If you follow me on Instagram, you know my family and I love to visit water parks. Indoor water parks are fantastic in winter (or extreme heat) while outdoor water parks are perfect for a sunny day. If you’re planning a water park trip, here’s a rundown on everything you’ll want to bring.
Water Parks 101: What to bring plus Kalahari Resort giveaway! Splashdown Safari is the main attraction at Kalahari Resorts in the Poconos.
And, if you’ve never been to Kalahari Waterpark, Resorts and Conventions in the Pocono Mountains, read on to see how you can win an overnight stay at this amazing family-friendly resort and water park.
Top 10 Must-Have Items for Water Parks
Water Parks 101: Be sure to pack waterproof footwear.
1 – Waterproof Footwear – For indoor and outdoor water parks, you’ll want to wear comfy, waterproof footwear. For kids, swim socks or rubber beach shoes are great because they can wear them on the rides. Crocs, Keens, Native, flip flops, shower shoes and other waterproof shoes will work outside. I am surprised how many outdoor water parks feature very hot and/or slippery pavement so you definitely don’t want to be walking around barefoot.
Water Parks 101: Take water park photos with a water-resistant phone case.
2 – Waterproof Phone Case or Dry Bag – If you’re splitting up your family or if you feel naked without your phone, invest in a waterproof phone case, wearable pouch or dry bag. You’ll be able to take photos on rides and you’ll be able to capture your kids in the splash pads and lazy river. If you want really great underwater shots and movies, you’ll want to bring a GoPro.
Water Parks 101: Master Lock SafeSpace portable safe is perfect to store small valuables.
3 – Portable Safe – I have a Master Lock SafeSpace® Portable Personal Safe and it has become one of my favorite summer accessories. I’m a paranoid New Yorker so I hate letting anything valuable out of my sight but I also hate paying $20 for a locker especially when I’m moving around from place to place. With this portable safe, I can safely lock up my valuables, secure it to a lounge chair or table, throw a towel on top and jump in the pool. If you’ve got a lot to secure or if you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, I’d suggest a locker but if you just want to take a quick trip around the lazy river, this is an easy and affordable solution.
4 – Floats – For kids who haven’t fully mastered the art of swimming, be sure to pack a float. I recommend the Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jacket Vest
(one of the few coast guard approved devices) for toddlers or a backpack type floatation device like the Water Gear Back Float 4-Color Split Back Float for older kids.
Water Parks 101: Bring labeled water bottles so everyone stays hydrated. I love Mabel’s Labels because they look great wash after wash.
5 – Water Bottle – Bring along a labeled water bottle for each family member so everyone stays hydrated and be sure to refill them with ice water throughout the day. My favorite leak-proof bottles include Hydro Flask, Owala, Camelbak, Contigo, and Nalgene.
6 – Skin Protection – If you’re visiting an outdoor water park, you’ll need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Kids know the drill but packing some easy-to-use sunscreen sticks will make the process less painful. Don’t forget to bring sun protection lip balms as well.
7 – Quick Dry Towels – Some water parks provide towels so be sure to find out before you go. If you need to bring your own, try a lightweight microfiber travel towel or microfiber beach towel, or easy-to-pack towel tablets.
8 – Sun Protection Clothing – For an outdoor water park, you’ll want to bring rash guards, sun hats or visors, and a cover-up. Be sure to label your clothing with waterproof labels like Mabel’s Labels.
Water Parks 101: Don’t forget the goggles.
9 – Goggles – If your kids have never been to a water park, be sure to bring along some goggles. Some kids are sensitive to the splashing water so goggles help on rides and in the splash parks.
10 – Sunglasses – Last but certainly not least, be sure to bring along UV protection sunglasses for kids and adults.
Ready to win a trip to Kalahari Waterpark, Resorts and Conventions in the Pocono Mountains? Here’s your chance.
Water parks 101: Enter to win a Kalahari Resorts Giveaway
Kalahari really stands out in the sea of waterparks with its expansive waterpark (soon to be even bigger!), signature aqua lessons (FlowRider and mermaid, oh my!), spacious accommodations, fine dining, pampering spa, family-friendly activities, and kid-centric arcade and game area. Be sure to read about our Kalahari family trip for more details.
We had the best time visiting Kalahari this spring and I’m sure you and your family will too. Enter below to win a one-night stay (including two full days at the waterpark!) at Kalahari Resorts and Waterpark in the Poconos for a family of four (up to two extra guests can be added for $25 each). The prize is valid for a Sunday-Thursday night stay and expires within one year of the issue date.
