What are sweaty, lethargic parents supposed to do with their kids on days when the heat is too high for running around at the park? Find water…STAT.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of places to let your children frolic happily through cool, creative splash pads. Here are some favorites around the Denver metro area. Bonus: They’re all free!

Wynkoop Plaza Fountain

The fountain at Wynkoop Plaza is perfectly placed in the center of everything at Union Station. Families can enjoy the downtown vibe with a pastry and drink from Pigtrain or a creamy scoop of hand-dipped ice cream from Milkbox. Wynkoop St. between 16th St. and 17th St., Denver.

H2Odyssey Splash Pad

Instead of spending all day on the playground at City Park, set up near the H2Odyssey Splash Pad. The simple pad features a number of jets that spray intermittently and a great city view for moms and dads. Located near the Denver Museum of Nature & Science; walk to the right of the building when standing in the main parking lot.

Westminster Center Park

This Denver park was nicknamed Peter Pan park for its whimsical layout. There’s a “stream” and splash pad for children to play in—from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.—when they’re exhausted from climbing and running around the playground. 4801 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster.

Discovery Park

The splash pad at Discovery Park is up and running May through September, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Activate the fountains by stepping on the blue raised sensor pad. The park also has a large playground and small “river,” near a shaded picnic pavilion, for wading. 3701 Johnson St., Wheat Ridge. 

Cornerstone Park

This Littleton park is not only home to an impressive double playground (one for the littlest kids and one for the bigger ones), but during the summer the splash pad brings all the kids out to play with curved arches and fountains splashing from the ground. 1200 W Belleview Ave., Englewood.

7 More Splashy Spots

• Centennial Center Park SplashPad, 13050 E. Peakview Ave., Centennial
• Discovery Park Play Fountain, 20115 E. Mainstreet, Parker
• Pop Jet Fountain, 1300 block of Pearl Street Mall, Boulder
• Ralston Central Park and Splash Pad, 5850 Garrison St., Arvada
• Red Tailed Hawk Park Spraygrounds, 23701 E Hinsdale Way, Aurora
• Stapleton Central Park, 8801 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Denver
• Surfside Spray Park, 5330 W. Ninth Ave., Lakewood