Summer is in full swing, and if you’re familiar with the Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln, California areas, then you know it can get hot. Like, brutally hot. For most families, kids are out of school for summer, the air conditioner is running 24/7, and parents are starting to feel the nagging guilt that comes with more and more screen time. If you’re struggling to figure out how to get your kids outside this summer, we have the answer (and it’s a good one): water parks and splash pads. If you’re lucky enough to live in the greater Sacramento area, you have several excellent (and often free) water activities within arms reach. Here are the ones you don’t want to miss:

Whitney Park Sprayground (Rocklin)

Whitney Community Park in Rocklin boasts a massive playground with areas for big and little kids, swings, shaded picnic tables, bathrooms, and best of all, a delightful splash pad that’s open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through mid-October. The splash pad features water jets, interactive water features, and plenty of opportunities to dunk, squirt, scoop, and splash. One of the most popular features is a pair of horse heads affixed to the top of pipes that children can spin and aim to release a stream of water on their friends.

Johnson-Springview Park (Rocklin)

The splash pad at Johnson-Springview Park is relatively new and has loads of fun features for children to enjoy. A shaded picnic area with barbecue pits overlooks the splash pad, bathrooms are close by, and there are also big and small play structures, though they are not shaded. Grass and a few trees also surround the splash pad area, making a great picnic opportunity for parents supervising the fun. One of the favorite water features at this park is a set of squishy stomping pads kids can jump on to release water.

Foskett Regional Park (Lincoln)

Now, here’s a park that has it all - picnic areas, bathrooms, playgrounds, sports fields, and walking/biking trails. Foskett Regional Park in Lincoln is huge and has so much to explore. However, in the summertime, we only have our eyes on one thing: the splash pad. It’s surrounded by shade, so caregivers can relax and watch little ones enjoy themselves in the cool water.

Harry Crabb Park (Roseville)

The splash pad at Harry Crabb Park in Roseville is truly a masterpiece of summer fun, and one kids will absolutely relish. The water park is surrounded by low bench-type seating - perfect for parents to sit on and keep their feet cool in the water while the little ones play. The water features vary in size and intensity, making it an ideal place for mixed-age groups. The park also has bathrooms, a shaded picnic area, a playground, horseshoe pits, and sand volleyball courts. The water features turn on daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

With these fantastic splash pads in the Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln areas, you have plenty of options to keep cool and have fun. So, pack a picnic, grab some sunscreen, and head out for refreshing outdoor adventures!