HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Free fun in the sun! We are talking about splash pads.
Houston has more than 25 splash pads to keep your kids cool and entertained this summer.
Jaycee Park in northwest Houston is a good spot. This park also has a playground and it's an easy place to watch the kids.
Marian Park in southwest Houston has a water "sprayground." Parents say what's great about this one is it has a shady area so they can avoid the sun but keep their eyes on the kids.
Closer into town, in Montrose, Ervan Chew Park has it all. It has a playground, picnic area, soccer and baseball fields, but the star in the summer is the splash pad. A simple push of a button activates the sprinklers.
In west Houston, Cullen Park is a big space with a colorful play surface and multiple geyser and spray fixtures. Plus, there's a pavilion nearby so you can picnic, too.
The Downtown Aquarium is another free option for you.
Heading to the southwest side of town, enjoy the River Park Splash Pad equipped with giant fountains, dumping buckets and a misting rainbow. They are closed for maintenance every Tuesday until noon.
If you're in the southeast side, check out the Kemah Boardwalk. You can eat ice cream, listen to live bands and let your kids run and play.
There's no entry fee to the boardwalk, so the splash pad is the cherry on top.
Here are some of the other splash pads we found in and around Houston:
City of Houston:
Outside the city of Houston:
Big Kids Small City has a great review of a number of these splash pads if you want to know more of what to expect before you check them out.
You can also get the full list of splash pads in areas such as The Woodlands, Deer Park, Friendswood and Pearland on the Houston Moms Blog website.