It’s one of those mid-summer, sticky Toronto days and you’ve got 2, or 3 or 4 very hot and very energetic kids that NEED to get out of the house for at least an hour. Where to go? Luckily Toronto has some of the most and best splash pads around. From the inventive and unexpected to the more traditional wading pools, we run down a list of 10 that should be accessible with a short walk, drive or hop on transit; okay, you need to take a ferry for Centre Island but... Much thanks to BlogTo and ChatterBlock for help with this list!
For a full list of splash and spray pads available in the City of Toronto, go here
This amazingly modern and stylish park is great without the splash pad, but whoa! What a splash pad it has! The East side park boasts a rubberized field with automated sprinklers set on timers, promising unsuspecting wee ones a wet surprise while you watch from the rocky sidelines.
THE PAUL QUARRINGTON SPLASH PAD AT SHERBOURNE COMMON
An ice rink in the winter and splash pad in the summer, this huge space allows for some serious frolicking in the water. There's also a washroom and changing facility on site and pockets of shade and seating around the perimeter.
SUGAR BEACH PARK
On the other side of the Corus Quay building from Sherbourne Common, Toronto's faux beach features a massive granite maple leaf emblem stuffed with 27 sequencing jets and plenty of seating courtesy of the Muskoka style loungers. Against the Grain is steps away for a post splash pad meal or snack.
HENDON PARK
Soaker style palm trees squirt water from above at this tropical pad near Yonge and Finch. It's home to two splash pads, with one set positioned a little shorter for the lil' tykes.
CHRISTIE PITS
This photo doesn’t do it justice but the maze theme of this splash pad adds another dimension of fun for the kids. The older ones will dig the onsite pool and waterslides.
HIGH PARK
Boasting a pool and a splash pad, this gem of a park is a great place to spend the entire day. The splash pad is its most recent addition, with a canopy of umbrellas and multiple misters to cool your kid off.
CENTRE ISLAND
Franklin reigns supreme at this frog themed water feature on Centre Island. Gentle mists and heavier flows rain down on kids - a great way of washing away all the sand from the nearby beach.
GLENDORA SPLASH PAD
The renovated splash pad at Glendora Park near Yonge and Sheppard is a wide open space of sprinklers with a playground right across for drying off.
JUNE ROWLANDS PARK
Midtowners celebrate the music of Sharon Lois & Bram via this micro-park tucked inside June Rowlands Park. The well appointed water area is aptly named the Splish Splash splash pad.
DUFFERIN GROVE PARK
Dufferin Park is a great option for the younger kids, they will enjoy the spacious wading pools surrounded by a layer of beautiful trees further protecting the fun-seekers from the scorching sun. It's also equipped with a large playground complete with a vast sandpit great for the explorative minds of the young ones! If you are lucky to visit during the weekly farmers' market, you will enjoy great deals and fresh produce.