Skip to main content
Playground Professionals
Play and Playground eMagazine
  • Playground
    • Playground Safety
    • Construction
    • Maintenance
    • Inspection
    • Inclusion
    • Wood
    • Swing Sets
    • Nets and Ropes
    • Climbing Walls
    • Theme
    • Musical
    • Recycled
    • Residential
    • Indoor
    • Nature Play
    • Fund Raising
  • Surfacing
    • Loose Fill
    • Poured in Place
    • Rubber
    • Artificial Turf
    • Sports Court
    • Surfacing Maintenance
    • Aquatic Surfacing
  • Parks
    • Landscape
    • Benches
    • Tables
    • Trash Receptacles
    • Bike Racks
    • Drinking Fountain
    • Lighting
    • Shelters
    • Shade Structures
    • Restrooms
    • Dog Park
    • Skatepark
  • Athletics
    • Sports Equipment
    • Fitness and Exercise
    • Bleachers
  • Aquatics
    • Spray Parks
    • Surf Parks
    • Water Safety
    • Pool
    • Water Slides
  • Play
    • Amusement Park
    • Education
    • Toys
    • Parenting
    • Bullying
    • Health and Safety
    • Games
    • Inflatables

Search Playground Professional's Archives

Home
  • Playground
    • Playground Safety
    • Construction
    • Maintenance
    • Inspection
    • Inclusion
    • Wood
    • Swing Sets
    • Nets and Ropes
    • Climbing Walls
    • Theme
    • Musical
    • Recycled
    • Residential
    • Indoor
    • Nature Play
    • Fund Raising
  • Surfacing
    • Loose Fill
    • Poured in Place
    • Rubber
    • Artificial Turf
    • Sports Court
    • Surfacing Maintenance
    • Aquatic Surfacing
  • Parks
    • Landscape
    • Benches
    • Tables
    • Trash Receptacles
    • Bike Racks
    • Drinking Fountain
    • Lighting
    • Shelters
    • Shade Structures
    • Restrooms
    • Dog Park
    • Skatepark
  • Athletics
    • Sports Equipment
    • Fitness and Exercise
    • Bleachers
  • Aquatics
    • Spray Parks
    • Surf Parks
    • Water Safety
    • Pool
    • Water Slides
  • Play
    • Amusement Park
    • Education
    • Toys
    • Parenting
    • Bullying
    • Health and Safety
    • Games
    • Inflatables
  • The Nature of Play
  • Teenagers Need Active Play, Too!
  • KC’s Gillham Park a Highlight of Neighborhood
  • Play Equipment Standards for Infants & Toddlers
  • Bullying on the Playground
  • 4 Things to Consider When Creating a Safe Splash Pad for Kids

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Aquatics
  3. Spray Parks
  4. 4 Things to Consider When Creating a Safe Splash Pad for Kids

4 Things to Consider When Creating a Safe Splash Pad for Kids

Spray Parks
Profile picture for user Gaurav Belani
By Gaurav Belani on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
461
4 Things to Consider When Creating a Safe Splash Pad for Kids

4 Things to Consider When Creating a Safe Splash Pad for Kids

As temperatures go up, the first place American families think of going to is a water park or a splash pad. These aquatic play parks allow people to cool off and spend a fun time amidst the cooling water jets and wafting mist. Moreover, because they are interactive and accessible to all, splash pads have become quite popular across the country. 

Splash pads or splash parks are essentially water parks designed for interactive and multisensory games and play spaces. They use a combination of ground sprays and above-ground water features like misters and sliders. 

Unlike other water parks, splash pads do not have standing water, thus allowing kids to run around freely in a safe and inclusive environment. Yet, the safety of splash pads has always been a subject of concern for families with kids, splash pad operators, and equipment manufacturers. 

Each year, thousands of kids land up in emergency rooms because of injuries that occurred on splash pads, water parks, and pool decks. Hence, in this guide, we will share the top things to consider when creating a safe splash pad for kids. 

  1. Pay Attention to Water Hygiene 

As mentioned earlier, splash pads do not have standing water bodies. The sprayed water rinses contaminants down into the water holding area. If not treated, this contaminated water will be sprayed back into the air, increasing the risk of water-borne infections. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a Model Aquatic Health VCode (MAHC) which shares guidelines on UV treatment of water in the washrooms, showers, surface area, and baby changing stations. It also offers guidance on selecting the right water management system for the splash pad.

Make sure you install an efficient water management system to curb the proliferation of waterborne pathogens like giardia and E. coli. 

  1. Install a Safe Surface

Brushed concrete is the most commonly applied surface in splash pads. But the hard and unforgiving surface has been a major cause of serious accidents in kids visiting splash parks. The current advancement in synthetic flooring materials has brought in surfacing options that are better suited to stand up to the rigors of the summer heat, chlorinated moisture, and heavy foot traffic. 

For instance, because of its safety potential and durability, rubber surfacing is emerging as a popular option in splash pads. Playground surface specialists and rubber surfacing experts are offering several options that meet the safety criteria and create an enjoyable experience for all. 

What’s more, these surfaces are resistant to bacteria and algae growth, making them an ideal choice for splash pads. And in case of a slip or a fall, rubber surfaces are known to absorb the impact and reduce the risk of serious injuries. 

  1. Conduct Routine Checkup of the Equipment 

Splash pad equipment is where all the action takes place. Kids have loads of fun on the merry-go-rounds, monkey bars, still rings, swings, and slides. That’s why it’s only fair to emphasize the fact that such equipment should be installed properly and maintained regularly. 

Secondly, it’s key to maintain safe water pressure in the water toys. Failure to regulate the pressure in splash parks can lead to serious injuries. The recommended pressure is within 20 FPS (feet per second). 

Finally, thoroughly examine each piece of equipment for hazards, missing screws, and potential pinch points. 

  1. Ensure Safety from Heat 

Splash pads are open spaces for allowing maximum enjoyment. However, summers pose the risk of sunburns and dehydration in kids. Hence, it’s wise to install adequate shaded play spaces where kids can comfortably sit for a while. 

Installing commercial shade structures and metal shelters can protect your patrons from the harsh outdoor elements, thereby allowing them to have a memorable experience. 

Summing Up

Splash pads can be a blast. The water play provides a rich sensory experience for kids of all ages. However, it’s critical to maintain the safety of these spaces so that kids and elders can have an enjoyable experience. 

Use the pointers shared in this post to create a safe and fun experience for all the kids visiting your splash park. 

Profile picture for user Gaurav Belani
Gaurav Belani
461
2
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
Wild About The Phoenix Zoo’s Spray Parks
Jul 01, 2010
Spray Parks

Wild About The Phoenix Zoo’s Spray Parks

Playground Magazine
Texas Splash Park
Dec 01, 2009
Spray Parks

Texas Splash Park

Playground Magazine
Jun 21, 2017
Spray Parks

Waves of Fun Coming June 17 With Opening of Unique Morgan's Inspiration Island Splash Park

Bob McCullough

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Playground Magazine
  • Spotlight Search
  • Contributors
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2025 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions