Escape into a refreshing and playful paradise for all ages by taking your family to one of the many splash parks in southeast Michigan as well as the spraygrounds, which are perfect for tiny tots and toddlers.
Many are zero depth so there’s little standing water or risk of drowning for kids who can’t yet swim. Think of them as safe, soaked playgrounds: Streams of water shoot up from ground nozzles or sprinkle down from special features like arches, trees or even helicopters.
Here’s a list of options in southeast Michigan that are sure to keep your kids cool this summer. And if these splash parks don’t put enough soak in your summer, you can always check out some of the local public swimming pools or outdoor water parks in your area.
Looking for more things to do with kids? Check out our summer fun family guide!
Note: Not all locales are zero-depth. Use caution and always supervise young children around water.
Macomb
Brandenburg Park Splash Park
Sitting on the shoreline of Anchor Bay, the waterfront park stretches 17 acres with a kids play area, volleyball court and picnic area.
Cascade in the Shade
- Address: 155 Shadyside Drive, Mount Clemens
This artistic community play fountain is located at Shadyside Park. The 1,400-square-foot interactive water fountain and splash pad feature colorful murals of trees with roots and wildflowers to represent the past, present and future of the city.
Chief Gene Shephard Park Splash Pad
- Address: 2452 23 Mile Road, Shelby Township
This firefighter-themed splash pad is one of a kind. It is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily until Labor Day and for Shelby Township and Utica residents only. It offers Toddler Time sessions for age 5 and under from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Non-residents may attend as guests of residents.
Clinton Township Splash Pad
This splash pad opened in 2022 near the Clinton Township Public Library-Main Branch. It features numerous water features, a big bucket, shaded seating areas and a picnic area outside the fence.
Dodge Park Splash Pad
The splash pad includes a mini splash area, movable spray features, interactive elements, water table, waterslide, toddler slide and a bucket that dumps water every couple of minutes.
Lake St. Clair Metropark Squirt Zone Spray Ground and Pool
With water cannons, a tunnel of water to run through and ground sprays shooting up water, tykes will be able to cool off no matter how hot the temperature gets.
Macomb Township Recreation Center: SCS Play Structure
- Address: 20699 Macomb St., Macomb Township
Check out this indoor splash pad. With a log run and lazy river as well as vortex with a waterfall and a play structure for younger kids, this is a great spot for summertime fun.
Spray Fountain at Warren City Square
- Address: One City Square, Warren
Kids can cool off at the spray fountains open Memorial Day through Labor Day until 7 p.m. daily. Stop by on Sundays for Sundays @ the Square, beginning June 6, for vendors and food trucks.
Warren Community Center Indoor Water Park: Play Structure
- Address: 5460 Arden Ave., Warren
With a water slide, lap pool and leisure pool, tots can escape the sun and splash and enjoy the cool water at this play structure in the indoor water park.
Oakland
Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad
- Address: 1585 E. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills
To operate this splash pad’s water features, visitors can press the activation arrows on either of the two posts. There are tables and chairs nearby for a picnic, evening lighting when it gets dark and restrooms.
Clintonwood Park: Renee Przybylski Memorial Spray Park
- Address: 6000 Clarkston Road, Clarkston
Find a variety of above and below water features in this 3,200-square-foot park, which was renovated in 2019. It is a memorial to Renee Przybylski, one of the best camp counselors in Independence Township history.
Indian Springs Metropark Spray ‘n’ Play
- Address: 5200 Indian Trail, White Lake
This spray pad features a rock-climbing wall, cargo nets to climb and even a maze. After a good swim, let your toddlers build castles and leave their footprints in the sand play area.
KLR Splashpad
The “KLR” stands for “Kids Love Recreation” – that means all kids and ability levels at this inclusive park (“Aqua Wheelchairs” available on request). Be prepared for your child to get sprinkled in water as it squirts out from machines as well as the ground.
Lily Pad Springs
The largest splash pad in Michigan features 5,500 square feet of water play including 50-plus play features, including a 2,400-square-foot climbable structure, splash bucket that dumps 55 gallons of water and four waterslides.
Normandy Oaks Park Splash Pad
- Address: 4234 Delemere, Royal Oak
This outdoor splash pad is activated by a switch and is open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day. Be sure to check out the playscape at Normandy Oaks Park nearby.
Red Oaks Waterpark: Soak Station and Spray & Play
The Soak Station water playground has water jets, curtains, slides, bubblers and a six-foot tipping bucket for 68 features in all (must be 56 inches or taller). For toddlers, the Spray & Play has 15 water jets and bubblers at zero depth. It is open seven days a week.
Riverside Park Splash Pad
- Address: 3311 Squirrel Court, Auburn Hills
This Oakland County splash pad is open 2-6 p.m. daily the Saturday of Memorial Weekend to Labor Day. It is free for both residents and non-residents. There are in-ground water sprinklers for kids to run through. Parents can enjoy watching from the steps on the side.