To enter please leave separate comments for each:
- Leave a blog comment below telling me your favorite water park memory.
- Tweet about this giveaway
- Share this giveaway on Facebook
- Like Globetrotting Mommy on Facebook
- Follow Globetrotting Mommy on Instagram
- Follow Globetrotting Mommy on Twitter
- Follow Globetrotting Mommy on Snapchat
This giveaway ends at midnight EST on Friday, August 5th.
Thanks to Kalahari Resort for sponsoring this post. This post contains some affiliate links but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!
Tweeted
shared on Facebook
Liked Facebook
Follow on Instagram
I follow on Twitter
I follow on Snapchat too 🙂
I love the lazy river, we can all relax and spend time together
I tweeted https://twitter.com/NYCLaurenBeth/status/755431820418748416
I like your facebook page
I follow on Instagram @nyclaurenbeth
Can’t wait to visit this place. The kids are dying to go.
My favorite waterpark memory is watching my three kids get along although they are years apart. The waterpark brings the family together and dumps the electronics! Fingers crossed. We would love to go! elgeorgia@aol.com
My fave memory is as a child doing all the waterslides with my dad
I Tweeted about this giveaway via @3decades3kids
I Shared this giveaway on Facebook via Diane Carpenetti Sullivan. Thank you for the chance to take my family to Kalahari!
I Liked Globetrotting Mommy on Facebook via DIane Carpenetti Sullivan.
Floating around the Lazy Rider at a theme park. It was nice to just sit and relax.
I Followed Globetrotting Mommy on Instagram via 3decades3kids
I Followed Globetrotting Mommy on Twitter as @elgeorgia
Tweeted
I Followed Globetrotting Mommy on Snapchat Please follow back at ThreeDecades
Followed on Instagram
Followed on Twitter
I love the Kalahari and would love to take my kids again!! We love it there, it’s such an awesome family bonding experience.
My favorite water park memory is when I use to work in a high school and I booked a trip to hurricane harbor one year for the students. The students were ages 16-18 years old and majority of them have never been to a amusement park/ water park. The students were so grateful, and so happy as if they were 9 years old all over again. The following year the students at the beginning of the year asked me to book the trip again. Just knowing I was able to give them a experience they never had and they enjoy themselves was great feeling ?
when I saw my kid conquer her fear on the water slide & then high five herself
My favorite water park memory was floating along the lazy river and occasionally going under a waterfall.
Liked on FB
Followed on Twitter
Followed on Instagram
Followed on SnapChat
We went to Aquatopia in January & was stuck in the weekend because of the snow storm! It was one of the best trips we had! LOL
I like you on FB
I follow you on instagram as boyzruleourworld
i follow you on twitter as @boyzruleourwrld
My favorite water park memory is when my parents used to take my sisters and I to Sesame Place.
I follow you on Twitter as @philzendia
I liked your facebook page as Diane Nassy
I follow you on Instagram as Diane Nassy
I follow on twitter @nyclaurenbeth
riding in the tornado slide in splash lagoon is my favorite memory! thanks
i follow on twitter
@kel_lee213
thanks!
I really enjoyed going to water parks as a teen with my cousins in the hot summers I spent in the south.
I used to have such a blast in the wave pool at the water park in Dorney Park. So. Much. Fun!
Liked on FB!
Following on Twitter!
Following on Instagram!
Tweeted!
Following on Twitter
Following on Instagram
Liked on FB
Following on Snapchat
my favorite water park memory is my daughter grabbing some water guns at a station in Universal and hosing us all down! I thought she was simply going down the slide and would ignore those but she got us pretty good that day lol
We have not yet been, but this looks incredible!
My favorite water park memory was the last time we went to Mississippi to see family. My grandmother and I sat and watched the 3 kids have a blast all night long. We, in the meantime got eaten alive by flies but having that time with my grandmother, who is no longer here, and watching how good of a time she was having making fun of the kids will always be a cherished memory.
tweeted https://twitter.com/lyzjus2/status/755897538616721408
shared on facebook https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=598650490296473&id=100004545812944
liked on facebook—Elizabeth miller
follow on twitter @lyzjus2
follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/lyzabeth1970/
I used to love visiting Raging Waters in California!
I follow you on Instagram @monicastorch
I like Globetrotting Mommy on Facebook (of course!)
Follow on Twitter @macaronikidnyc
Follow on Snapchat @monicastorch
Follow on Twitter Harmskills
The only water park I’ve been to is sesame place love the lazy river. But that’s summer only! Hoping to go to an indoor one this winter!
