Splash parks are so much fun and while we don't have very many in Lincoln, we are lucky to have many surrounding us. Most splash pads open up over Memorial Day weekend and are a great way to cool off.
Ashland Splash Park was reviewed by a reader-thank you to her! She writes, "This is an awesome splash park. Featuring a dump bucket, ground sprinklers, water guns and more. There is also a covered gazebo and benches. Located next to the park and swimming pool."
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Platte River Splash Park is two tiered with three slides, buckets, a waterfall, fountains and more. The water in the splash pad is very warm, unlike most splash pad water. Admission is $3 for adults and children. Kids 2 and under are free and it is open from 12 noon to 6:00 PM everyday. I think the splash pad is a great alternative to a pool and most of the kids that we went with really enjoyed it. The older kids (age 11) got a bit tired of it after the two hours but everyone younger really had fun. It is especially engaging for 2-6 year olds. There is plenty of seating and shade over the tables. Platte River State Park is at 14421 346th St, Louisville, NE.
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Aurora Splash Pad is in Cole Park, located on the south side of Highway 34, between 7th and 8th Streets in Aurora, NE, just two blocks west of Streeter Park. It is a great park with lots of green space, three playgrounds, picnic shelters, walking paths, bathrooms and a splash pad. As a parent, I especially appreciated two things about the splash pad: there are picnic tables and chairs surrounding it and they have sunshades. In the middle of summer when it is scorching hot sunshades are a necessity. The park was a big hit with everyone and we stayed for two hours bouncing from playground to splash pad to playground.
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Bennet Splash Pad opened in May of 2019. Their Splash Pad is located in their town park. There is a playground close to the splash pad and a covered shelter with picnic tables. During the summer they have a Farmer’s Market in their park every Wednesday from 4-7 as well so that’s a great time to come out to check it all out! There are restrooms available as well. Bennet Splash Pad is open from 4-8 PM, Monday through Friday and 11 AM-6 PM, Saturday and Sunday.
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Trago Splash Park is managed by the City of Lincoln. Trago is located on 22nd and U St. This is Lincoln's only free splash park and it is very popular. The splash pad is turned on 11:00 AM-7:00 PM every day, Memorial Day through Labor Day. This park has restrooms, lots of grass, trees and picnic tables. For more info on Trago click here for our full review of this splash park.
Woods Splash Park is part of the Woods Pool Complex. It is a great splash park! It is fenced off from Woods' other two larger pools, there are two small slides, and lots of spray features. To access the splash park you must pay admission. Click here for full pricing. Woods' Spray Park is especially good if you have a range of kiddos and your older ones can swim while the younger one plays in the splash area. Woods is open again after being closed in 2022.
Alaskan Adventure Splash Pad at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is the best splash park that I've ever seen. It opened last year, is included in your admission and is next to Sue's Carousel and the Red Barn. Regardless of where you are walking from you'll see a humpback whale breaching 30 feet into the air and you'll know you are there. Then, as you get nearer you'll hear the sounds of Alaskan animals like grizzlies growling, orcas singing and walruses bellowing. It is very hard to not get wet in this area, plan on bringing your suits, wearing them under your clothes or go at the end of the day and go home in wet clothes. It is worth it to drive to the zoo just to play in this splash park! To read our full review, click here.
Firth, NE recently opened its first splash park to rave reviews. It has several different spray functions. This splash park is open Memorial weekend through Labor Day. Hours are Monday - Saturday 11:00am-8:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm - 8:00pm.
Hastings Banner Splash Park is in Bellevue, NE. It is located at 5005 Virginia St. It is a small splash pad with a park attached and a big, beautiful field nearby. There are no bathrooms or drinking fountains but there is a covered shelter and port-a-pottys. It is located in a residential area so if you think you are lost driving down a street with houses, you're not!
We will add more splash parks to this list as we visit them! Do you know of a great splash pad that we should add? Email us at marym@macaronikid.com
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