just a pole" means exactly that- it's just a pole that shoots out water. Better than nothing but not exactly exciting stuff.

If I had to rank the best splash pads in the area I would say Route 66, Veteran's Tribute Park, Kades, Edmundson, Sylvan Springs, Vago Park, Citygarden, Veteran's Memorial in Union, Alton Riverfront Park, and Jaycee Park are my favorites because of the variety of different water features they offer.

Another option for free water play is to visit a creek. 

1.)Tower Grove Park (city)

2.)Mo Botanical Gardens (city) $$

3.)Zoo (city) $$ 

4.)Willmore Park (city)

5.)Berra Park (city) (just a pole)

6.)Citygarden (city)  

7.)Fox Park (city)

8.)Minnie Wood (city) (just a pole)

9.)Ruth Porter Mall Park (city)

10.)Benton Park (city) (just a pole)
11.)Pontiac Square (city) (just a pole)
12.)Sublette Park (city) (just a pole)
13.)Tilles Park (city) 
14.)St. Louis Place Park (city) (just a pole)
15.)Kiener Plaza (city) 
16.)Strodtman Park (city) (just a pole)
17.)O'Fallon Park (city) 
18.)Tiffany Park (city) (just a pole)
19.)Gateway Arch (city) 

20.)McDonald Park (City)

21.)Mathilda Welmering Park (Affton) 

22.)Tilles Park (Ladue)

23.)Shaw Park (Clayton)

24.)Highland Park (Richmond Heights)

25.)Brentwood Park (Brentwood)

26.)Sylvan Springs in JB Park (South County)

27.)Lemay Park (Lemay) (just a pole)

28.)Bohrer Park(South County) (just a pole) 

29.)Creve Coeur Park (Creve Coeur)

30.)Millennium Park (Creve Coeur)

31.)Vlasis Park (Ballwin)- being renovated

32.)Ferris Park (Ballwin) (Water pump/small creek feature)

33.)Hunter Park (Crystal Lake Park) 

34.)Musick Park (Hazelwood)

35.)Edmundson Park (Edmundson by the airport)
36.)Castlepoint Park (North County)
37.)Koch Park (Florissant) 

38.)Vago Park (Maryland Heights)

39.)Eise Park (Maryland Heights)

40.)Kirkwood Park (Kirkwood) (just a pole)

41.)Avery Park (Kirkwood) (just a pole)

42.)Meacham Memorial Park (Kirkwood) (just a pole)

43.)Des Peres Park (Des Peres) (just a pole)

44.)Sugar Creek Park (Des Peres) (just a pole)

45.)Pioneer Park (Des Peres) (just a pole)

46.)Villa Park (Olivette) 

47.)Warson Park (Olivette) (Coming soon)

48.)Southwest Park (Webster Groves) (Water pump/small creek feature)

49.)Fogerty Park (University City)

50.)Ackert Park (University City)

51.)Trojan Park (Wellston)

52.)Six Flags (Eureka) $$

53.)Jaycee Park (St. Charles)

54.)Brendan's Playground in Westhoff Park (O'Fallon)
55.)O'Day Park (O'Fallon) NOT FOR TODDLERS

56.)Zachary's Playground in Hawk Ridge Park (Lake St. Louis)

57.)City Hall Park (Dardenne Prairie)

58.)Indian Camp Creek (Foristell)
59.)370 Lakeside Park (St. Peters)

60.)Veterans Tribute Park (Weldon Spring)

61.)Shrine of our Lady of the Snows (Belleville IL)

62.)Bicentennial Park (Belleville IL)

63.)Family Sports Park (O'Fallon IL)

64.)Swansea Kingdom (Swansea IL)
65.)Leon Corlew Park (Edwardsville IL)

66.)Glazebrook Park (Glen Carbon IL) 
67.)Splashpark (Hartford IL)
68.)Central Park (Bethalto IL)

69.)Alton Splashpad (Alton, IL)

70.)Millstadt Pool Splashpad (Millstadt, IL) Costs $2

71.)Evergreen Park (St. Clair MO)

72.)Veteran's Memorial Park (Union MO)
73.)Kade's Playground (Herculaneum, MO) 
74.)Route 66 Splash Pad (Sullivan MO)

75.)De Soto Splash Pad (De Soto, MO)

Here is my map that shows all of these places to help you find the ones closest to you.

The Best Playgrounds in St. Louis

When people ask me what my favorite playgrounds are and I always draw a blank. I finally decided to make a post on this subject, and make a list that I think people will enjoy. After all, this blog is a labor of love for me, and the only profit I get out of it is making people happy by finding a great place to play with their kids.

The following are destination playgrounds- so playgrounds will not be included if they don't have the basics like a bathroom or decent parking. Not that those playgrounds can't be fun, but I'm only listing the best of the best and the coolest playgrounds here with things that make them special.

