6 Great Splash Pads Near Crystal Lake, Cary

Summer is officially underway in McHenry County. It's a great time to get outdoors with the kiddos and with the warmer temperatures comes plenty of fun ways for kiddos to cool down in the suburbs.

And for those wishing to skip the hassle of loading the kids, and all their supplies up, for an afternoon at the pool, there is a more convenient way for keeping the kids cool when the temps begin to rise: the splash pad. It's a great way for the kids to keep cool, many of the splash pads in the Chicago suburbs are free and it doesn't require a ton of prep for parents.

There are also some splash parks located within pools and aquatic centers, which could be a great option for families wanting to make a day of it, while others are located in parks, where there are other amenities and playgrounds worth checking out.

We compiled a list of some of nearby splash pads and parks in the area. If we missed one, let readers know about it in the comments section. You can also e-mail the editor at amie.schaenzer@patch.com if you would like one included in our list.

SPLASH PADS

BARRINGTON: Freddie Herriman Pederson Splashpad at Aqualusion Pool, 235 Lions Drive in Barrington. The splash pad is free from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 1 to 8 p.m., you will need to pay for entry to the pool and splashpad. More via the Barrington Park District website.

LAKE IN THE HILLS: Sunset Park Splash Pad, 5200 Miller Road in Lake in the Hills. The hours of operations for the splash pad are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (through Labor Day). The splash pad includes two cannon shooters, a twirl raindrop and a snake shooter--all of which is free to visitors. There is also a great playground across the parking lot from the splash pad and plenty of room for running and trails for walking on at Sunset Park. The Splash Pad has a shelter, picnic tables, pop machine, and porta-potties nearby.

CRYSTAL LAKE: Veterans Acres Park “Acorn Alley” Splashpad, 431 Walkup Road in Crystal Lake. The hours of operation for the splash pad are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day. The splashpad is free and is located next to a playground on the west side of the park on Walkup Avenue near the Walkup/Route 176 intersection. Veterans Acres Park also has a great nature trail not far from the splash pad with a trail around a pond where there is often wildlife, birds, frogs, and turtles, to look out for.

CRYSTAL LAKE: Woodscreek Park's "Crystal Castle" Splash Pad, corner of Golf Course and Ackman roads. The hours of operation for the splash pad are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day. In addition to a splash pad, there is a playground nearby and a man-made stream area where kids and their parents can dip their feet in and cool off. A bike path which connects Fetzner Park, Woodscreek Park near Woodscreek Elementary School and eventually Winding Creek Park provides a total of 3.5 miles of paved path. A unique and protected wetland area surrounds a nearby pond.

CRYSTAL LAKE: Three Oaks Splash Pad, 5517 Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake. Admission to the beach, splash pad area is free for residents but non-residents pay $10 per person for adults and $5 per person after 4 p.m. There is also a fee for parking for residents who do not have a city of Crystal Lake parking sticker. Playground with memory-foam decking, located in the Lake House Complex, adjacent to the Splash Park. More via the Three Oaks Recreation area website.

ELGIN: Festival Park Spray Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. in Elgin. The Spray Park fountain hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on most days but as of June 14, the splash pad was out of service for repairs, according to the city's website. Both a neighborhood park and an entertainment venue, Festival Park provides a beautiful riverside setting with unique playground and spray park, according to the city of Elgin’s website. There is a bike trail, fishing area or pier, paths-hard surface asphalt, public restrooms and a spray fountain. Check the city of Elgin's Festival Park website for more information here.

Photo via the Crystal Lake Park District