Mommy Poppins

3-Day Itinerary in Hot Springs, VA: The Perfect Winter Getaway with Kids at the Omni Homestead Resort

Stephanie Shipman — 02/13/2026

Hot Springs, Virginia is less than a four-hour drive west of DC proper, but it feels like a world away. Home to what it is named for—a natural warm spring that even families can enjoy—it's a great place to escape to in the winter.

In Hot Springs, families can explore nature preserves and overlooks, take in a concert at the local music center, and enjoy plenty of snow sports like skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. Spring and summer are also popular times to visit, but there is something for everyone to enjoy in the town in the winter.

Read ahead for the perfect winter weekend itinerary in Hot Springs, VA. Then check out our DC Winter Day Trips Guide for more winter family fun.

Hot Springs, Virginia is less than a four-hour drive west of DC proper, but it feels like a world away. Home to what it is named for—a natural Warm Spring that even families can enjoy—it's a great place to escape to in the winter.

Read ahead for the perfect winter weekend itinerary in Hot Springs, VA. Then check out our DC Winter Day Trips Guide for more winter family fun.

60 Free Summer Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals in NYC (2026 Guide)

Drew Kristofik — 05/19/2026

Free music fills the city streets all summer long. Here's our guide to the best summer concerts for kids, from tots to teens and every age in between.

Free concerts and music festivals are a summer staple in NYC, and there are always loads of great performances to enjoy. We've rounded up all the best free concerts in New York City this June, July, and August, so this list is guaranteed to keep the kids grooving all summer long.

There are summer concerts in the parks and playgrounds, on piers and plazas, all ranging from Manhattan to Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens, so scroll, click, and set reminders so you don't miss your favorites.

Beloved annual summer concert series, like Bryant Park's Picnic Performances, SummerStage, and BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn are all on the schedule, and we have a little something for the whole gamut of musical tastes, from jazz to rock, opera, folk, hip-hop, and classical.

My Top 5 Picks, At-a-Glance

Best Classical with a Bang: New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park
Best Citywide Celebration: Make Music New York
Best Kids' Music Series: Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series
Best for Little Percussionists: Drums along the Hudson
Best Cure for the Blues: Hudson River Park Blues Barbecue

Read on for all the FREE music around town this summer!

Exploring Arthur Avenue with Kids: Best Things To Do in the Bronx's Own Little Italy

Jody Mercier — 05/18/2026

Eat your way through Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, which dubs itself as NYC's real Little Italy, with it's mom-and-pop shops and old-school traditions that date back decades.

The Bronx’s famed Arthur Avenue probably needs no introduction. Often dubbed NYC’s “real” Little Italy, this area in the Belmont section of NYC’s northernmost borough has been known for its Italian heritage dating back to the 1850s. The neighborhood has been featured in many films and TV shows—most notably, A Bronx Tale, Robert DeNiro’s directorial debut starring DeNiro, Chazz Palminteri, and Lillo Brancato.

In many ways, Arthur Avenue remains the same as it has for decades—distinct Italian bakeries, delis, restaurants, and markets—and in other ways, it has evolved in the way many NYC neighborhoods do, with cultural infusions from Mexican and Albanian immigrants adding to the fabric of the storied neighborhood.

Arthur Avenue's location, conveniently close to the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden, makes it a fun stop en route to the attractions, though it's a worthy destination in its own right.

Read on for our favorite things to do—and places to eat—along Arthur Avenue with kids and find more fun things to do nearby in our NYC Kids' Guide to the Bronx.

Best Splash Pads in Boston 2026: Splash Parks & Water Playgrounds Kids Will Love

Elyse Andrews — 05/17/2026

Cool off this summer 2026 at one of Boston's best splash pads and sprinkler parks.

Summer in Boston means one thing: kids in soggy sandals, swimsuits under their clothes, and parents chasing the best splash pads before the ice cream melts. From free splash pads in Boston along the Rose Kennedy Greenway to neighborhood spraygrounds tucked inside local playgrounds, the area is packed with water playgrounds in Boston to cool off when the temperatures climb. Whether families are looking for a full afternoon at a sprayground with playgrounds and picnic spots or a quick splash break between errands and adventures, these Boston-area splash pads, sprinkler parks, and wading pools deliver easy summer fun without the price tag.

Read on for the best splash pads and water playgrounds in Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, and beyond—and be sure to check local park updates before heading out for the day.