I have over 700 blog posts here and most of them are playgrounds. The overall majority is just your average playgrounds and not anything amazing. This list will help you find the cream of the crop of what our area has to offer.


1.)Queeny Park in Ballwin CURRENTLY CLOSED AND BEING REPLACED- This is the most unique playground in St. Louis. It's certainly not new, and it is full of pea gravel which is the devil, but the tunnels and 'mines' make it worth it.

2.)Wildwood Community Park in Wildwood- Amazing playground, gorgeous pavilion, and easy access to a creek make this the perfect place to play.

3.)Turtle Park in Dogtown- Climbing on concrete turtles is always fun. Built by local legend Bob Cassilly, there's nothing else like it around town.

4.)Longview Park in Town & Country- CURRENTLY CLOSED AND BEING REPLACED- This is a great playground for toddlers. Plus it has horses, shaded trails, and a creek.

5.)Deer Creek (Rocket Park) in Maplewood- Everyone loves rockets and this playground has it all, including a concession stand and space-themed equipment. 

6.)Edmundson Park in Edmundson- This park is quiet with tons of equipment that is perfect for toddlers. Plus it has one of the best splash pads around.

7.)Jake's Field of Dreams in Wentzville (Or any Unlimited Play Playground)- This is all sports-themed and has a ton of unique things to play on. It's perfect for kids of all abilities.

8.)The Heights Playground - CURRENTLY CLOSED AND BEING REPLACED in Richmond Heights- The playground itself is awesome, and the outdoor classroom is top-notch as well.

9.)Watson Trail Park in South County- Their lower playground is kind of like a hidden gem. It has different equipment than any other park I've seen, with a lake and a really cool zip line. It's also partly shaded.

10.)Veteran's Memorial Park in Union- They have 3 huge playgrounds with cool equipment (zipline) and THE coolest splash pad around.

11.)Faust Park in Chesterfield- Everyone knows about Faust, and with good reason. This park has a huge playground, the Butterfly House, the Carousel, and a historic village. They host tons of events throughout the year including the Olden Days of Summer, fall hayrides, movies in the park, and other various festivals. And in 2024 they added Whimsical Woods, a fairy garden area! It's at the north end by the Webster University Community Music School. 

12.)Twin Oaks Park in Twin Oaks- This park is always called a "hidden gem". It's a great playground surrounded by gorgeous gardens and lush plantings.

13.)Suson Park in South County- This playground is great, and right up the hill is a cute farm with lots of animals.

14.)Kade's Playground in Herculaneum- This is an Unlimited Play Playground plus it has a volcano slide complete with lava flow and a pirate-themed splash pad. 

15.)Discovery Playground in Jaycee Park in St. Charles- This playground is huge and has everything, including a great splash pad with a waterfall.

16.)Howdershell Park in Hazelwood- This playground is cool and all, but the real draw here is the ninja course. No other park in town has one of these!

17.)Towne Park in Foristell- This park's nature classroom is the best and coolest in the area. It's a must-visit for every kid!

18.)Margaret Stoecker in Manchester- This park is secluded and almost completely shaded in the woods. It has great equipment and is never busy.

19.)Vago Park in Maryland Heights- This playground has not 1 or 2 but 3 amazing playgrounds plus a great splash pad and a hella cool outdoor fitness area.

20.)Schranz Memorial Park in Swansea IL- If your kids like castles, this is the playground for them.

21.)Veterans Tribute Park in Weldon Spring- So many cool and unique amenities including a hill to roll down make this a true destination playground.

22.)O'Day Park in O'Fallon- This newer playground is the best. From the double swing to the unique 2 story climbing net to the very unique water feature, this playground is easily one of the coolest in the St. Louis area. Be warned that it's best suited for older kids.

23.)Nature Playscape in Forest Park- What an amazing natural play space. This playground has it all including 9 areas to explore including water, boulders, sand, wood, trees, and more. 

24.)Ollie's Fun Forest in St. Peters- This playground has it all, from creek access to a rocking boat to zip lines to the roller slide to saucer swings, This park is great and is accessible to all! ALSO in 2024 they added a sensory trail! 

25.)Brentwood Park- This park was built in 2024 and has everything, including an amazing channel style water feature, inclusive features, an amphitheater by the water, paved trails, Viking swing, expression swing, and astroturf hills you can roll down.

I encourage everyone to get out there and check out some new playgrounds! There are SO many great ones in the metro area, and we are so fortunate to have so many free and inexpensive kid venues here.

If you like lists, you might enjoy the following: fenced-in playgrounds, playgrounds with creeks, playgrounds with splash pads, and all the things there are to do in St. Louis. I hope you enjoy playing with your kids, they grow up so fast!