When I explain West Texas to people who have never been here, I tend to use words like, HOT, dirt, sand, oil, and desert. This is what West Texas is; it is a desert and it is ridiculously hot. Literally as I am writing this we just survived a 109 degree day with the rest of the week predicting to be even hotter. Yuck!
There is only one way parents in West Texas survive the excessively hot summer days and that is living at splash pads or pools! Whoever the genius was that created splash pads, I will forever love! As a mother of 4 who love to be outside splash pads are heaven-sent!
Years ago when I lived in West Texas as a brand new mother, I used to take my daughter to the same splash pad over and over again, but it was only because I didn’t know of any other splash pad at the time. When we moved back to West Texas I was determined to find the good of this desert area and so we began exploring and splash pad hopping (going from splash pad to splash pad). I hope that our adventures will help other mom’s find the joy and fun in exploring the splash pads of West Texas.
6 Benefits of Taking Your Kids To Splash Pads:
As a kid I always thought it was the biggest treat to go to the community swimming pool in the summer and swim. Problem was that is all we could do back then, swim. Yep the pools were just plain old swimming pools and we would spend hours throwing darts in to dive to and my summers consisted of nonstop games of Sharks and Minnows or Marco Polo.
Don’t get me wrong I always loved it, but my little mind would have completely blown if I had seen a splash pad as a kid! They are so cool!
As a mom of 4 kids all under the age of 6, I have a very strong appreciation for splash pads over swimming pools and here is why:
1. Splash pads are for all ages! Problem with swimming pools is that it is for the older kids that already know how to swim. The little ones just spend their time in their parents arms splashing the pool, but they can never play the way they truly want to. With a splash pad older kids, younger kids, even adults can play regardless of whether you can swim or not.
2. The risk of drowning is practically gone. Majority of splash pads are literally just places where water sprays and doesn’t pool. There is no way for your kid to drown unless they hold their face directly where the water is splashing, which I doubt they will do willingly.
3. Teaches your kid love water. Sometimes a pool of deep water and the fear of drowning can cause a child to fear the water, but with a splash pad there is no deep water and drowning isn’t really possible, so kids learn to not fear getting in water or being wet. This will prepare them for eventually swimming in a pool.
4. You don’t have to get wet! I don’t know about you, but sometimes I hate the pool just because, as a parent, it requires so much work from me! Gosh that makes me sound so lazy! Honestly though, at a pool I am fighting to get my kids to wear their floats, to take them to the potty when they need to go, to catch them when they jump in, swim they around the pool, and you spend the entire time getting splashed in the face. Lets not forget to mention the disaster of trying to get all of your kids out of the pool when you leave. At a splash pad all you have to do is sit back and relax and let your kids play in water! So easy as a parent!
5. Splash pads require practically no extra equipment. When we go to the swimming pool I feel like a pack mule, I have a towel for each kid, their pool toys, goggles, ear plugs, sunscreen, pool noodles, and float wings or life jackets for each kid. So much stuff! When we go to splash pads, all I have to worry about is towels and sunscreen! Splash pads make my life so much easier!
6. Most splash pads are FREE! Since becoming a mom, FREE, has become one of my favorite words!
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Tips To Make Your Splash Pad Experience Easier:
–Wear sunglasses! Notice this is my first tip because if you are miserable, you will not last long at a splash pad which equals grumpy kids whose playtime just got cut short! Take care of YOU! Do not go to a splash pad without sunglasses! You are going to spend the entire time watching kids play in the sun and that sun is going to reflect off of the water, the ground, and the play structure and your eyes are going to hurt from squinting for so long!
–Bring a lawn chair or a camping chair! Splash pads in West Texas are a pretty popular place and the majority of the time there will not be any open seats or tables. Bring a chair so that you always have somewhere to sit while you watch your kids play.
–Do your research before you go. Before you go to any splash pad check the schedule so that you know when it is open. Majority of splash pads open in the afternoon, so make sure you know before you drive to one and end up turning around because you go there too early.
–Always put your kids in water shoes! West Texas is in the 100 degree zone for a good portion of summer and even with the water, your kids’ feet will get burned on the concrete or play structure. Just have them in water shoes to protect their little feet!
–Apply sunscreen to your kids before they get wet. I mean this is pretty obvious, but make sure you put that sunscreen on before your kid gets wet or that sunscreen will not stick to their skin and will not protect them from the sun.
