Within 15 miles of Converse, TX · Updated 2026-07-02When a Converse summer hits triple digits, you need water and you need it fast. The good news: you're sitting in a sweet spot between a half-dozen free splash pads, starting with the one right in your own backyard at Converse City Park. Head five minutes north to Universal City's 4,000-square-foot Northview Splash Pad, or loop the whole family day through Selma and Schertz before finishing with a downtown San Antonio adventure. Every pad on this list is free — bring your sunscreen and a change of clothes.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Converse
1. Converse City Splash Pad (Converse)
Location: 307 School St, Converse, TX 78109
Your neighborhood splash pad, half a mile from home. Converse City Park packs a lot into one stop , water jets that range from gentle sprays to full-blast dump buckets, a playground, shaded picnic tables, and a quiet lake out back for fishing after the splash session. The accessible design means kids of every ability can get in on the fun. Open daily 8 a.m.–9 p.m., so an evening after dinner run is totally doable when the afternoon is still baking.
Good to know: water sprays, water jets, dump buckets, playground, picnic benches, restrooms.
Parent tip: Pack fishing gear if your kids are into it — the catch-and-release lake right next to the splash pad makes for a full two-hour outing without leaving the park.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Converse City portal.
2. Northview Splash Pad (Universal City)
Location: 100 Randolph Plaza Dr, Universal City, TX 78148
Age-grouped bays mean everyone's happy together. Universal City's design genius here is splitting Northview into three zones,gentle sprays for toddlers, tower-style features for families, and a wave feature for teens. One outing, one location, zero complaints about the difficulty level. The shade structures and changing rooms seal it.
Good to know: restrooms, changing rooms, adjacent library. Closed closed during lightning/thunders.
Parent tip: The unsupervised facility fills up fast on weekends — aim for a weekday morning if you want the Toddler Bay to yourselves.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Northview city page.
3. Live Oak Park Splash Pad (Live Oak)
Location: 8001 Shin Oak Dr, Live Oak, TX 78233
Splash pad plus walking trails and play space. Live Oak Park's splash pad is never going to be Instagram-famous, which is exactly why it works so well. The pad itself is functional; the park around it is what makes it special,trails, quiet spots, and room to move. Perfect for families who want water play as part of a bigger park experience.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic spots, walking trails, serene park setting.
Parent tip: Hours aren't posted online — call Live Oak Parks and Recreation before your first visit to confirm the seasonal schedule.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Live Oak Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. Stage Stop Splash Pad (Selma)
If you're based in Converse, it's under 10 min without traffic, worth combining with other Selma stops.
Location: 9374 Valhalla Drive, Selma, TX 78154
Bright pad plus dual playgrounds, midday hours. Selma's Stage Stop Park is straightforward and functional,splashes, swings, and picnic benches in shade. The 11 a.m.–7 p.m. schedule means it's a deliberate mid-day outing, not a quick morning hit. Perfect for families planning an intentional afternoon break.
Good to know: colorful splash pad, playground, two shaded playgrounds, restrooms, picnic areas.
Parent tip: Note the shorter hours compared to San Antonio pads — if you're coming from the Converse side in the morning, you'll have to wait until 11 a.m. to get in.
Before heading out, review the Stage Stop status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
5. Wendy Swan Memorial Park Splash Pad (Schertz)
For a family coming from Converse, the drive clocks in at about 13 min without traffic, an easy add-on if you're already headed toward Schertz.
Location: 4601 Cherry Tree Drive, Schertz, TX 78154
Water on two fronts: splash pad and lap pool. Schertz's Wendy Swan is unusual because it offers both splash play and traditional swimming in one park. Younger kids run the pad, older kids or serious swimmers hit the pool; everyone's happy and you're not splitting the group. The recent upgrades (irrigation, new trees, fencing) show the park's well-maintained.
Good to know: splash pad, outdoor pool, bathhouse, picnic pavilion, walking trail, basketball court.
Parent tip: The park got recent upgrades (sod, irrigation, new trees, fencing) so conditions are excellent — bring a picnic and plan to stay a few hours.
Keep tabs on routine cleanings and seasonal changes by visiting the Wendy Swan Memorial Park page directly.
6. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Splash Pad (San Antonio)
From Converse, it runs about 14 min door-to-door, and San Antonio's roads are simple to follow from the highway.
Location: 3503 Martin Luther King Dr, San Antonio, TX 78220
Sports facilities plus splash in a complete park. San Antonio's MLK Park on the east side combines a splash pad with basketball courts, sports fields, and walking trails. Perfect for families with kids at different interests,splash time for some, sports court time for others, trails for parents who want to move. Grill-friendly too.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic areas, grills, sports courts, sports fields.
Parent tip: Pack lunch and fire up a grill — the picnic area with grills makes this an easy full morning outing without buying food.
Mechanical maintenance can happen without notice — check the Martin Luther King Jr. Park status page before you load up.
7. Emmitt Park Splash Pad (San Antonio)
If you're based in Converse, it's about 17 min without traffic, worth combining with other San Antonio stops.
Location: 2477 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78232
Multi-activity park on the north side of SA. Emmitt Park delivers water play (geysers), a solid playground (with a carousel-style swing and in-ground merry-go-round), and actual sports infrastructure for older kids and adults. The fact that it's on a church campus but open to the public is a win,well-maintained grounds with good energy.
Good to know: water geysers, large playground, toddler-friendly area, circular swing, in-ground merry-go-round, picnic areas.
Parent tip: Saturday hours cut off at 3:30 p.m. — plan your arrival accordingly so you have full time at the splash pad before it closes.
8. Gustav's Geysers at The Pearl (San Antonio)
Coming from Converse, expect about 17 min without traffic, and San Antonio has plenty nearby to make a half-day of it.
Location: 303 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78215
Water play in the middle of a destination hub. The Pearl's Gustav's Geysers is a splashpad that's actually a whole outing by itself. Restaurants are steps away, there's greenspace for running, the weekend farmers market adds energy, and the geysers themselves are solid and free. It's curated in a way most municipal pads aren't.
Good to know: water geysers, shade umbrellas, seating areas, nearby dining options, restrooms.
Parent tip: The Pearl Farmers Market runs Saturdays and Sundays — arrive before 10 a.m. to snag a good spot near the splash area before the weekend crowd builds.
How we picked these
We mapped every free public splash pad within 15 miles of Converse City Hall and ranked by distance so local families can find the closest option fast. We prioritized pads with confirmed hours, accessibility features, and amenities (shade, restrooms, playground) that make a solo outing viable. The two San Antonio picks earn their spots as destination-worthy upgrades for days when you want more than just water.Planning your visit
Most splash pads in this area run from March or April through October, with peak season June through August. San Antonio city pads typically operate 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily; Northview and Stage Stop have shorter windows, so check hours before heading out. All pads on this list are free. Bring sunscreen, a change of clothes, flip-flops, and a bag for wet items. For events happening near any of these pads this week, see the Converse family events calendar.
For more kids' events near Converse this week, see the Converse events page.
Converse 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: Converse City Splash Pad and most Converse 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 Northview Splash Pad, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Converse Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Converse, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 8 standout splash pads within about 15 miles of Converse. The top picks include Converse City Splash Pad, Northview Splash Pad and Live Oak Park Splash Pad, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are splash pads near Converse free?
Yes, every splash pad in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for Converse City Splash Pad, Northview Splash Pad, Live Oak Park Splash Pad or any of the other picks.
What is the closest splash pad to Converse?
Converse City Splash Pad is the closest pick at under a mile from Converse. 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 Converse splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Converse-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 Converse open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Converse-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.