My Top 5 Boston Splash Pads at a Glance:

Best for an Iconic Boston Summer Day: Rose Kennedy Greenway Fountains / Boston
Best for Little Kids Who Want to Splash All Day: Frog Pond Spray Pool / Boston Common
Best Nautical-Themed Sprayground: Dorothy Curran Playground / South Boston
Best “Pack a Lunch and Stay Awhile” Spot: Ryan Wading Pool and Playground / Mattapan
Best Playground + Splash Pad Combo: Alexander W. Kemp Playground / Cambridge

For more kid friendly activities this summer, check out our guide to Drive-in Movie Theaters in and Around Boston for Outdoor Movie Night with Kids. If you're looking to get out of the city for some splash time, read up on 15 Swimming Lakes Near Boston You Need To Discover.

29 Best Splash Pads in Chicago (Water Playgrounds & Kid-Friendly Spraygrounds)

Siobhan Adcock — 05/17/2026

The fun is as wet as it gets at these nearby sprinkler parks.

Splash pads in Chicago ensure that there's always something fun to do no matter how hot the weather. Smart Chicago parents make sure that every summer they've got a sprinkler "go bag" packed and ready in the trunk, stroller, or tote—towel, sunscreen, water shoes, swim diaper (if you've got a really little mermaid), and spare clothes. Because with so many awesome splash pads in Chicago, it pays to be prepared.

Here are some of the best slash pads Chicago has to offer, perfect for cooling off on hot days. Check out our Chicago Kids Summer Guide for more ways to keep cool this summer, from the best free swimming pools in Chicago for families to awesome swimming lakes near Chicago.

Best Splash Pads in Chicago (Quick Picks)

Most Iconic Splash Pad: Crown Fountain in Millennium Park
Best Free Splash Pad: Maryknoll Park in Glen Ellyn
Best Splash Pad with Beach Access: 31st Street Harbor
Best Splash Pad Near a Library: 95th Street Splash Pad in Naperville

20 Best Splash Pads in DC: Splash Parks & Water Playgrounds Kids Love

Lila Whatley — 05/17/2026

Gone are the days of needing to use a garden hose as a sprinkler: the DC area is brimming with splash pads, spraygrounds, and water play areas to help kids beat the heat on hot summer days. These DC splash parks are full of fun features like fountains, dumping buckets, water cannons, spraying animals, and even mini water slides. And the best part is, most of them are absolutely FREE!

Here are some of the best spraygrounds and splash pads DC has to offer, updated for summer 2026. These Maryland, Northern Virginia, and DC splash parks offer loads of wet and wild fun for kids of all ages.

Check out our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more ways to cool off this summer, from swimming lakes near DC to free public swimming pools in DC for families.

Best Splash Pads in DC (Quick Picks)

Most Iconic Splash Pad: Dancing Fountains and Canal Basin & Waterfall
Best Splash Pad for Toddlers: Petworth Spray Park
Most Fun Spray Park for All Ages: Our Special Harbor Spray Park
Great Sprayground for All-Day Fun: South Germantown Splash Park

Check out our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more ways to cool off this summer, from swimming lakes near DC to free public swimming pools in DC for families.

Best Splash Pads in DC (Quick Picks)

Most Iconic Splash Pad: Dancing Fountains and Canal Basin & Waterfall
Best Splash Pad for Toddlers: Petworth Spray Park
Most Fun Spray Park for All Ages: Our Special Harbor Spray Park
Great Sprayground for All-Day Fun: South Germantown Splash Park

Best Splash Pads in Dallas-Fort Worth (Free Water Playgrounds & Kid-Friendly Spraygrounds)

Gabby Cullen — 05/17/2026

Any North Texan parent knows that the summer months are best spent near or in water. If you can't make it to one of the swimming lakes nearby, a great way to cool off is to hit one of the local water playgrounds and splash pads in Dallas-Fort Worth. Some are simple with a few buckets and spigots, and others are a whole experience.

That's why we've rounded up the best water playgrounds in Dallas-Fort Worth so you'll have a list of spots to check out when your kids are clamoring for a little water play. After all, there's nothing like free summer activities to keep the kids busy and happy!

