Next Gen Splashpads and Gamification - Commercial Recreation Specialists

Play is evolving and so are the expectations communities place on their parks and public spaces. With kids spending more time on screens and less time outdoors, communities are searching for better ways to draw people outside. Parks can no longer rely on traditional equipment and passive features to attract families. Today’s public spaces need to compete with screens, and interactive, gamified splashpads are answering that call. The next generation of splashpads are more than just a way to cool off. Next gen splashpads are dynamic, engaging, designed to get people moving together and encourage active play.

Why Active Play Matters

The CDC reports that only 1 in 4 children gets the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity (CDC, 2019) . That’s not just a health statistic; it’s a warning sign. When kids aren’t moving, they’re missing out on far more than exercise. Physical activity, especially outdoors, is critical to healthy development. It supports everything from motor skills and bone strength to stress regulation, mood, and attention span. Active kids tend to sleep better, focus more in school, and develop stronger social skills. Research in Pediatrics shows that active play is essential for children’s health, coordination, and emotional well-being (Pediatrics, 2018).

But despite the benefits, screens often win. They’re always on, always engaging, and always within reach. That’s why communities need to reimagine outdoor spaces so they’re not just available, they’re irresistible. Parks and play environments have to compete with the immersive pull of digital entertainment. That means moving beyond static structures and passive features. It means designing spaces that respond, challenge, and invite kids to come back again and again.

Interactivity and gamification offer exactly that. They transform outdoor spaces into active, ever-changing experiences, making physical activity feel like play, not a prescription.

“Interactive, dynamic play is more than just fun. It’s fundamental for healthy development. When parks offer environments that challenge, engage, and inspire, they become magnets for families and catalysts for community vitality.” — Ron Romens, President, Commercial Recreation Specialists

What is Gamification?

So, what does it take to make a splashpad – or any outdoor recreation space – irresistible? One of the most effective strategies is gamification. Gamification adds game-like features, such as challenges, feedback, and teamwork, to make activities more engaging. Gamification has become a powerful tool for creating memorable, high-use recreation spaces. A study in JMIR Serious Games found that gamified physical activity boosts engagement and activity levels more than traditional play (JMIR, 2022).

How Next Gen Splashpads are Embracing Gamification

To embrace this growing trend, next gen splashpads are going beyond the traditional zero-depth spray and splash zones to incorporate gamification. In the context of Nex Gen Splashpads, gamification is not necessarily about points or leaderboards. It’s about creating play environments that are dynamic, responsive, and never quite the same twice.

When water features light up, spray in response to movement, or trigger new effects through touch, they invite kids to experiment and explore. That kind of feedback loop keeps children physically active and mentally engaged. It taps into the same “just one more turn” mindset that makes digital games so compelling, but channels it into healthy, active outdoor play.

Key Benefits of Adding Gamification to Splashpads

Boosts physical activity and healthy habits
Welcomes all ages and abilities
Fosters teamwork, creativity, and social connection
Creates a vibrant, inclusive gathering place

Real-World Example of Next Gen Splashpads:

Vortex, an innovation leader in aquatic play, has studied the impact of gamification and interactivity and found it drives real behavioral change. Their research shows that splashpads with interactive features draw more repeat visitors, especially among older children and teens—groups that often age out of traditional water play areas.

This was the impetus behind the design of Vortex‘s next generation splashpad collection – Vectory™. By layering in challenge, choice, and cause-and-effect, gamified splashpads meet kids where they are developmentally, giving them better reasons to step away from screens. With touch-activated sprayers, color-coded reaction sequences, and cause-and-effect water elements, Vectory is built to spark movement, curiosity, and connection.

We created Vectory™ to bring people together through play. We worked with occupational therapists, tested with families, and focused on features that engage all ages. Watching kids, parents, and grandparents interact with it was incredible. — Richard Martin, VP of Product Development, Vortex

Promoting Intergenerational Play Through Gamification

Interactivity and gamification aren’t just appealing to kids. They’re key to making splashpads engaging for all ages. When water features respond to touch, timing, or teamwork, they create play experiences that are both intuitive and challenging, inviting everyone from toddlers to grandparents to participate.

For young children, these interactive elements encourage curiosity and teach cause and effect. Older kids and teens find motivation and excitement in friendly challenges and dynamic play. Adults and seniors aren’t just watching from the sidelines. They can join in, play along, or enjoy the energy of the space. Research shows that shared play between children and older adults improves mood, cognitive function, and community belonging (BMC Geriatrics, 2014).

This inclusive approach transforms splashpads into vibrant community places where multiple generations can connect naturally. Vortex’s Vectory™ line provides a real-world example of how thoughtful design fosters this kind of engagement.

Ron Romens, President of Commercial Recreation Specialists, explains: “Combining interactivity with purposeful gamification transforms splashpads from simple water features into vibrant spaces where families connect and communities come alive through play.”

By creating environments that welcome all ages and abilities, next gen splashpads encourage shared experiences that strengthen family bonds and build community spirit.

Next Gen Splashpads Create Stronger, Healthier Communities

Next gen splashpads do more than offer a place to cool off on a hot day. By combining active play with interactive, gamified features, they encourage physical activity, creativity, and social connection for all ages. These spaces invite everyone, from toddlers to seniors, to move, explore, and engage with each other in meaningful ways.

Communities that embrace these innovative designs see parks become vibrant gathering places where families grow closer and neighborhoods thrive. As we rethink outdoor recreation, splashpads that are accessible, engaging, and fun can play a central role in promoting health, wellness, and a stronger sense of belonging. When splashpads are designed with these principles in mind, they become more than just a place to cool off. They become the heart of the community (NRPA, 2023; NRPA, 2024).

► Want to learn more?

Whether you’re just beginning to consider a Splashpad installation or are fully committed to the idea, helpful tools like a Splashpad Planning Guide will help you assess your goals, plan your Splashpad space, optimize your budget, and more!

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Next Gen Splashpads Inspire Play Through Gamified, Interactive Design