This past August we took a trip to Kalahari in Pennsylvania to celebrate my husband's 30th birthday. We went as a family of four with two kids, ages 7 and 2. While I won't reminisce about the trip again, one thing I did regret was our packing list. We went totally unprepared and Kalahari was ready for it. They saw "SUCKER" written across our foreheads and sold us what we needed at about triple the price.
Don't believe me? Here's an example. I accidentally left our son's box of diapers next to our front door. When we got to the resort, I realized what had happened and ran to their general store to get some. Well, they sold diapers in packs of 3 as in three individual diapers for over $5 a pack. Flash forward to September when we ventured to RI and I asked the hubby about six times "We did remember the diapers, right?". Lesson learned.
To help you avoid the same struggle, here's a list of ten essentials you'll want to remember when packing for your trip to a water park. I'm going to skip the basics here, but please don't forget your bathing suits!
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Ten essentials to pack for a trip to a water park.
You may have some things that you'll be uncomfortable leaving behind at your table. To avoid this, remember to pack a water proof travel neck wallet that's large enough to carry your phone and cash, but small enough to wear comfortably around your neck. Even if you rent a locker, some things you'll want on you like a phone to snap some pics!
Can be found here.
While it's easier to remember water shoes for the kiddies, it's common to overlook the same need for an adult. Water parks are frequented by a lot of people. Basically, it's not a place you'll want to put your bare feet and the floor could be slippery. Instead of falling in public chasing the kids in flip flops, invest in an inexpensive water shoe/sock for the entire family.
Can be found here.
When visiting a water park, you're going to want to bring a cooler to use while you're there and during the ride. Pack your cooler with things you may need upon arrival such as cold water bottles, dairy free milk, or even medications. Once at the resort, put those items in the fridge and use the cooler to transport items from your room to the park.
Can be found here.
Tip: The food that's available at the park is most likely super expensive, unhealthy, and not the most tasty. Stop at a deli before heading out to the park and fill your cooler with sandwiches. You'll save a boat load of money and calories.
If you can't skip this part of your makeup routine completely, don't forget to pack a waterproof mascara for your trip. Ever go to a water park with regular mascara? You'll look like a zombie in under a minute and be temporarily blinded just as quick.
Can be found here.
Instead of spending >$100 in bottled water for the family, invest in a couple of these inexpensive reusable water bottles with a filter. You'll be able to drink tap water without being skeeved and eliminate the hefty price tag that comes along with bottled water at a resort.
Can be found here.
Whenever we go to places that I know are going to be overly crowded and chaotic, I always bring a pen and liquid bandages. I write my phone number on my kid's wrists and then protect it with the liquid bandage. If for whatever reason and I hope to God it never actually happens, we get separated, they are taught to approach another mother with children for help. That mother can then reach me with the phone number.
Can be found here.
A water park is mostly water rides, slides, sprinklers, and other play items. We rarely think of large pools of water, but they're there. Remember to pack goggles for your children because they're going to want to dunk and the chlorine in a water park is really strong.
Can be found here.
This inexpensive swim vest is perfect for the kids because it's thin and comfortable. Most water parks supply community swimming vests, but, ew. We brought arm swimmies for my son thinking that we were ahead of the game. Little did we know that swimmies are insufficient for the younger kids in a water park. Instead of using the community one, we bought one at the park for triple the price!
Can be found here.
The amount of chlorine used in a water park means that your eyes burn without even touching the water. After a few slides you're going to wish that you remembered to pack your eye drops because the resort's store sells them for the price of gold.
Can be found here.
When packing for your trip to the water park, don't forget to throw a small, portable charger into your bag. You'll be away from a private outlet for extended periods of time and you'll never know when you'll need a quick charge.
Can be found here.
Have you ever been to a water park?
