Splash Town

Safari Splash at Fort Worth Zoo is operating at limited capacity to allow social distancing.

14 local spray grounds guaranteed to make a splash

WORDS

EMILY YEARWOOD

IT’S NO SECRET that Texas summers are hot. But you don’t have to brave crowds at a water park or have a backyard pool to get relief. Here are some of DFW’s best splash pads that are open for visitors right now. (There are definitely great splash pads in other communities, but many are closed because of the pandemic.)

Before you head out, be sure to confirm each site’s open status, as things can change quickly these days. If you visit, remember to social distance, avoid large groups and follow all COVIDrelated guidelines.

CALIFORNIA LANE PARK SPRAY GROUND //

Arlington Location 1931 California Lane What to know Your kiddos will stay cool as they enjoy a spray tunnel and arch, water jets and a spinning play station. Access to the spray ground is free; splash the day away from 10am–8pm. You can rent the pavilion and its amenities—including grill and electricity access. Restrooms are on-site.

OAK HILLS SPLASH PARK // Carrollton Location 1225 Royal Palm Lane What to know In addition to dump buckets and sprayers, this splash park features small water slides. Cool down at no cost during the hours of 9am–8pm. A pavilion, tables and grills are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Restrooms are available on-site. Swim attire is required.

MCPHERSON PARK SPLASH PAD // Colleyville Location 240 W. McDonwell School Road What to know The splash pad at McPherson Park features tipping water buckets, a red windmill that sprays water, an archway in a frog design that sprays kids below, and more. Take a snack and hydration break under the shaded pavilion. This splash pad is free and open 10am–8pm daily through the end of September. Restrooms are on-site.

BICENTENNIAL PARK SPLASH PAD // Crowley Location 900 E. Glendale St. What to know Crowley’s Bicentennial Park offers a 2,000-square-foot splash pad for water fun. This free park has a sea theme and is open daily from 10am–8pm through Labor Day. There are restrooms on-site.

DANIELDALE SPRAYGROUND // Dallas Location 300 W. Wheatland Road What to know With imaginative water play for the kids and shaded areas and tables for adults, this

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ABOVE // Kids at the Frisco Commons Spray Park have fun with interactive sprayers and geysers. BELOW// Dove Sprayground in Grapevine is part of the larger Dove Waterpark.

free splash pad in South Dallas is sure to be a hit. Make hot sunny days a cool adventure during open hours of 10am–8pm daily (except Thursdays, when scheduled maintenance takes place and the spray ground opens at 2pm). Go to the bathroom before you get there, but there are portable toilets on-site if needed.

LAKE HIGHLANDS NORTH SPRAYGROUND

// Dallas Location 9940 White Rock Trail What to know Cool down in the spray ground at Lake Highlands North Park. It’s free and open through Labor Day (10am–8pm every day except Friday, when the spray area opens at 2pm). There’s not a bathroom onsite, but you can take advantage of benches, picnic tables, a pavilion and other shade. Kids will love the water features, including spray arches and in-ground jets.

FAIRVIEW FOUNTAIN // Fairview Location 329 Town Place, at Fairview Town Center What to know This interactive fountain features in-ground jets that shoot sprays of water into the air. Kids 12 and under are invited to enjoy fountain play at no charge. Swim diapers are required for the littlest visitors, and rubber footwear is encouraged for all kiddos. Parents can watch from nearby tables and benches. Restrooms are available in Fairview Town Center.

SAFARI SPLASH // Fort Worth Location 1989 Colonial Parkway, at Fort Worth Zoo What to know If your kids need room to roam, give Safari Splash a go. It covers 14,000 square feet at the Fort Worth Zoo and features slides, a water dump tower, animal-shaped water cannons, a toddler area and more. It’s an additional $5 with zoo admission ($4 for zoo members and free for kids 2 and under).

Moms and dads can watch from a shaded lounge chair. Safari Splash opens at 10am; closing time is 5pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends. There are nearby bathrooms.

