Kaufman sits at the crossroads of the DFW exurbs and the East Texas corridor, which puts a handful of free splash pads within a reasonable summer drive. Shannon Park is Kaufman's own free option right in town. Terrell's Splash Kingdom waterpark and Forney's community parks pick up the slack when you want a bigger outing — all within 15 miles of downtown Kaufman.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Kaufman
1. Shannon Park Splash Pad (Kaufman)
Location: Shannon St & Barnes St, Kaufman, TX 75142
Kaufman👶 Best for all ages💲 Free🚗 0.5 miShannon Park: Kaufman's in-town splash option: Located in northwest Kaufman at Barnes and Shannon Street, this park's free splash pad runs seasonally and pairs well with the covered basketball courts and lit walking trail. Quick to get in and out — no admission, no reservation.
Good to know: splash pad, basketball courts, walking trail, covered courts, lighting.
Parent tip: Shannon Park is in the northwest part of Kaufman at Barnes and Shannon Street. The splash pad is free and open during park hours — no reservation needed.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Shannon Park portal.
2. Splash Kingdom Waterparks (Terrell)
Starting in Kaufman, the drive takes about 15 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 1314 W Moore Ave, Terrell, TX 75160
Terrell's full waterpark, 10 miles from Kaufman: Splash Kingdom on Moore Avenue in Terrell is the step up when you want more than a free spray pad. Water slides, a splash area, and concessions make it a full-day destination. Admission applies, and hours vary by day of week — check the website before heading out.
Good to know: waterpark, water slides, splash pad area, concessions, restrooms.
Parent tip: Splash Kingdom is the big-day option for Kaufman families — worth it when you want a full waterpark experience. Check the website for seasonal hours and pricing before you go.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Splash Kingdom Waterparks city page.
3. Forney Community Park (Forney)
Starting in Kaufman, the drive takes about 20 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 241 S FM 548, Forney, TX 75126
Bigger park, free splash — Forney Community Park, 13 miles from Kaufman: Forney Community Park covers splash pad, pavilion, playground, and fields in a large footprint off FM 548. Free access, weekdays quietest. For Kaufman families it's the natural step up from Shannon Park when you want a full park day.
Good to know: splash pad, pavilion, playground, sports fields, restrooms.
Parent tip: The splash pad is the summer draw — mornings on weekdays hit the sweet spot before the sports leagues arrive and parking fills up. Book a pavilion block ahead for group visits.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Forney Community Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. Mulberry Park (Forney)
For a family coming from Kaufman, the drive clocks in at about 22 min without traffic, an easy add-on if you're already headed toward Forney.
Location: 751 S Bois D Arc St, Forney, TX 75126
Forney's second free splash pad at Mulberry Park, 14 miles: Mulberry Park near downtown Forney runs a free splash pad alongside a playground, baseball fields, and a covered picnic area. It draws fewer visitors than Forney Community Park, which means more breathing room on busy summer weekends. A worthwhile alternative if Community Park is packed.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, baseball fields, covered picnic area.
Parent tip: Mulberry is Forney's quieter splash pad — fewer crowds than Community Park on summer weekends, and parking is easier to navigate.
5. Bruce Central Park (Seagoville)
At 15 miles, one of the farther picks from Kaufman, so pack snacks and make a proper outing of it.
Location: 1801 N US-175 Frontage Rd, Seagoville, TX 75159
Seagoville's free splash pad open until midnight, 15 miles from Kaufman: Bruce Central Park on US-175 in Seagoville offers a free splash pad, playground, basketball court, and pond in a large, relaxed setting. The midnight closing time makes it an option for families who prefer evening visits when temperatures drop. Free all day, all ages welcome.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, basketball court, picnic areas, pond.
Parent tip: Bruce Central Park closes at midnight, so an evening visit after the hottest part of the day is a real option — unusual for a public park.
Before heading out, review the Bruce Central Park status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
How we picked these
We ranked picks by distance from Kaufman, confirmed public access, and prioritized free or low-cost options with defined operating seasons. At least one pick comes from outside Kaufman to give families variety. Hours and seasonal windows can change — verify on city websites before you go.
Planning your visit
Kaufman-area splash pads generally run Memorial Day through Labor Day. Shannon Park is free and open during regular park hours. Splash Kingdom in Terrell charges admission and has its own seasonal schedule — check before you go, as hours vary by day of week. Bring water shoes and sunscreen; shade varies by park.
For more kids' events near Kaufman this week, see the Kaufman events page.
Kaufman 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: Shannon Park Splash Pad and most Kaufman 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 Splash Kingdom Waterparks, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Kaufman Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Kaufman, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 15 miles of Kaufman. The top picks include Shannon Park Splash Pad, Splash Kingdom Waterparks and Forney Community Park, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Which splash pads near Kaufman are free?
4 of the 5 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Shannon Park Splash Pad, Forney Community Park and Mulberry Park. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Kaufman?
Shannon Park Splash Pad is the closest pick at under a mile from Kaufman. 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 Kaufman splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Kaufman-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 Kaufman open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Kaufman-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.