My first water park experience was with all my girlfriends from the swim team, it was Action Park in NJ. I loved the Tarzan swing.
I tweeted https://twitter.com/meandthemush/status/755964223927255040
We haven’t been to a water park with my kids yet. When I was growing up I loved water slides!
tweeted https://twitter.com/atticgirl76/status/756128794902224896
like you on fb
follow you on instagram @theatticgirl
follow you on twitter @atticgirl76
I would love to relax and hang out at the lazy river. Suelee1998@gmail.com
I follow on Twitter @suelee1998
Liked on facebook
My favorite memory is taking my sons on their first waterslide, which was many years ago.
seeing my kids play water basketball with my husband was fun
My favorite water park memory is my sons first trip to Sesame Place, he was so amazed by it all and loved the parade.
Tweeted about the giveaway
Liked on facebook
Following on instagram.
Following on twitter.
My favorite waterpark memory was the first time we took the kids and they got to experience a wave pool. They loved it!
I shared this on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/kershuk/posts/10206894809509125
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/AgitatedMama/status/757074425913016320
I like Globetrotting Mommy on FB
I follow on Instagram as kershuk
I Follow on twitter as @AgitatedMama
My favorite waterpark memory is when we took our kids to a waterpark resort in Branson, MO. Our daughter was only 2 months old so it was her first time in the water.
https://twitter.com/cochran_maryann/status/757375064987664384
Following on instagram
My favorite waterpark memory was probably going in a wave pool with my aunt when I was really little
I’m following on Twitter (@trm5507)
I’m following on Instagram (@trm5507)
I liked on facebook
My favorite water park memory is going on the water slides with my kids.
Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/MdotDrizzi2/status/757428988973154304
Shared on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10209758250769077&id=1115401247
Liked on Facebook: Emily Elizabeth Endrizzi.
Following on IG: @mdotdrizzi.
Following on Twitter: @mdotdrizzi2.
Following on SnapChat: mdotdrizzi.
I loved going to the watermarks down the shore
Fb follower
Loved taking my kids to a waterpark and seeing them so happy and splashing and the looks on their faces as they came down the water slide!
tweeted https://twitter.com/lake12/status/757692200012619776
I Like Globetrotting Mommy on Facebook
I Follow Globetrotting Mommy on Instagram (@rochelsidell)
I Follow Globetrotting Mommy on Twitter (@lake12)
I don’t have any favorite waterpark memories ! Hoping to make some soon!!!
Years ago, we brought the kids to Great Bear Lodge and met up with friends there, and we all had a ball! The water park itself was great…but my favorite was in the evening when there was pajama ‘storytime’ for the kids in the lobby! Complete with hot chocolate!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/amweeks/status/757959485239484417
I’m one of your FB fans! (Annmarie Dipasqua Weeks)
I follow you on instagram! (amweeks00)
I follow you on twitter! (amweeks)
Taking my kids to a water park, and my city kids loving it – my favorite memory. Would love to take them again. 🙂
I enjoyed Hurricane Harbor with my son at Six Flags over Georgia. We had a great time!
https://mobile.twitter.com/cutiebootycakes/status/758394563073548290
I’m following on Instagram @reneejross
I liked your page on facebook.
I’m following on twitter @cutiebootycakes
Following on Snapchat @reneejross
My favorite water park memory is when I was a kid my dad fell asleep on the lazy river for a few hours and ended up getting really sunburned. As a kid it was the funniest thing ever.
My favorite waterpark memory was taking my kids to a waterpark for the first time a few years ago. I loved the slides, I felt like a kid again!
tweeted
https://twitter.com/kjmaje/status/760257973977579520
I like Globetrotting Mommy on Facebook
Kevin Elak
I follow Globetrotting Mommy on Instagram
kjmaje
I follow Globetrotting Mommy on Twitter
@kjmaje
my favorite water park memory is watching my kids faces light up as we splashed around …and especially as they come off the huge slide. For that moment in time there’s no worries about anything else, just pure fun! Thank you for the opportunity!
I remember overcoming my fear of heights at a waterpark when I was a child.
liked on FB
followed on twitter
Love Kalahari! Such a great family trip
Thank you for giving us information about the Kalahari water park, I hope A lot of tourists will read this article.
i am going there with my friend and we just wanted o now how it was so thx for telling us
🙂
We took my daughter to the water park for her birthday, she got a headband and free ice cream! We had races down the slides and I finally got to relax and read a good book. Such a fun trip!