FRISCO COMMONS

SPRAY PARK // Frisco Location 8000 McKinney Road What to know This spray ground, which runs on a recycled water system, includes a multitude of dumping buckets, interactive sprayers, geysers and more. Proper swimwear is required, including swim diapers if appropriate. The water features are visible from nearby tables, so parents can enjoy some shade while the kiddos play. Access the spray park for free from 8am–8pm daily, with restrooms on-site.

DOVE SPRAYGROUND // Grapevine Location 1509 Hood Lane, at Dove Park What to know This spray ground is part of the Dove Waterpark. With shaded areas, benches and a huge dump bucket, your kiddos will have no trouble keeping cool in the heat. For

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1215 Turner Ave. Dallas 75208 | 214.942.2220 | TheKesslerSchool.com extra comfort, you can rent a cabana. Water shoes are encouraged but not required. It’s currently open 11am–9:30pm Monday through Thursday and 11am–7pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $3 for Grapevine residents and $6 for nonresidents. Restrooms are on-site.

DOUBLETREE RANCH PARK SPLASH PAD // Highland Village Location 310 Highland Village Road What to know The splash pad atDoubletree Ranch Parkis perhaps the most scenic spray ground in North Texas. The modern design looks like a natural creek and features 15 water features (with 66 sprayers and a waterfall). It’s open from 10am–8pm every day except Tuesday. There’s no charge to play. Restrooms are available on-site.

CLAYTON W. CHANDLER PARK SPLASH PAD // Mansfield Location 1540 N. Walnut Creek Drive What to know Littles can cool off safely with the non-slip surface at this splash pad. Play in the water sprayers at no charge 10am–8pm daily through Labor Day. Then your kiddos can dry off at the adjacent playground. The park has bathroom facilities.

FRONTIER PARK SPLASH PAD // Prosper Location 1551 Frontier Parkway What to know The splash pad at Frontier Parksits alongside the community-built Windmill Playground. The interactive water features are open through Oct. 1, and the fun is free. There are multiple restrooms throughout the park.

BICENTENNIAL PARK SPLASH PAD // Southlake Location 450 W. Southlake Blvd. What to know This Southlake water play area is designed to look like a giant dragon. Kids splash around the dragon’s head, frolic in the green water fountains that twist up from the ground, and duck under small spraying archways. It’s currently open from 6am–11pm daily, with on-site restrooms.

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES DIRECTORY

Another school year is here—and so is the question of how to keep kiddos busy (besides homework) when they finish for the day. Here are some ideas for your family.

Acting Studio, The

Grapevine • 917/224-5877 actingstudiotx.com

Adventure Kids Playcare

Multiple locations • 972/899-9332 adventurekidsplaycare.com

Challenge Island—West Plano/ North Dallas

Dallas • 469/779-7844 challenge-island.com/westplano-northdallas

D1 Training—Colleyville

Colleyville • 817/761-5012 d1training.com/colleyville

Dallas International School

Dallas • 972/991-6379 dallasinternationalschool.org/languageinstitute

Gray School of Music

Dallas • 214/369-7772 grayschoolofmusic.com

J’s Art Studio, Inc.

Dallas • 972/931-1933 jsartstudio.com

Margo Dean School of Ballet

Fort Worth • 8177387915 margodeanballet.com

Marina Almayeva School of Classical Ballet

Hurst • 817/788-0818 ma-balletschool.com

River Legacy Living Science Center

Arlington • 8078606752 riverlegacy.org

TCU Music Preparatory Division

Fort Worth • 817/257-7604 musicprep.tcu.edu

Texas Ballet Theater School

Dallas & Fort Worth • 877/828-9200 texasballettheater.org/tbt-school

YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas

Multiple locations • 469/348-9622 ymcadallas.org/afterschool

AGES

5–18yrs 6wks–12yrs 4–12yrs 7yrs–adults 3yrs+ 5–99yrs 4yrs+ 3yrs–adult 3–19yrs K–6th grade Infant–adult 3–18yrs PreK–8th grade

DESCRIPTION

A studio for excellence in the theatrical arts. We foster an environment where excellence is the standard, not perfection with a reputation for a positive and

professional environment in which artists can develop their craft. See ad on page 63. School stress getting you down? Let Adventure Kids help! Each day will feature homework helpers, enrichment classes, hands on STEAM, gross motor games, free time, and so much more! See ad on page 35.