Basic Rules For Each Splash Pad:
- All children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult
- All non-potty trained children must be in a swim diaper
- No animals or pets allowed
- Do not use splash pad if child has had diarrhea in last 2 weeks
- No running
- No food or beverages on the splash pad
- Do not use splash pad if infected with a contagious disease or condition
- Do not drink the water
Splash Pads And Aquatic Centers In West Texas:
-Midland
For more information on Midland splash pads, click here.
–HEB Ballpark Splash Pad
Things To Know:
- Hours vary according to Rockhounds Game Schedule
- Picnic Tables (only 1 is shaded)
- No play structure just water squirting from the ground
- No restrooms
Location: 5514 Champions Dr, Midland, TX 79706
Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day 10am-8pm (times my vary)
Admission: FREE
–Doug Russell Aquatic Center
Things To Know:
- Family night is on Thursdays with extended hours 7pm-9pm
- Lifeguards on duty
- Cash only
- Waterslides
- Lazy River
- Lounge Chairs
Location: 900 Midland Dr, Midland, TX 79703
Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat Session A:12pm-3pm & Session B: 4pm-7pm, CLOSED TUESDAYS, Sun Session A 1pm-4pm & Session B: 5pm-8pm
Admission: $3 per person, 2 and under FREE (passes go on sale at pool each day 30 minutes before opening for that day only. Passes are for 3 hour session either A or B)
–Washington Aquatic Center
Things To Know:
- Lifeguards on duty
- Family night is on Tuesdays with extended hours 7pm-9pm
- Cash only
- Waterslides
- Lazy River
- Covered picnic tables
Location: 1601 E Indiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701
Hours: Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat Session A: 12pm-3pm & Session B: 4pm-7pm, CLOSED THURSDAYS, Sun Session A: 1pm-4pm & 5pm-8pm
Admission: $3 per person, 2 and under FREE
–XTO Splash Pad
Things To Know:
- Water slides
- Covered Picnic Tables
- No Restrooms
Location: 2201 W Indiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701
Hours: Fri-Wed 10am-9pm, CLOSED THURSDAYS
Admission: FREE
–Centennial Park
Things To Know:
- Covered Picnic Tables
- Restrooms available
- No parking lot
Location: 200 W Wall St, Midland, TX 79701
Hours: Everyday 10am-8pm
Admission: FREE
-Odessa
–Sherwood Aquatic Center
Things To Know:
- Waterslides
- Lifeguards on duty
- Restrooms available
- Thursday night 5pm-8pm is family night,$4.50 for a family of 4 members
Location: 4520 N Dixie Blvd, Odessa, TX 79762
Hours: CLOSED TUESDAYS, Wed-Mon 1pm-7pm
Admission: ages 65+ FREE, ages 19-64 $4, ages 1-18 $2.50, ages below 1 FREE
–Woodson Aquatic Center
Things To Know:
- Waterslides
- Lifeguards on duty
- Restrooms available
- Thursday night 5pm-8pm is family night,$4.50 for a family of 4 members
Location: 1020 E Murphy St, Odessa, TX 79761
Hours: CLOSED TUESDAYS, Wed-Mon 1pm-7pm
Admission: ages 65+ FREE, ages 19-64 $4, ages 1-18 $2.50, ages below 1 FREE
–McKinney Park Splash Park
Things To Know:
- Covered area, but no chairs (bring your own chairs)
Location: 625 W Pool Rd, Odessa, TX 79763
Hours: 1pm-7pm
Admission: FREE
–UTPB Splash Park
Things To Know:
- Waterslides
- Restrooms avaliable
- Lifeguards on duty
- Covered picnic area
- Fenced in
Location: TX-191 &, TX-338 Loop, Odessa, TX 79762
Hours: 1pm-7pm
Admission: FREE
-Lubbock
–Water Rampage
Things To Know:
- All sales are final. No refunds and no rain checks.
