When it’s hot in Adelaide, it’s really bloody hot. So here are some great parks where you can find FREE shade, water, and some playground fun to keep the kids happy and the electricity bill down. As always PLEASE be very careful with your kids around water. We love kids exploring, having fun in nature and having a splash but you need to watch them at all times! And don’t forget to slip, slop, slap and wrap!
All of the places below are FREE for a cool down, more of a splash than a proper swim
If you’re looking for swimming pools and water parks – click here
If you’re looking for our favourite beaches for families – click here
If you’re looking for secret swimming spots – click here
Festival Plaza
The Festival Plaza outside the Adelaide Festival Centre has had a major redevelopment and now includes this awesome water play area! It alternates between water and mist on a timer, we guarantee that the kids will love playing in the “fog” as our kidlets called it. They don’t get too wet unless they actually sit down – so maybe take a change of clothes just in case! Perfect for a hot day in the city. There is also plenty of seating around and it’s right next to the new Children’s Artspace.
Splash Town Moonta
Splash Town in Moonta is awesome, with a tipper bucket and more. Probably more than a day trip though- but worth it! Oh and all of this is FREE! They call it a town for a reason – it is filled with things SPLASH ! Waterslides, dropping buckets and raining mushrooms! If you are on the Yorke Peninsula – you definitely need a visit to Splash Town.
Thorndon Park Playground
One of the biggest new playground openings in the last few years has come through with the water play goods with a brilliant dedictated water play area and a giant misting hen!
Tusmore Park Wading Pool
Reopened in March 2022, the Tusmore Park Wading Pool is fast becoming a favourite spot for visitors to cool down. The design features a fully fenced and shaded wading pool, lawned areas for picnics, a new creek style section, tiered seating and water play equipment for plenty of splashing and playing during the summer months.
Playford Alive Town Park
Glenelg Foreshore Playground
Water play here can be found at the playground- and at the beach too of course! This space recently had an upgrade, but there are still fountains that the kids will like turning on & off. Of course there is the awesome playground adjacent which mixes up the activities. Lots of shade under the veranda area to watch the kids enjoy all this playground has to offer and beware little eyes always see the Beach House as a request !
Renmark Water Play & Riverfront
This gorgeous riverfront spot includes heaps of fountains for the kids to play under, a 24m river deck, four barbecues, lawn area all with views of the River Murray. The Visitor Info Centre is a 2 minute walk away and there are plenty of eateries close by.
Glenunga Hub Playground
This Eastern suburbs playground has a wonderful water play section with a water pump even 3 year olds can manage, and a great set of metal ‘channels’ to change the water direction through.
Port Broughton Civic Square Splash Pad
The splash pad at the newly redeveloped Port Broughton Civic Square is now active!
The splash pad will operate daily from 7am to 10pm (adjusted to 9am-6pm during May-August) and provides the perfect way to cool off while enjoying the new square.
To activate the water jets, simply press the button on the metal pole at the edge of the splash pad – it’s easy, and the jets will run for a fun-filled 10 minutes!
Cowell Water Park, Eyre Peninsula
Upgraded in 2023 the Cowell Water Park and Waterslides are your go to cool down spot on the Eyre Peninsula. The Precinct includes a free outdoor water play area featuring a splash zone and two water slides.
Mosley Square Water Fountains – Glenelg
If you have not finished a day off splashing in the Mosley Square Water Fountains then well you have not truly experienced one of Adelaide’s greatest playtime experiences. Weather it is a visit after the beach to wash off the sand or a trip in itself -kids will have a ball playing amongst the fountains. There’s food within easy reach. Grab fish & chips, ice cream, or pretty much anything else and sit back and relax! Great for new little walkers too for some easy splash time!
Bridgewater Mill Playground
Morialta Conservation Park Playground
Henley Square
Head West to Henley Square where a whole day can be spent exploring this great beach suburb in our city. The water play space itself is a large, open area where children can jump, splash and play, keeping them entertained for AGES. There’s no shade over the water play area, but there’s plenty around the edges. Along with the ground lay water play area, there’s also a funky looking shower on the edge of the square that kids love.
Waikerie Nature & Water Playground
While we are in the Riverland, be sure to head to Waikerie for the kids to have a splash in their Water Play & Nature Play area. It’s a gorgeous playground complete with flying fox and plenty of climbing equipment, but on a hot day the kids will love pumping water and letting it run through the course, or stomping on the buttons to make the fountains go off. You could easily spend a couple of hours here!
Got other Faves? let us know so we can add them
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