Playgrounds with spray showers, free NYC Parks pools and splash pads for hot days. 267 listings.
37 listings
Thomas Jefferson Park in East Harlem has a big Olympic-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Central Park's oldest and largest playground, with swings, slides, a maze-like climber and a big water feature, all with skyline views.
A small, shallow neighborhood pool at Tompkins Square Park in East Village, good for younger kids cooling off in summer. Entry is free and no reservation is needed; bring a padlock for the lockers.
A playground designed by David Rockwell where kids build with giant foam blocks, crates and fabric, alongside sand and water play.
A shady riverside playground in Carl Schurz Park with climbing equipment, swings and sprinklers near the East River Esplanade.
A Tribeca riverfront playground with swings, climbing structures and warm-weather water features. The same pier also has mini golf, a turf field and food concessions nearby.
A busy playground at the north end of Union Square Park with climbing structures, swings and a spray area for warm days.
Hamilton Fish Park in Lower East Side has a big Olympic-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Highbridge Park in Washington Heights has a big Olympic-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
99 listings
A six-acre East River park built on the site of the old Domino Sugar Refinery, with a sugar-themed playground and a fountain splash area. Families also find lawns, sports courts and a seasonal ice rink.
American Playground is a NYC Parks play area in Greenpoint, with climbing structures and play equipment scaled for kids. Transfer platforms and ground-level play pieces give kids with limited mobility ways to get onto and around the equipment. On hot summer days the spray showers switch on, and kids run through the water to cool off.
Betsy Head Park in Brownsville has a big Olympic-size outdoor pool. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Set at Brooklyn Ave & Park Pl, Brower Park Playground is a neighborhood spot where children climb, explore and play with friends. The layout includes ramped routes onto the structures and accessible swings, making it a good pick for families using wheelchairs or strollers. Summer brings the spray showers, so pack a towel and a change of clothes.
Set in Fort Greene, Commodore Barry Park Playground is a neighborhood spot where children climb, explore and play with friends. Transfer platforms and ground-level play pieces give kids with limited mobility ways to get onto and around the equipment. On hot summer days the spray showers switch on, and kids run through the water to cool off.
Maria Hernandez Park Playground offers a dedicated children's area in Bushwick, where kids can climb and play on structures made for them. Accessible swings let children who need extra support share the swing set with everyone else. On hot summer days the spray showers switch on, and kids run through the water to cool off.
Kids head to Sternberg Park Playground at Lorimer St between Montrose Ave and Boerum St to climb, explore and run around on equipment built for children. It is one of the city's accessible playgrounds, with universally accessible swings in the mix. A spray shower makes it a go-to summer stop when children need to splash and cool down.
Asser Levy Playground offers a dedicated children's area in Asser Levy Park near Surf Ave & W. 5th St, where kids can climb and play on structures made for them. It is in Asser Levy Park near the Coney Island boardwalk, so it can round out a beach or aquarium day. Ground-level activities and transfer platforms make much of the play area reachable for children with mobility needs.
Bay 8 Playground gives Bath Beach families a free spot to play, with structures sized for young children. Transfer platforms and ground-level play pieces give kids with limited mobility ways to get onto and around the equipment. On hot summer days the spray showers switch on, and kids run through the water to cool off.
77 listings
Baisley Park South Playground is a NYC Parks play area inside Baisley Pond Park, with climbing structures and play equipment scaled for kids. Ground-level activities and transfer platforms make much of the play area reachable for children with mobility needs. A spray shower makes it a go-to summer stop when children need to splash and cool down.
Bowne Playground is a NYC Parks play area in Bowne Park near 29th Ave to 32nd Ave between 158th St and 159th St, with climbing structures and play equipment scaled for kids. Ground-level activities and transfer platforms make much of the play area reachable for children with mobility needs. A spray shower makes it a go-to summer stop when children need to splash and cool down.
A Long Island City waterfront park with restored gantry cranes, a tot lot playground, a fishing pier, mist fountain and famous views of the Manhattan skyline.
Harvey Playground gives Whitestone families a free spot to play, with structures sized for young children. Ground-level activities and transfer platforms make much of the play area reachable for children with mobility needs. Summer brings the spray showers, so pack a towel and a change of clothes.