Best Splash Pads in Dallas-Fort Worth (At a Glance)

Nancy Best Fountain at Klyde Warren Park: In the heart of the Dallas Arts District, you get food trucks, live music, cultural performances, movie nights, and more!
KidMania Sprayground in Celebration Park: This splash pad in Allen is one of the largest all-accessible water playgrounds in Texas.
Old Town Splash Park: This Lewisville splash pad has over 90 unique features, shaded benches for parents, and public restrooms.
Safari Splash at the Fort Worth Zoo: A splashground at the zoo? Say no more.
Woodhaven Meadows Park Splash Pad: Featuring streams, boulders, a water table, and a sensory garden, water play takes on a whole new meaning here. Plus, there's plenty of parking, shade, and a playground for cooler days.

Best Splash Pads in Dallas-Fort Worth (At a Glance)

Nancy Best Fountain at Klyde Warren Park: In the heart of the Dallas Arts District, you get food trucks, live music, cultural performances, movie nights, and more!
KidMania Sprayground in Celebration Park: This splash pad in Allen is one of the largest all-accessible water playgrounds in Texas.
Old Town Splash Park: This Lewisville splash pad has over 90 unique features, shaded benches for parents, and public restrooms.
Safari Splash at the Fort Worth Zoo: A splashground at the zoo? Say no more.
Woodhaven Meadows Park Splash Pad: Featuring streams, boulders, a water table, and a sensory garden, water play takes on a whole new meaning here. Plus, there's plenty of parking, shade, and a playground for cooler days.

22 Best Splash Pads in Atlanta: Splash Parks & Water Playgrounds Kids Love

Elsa Simcik — 05/17/2026

Let kids frolic in an Atlanta splash pad, sprayground, or fountain to cool off during summer's sweltering months. Our list, updated for 2026, will point you to the best splash pads all over Atlanta!

Let kids frolic in an Atlanta splash pad, sprayground, or fountain to cool off during summer's sweltering months. Our list, updated for 2026, will point you to the best splash pads all over Atlanta -- parks, kid-friendly attractions, community green spaces, and more. We definitely have these budget-friendly (and many even FREE) splash pads in our Atlanta Epic Summer Bucket List.

Atlanta Splash Pads: At a Glance

Important things to remember:

Always wear closed-toed water shoes for protection and stability.
Some Atlanta spraygrounds have timed entries so plan accordingly.
Bring hats and umbrellas, especially for adults, if there isn't much shade and/or seating.
Sunscreen is a MUST!
Don't forget to charge your phones so you can take photos of your little cuties under the fountains.

29 Best Splash Pads in Orlando: Splash Parks & Water Playgrounds Kids Love

Charlotte B — 05/17/2026

These Orlando splash pads make for a cheap— or even FREE— day of summer entertainment, especially for little ones.

Splash pads in Orlando help kids cool down while burning off energy. We've listed our favorite spraygrounds in Orlando for 2026, and several are adjacent to some of the best playgrounds in the area. These Orlando splash pads make for a cheap— or even FREE— day of entertainment, especially for little ones. So pack your swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen, and get ready for a splash-filled adventure!

Orlando Splash Pads: At a Glance

Fun splash pad for multiple ages: Apopka Splash Pad
Best surrounding views: Champions Splash Park
Free splash park that doesn't seem free: Kissimmee Lake Front Park
Cuteness overload sprayground: Torcaso Park

30 Best Splash Pads in Connecticut 2026: Splash Parks & Water Playgrounds Kids Love

Brandee Gilmore — 05/17/2026

Cool off at these splash pads and sprinkler parks around Connecticut in 2026!

I always love talking my kids to a family-friendly splash pad in Connecticut. A water playground is a great way to cool off in the summer months without the "full-commitment" of a pool. Also, your kids don't have to know how to swim! Luckily, there are more and more of these free splash pads and Connecticut spraygrounds popping up around the state for summer fun. Read on and explore our picks for the best CT splash pads for kids!

Our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide has even more ideas for keeping kids cool and entertained this summer, whether you're home or out and about. And don't forget to sign up for our Instagram so you can get all the latest events in your mailbox.

My Top 5 Spash Pads in Connecticut:

Best Splash Pad for Toddlers: West Hartford Splash Pads
Largest Splash Pad: Willow Street Splashpad in New Britain
Splash Pad With Cool Features: Eisenhower Park in Milford and Nolan Park in Ansonia
Town With the MOST Splash-Pads: Bridgeport Splash Pads
Not To Miss Splash Pad in Connecticut: Lighthouse Point Splash Pad