12 Best Kids Splash Pads
Updated 09 July 2021
This post may contain affiliate links.
Author
Daniel is our primary content producer here at TheToyZone. He is a big kid at heart and a self confessed geek. His mission is to find toys that kids will treasure, researching and writing about toys he wants to play with himself.
With the notable exception of bathtime, kids are never happier than when they’re getting soaking wet. That’s what makes water toys so eternally popular and like everything else, they are so much cooler than they were when I was little. We had paddling pools, kids today have splash pads, which...are...amazing.
If you’ve ever run through an open fire hydrant or been sprayed by a hose pipe, you’ll understand the magic of these splash pads, most of which come with their own sprinklers to keep kids delighted for hours. With fun and colorful designs and accessories, there’s something here for everyone, from sharks to frogs to a map of the world.
Of course, toys like these are only fun if they actually work so we’ve done our research to find the 12 best splash pads, eliminating all the fake reviews to only include the ones that have been tested by real kids and their parents.
1Splish Splash Water Park
Splish Splash is a full water park for your backyard that children aged 18 months to 6 years can really enjoy. It contains a splash mat, one inflatable whale slide, one inflatable dolphin, four inflatable starfish rings, and a rainbow that also provides a little shade. At the bottom of the slide is a water-cushioned oyster shell pad for a soft landing. When fully set up it measures 90 x 68 x 22 inches and is made of non-toxic PVC plastic.
What we love
- It comes with a repair kit in case it springs a leak because we all know accidents happen
- The hose doesn’t require full-on water pressure to provide full-on fun
What We Don't Like That Much
- The splash pad and whale slide are only suitable for the little ones
2BANZAI Froggy Pond Splash Mat
This is a very cute little splash mat with two frogs sitting on the side, one of which is an inflatable froggy fountain. At 58 x 42 inches, it’s on the smaller size but great for children 18 months to 3 years of age. The base looks like an attractive water pond with big water lily leaves and plenty of cartoon frogs, and it has a sprinkler system around the edge. It is a true splash mat with very shallow water, so even children as young as 1-year-olds can actually have fun using it.
What we love
- It comes with a repair patch, just in case
- The froggy fountain water pressure can be controlled by stomping on the splash mat
What We Don't Like That Much
- The water sprinklers are very low but suitable for young children
3Tobeape Splash Pad Sprinkler for Kids, Outdoor Water Play Mat with Sandbags Fun Game, “from A to Z” Wading Pool for Learning, Inflatable Summer Gifts for Babies Toddlers Boys Girls
With marine animals and letters of the alphabet on the base, this is a smart splash pad that can also be a learning experience for kids. The 27.6-inch shark in the middle of the pad is hollow and is purposely designed for a game that involves throwing sandbags through the hole. The four sandbags used for this game are included with the purchase. It is 70 inches in diameter and made of non-toxic PVC plastic, with a water fountain that shoots water right out of the nose of the shark situated in the middle of the splash pad.
What we love
- If the rim is folded, the sprinklers can be pointed into the pad or out
- The connecting port to the hose has a waterproof gasket that makes the joint strong, with no leaking
What We Don't Like That Much
- You need to keep an eye on the water pressure as it tends towards the high side
4JOYIN Sprinkler for Kids, 68" Shark Sprinkler & Splash Play Mat for Toddlers Outdoor Toy Splash Pad
With a friendly cartoon shark on the base joining in the fun, children will enjoy their summer splashing about. It is 68 inches in diameter and comes with an O-ring for the hose connector to avoid leaks. This splash pad also works as a wading pool if you turn the water pressure to its lowest level. It is made of non-toxic plastic and is resistant to fading, which can be caused by ultraviolet rays.
What we love
- The sturdy hose connection produces an impressive water jet
- It has bright, fun graphics of a subject I can’t mention in fear of the theme song being stuck in my...oh no, there it is.
What We Don't Like That Much
- While the jet streams are great for toddlers, they could still be a bit higher
5Dillitop Sprinkler for Kids, Splash Pad, Wading Pool and Kiddie Pool, Summer Outdoor Water Play Mat for for Boys Girls Fun Sprinkler Pool Sprinkler Toy Inflatable Spray Pad (Yellow)
The Dillitop splash pad is simple but presents some excellent features. The base has a cartoon shark with sunglasses and a surfboard as well as other fish. The sides are a bit higher than many splash pads, which means it can serve as a wading pool when you don’t want the sprinklers. It is 68 inches in diameter and made of environmentally friendly PVC material with high-frequency welding for strength.
What we love
- The middle inflates slightly, which provides some cushion
- The high spray reaches up to more than 1 meter, which is great for children who love the rain effect.
What We Don't Like That Much
- Make sure you have strong water pressure to get the best results from the high sprinkler setting
6semai Splash Water Mat, 68'' Sprinkler Pool Pad 'World Animal Map' Wading Toys for Learning, Thickened Water Toys for 1 -12 Years Toddlers Baby Infant Kid Backyard Outdoor Party Game Swimming Play
With a global animal map base that is surrounded by sprinklers, this splash mat provides hours of water fun for children 6 months to 12 years old. It introduces young children to animal distribution worldwide through the use of bright colors and catchy images. It is 68 inches in diameter and will accommodate up to four children. The 0.3 mm thick plastic is durable and robust, with an overall setup that is quite effortless. Just attach the hose and adjust the pressure to the height of the sprinklers as you prefer.