Set inside Springfield Park, Springfield Playground is a neighborhood spot where children climb, explore and play with friends. Transfer platforms and ground-level play pieces give kids with limited mobility ways to get onto and around the equipment. On hot summer days the spray showers switch on, and kids run through the water to cool off.
Astoria Park in Astoria has a big Olympic-size outdoor pool. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Flushing Meadows has an indoor Olympic-size competition pool plus a separate diving well plus a diving pool. Kids can join family swim periods and seasonal Learn to Swim classes run by NYC Parks. Swimmers need a Parks recreation center membership, which is free for youth.
Fort Totten Park in Bayside has a mid-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers and a diving pool. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Howard Von Dohlen Playground gives Jamaica families a free spot to play, with structures sized for young children. Accessible swings let children who need extra support share the swing set with everyone else. In warm weather the spray showers turn a playground visit into an easy water-play outing.
10 listings
Crotona Park in Crotona Park has a big Olympic-size outdoor pool. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Barretto Point Park in Hunts Point has a lap pool built into a barge moored on the East River. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale has a big Olympic-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Claremont Park in Claremont has a mid-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
A small, shallow neighborhood pool at Edenwald Playground in Edenwald, good for younger kids cooling off in summer. Entry is free and no reservation is needed; bring a padlock for the lockers.
Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park and Recreation Center in Highbridge has a mid-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Haffen Park in Williamsbridge has a mid-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Mapes Pool in East Tremont has a mid-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
St. Mary's Recreation Center in Mott Haven has an indoor pool inside a Parks recreation center. Kids can join family swim periods and seasonal Learn to Swim classes run by NYC Parks. Swimmers need a Parks recreation center membership, which is free for youth.
44 listings
Clove Lakes Park Playground is a NYC Parks play area in Sunnyside, with climbing structures and play equipment scaled for kids. It is in Clove Lakes Park, where families can add a lakeside walk to the visit. Accessible swings let children who need extra support share the swing set with everyone else.
Lyons Pool in Tompkinsville has a big Olympic-size outdoor pool. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Kids head to Wolfe's Pond Park Playground at End of Cornelia Ave, opposite the hockey rink to climb, explore and run around on equipment built for children. It is one of the city's accessible playgrounds, with universally accessible swings in the mix. Summer brings the spray showers, so pack a towel and a change of clothes.
Faber Pool and Park in Port Richmond has a large outdoor pool. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
Midland Playground gives Midland Beach families a free spot to play, with structures sized for young children. A spray shower makes it a go-to summer stop when children need to splash and cool down.
Midland Beach Playground gives Midland Beach families a free spot to play, with structures sized for young children. It sits by the Midland Beach boardwalk, so kids can go from sand to slides. Transfer platforms and ground-level play pieces give kids with limited mobility ways to get onto and around the equipment.
Kids head to Playland Playground along the FDR Boardwalk and Beach to climb, explore and run around on equipment built for children. It is on the South Beach waterfront by the FDR Boardwalk, so a beach stroll and playtime go together easily. A spray shower makes it a go-to summer stop when children need to splash and cool down.
Aesop Park Playground is a NYC Parks play area in Tottenville, with climbing structures and play equipment scaled for kids. Transfer platforms and ground-level play pieces give kids with limited mobility ways to get onto and around the equipment. In warm weather the spray showers turn a playground visit into an easy water-play outing.
Arrochar Playground is a NYC Parks play area at Sand Ln, Major Ave and McFarland Ave, with climbing structures and play equipment scaled for kids. The layout includes ramped routes onto the structures and accessible swings, making it a good pick for families using wheelchairs or strollers. A spray shower makes it a go-to summer stop when children need to splash and cool down.
67 free NYC Parks pools are listed, including Thomas Jefferson Pool, Astoria Pool, Betsy Head Pool. Outdoor pools are open in summer only.
195 playgrounds list spray showers or water play, including Domino Park, Baisley Park South Playground, Bowne Playground. Spray showers usually run from late June through Labor Day.
267 listings: Manhattan (37), Brooklyn (99), Queens (77), the Bronx (10), Staten Island (44).