Best Places to Cool Off with Our Kids!

OK, it’s officially HOT out there! It’s a mix of emotions for many of us parents.  Those of us who love the heat are enjoying it but if our child is not near water we’re bombarded with whining and constant complaining.  Not to blame them completely - it does get crazy hot in the city! But they are obviously not the best at concealing any type of discomfort. The solution:  playgrounds and parks with water features!!! Let’s explore some of the ones local to Brooklyn and in surrounding areas.


Splash Pad at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside (Prospect Park): Over 20 water jets pumping at once while you groove to fun pop music.    Another bonus to the splash pad is that there is a great cafe on site to replenish all the energy you burned chasing your little one around in the water.  The Bluestone Cafe has very decent food and picnic benches to enjoy it on. Stuffed Avocado salad, Mediterranean tuna wraps and chicken tenders are a few of the popular menu options.  Cannot think of a better way to cool off and have fun on a hot summer day! GMAP

Third St Playground (Prospect Park - Prospect Park W and 3rd St):  Almost a hidden gem, this playground is located off 3rd Street and Prospect Park West. Less chaotic than Harmony and offering more shade, this  bench-lined circle has several play structures, tire swings, a circle sandbox and water features. This playground is a preferred spot for playdates, as parents can hang out on a bench and easily watch their children (while having adult conversation – imagine that)!   Kids can run through a huge red coil water feature to cool off, or chill out in the sandbox. Bathrooms are nearby at the Picnic House. GMAP

J.J. Byrne Playground (5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th St): I like the fact that it’s segmented into different play areas for different age groups, including a gated toddler area.  Slides and swings galore, standing farm animals for kids to climb on, and the spinning chairs that go way too fast. Best feature of this park is surely the water play, from sprinklers and water pump to shoot and spray water cannons! Enjoy the shady benches, and the best part...you can enjoy a gelato right across the street! GMAP

Pier 6 Water Lab (Brooklyn Heights):  Cool off in the park’s most popular playground, which features a water-jet field that will keep children entertained for hours.It’s a two-level play area situated on a small hill, with a river of water winding down from the top level to the bottom. There are sprinklers, pumps, small pools to stand and stomp in, and a waterwheel that kids can turn themselves. You can spend hours here, and when you’re done, hit the nearby Sandbox Village, Slide Mountain, or Swing Valley. GMAP

Underhill Playground (Prospect Heights, Underhill Avenue between Park Place and Prospect Place):  Kids sprint through the mist of two water-spraying fish, and get totally soaking wet in the fountain in the middle of the playground's water feature. They’ll also love riding through the spray on the tricycles, cars, and other toys strewn throughout this playground. GMAP

Mount Prospect Playground (Prospect Heights, Eastern Parkway between Brooklyn Central Library and Brooklyn Botanic Garden): This well-shaded park on a hill is the second-highest point in Brooklyn and used to be a water reservoir decades ago. In the playground you’ll find a stone seal that sprays a generous mist, with several other sprinklers surrounding it. GMAP

Harmony Playground (Prospect Park, Prospect Park West at Ninth Street): This music-themed playground located near the Bandshell at 11th St in Prospect Park is AWESOME.   Shaky bridge, wobbly bridge, tons of swings, slides (including a twisty slide), a toddler-friendly area, tunnels, large sandbox, and my favorite water feature of all the parks, an upside-down “U” shape mister that gently sprays water towards the ground – just gentle enough that your child can get a little spray or can hang out underneath for a full soak!  Bathroom with changing table is a nice bonus as well! GMAP

Imagination Playground (Prospect Park at Lincoln and Ocean Ave):  This park is a bit further out, just over on the east side of Prospect Park (near Lefrak Center at Lakeside).  A bit more creative in design, this park is inspired by children’s literature, featuring statues of characters from Ezra Jack Keat’s books, a bronze dragon with water flowing down it’s back, and animal masks for kids to hide behind. Three playhouses and an open stage help stimulate children’s imaginations and creativity.  A nice break from the typical slides and swings! GMAP

Slope Park (18th St and 6th Ave):   For those of us South Slopers, this local playground is very convenient AND happens to be located across the street from a very decent coffee shop, Southside Coffee.  My favorite part of this park is the water feature, which includes a little wheel that kids can turn and subsequently water flows out. There are different water spray elements – both horizontal and vertical for children to jump in.  It’s a bit more intimate than the larger parks, which is also a positive. GMAP
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Hudson River Park Pier 25 Play Area (Tribeca, Hudson River at North Moore Street):  Feeling adventurous?  In Hudson River Park, you'll find this amazing playground, featuring a cool play area with water guns, sprayers, and buckets that fill up and dump water all over the kids. When they are tired of getting wet, there's a seasonal mini-golf course on the pier that costs just $5 for children and $7 for adults. GMAP

Teardrop Park (Battery Park City between Warren Street and Murray Street, East of River Terrace):  Also across the river, and located behind a high-rise, this playground can be tricky to find. But once you do, you (or your kids I mean) may never want to leave. The super long slide dumps kids in a massive sandbox. But in summer, the main attraction is the water play area, where geysers shoot up and soak everything in the vicinity.  Afterwards, take a ride nearby on a glowing fish at the Seaglass Carousel! GMAP