Area spraygrounds—think playgrounds meet mini fountains—opened over Memorial Day weekend to provide a fun and free way for little ones to cool off and burn energy when it’s hot outside. The region’s many waterparks serve the same purpose for older kiddos and even adults, although they come with entrance fees. Most waterparks require a bit of a commute, but one dousing from a 500-gallon bucket will make it all worthwhile. Visit these fun zones when you need a place to chill.
Spraygrounds
The Boro
- Daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Closed Thursdays, 3-9 p.m. during the live music series
This is a one-stop shop for, well, shopping, eating and splashing at the splash pad on the upper promenade. You can even catch a movie or challenge your virtual reality skills at Sandbox VR. // 8350 Broad St., Tysons
Drew Park
- Monday and Thursday, 2-8 p.m.
- Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
- Closed Tuesdays
The park, adjacent to the Charles Drew Community Center also has a basketball court, a baseball diamond and dry playground. Click here to read the Arlington County sprayground rules. // 2310 S. Kenmore, Arlington (Green Valley)
Hayes Park
- Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Tuesday and Friday, 2-8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
- Closed Wednesdays
This 3-acre park features two lighted tennis courts, four pickleball courts and a lighted basketball court, plus a picnic shelter and two playgrounds. // 1516 N. Lincoln St., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Lyon Village Park
- Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Wednesday and Friday, 2-8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
- Closed Thursday
This fenced park spans 2 acres and offers two lighted tennis courts, a tennis practice wall, a lighted basketball court and a picnic area. // 1800 N. Highland St., Arlington (Lyon Village)
Mosaic District
- Daily, 9:45 a.m.-9:45 p.m.
In-ground fountains delight little ones, and although the decorative rocks are tempting to toss, that’s a no-no, according to the rules at this splash pad in the heart of the Mosaic District. Make a day of it and grab something to eat and catch an outdoor movie. // 2905 District Ave., Fairfax
Mosaic Park
- Daily, 1-10:30 p.m.
The winner of the “Best New Facility Award” from the Virginia Recreation and Park Society in 2020, this Ballston spot has 144 newly planted trees, a multi-purpose court, rain garden, flexible-use lawn area and a children’s play area, complete with a colorful climbing wall. // 544 N. Pollard St., Arlington (Ballston)
Our Special Harbor
- Weekends and holidays May 25 through June 14 and Aug. 19-Sept. 2, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
- June 15-Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays; and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends and holidays.
Part of the Franconia Family Recreation Area, this Chesapeake Bay-themed sprayground is fully accessible to children of all abilities. Through Aug. 28, every Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. is sensory-friendly time with limited capacity and staff trained to help kids with special needs. // 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia
Penrose Square
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Closed Wednesdays.
A small but mighty space, this park is home to an interactive water feature and a two-piece sculpture called Echo that pays homage to the Three Sisters Radio Towers. The towers once sat near Columbia Pike and Courthouse Road and broadcast the first trans-Atlantic radio signal in 1915, connecting Arlington to the Eiffel Tower. Sustainable features include a Biofiltration system underneath the tree terrace for storm water runoff filtration and for enhancement of tree root growth. // 2597 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Virginia Highlands Park
- Daily, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Spanning almost 20 acres, this park near Westpost and National Landing provides two lighted diamond fields, six lighted tennis courts, two tennis practice walls, two pickleball courts, two lighted basketball courts, a volleyball court and three pétanque courts, plus a sprayground and playground. // 1600 S. Hayes St., Arlington (Westpost)
Water Parks
Atlantis Waterpark
Embrace the dark with a 170-foot enclosed slide or opt for an even lengthier open slide at Atlantis, one of five waterparks operated by NOVA Parks. There’s also a large pool, play island, a 500-gallon dumping bucket, water cannons, baby pool and a sand area. Check the website for hours and admission fees. // 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville
Great Waves Waterpark
Shoot down five water slides, including a pair of speed slides; ride the swells in a large wave pool; and get soaked on the Kids Zone splash pad at this Alexandria family-fun destination. Click here for hours and ticket prices. // 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria
Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center
A portion of the facility’s 92,000 square feet is dedicated to an indoor leisure pool that includes a lazy river, water play features, lap lanes and a water slide. And there’s still space for aquatic fitness and therapeutic classes. Note that the leisure pool is currently closed for repairs. Find opening info here. // 333 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Ocean Dunes Waterpark
Ocean Dunes has many selling points, including a giant pool, a 500-gallon dumping bucket and two water slides—one open and one enclosed. A large main pool with a graduated, walk-in edge (like a beach) makes it easy for everyone to take a dip. While you’re there, try your hand (and foot) at scaling Climb UPton, an impressive ropes course just off the parking lot. Click here for hours and admission to the waterpark. // 6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Pirate’s Cove Waterpark
Make your inner pirate happy at this entertainment-filled waterpark that’s part of Pohick Bay Regional Park. You’ll find a 300-gallon dumping bucket, a pair of waterslides, water-spraying palm trees and a sandy refuge known as Buccaneer Beach. Admission and hours info appears on their site. // 6501 Pohick Bay Drive, Lorton
Super Awesome & Amazing at The St. James
Don’t let inclement weather keep you from a waterpark experience. This indoor park has several slides, water-dumping buckets and multidirectional sprayers. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Two-hour admission is $30 for non-members, free for members. // 6805 Industrial Road, Springfield
Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole
Submerge yourself in the Old West’s gold rush days at this themed Reston waterpark, where you can test your skills on floating obstacles and then recover by meandering along the 725-foot lazy river. Find several slides of varying lengths, sprays and Tenderfoot Pond for pint-size guests. Sensory-friendly hours are available from 10-11 a.m. June 25, July 16 and Aug. 6. Find admission fees and operating hours here. // 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston
Volcano Island Waterpark
For the littlest Volcano Island visitors, find fountains, squirters and a tiny slide. For the older ones, take advantage of large slides, a splash pad and, of course, a 500-gallon dumping bucket. Oh, and stick around to play a few holes at the nearby golf course. Click here for ticket and hours info. Note: The waterpark opens June 1. // 20015 Volcano Island Drive, Sterling