Best Free Splash Pads Near Andrews, TX for Kids (2026)

Andrews is smack in the middle of the Permian Basin — Odessa is 40 minutes one way, Midland 50 minutes the other — and the city has its own affordable splash park at NE 6th Street for those triple-digit days when you don't want to burn gas. For families who want more splash-pad variety or a bigger water-park experience, Odessa's free spraygrounds and Midland's aquatic centers are all within 36 miles. Here are the best splash pads near Andrews, TX for kids in 2026.

Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Andrews

1. Andrews Splash Park (Andrews)

Location: 100 NE 6th Street, Andrews, TX 79714

Diving board and multi-age splash zones — the city splash park in Andrews serves the full family lineup: toddler splash pool for the smallest swimmers, elementary splash-and-play area, water slide tower for middle kids, and a diving board for the adventurous. A covered picnic shelter with gas BBQ and snack bar round out the all-day experience. Runs May 26–August 8, Tuesday–Saturday 1–6 p.m., Sunday 1–5 p.m.

Good to know: splash pad, toddler splash pool, splash and play area, diving board, three-tube water slide, covered picnic area, gas BBQ grill, shade structures, snack bar, showers, restrooms. Closed Mondays.

Parent tip: Kiddie Hours (3rd grade and under with an adult) run Tuesday–Thursday 10 a.m.–noon for a quieter swim before the main crowd arrives. Sensory Swim every Friday 10 a.m.–noon is free for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Andrews portal.

2. Jurassic Jungle Sprayground (Odessa)

about 47 min from Andrews each way — Odessa rewards the drive if you plan a few hours.

Location: 5700 E 42nd St, Odessa, TX 79762

Worth the three-mile drive for the dinosaur slides. Jurassic Jungle is a step above a basic sprayground — the dino-themed water slides and dump buckets create an experience kids want to retell. Free admission and six real pavilions for shade make this the splash pad in Odessa, TX that justifies packing a full picnic cooler and spending the afternoon.

Good to know: sprayground, dinosaur-themed, water slides, dump buckets, ground geysers, covered pavilions, concessions, restrooms, playground, grilling facilities.

Parent tip: Free admission, but bring cash or card for the concession stand. The UTPB campus location gives the park a wider footprint than a standard city park — the six pavilions fill up on busy summer Saturdays, so arrive by 1 p.m. when they open to grab a spot.

For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Jurassic Jungle city page.

3. XTO Splash Pad at Dennis the Menace Park (Midland)

A genuine about 52 min drive each way from Andrews — worth it if the kids need serious space to roam.

Location: 2201 W Indiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701

Best themed splash experience near Odessa. The pirate ship water feature at Dennis the Menace Park creates a visit with a story arc — kids play sailor, not just sprinkler-runner. Slides, spray nozzles, pavilions, and BBQ pits make this worth the 20-minute drive from Odessa. Free admission and 9 p.m. closing time give you an unusually long window for a summer evening. Don't go on Thursday — it's always closed.

Good to know: splash pad, water slides, pirate ship water feature, playground, pavilion, picnic tables, BBQ pits, restrooms, drinking water.

Parent tip: Pack a cooler and plan on using the BBQ pits for a full afternoon outing. Dennis the Menace Park is one of Midland's most-used parks — weekend afternoons can be busy, so a weekday visit from Andrews gives you more elbow room.

Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the XTO at Dennis the Menace Park facilities status page before packing up the car.

4. McKinney Park Sprayground (Odessa)

A longer haul from Andrews at 35.6 miles — save this one for when you want a real change of scenery.

Location: 625 W Pool Rd, Odessa, TX 79761

Practical splash pad for Odessa families on a budget. No ticket booth, no membership check — pull up, splash, leave. McKinney's layout keeps different age groups from colliding: toddlers gravitate to the low ground jets while bigger kids chase the dump bucket timer. Restrooms are on site. It's not a water park, but for a free Tuesday afternoon in West Texas heat, it's close enough.

Good to know: sprayground, water jets, cascading water features, shade umbrellas, restrooms, playground, picnic area, sand volleyball court, sports fields.

Parent tip: McKinney Park reopened in May 2026 after a renovation — expect updated facilities and strong crowds on opening weekends. A weekday visit from Andrews beats the Saturday rush.