Southfield Sports Arena Outdoor Pool: Children’s Spray Pool
- Address: 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield
This Southfield spot has a small children’s spray pool with a climbing wall and 120-foot waterslide. Note: This is a pool and is not zero-depth.
Splash ‘n’ Blast at Kensington Metropark: Spray Ground
- Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford
It’s known for its waterslides, but this popular area also belongs on the list of splash parks in Michigan for its tot-friendly area with palm trees, serpents and cannons that spray water.
Splash Pad at Heritage Park
These fountains and sprayers are for kids of all ages (mom and dad, too). Stop by the snack shack for a treat or head to the nearby playground after you’ve cooled off.
Troy Family Aquatic Center: Splash Pad
- Address: 3425 Civic Center Drive, Troy
With less than a foot of water, the spray pool and zero-depth splash pad at this popular Oakland County destination is a great hot spot to cool off for tots. If your family is hungry, stop by Harvey’s Hit Concession Stand.
Waterford Oaks Waterpark: Big Bucket
- Address: 1702 Scott Lake Road, Waterford
This tropical-themed oasis offers a children’s water playground with 30-plus interactive activities like a big tipping bucket, waterfalls and sprays.
Washtenaw
Blue Heron Bay Spray Park at Independence Lake County Park
On the list of Washtenaw County splash parks in Michigan, this spot is loaded with interactive jets used to spray those around you, water cannons, dumping buckets and more for family fun.
Rolling Hills Water Park: Activity Pool
- Address: 7660 Stony Creek Road, Ypsilanti
Among the Ann Arbor-area splash parks in Michigan, this spot for younger kids has zero-depth entry, a gentle bubbler, water geysers, a waterfall and kiddie slide for kids under 45 inches tall.
Veterans Memorial Outdoor Pool
- Address: 2150 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor
This Ann Arbor city pool offers a zero-depth area with a “raindrop” and interactive water play features.
Wayne
Canton Heritage Park Splash Playground
- Address: 1150 S. Canton Center Road, Canton
Looking for a Canton splash park to take your child? Stop by this H2O playground during the summertime.
City of Livonia Aquatics: Outdoor Splash Pad
- Address: 15100 Hubbard Road, Livonia
Grab your phone to snap a few pictures as your child splashes the day away in the summer sun.
Civic Center Park Splash Pad
- Address: 23101 Hall Road, Woodhaven
This splash pad has plenty of greenspace surrounding it for parents to watch their kids in shaded seats and tables.
H20 Zone Spray Ground
- Address: 36300 Warren Road, Westland
Soak in the sun and rinse off at the H20 Zone. Be sure to check out the 18-foot helicopter that sprays water from its spinning rotor. Plus, water bucket and spray attractions. Also, free Wi-Fi and a concession area.
Mt. Elliott Park Water Feature on Detroit Riverfront Splash Park
- Address: 110 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit
This Great Lakes schooner-themed spot has water cascades, kid-activated water cannons, unique wind chimes and more interactive features. There’s a popular open-air cafe nearby.
Palmer Park Splash Park
- Address: 910 Merrill Plaisance, Detroit
This state-of-the-art neighborhood spot has colorful water-splashing pipes and small tipping buckets. It’s motion-centered and turns off automatically at 8 p.m. throughout the summer months.
Plymouth Township Sprayscape
This 2,600-square-foot spot has 24 spray features like water cannons, the “Horse Charger,” “Froggy-O” and “Daisy Mae” – along with 12 ground sprays. It’s open seven days a week beginning Saturday of Memorial weekend through Labor Day.
Romulus Aquatic Center: Splash Pools
- Address: 35765 Northline Road, Romulus
The indoor splash pool includes zero depth entrance, water curtain as well as a 150-gallon tipping bucket. Outside the splash pool, kids can enjoy the water slide or lazy river, lap pool or two-story waterslide.
Summit Aquatic Center in Canton: Leisure Pool
- Address: 46000 Summit Parkway, Canton
At zero-depth, this cool community pool has a 30-inch water slide for smaller kids and features including tall features that spray down water, making it an indoor Canton splash park-inspired destination.
Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center at Lower Huron Metropark
- Address: 17845 Savage Road, Belleville
Alongside its big-thrill slides, this spot has a water play scape with a 300-gallon dumping bucket and bright tube-like features that spill lots of water.
Wayne County Family Aquatic Center: Splish-Splash Land
- Address: 12600 Chandler Park Drive, Detroit
Wayne County’s biggest family water park also has a giant attraction for little ones with 100-plus fountains delivering constant sprays and splashes. Ranges zero- to two-feet deep.
This post is updated regularly.
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