Looking to cool off this summer? We’ve got your ultimate guide to the best Boston splash pads and family-friendly beaches in the area.
Whether you’re planning a quick afternoon at a neighborhood spray park or a full day by the water, there’s no shortage of places for kids to splash, swim, and play. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite beaches and Boston splash pads to help you make the most of summer.
MetroWest (NW & SW too)
Attleboro
Capron Park Zoo Splash Pad
201 County Street
Combine a visit to the zoo with the splash pad and playground for a full day of family fun. It’s a great option for younger children who enjoy both animals and water play.
Brookline
Soule Playground & Splash Pad
652 Hammond Street
One of Brookline’s most popular splash pads, Soule features water play, two playgrounds, athletic fields, shaded seating, and restrooms, making it an easy place to spend several hours with young children.
More Splash Pads in Brookline
- Billy Ward Playground – 133 Brook Street
- Clark Playground – 195 Cypress Street
- Coolidge Playground – Columbia Street & Russell Street
- Cypress Street Playground – Cypress Street & Davis Avenue
- Daniel W. Warren Jr. Playground – Eliot Street
- Daniel F. Ford Playground at Emerson Garden – Davis Avenue & Emerson Street
- John E. Murphy Playground – Kent Street & Brook Street
- Juniper Street Playground – 40 Juniper Street
- Lawton Playground – 125 Lawton Street
- Longwood Playground – 27 Francis Street
- Margaret E. Robinson Playground – Cypress Street & Franklin Street
- Pierce School Playground – near 34 Harvard Avenue
- Jean B. Waldstein Playground – 1 Strathmore Road
- Winthrop Square (Minot Rose Garden) – St. Paul Street & Freeman Street
Concord
Emerson Playground
90 Stow Street
This neighborhood splash pad is a great place for families to cool off on a hot summer day. Pair it with time on the playground for an easy summer outing.
Hudson
Cellucci Skate & Splash Park
15 Houghton Street
Kids can cool off in the splash pad before heading over to the nearby skate park, making this a fun destination for children of all ages.
Marlborough
Ghiloni Park Splash Pad
239 Concord Road
Located within one of Marlborough’s largest parks, this splash pad is a popular spot for families looking to beat the heat.
Walpole
Center Pool & Wading Pool
144 School Street
Families can enjoy both the pool and wading pool during the summer season. Daily admission fees apply.
Waltham
McDonald Playground
8 Cutter Street
This smaller spray park features water arches and sprinklers that younger children love. The recently renovated playground next door makes it easy to spend an entire morning or afternoon here.
More Splash Pads in Waltham
- Bobby Connors Playground – 20 Sunnyside Street
- Drake Playground – 3 Hazel Street
- Fitch Spray Park – 14 Ash Street
- Graverson Playground – 16 Pine Vale Road
- Lazazzero Playground – 7 Shore Road
- Msgr. McCabe / Warrendale Playground – 90 Charlotte Road
- Nipper Mahar Park – 65 Dartmouth Street
- Thompson Playground – 95 Charles Street
- Chesterbrook Housing – Brookway Court
Watertown
Filippello Playground
191 Grove Street
A neighborhood splash pad that’s perfect for cooling off after spending time at the playground.
North of Boston
Arlington
North Union Spray Park
60 North Union Street
A local favorite for younger children, this neighborhood spray park is a great place to cool off on warm summer afternoons.
Belmont
Beaver Brook Spray Deck
621 Trapelo Road
Located in the beautiful Beaver Brook Reservation, this splash pad sits next to a fantastic playground, shaded picnic tables, open green space, and a shallow stream to explore. Water shoes are recommended since the rocks can become slippery.
Beverly
Lynch Park
55 Ober Street
Lynch Park offers one of the best all-in-one family destinations north of Boston. In addition to a beautiful beach, families will find a playground, splash pad, shaded picnic areas, gardens, and a snack bar, making it easy to spend the entire day here.
Billerica
Manning State Forest Water Park
39 Chelmsford Road
The small shaded water park, with walking trails, too, is great for young kids.
Burlington
Simonds Park
10 Bedford Street
A neighborhood splash pad that’s perfect for younger kids looking to cool off during the summer.
Gloucester
Good Harbor Beach
99 Thacher Road
Relax and play at Good Harbor Beach, a wide, family-friendly Atlantic beach with soft sand, gentle surf, scenic views, and opportunities for swimming, walking, and Plein Air painting.