We will be offering in person STEAM classes for public registration or your own private groups . Kids innovate, collaborate and solve problems like engineers, using creativity and imagination all with a STEAM twist. See ad on page 58.

A 5-Star Training System designed to enhance sports performance for both scholastic and adult training. Flexible schedule and packages in a world class facility with expert

coaches! Call/text us for a free trial 817/761-5012. See ad on page 23. DIS Language Institute offers enrichment programs for everyone. Whether you want to study a new language, take piano lessons or learn how to draw, check us out. Learn a

skill in one hour a day! See ad on page 8. Private music lessons in piano, voice, violin, guitar, ukelele, drums, and percussion. Online and live lessons offered after school and on weekends. Fun recitals and festivals offered several times a year. Teachers have graduate degrees. See ad on page 34.

Creative art classes in person and online! J’s introduces students to different art media—clay, drawing, painting and sculpture! Experienced, nurturing teachers and small classes for all ages. Call to enroll. See ad on page 52.

Offering ballet for all ages and levels starting at age 3, flamenco dance, jazz/ contemporary, adult ballet, and the real barre fitness class. Home of Ballet Concerto, inspiring dance since 1950. See ad on page 34.

Classical ballet and dance classes for kids of all ages in a safe and friendly environment from a former Russian professional ballerina, Nutcracker, competitions. World class ballet education in the heart of Texas. See ad on page 58.

Students have the unique experience of exploring a riparian forest in the middle of the Metroplex. From frogs to trees to weather, children learn about a new topic each month, then go outside to explore! See ad on page 18.

TCU’s Music Preparatory Program offers music lessons on the TCU campus and online. Offerings include: Music Together for infants to age 8, private piano, voice, instrumental and string lessons for all levels. See ad on page 59.

TBT School offers classes that range from beginner ballet to elite professional training, with studios in Dallas County and Fort Worth. Virtual and in-person classes available this fall. See ad on page 35.

YMCA Afterschool programs are conveniently located at your child’s school, a neighboring school, or a YMCA branch. With over 90 locations throughout the Dallas Metro, we are committed to supporting the whole child. See ad on page 13.

MOM TRUTHS

ILLUSTRATION MARY DUNN

COMPILED BY EMILY YEARWOOD

LAST YEAR, I FORGOT IT WAS PICTURE DAY AT MY SON’S SCHOOL, SO I LET HIM DRESS HIM- SELF. HE’S USUALLY BEST DRESSED FOR PICTURE DAY— BUT IN HIS CLASS PHOTO, HE HAS ON A SLIGHTLY-TOOSMALL NINJA TURTLE SHIRT WITH WACKY HAIR.”

—YASMEEN, PLANO

“I showed up to work one day and looked in my purse for a document my coworker needed. When I pulled the document out, the box of raisins I keep for my kids had exploded and was stuck to the paper.” —KRISTY, LAS COLINAS

“We picked up barbecue for dinner and planned on eating at the park. When we got there, I realized we had no utensils. I looked everywhere in my car for some. We ended up using some jumbo Popsicle sticks to eat our dinner.”

—MEREDITH, THE COLONY “After dinner, we gave our daughter a sugar cookie. She took a bite and said she didn’t like it, so we gave her a chocolate cookie instead. The next thing we knew, she finished her chocolate cookie and picked up her sugar cookie to finish it off too! She tricked us!” —SABRINA, LANTANA

EVERY TIME I MAKE MY SON A SANDWICH, I THINK IT’S THE MOST GOUR- MET THING I’VE EVER SEEN. BUT HE ALWAYS TAKES A BITE AND SAYS, ‘EW, MOM! I DON’T LIKE IT!’”

—ALISON, SOUTHLAKE

Got a funny parenting moment you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. Send it to editorial@dfwchild.com. I have girl-boy twins. When I’m not putting cereal boxes in the fridge and milk in the pantry, I’m placing bows on my boy and not realizing until we show up to our destination!” —ALISSA, LITTLE ELM