It's tough to beat the playgrounds on Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. There are massive slides, epic sandboxes, Swing Valley— and the Water Lab, the park's hot-weather crown jewel and arguably the best water playground in the city. The Water Lab encourages creative play, with water screws to turn and sprays to operate. There's a canal your little ones can fill with flowing water, or damn up—you can watch the children negotiate who does what. All that splashy fun will build appetites—good thing a wood-fired pizza enjoyed on the roof deck of Fornino is just steps away.
Summertime temps require cool activities to beat the heat. You can take the kids on a day trip to a nearby water park for some thrilling adventures, but there’s really no need to leave the city to find a spot for your kids to play in the water. Head to the best water playgrounds in NYC for fun times and plenty of splashing around outdoors. These water playgrounds, which are among the best playgrounds in the city, feature fountains, splash pads, water cannons and more. We’ve also included pools where you can take your little fish for free swim.
NYC water playgrounds guarantee hours of fun. For more outdoor activities with kids in the city, check out nearby hiking and biking trails. Paired with a cool-down at a water playground, you’ve got yourself a fabulous summer outing. Be sure to top it off with a stop at one of the city’s best ice cream shops for a memorable day out with the kids.