We spent two days this week at an indoor waterpark with my 4, 6, and 8 year olds. For the majority of the time, it was Hubs and me with the kids, so we at least had 2 on 3. For several hours when we first got there, it was just me, so I had to figure out how to keep the kids happy and safe. I thought I’d pass along tips for spending a day a waterpark with young children. Even though my number one tip would be to have at least one adult for every child you have with you, I know that’s not usually realistic.
Designate a meeting spot and know who to ask for help
An easy meeting spot can be wherever you put your things down- but that could be hard to find for young kids. Pick a landmark that is easy to spot instead. With each attraction we went on, I’d tell my kids where to wait when they were done in the cases where we couldn’t all go together. Like “get out of the water at the bottom of the slide but wait right there and watch for the rest of us to come down.” Also show them what the helpers look like- point out the lifeguards and show them what employee uniforms look like.
Expect to get wet
I know this seems like a no-brainer. You’re at a waterpark, you’re going to get wet. But I saw lots of moms of little ones who looked unhappy as their shorts or pants were dripping wet- bottoms that didn’t look like they were ever intended for the water. Maybe they thought that their little ones would only want to go on the smaller water attractions and they’d be able to watch from the sidelines. But unless you are okay with losing sight of your child, you’re probably going to have to venture in with them. And even if all your child wants to do is go into a shallow wading pool, there is always the chance they could slip and need your help. So wear a bathing suit and don’t worry- all the other moms are too busy watching their own kids to care what you look like in yours.
Ask about height restrictions and age appropriateness
My boys had to be measured and wear a colored wristband according to their height, which showed which attractions they could do on their own, which they needed a parent with them, and which they couldn’t do no matter what. Check out brochures and signs for information on what attractions are appropriate. I liked to ask the lifeguards at the bottom of the slides- if I asked right after they helped someone at the bottom, there was usually a little bit of time until the next people would come down. They helped clarify what the height restrictions were for that slide and were good for tips like “Your youngest can ride with you. If you put your legs under his arms, that will help keep him up in the tube in front of you.” No need to wait in a line only to find out at the top that the kids couldn’t go.
Wear life jackets
Unless your kids are really amazing swimmers, life jackets can help with your peace of mind. While there were certain attractions where the depth of the water was not a concern, there were other areas where it was. And even with my oldest who can swim rather well, I didn’t want to imagine any sort of scenario where he could get knocked into deep water and panic because he wasn’t expecting it. And even though there were plenty of lifeguards on duty, they can’t see everything, especially in an area where there are lots of kids splashing around.
Great tips! I worked as a nanny for a summer, and we went to the pool a lot. One thing that I found out (not safety-wise, but it was still pretty helpful!) is that when the older kids get bored of being in the shallow end but you don’t want to move the happily playing toddler just yet, get out a couple of pennies. Tossing pennies into the shallow end and having the kids search for them guarantees at least ten minutes of fun. I was religious about sunscreen, too- and making sure they had to come back to our meeting spot every half hour let me keep an eye on the older kids (age 8 and 10) while letting them have some independence, too. Of course, it was a small pool that we went to almost every afternoon, and the lifeguards knew me and the kids, so that helped!
That’s a great idea!
Heading to Florida soon, including some of the water parks – so timely advice me for 🙂 Thanks!
Oh, such fun!
These are such great tips! We have a pretty decently sized water park where I live and I am planning on taking the boys this summer. I especially like the one about life jackets. I probably wouldnt have thought about it for my oldest since he is a great swimmer, but I think Ill probably get him one now.
It just made me feel safer that way. Kids can panic if they are knocked in unexpectedly.
Great tips!!
We’re going to be going to Kalahari soon and while the girls are fine without a life jacket my little guy isn’t. Were you able to get one from the water park or did you bring your own?
We went to Great Wolf Lodge. They had them there to use for free
Great tips! I bet your kids had a ton of fun! We occasionally take our 7 kids to a local water park and life jackets are my saving grace. That and the fact that some of them are old enough to be on their own. Great post!
Take out some of the stress if they have on life jackets!
Those are great tips! It is nice they can wear life jackets– there are some places like that that don’t seem to allow it.
It seems most will as long as they are approved life jackets and not just swimmies.
These are great tips! I bet your boys had a blast.
They did have so much fun!
Great tips! My older three are 14 and 11 and one of our rules was when they call for safety breaks, they all had to come to the meeting point. Another is to leave all iPods and phones in the room because a few boys from our group got theirs stolen while sitting in their bags while they swam. I tried explaining that I grew up in a world where we didn’t have phones and iPods and I survived but that was a hard one for them.
Great tips. I am not sure I want to tackle a water park. I don’t even like the pool. Bad, boring mom! Ha!