Wingaersheek Beach
298 Atlantic Street
One of the North Shore’s most popular family beaches, Wingaersheek is known for its wide sandbar at low tide, shallow water, and fascinating tide pools. Families also appreciate the snack bar, showers, and boardwalk access that make bringing strollers and wagons much easier.
Ipswich
Crane Beach
310 Argilla Road
With miles of sandy shoreline, dunes, walking trails, and excellent visitor amenities, Crane Beach is a beautiful destination for families looking to spend a full day outdoors. Keep an eye out for the nesting piping plovers that call this beach home.
Manchester-by-the-Sea
Singing Beach
119 Beach Street
This unique beach gets its name from the “singing” sound the sand can make under the right conditions. Families also enjoy the snack shack, changing facilities, and accessible restrooms.
Medford
Harris Park
226–238 Middlesex Avenue
One of several neighborhood splash pads in Medford, Harris Park is a convenient place for families to cool off on a warm summer day.
Capen Park
199 Capen Street
This neighborhood splash pad offers a simple and fun way for kids to beat the heat close to home.
Dugger Park
Mystic River Road
Another local option for water play, Dugger Park is a great stop for younger children during the summer months.
Nahant
Nahant Beach
1 Nahant Road
Nahant Beach continues to be a favorite for families thanks to its gentle waves, gradual shoreline, affordable parking, and paved path that’s perfect for walking, biking, or pushing a stroller.
Newburyport
Plum Island Beach
278 Northern Blvd
Plum Island is an 11 mile long barrier Island off the shore of Newburyport and Newbury. The Island offers miles of public sandy beaches and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, home to over 800 species of birds, plants and animals on 4,662 acres.
Salisbury
Salisbury Beach
State Reservation Road
Spend the day swimming, building sandcastles, or relaxing by the water before visiting the historic carousel, arcade, and local ice cream shops nearby.
Topsfield
Bradley Palmer Wading Pool & Playground
40 Asbury Street
A fun combination of water play and playground equipment makes this a great stop for younger children.
South of Boston
Braintree
Petersen Splashpad at Watson Park
Gordon Road off Quincy Avenue
Available to Braintree residents only.
Duxbury
Duxbury Beach
435 Gurnet Road
A longtime South Shore favorite, Duxbury Beach offers beautiful scenery, paid parking, restrooms, snack options, and plenty of opportunities for swimming, shell collecting, and relaxing by the water.
Hull
Nantasket Beach
212 Nantasket Avenue
Nantasket combines a classic beach day with plenty to do afterward. Enjoy swimming, stroll the promenade, ride the historic carousel, or stop at one of the many nearby restaurants.
Plymouth
Nelson Memorial Playground & Splash Pad
255 Water Street
This waterfront destination combines a large splash pad, beachfront playground, picnic areas, a small sandy beach, restrooms, and seasonal food trucks. It’s easy to spend an entire summer afternoon here.
Quincy
Wollaston Beach
Quincy Shore Drive
Located just minutes from Boston, Wollaston Beach features a long shoreline, a paved walking path, picnic areas, nearby seafood restaurants, and Caddy Park with additional green space and a playground.
Randolph
Imagination Station Playground
128 Pleasant Street
A neighborhood splash pad that’s perfect for younger children looking to cool off after time on the playground.
Wareham
Onset Beach
186 Onset Avenue
Located in the heart of Onset Village, this calm beach is especially popular with families thanks to its protected waters, easy access, nearby restaurants, kayak rentals, and scenic waterfront setting.
Make the Most of Summer
Whether your family prefers splashing through spray parks or spending the day at the beach, Greater Boston offers plenty of ways to enjoy summer close to home. From neighborhood splash pads to scenic stretches of coastline, these destinations make it easy to relax, cool off, and create lasting family memories all season long.
Before heading out, be sure to check each town or park’s website for the latest information on hours, parking, amenities, and seasonal updates.
If you would like to explore some of Boston’s awesome suburbs, check out these towns offering quick commutes to Boston and Cambridge. Looking for walkability, here are some great towns in the Boston area with walkable downtowns. And here are our top five reasons to love MetroWest Boston, the North Shore, and the South Shore. Love Farmers Markets? Check out our guide to the best Farmers Markets in the Boston suburbs. Finally, are you a foodie or want to sample some local ice cream? Here are some of our favorite ice cream spots and best Boston suburbs for food lovers.
For more insights, visit SJ’s Boston blog page and the Boston Featured Market section on our website.
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