5. Centennial Park Splash Pad (Midland)

Worth the 35.3-mile drive from Andrews — Midland has more than enough to justify the trip.

Location: 200 W Wall St, Midland, TX 79701

Fifty jets in downtown Midland — free and family-ready. Centennial Park's splash pad is a fountain that doubles as a sprayground: fifty ground jets in a plaza setting, open to kids and adults from 10 a.m. Café-style seating, a concession kiosk, and a children's nature play area surround it. The Great Lawn handles picnics, the stage pavilion handles shade, and the dog park keeps the whole family engaged. Worth the 20-mile drive from Odessa for the downtown atmosphere.

Good to know: splash pad, ground jets, interactive water fountain, nature play area, dog park, seating, great lawn, stage pavilion, café seating, concession kiosk, restrooms, children's nature play.

Parent tip: The concession kiosk handles snacks on-site so you don't have to pack everything. Parking downtown Midland on weekdays is easier than weekends — a Tuesday or Wednesday trip from Andrews avoids the busiest weekend crowds.

How we picked these

We prioritized facilities confirmed open for summer 2026, with real water features suited to young children, on-site shade and restrooms, and parking. The local Andrews Splash Park leads the list; Odessa and Midland cross-city picks add free options and a paid aquatic center within a 36-mile window. All picks are public and accessible to non-residents.

Planning your visit

Andrews Splash Park (100 NE 6th St) runs Tuesday–Saturday 1–6 p.m. and Sunday 1–5 p.m.; closed Mondays. Season dates: May 26 – August 8, 2026. Admission is $2 for ages 13+, $1 for ages 12 and under. Kiddie Hours (3rd grade and under with adult) run Tuesday–Thursday 10 a.m.–noon; Sensory Swim (free, all abilities) is Friday 10 a.m.–noon. Odessa's Jurassic Jungle runs 1–7 p.m. daily; Midland's XTO Splash Pad and Centennial Park are free all day. Pack sunscreen, water shoes, and a change of clothes — Permian Basin pavement heats up fast and stays hot. For more kids' events near Andrews this week, see the Andrews events page.

For more kids' events near Andrews this week, see the Andrews events page.

Andrews Splash Pad Checklist

• Two towels and a dry change of clothes per kid — wet swimsuits on a hot car seat are miserable.
• Water shoes — rubber soles grip wet concrete; bare feet burn on pavement between jets.
• SPF 50+ sunscreen, applied 15 min before arrival — Andrews Splash Park and most Andrews splash pads have minimal shade, so a portable canopy extends your session past midday.
• Your own water bottle — splash pad water recirculates through a filtration and chlorination system and is not safe to drink, even when it runs clear.

Swim Diapers and Water Hygiene

• Swim diapers only for children not yet potty trained — regular diapers absorb recirculating water, swell, and can contaminate the shared system. Most municipal splash pads require them.
• Don't swallow the water — it's treated recreational water, not drinking water. Repeated swallowing can cause gastrointestinal illness.
• Rinse off after with soap and water. Keep kids with open wounds or a recent stomach illness out of places like Jurassic Jungle Sprayground — standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.

Andrews Splash Pads — Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best splash pads for kids near Andrews, TX?

Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 40 miles of Andrews. The top picks include Andrews Splash Park, Jurassic Jungle Sprayground and XTO Splash Pad at Dennis the Menace Park — each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.

Which splash pads near Andrews are free?

4 of the 5 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Jurassic Jungle Sprayground, XTO Splash Pad at Dennis the Menace Park and McKinney Park Sprayground. The rest charge admission — check the individual cards above for prices.

What is the closest splash pad to Andrews?

Andrews Splash Park is the closest pick at under a mile from Andrews. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon — short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.

When do Andrews splash pads open and close for the season?

Most Andrews-area splash pads open Memorial Day weekend (late May) and run through Labor Day or mid-September, depending on weather and maintenance. Hours typically run 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily — check each splash pad's official page (linked in the cards above) before driving out, since closures for cleaning and weather are common.

Are the splash pads near Andrews open right now?

It depends on the day. Many Andrews-area pads run on heat-activated sensors or set seasonal hours (often 10 a.m.–8 p.m.), and some close one weekday for cleaning or shut off in bad weather. Before you load up the car, check the official page linked on each card above — it carries the current day's hours and status.