Headed to the waterpark soon and want to make sure everyone has a good time? These tips for taking your child to the waterpark will help make sure the trip is easy and fun for everyone.
Water parks are some of the best places to visit during the warmer summer months. It gives the kids a chance to play in the water as they stay cool and have fun. Both indoor and outdoor water parks provide a great opportunity for the whole family to get into the fun.
This post is part of our top family travel advice series
Get to know the waterpark and the area around it
After you have made the choice to take a trip to the waterpark, it’s important that you do a little research on the park and the area around it. Get to know the layout of the park, where the bathrooms are, and what areas you want to visit. It’s also a good idea to get familiar with the area so you have no trouble getting to and from the park.
You’ll also want to make sure you know where the snack or food shops are so that when it’s time to eat and your little one is starting to get cranky, you’re not frantically trying to figure out where the food is.
Most park websites have a map of the park and the area around it where it lays out everything available. You may also find a list of different attractions, helpful safety tips, and other important information that you need to know before you go. Take note of these so that you are prepared before you even get started.
Don’t forget to pack all of the essentials.
Like any trip, a trip to the waterpark can be an all-day thing, especially if you are visiting a park with lots of rides and attractions. Having your bags packed with the essentials can help you be more prepared and save you some time and money while you are there.
Sunscreen should be number one on your list of essentials to take to the water park. Take it with you to the waterpark and have it with you at all times so that when you need to reapply, it’s within reach.
One tip about sunscreen is not to leave it all to the kids. You want to make sure the sunscreen is applied correctly and thoroughly. Kids may also forget to put it on.
A few other waterpark essentials include:
- Waterproof sunscreen
- Swim gear & towels (don’t forget the goggles and floaties!)
- Comfortable shoes like sandals or flip flops, or aqua shoes
- Extra clothes to change into
- First aid, toiletries, and hygiene products
- A wets bag to keep the wet items in
- Bottles of water and snacks (if the waterpark allows them)
- A waterproof case for your phone or bag to keep your items close to you
While many of the essentials will be the same for everyone, you’ll also want to be sure you have everything you need for your child’s age. For instance, if you are taking a young child still in diapers, you are going to want extra diapers, small toys, bottles, formula, etc.
Tip: Extra bottles of water are important! It may seem silly to take extra water with you when you are headed to the waterpark, but it’s so easy for you to get dehydrated when you’re in the sun. You want to make sure everyone is keeping themselves hydrated and protected from heat-related illnesses while you are there.
Make a plan before you go
Having some sort of game plan when you walk in will help keep you and the family a little saner. If you’ve checked the map and know the places where everyone will want to visit, scheduling your day will be a little easier. Just be careful not to overschedule your time there. You don’t want the whole family to be rushing around more than enjoying the park and its rides.
You can break the day into blocks so that you can spend equal time at each section of the waterpark everyone wants to explore.
Know the weather conditions
The weather will play a huge part in your day if you are going to be headed to an outdoor waterpark. Once you have figured out when you want to head out to the waterpark, see what the forecast is supposed to be.
If it’s a nice 80 degrees with some sunny weather you’re probably good to go.
If it’s cloudy with a chance of rain, you may need to monitor the weather to be sure it’s still safe to head out. You don’t want to be out in the water when it’s lightning or thundering. Most parks will shut the rides and activities down when the weather becomes unsafe.
Arrive at the waterpark early
Whenever possible, arrive at your destination early. This goes for waterparks too. If you head out a little earlier and beat the crowds, you can claim your spot and get everyone settled without too much chaos.
Plus, there will be fewer people within the park early on which means the rides will be less busy, the lines won’t be as long, and everyone can start the day off a little easier.
Have a safety plan and be alert
As with any adventure or activity, safety first is key to having a good time. Safety should be a priority no matter where you go. As a parent, it’s important to teach your children to follow the rules of the park and help them understand that the rules are there to keep them safe.
Most waterparks have lifeguards and people to help watch what is going on around the park, but you will still want to be alert. You want to keep a close eye on the kids so that you know where they are and that they are safe so always stay within reach.
Take breaks throughout the day
During your day out, it is important to take regular breaks throughout the day so that the kids can snack or get a fresh drink of water. Breaks will also help everyone come together and take a few moments to rest and get ready for more fun.
Have fun!
The last tip is to just have fun! That’s the whole point, right? Try not to get worked up and just enjoy the area and the memories that are being made.
These tips for taking your child to the waterpark will help the trip go by a little easier and allow everyone to have fun.
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