What we love
- It’s easy to fold and transport for when you visit friends or relatives
- It is made of Phthalates and BPA-free PVC with burst-resistant seams
What We Don't Like That Much
- After use, draining the water out takes quite some time
7Splash Pad, 70'' Sprinkler& Splash Play Mat for Kids with 4 Inflatable Toss Rings, Baby Toddlers Shallow Wading Pool Summer Backyard Family Fun Outside Water Mat Toy for Boys Girls
Designed in the shape of a pink crab, this splash pad has two ring toss games with four inflatable rings. The base features a cute mermaid and other sea creatures, and it is made of non-toxic PVC plastic with extra thickness at .55 mm. It has sprinklers around the rim and two fountains as part of the cartoon crab. With parental guidance, it is recommended for children 3 months and older.
What we love
- At 70 inches, the diameter is big enough for two 6-year-old children to play comfortably
- You can turn off the sprinklers and fountains and use it as a wading pool
What We Don't Like That Much
- Rather than on the inside of the rim, the hose connector valve would be better located on the outside
870" Splash Pad for Kids, 2 Places Spray Water with Toss Ring Inflatable Dolphin Sprinkler Wading Pool Fun Splash Play Mat Sturdy Seams No Burst Summer Outdoor Splash Pad Sprinkler Toy for Toddlers
This TEEHON Splash Pad features sea animals in bright colors on the base and a dolphin fountain in the middle, making it an excellent choice for children aged 3 years and older. The diameter is 70 inches, and it includes a ring-toss game. It is manufactured from non-toxic soft PVC plastic with reinforced sides at 4 mm. The dolphin sprays cool water from the top of its head or its sides.
What we love
- It comes with a unique leak-proof connecter for your hose
- This is a good splash mat if you are looking for a shallow one as the pad holds 5 to 7 inches of water
What We Don't Like That Much
- It’s a good design, but the dolphin is a bit cumbersome to inflate
9JUOIFIP Splash Pad, 82.7" Outside Sprinkler Play Mat for Kids, Elephant Sprinkle Play Mat Learning Letters “from A to Z”, Extra Large Wading Pool Fun Summer Outdoor Water Toys for Girls and Boys
At 82.7 x 51 inches, this splash pad is big enough for the whole family. It is suitable for children 2 years and older. The alphabet is visible in bright colors on the base, and the best part is certainly the elephant spraying water into the splash pad. It is made of non-toxic, non-slip PVC material, and the base is textured for safety. The height of the spray can be adjusted.
What we love
- Kids can turn the elephant’s trunk to change the direction of the spray
- It can be used as a wading pool or a splash pad
What We Don't Like That Much
- The connection to the hose may not be leak-proof
10Peradix Splash Pad Water Sprinklers Play Mat (79") for Kids Toddlers Outside Toys, Baby Infant Wadding Pool, Kiddie Baby Pool, Outdoor Backyard Fountain Play Mat for 3-12 Year Old Boys Girls
Children between the ages of 3 and 12 who love sprinkler action will love this splash pad. The base features a world map with landforms and cartoon dinosaurs, and at 68 inches in diameter, it is big enough for older children and pets to enjoy on hot summer days. The pool is made of environmentally friendly, non-toxic PVC with a thickness of .33 mm and can be used as a wading pool without sprinklers. It comes with a patch kit, gasket, and sprayer connector.
What we love
- To drain it quickly at the end of the day just press the side ring down
- The cartoon drawings on the base show the continents as they were during the time of the dinosaurs
What We Don't Like That Much
- You may need to put a tarp under it to prevent the surrounding area from becoming muddy
11Apfity Splash Pad for Kids Dogs, 68" Sprinkle Play Mat Summer Water Toys Inflatable Swimming Pool for Toddlers Baby Kiddie and Pets Dog Outside Sprinkler Pool for Age 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Designed like a big slice of watermelon, this splash pad features an extra highlight with a water spray emerging from the watermelon’s leaf. It is 68 inches in diameter and ideal for children aged from 2 to 5. It’s also suitable for pets and is made from heavy-duty, non-toxic PVC that won’t crack or tear with normal use. The splash pad also comes with a set of handy instructions for attaching the hose as well as extra clamps.
What we love
- It has a reinforced outer ring to hold more water
- Two hose clamps are included to increase the strength of the hose connection
What We Don't Like That Much
- Hooking up the hose is a bit complicated, but once it’s done it works well
12ROYPOUTA Splash Pads for Toddlers, Water Sprinkler for Kids Outdoor Play, Outside Water Toys Gifts for Yard-Yellow Duck
Like a giant rubber ducky, this splash pad is very cute. The cool-looking duck with sunglasses is also a basketball hoop. The sprinklers are around the rim, and the height of the water can be adjusted to low or high. It has lots of cartoon fish swimming on the 68-inch base and has holes on the edge of the pad to maintain the water level. It will drain if you don’t keep the water on, but you don’t need high pressure.
What we love
- This splash pad is ideal for toddlers
- The ring in the duck’s bill is perfect for horsing around with a small ball
What We Don't Like That Much
- The water level of the uppermost spray could be higher
In Conclusion
We all remember that feeling of freedom and exhilaration that comes from running around getting sprinkled with water on a sunny day in the back yard and that’s exactly what these splash pads offer - but better. Of course, if it’s your job as the grown-up to do the hard work pumping up any inflatable parts of these toys, you deserve to get to relax while they’re having fun, so sit back and treat yourself to an inflatable Rhode Island Novelty 36 Inch Chair. And if you’re looking for some water-related fun toys, you can find some more inspiration with our 15 Best Water Toys for Toddlers list.
