Things to Do
Best Places for Little Kids to Splash Around in Southwest Missouri
Summer in the Ozarks requires days that combine sunshine and cool water. These five spots in are great for splashing around with little kids in the summer sun.
By Katie Pollock Estes
Aug 2024
Photo courtesy Parties at the ParkThe fountains at Farmers Park offer great entertainment for kids.
Farmers Market of the Ozarks
Farmers Park, 2144 E. Republic Road, Springfield
Here’s our equation for a pleasant trip to the farmers market: one parent shopping + one parent supervising the kids with an iced coffee in hand + splash fountains to entertain the restless children = a relaxing Saturday morning. Kids get a kick out of the jets that jump up from the sidewalk at random intervals.
[MORE: Kids Summer Camps in Springfield, MO and Beyond]
Ozark Stream & Fountain
Jordan Valley Park, 635 E. Trafficway St., Springfield
While you pick out the perfect tomato and fill your market basket with the freshest bell peppers, you can remind your grumbling kiddos that they’ll get to hop around the splash pad—if they can just stick it out until you’re done shopping!
Photo courtesy Dickerson Park ZooKids (and adults) can cool off in between wild animal sightings at Dickerson Park Zoo.
Jumping Jewels
Dickerson Park Zoo, 1401 W. Norton Road, Springfield
To get to the Jumping Jewels splash pad, kiddos have to trek through Dickerson Park Zoo and spy some of the world’s coolest animals along the way. Once at the splash pad, they can leap through spouting geysers and small tipping buckets to cool down before heading back out to explore the zoo.
Coconut Cove
White Water, 3505 W. Highway 76, Branson
Grownups and big kids get to explore so many thrills at White Water, but the toddler-size crew can have a fun day in the sun too if they head straight to Coconut Cove. This area is reserved for kids 48 inches or shorter and features a few mini waterslides, fountains, tipping buckets and more.
Woods Fork Creek
Busiek State Forest, 5 State Highway 65, Highlandville
It’s not technically a splash zone, but it is a place where we and our kids love to splash around. Find a private spot on a gravel bar for your family, and spend the day dipping your toes in cool water and picking up rocks to search for crawdads underneath. The water is clear and shallow enough for a carefree day of wading in the sun.
FireHouse Splash Yard
399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy, Branson
The FireHouse Splash Yard is located inside the Fire District area at Silver Dollar City, so it’s themed to fit the area and is outfitted with squirting fire hoses and other fun water features. And its location in the Fire District also means that it’s not very far from the new-this-year revamped Fire in the Hole. Kids can get their splash on and then check out the other rides.