- No re-entry into park
- No outside food or drink allowed
- Lifeguards on duty
Location: 6602 Marsha Sharp Fwy W, Lubbock, TX 79407
Hours: 12pm-6pm
Admission: $31.41 per person
-Andrews
–Andrews Splash Park and Pool
Things To Know:
- Kiddie Hours (and those with disabilities) are Tues-Thurs 10am-12pm for ages 3rd grade and under
- A 3% fee will be charged if you use a credit card
- Lifeguards on duty
Location: 100 NE 6th St, Andrews, TX 79714
Hours: Tues-Sat 1pm-6pm, Sun 1pm-5pm, CLOSED MONDAYS
Admission: $2 ages 13+, $1 ages 12 and under
-Sweetwater
–Mustang Harbor Splash Pad
Location: 1601 Elm St, Sweetwater, TX 79556
Hours: 7am-9pm
Admission: FREE
-Big Spring
–Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center
Things To Know:
- Lifeguards on duty
- Some covered lounging chairs, but most of them are not covered
- Waterslides
- Lazy river
Location: 911 Golf Course Road, Big Spring, TX 79720
Hours: Tues-Sat 12pm-8pm, Sun 1pm-8pm, CLOSED MONDAYS
Admission: $5 ages 3+, 2 and under FREE
-Abilene
–Red Bud Splash Park
Things To Know:
- Covered area, but no chairs (bring your own chairs)
- Restrooms available
- Waterslides
Location: 3125 S 32nd Street Abilene, Texas 79605
Hours: daily 8am-5pm
Admission: FREE
–Scarborough Park
Location: 5402 Hartford St, Abilene, TX 79605
Hours: daily 8am-5pm
Admission: FREE
–Nelson Splash Park
Things To Know:
- Restrooms avaliable
- Covered picnic tables
Location: 2070 Zoo Ln, Abilene, TX 79601
Hours: daily 8am-5pm
Admission: FREE
–Sears Splash Park
Things To Know:
- Waterslides
Location: 2250 Ambler Ave, Abilene, TX 79603
Hours: daily 8am-5pm
Admission: FREE
–Adventure Cove
Things To Know:
- Cash, card, and check accepted
- Lockers available on first come first serve basis (guests provide their own locks)
- Waterslides
- Lifeguards on duty
- Lazy river
Location: 2742 S 9th St, Abilene, TX 79605
Hours: Sun-Mon 1pm-7pm, Tues-Sat 11am-7pm
Admission: Adults $8, Kids over 48in $7, Kids under 48in $5, 2 and under FREE
–Stevenson Splash Park
Location: 401-599 E N 7th St, Abilene, TX 79601
Hours: daily 8am-5pm
Admission: FREE
-Kermit
–Winkler Park Pool and Splash Park
Things To Know:
- Cash only
- Lifeguards on duty
- Waterslides
Location: 1951 Tommy Thompson, Kermit, TX 79745
Hours: CLOSED MON-TUES, Wed-Sun 12pm-5pm
Admission: $2 ages 5+, 4 and under FREE
-Seminole
–Seminole Splash Pad
Things To Know:
- Waterslides for toddlers
- Water is knee deep
- Lifeguards on duty
- Do not climb on animal structures
- Shaded picnic tables
Location: 203 NW 4th St, Seminole, TX 79360
Hours: Tues-Thurs (toddler time10am-12pm) 2pm-7pm, Fri-Sat (toddler time10am-12pm) 2pm-6pm, Sun 2pm-6pm, CLOSED MONDAYS
Admission: $2 ages 9+, $1 ages 8 and under
-Pecos
–Pecos Splash Pad
Location: 2602 S Cothrun, Pecos, TX 79772
Hours: Tues-Sun12pm-8pm, CLOSED MONDAYS
Admission: FREE
-Fort Stockton
–Matthew Quiroz Heros Memorial Spray Park
Things To Know:
- Only 1 picnic table for seating near the splash pad
- Fenced In
- Restrooms avaliable
Location: 540 S Everts St, Fort Stockton, TX 79735
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm
Admission: FREE
Final Thoughts About West Texas Splash Pads:
If you have kids and you live in West Texas, you have to save this list! West Texas is so hot and really when it gets this hot nothing else seems fun except getting wet and cooling down. Splash pads are such a family friendly way to enjoy West Texas summers, and to beat the intense heat.
Like I said earlier, I used to just go to the same splash pad over and over again, but since finding all of these other splash pads we have had so much fun expanding how my kids play and giving them new experiences! Don’t take my word for it! Grab your sunscreen and sunglasses, pack up the kiddos and go have an adventure for yourself!
Other Fun Water Activities In West Texas:
Swim at Lake Nasworthy (San Angelo)
Enjoy a day at Lake Fort Phantom Hill (Abilene)
Play in the lade at Lake Colorado City State Park (Colorado City)
Go boating at Moss Creek Lake (Big Spring)
Scuba dive at Balmorhea State Park (Balmorhea)
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