Cool off with summer splash pads

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- School is out for the summer, and what better way to cool off than a splash pad?

They're fun for the kids and a money saver for the parents.

"The water jets are nice and cool for them," said parent Joseph Washington. "It's a free thing to do, saves a lot of money."

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department has 23 splash pads in the Houston area.

Mom blogger Jill Jarvis with the website BigKidSmallCity.com has a list of her favorites.

One of her favorites is the Ervan Chew Park located near the Southwest Freeway and Dunlavy. She likes it for its large space and ample seating for parents.

"This one has a playground and its nice and shaded in the playground and they replaced the pool with a splash pad so it's a lot easier for parents to watch their kids," Jarvis said.

The old pool is now peppered with an array of sprays so both the little ones and big kids can cool down.

Jarvis also recommends Hermann Park.

"If you go to Hermann Park, there are a couple of splash pads, one by the park, one by the reflecting pool. I like the one by the reflecting pool because it is so beautiful," she said.

Another one on her do not miss list is at Discovery Green. She likes that this one is very well maintained and is easy for parents to keep an eye on their kids.

Another splash pad that isn't under the umbrella of the Houston Parks and Recreation, but might be worth the visit is the one at the Downtown Aquarium. It's free to use and is a great place to cool off.

"It's our first time coming out here and I think we will back again," parent Ricky Gonzalez said.

To view the full list of Houston Parks and Recreation's splash pads, click here.

To view the Houston swimming pools that offer free swim lessons, click here.