Water Park Family Fun: Tips for Preparation and Safe Enjoyment
On a hot summer day, water parks across the country are loaded with families looking to cool off. Kids and adults alike get to cool off and get an adrenaline rush at the same time. They can also just relax and float around a lazy river. Sometimes the most productive thing that happens on these days is a really good tan. Despite all the wonderful things about water parks, the day can go sour if you are not prepared. Here are some things to consider before taking off to the water park this summer:
Learn the Rules – Some waterparks have specific guidelines about what you can and can’t wear in the park. In some cases the issue is safety. In other cases, the park managers are just trying to keep the atmosphere family friendly. Visit the waterpark website and/or give them a call to learn what is appropriate and what isn’t. Some of the details below might be things you want to ask about.
- Are street clothes allowed? You may like to wear a t-shirt over your bathing suit, but that may not be allowed. This is an important detail because if wearing a t-shirt can prevent you from getting on a ride, you may not even want to go.
- Are thongs allowed? You may not even be thinking about wearing a thong. Now the question is, do you want your children going to a water park where they may be exposed to someone else wearing a thong in public? Enquiring minds want to know. (All kidding aside you might be shocked to learn what is allowed at some parks)
- Can you bring food? If you can’t bring food, you may want to eat first and bring some cash for later.
Pack the Night Before – If you have everything ready to go to the waterpark the night before, you can avoid a lot of hassle. You might even find as you pack in the evening that someone needs a new swimsuit or other supplies. Either way, if you have everything ready the night before, all you have to do is get up, get dressed, eat, and leave. You may even want everyone to make a list of what they are bringing so you can check it before you leave. Be sure to pack sunblock as needed.
Have a Plan – Are you going to enter the waterpark and let everyone go their own way? The teens might be okay on their own, but the younger children need some supervision. The night before you go, sit down and discuss what everyone’s plans are. You should have a brochure or be looking at the waterpark website so you know what’s available.
Plan to walk in the park and put your belongings away. Make sure everyone knows where to meet and what time to do it. You may even have to make sure that everyone has a waterproof watch so there is no excuse for being late. Meet periodically throughout the day so you know everyone is alright.
Before You Leave – Before you leave make sure you have a list of all the belongings. These should include medications that are needed throughout the day as well as cash for a locker. You may also want to bring a change of clothes for when you are done. Don’t forget the towels!
Those are great things to consider before going. We weren’t able to enjoy the water park at six flags recently because we hadn’t checked out all the rules. =(
Good list. I always over pack for everything. Planning ahead is the key for safety and fun!
Great advice regarding others wearing thongs. That’s not even something that would have occurred to me to ask. Great point!
Love the tips. We go to a waterpark about once year and I always bring Way too much. I had never thought some waterparks may allow thong suits!! My boys would definitely like to go to that one! Me, not so much.
We have several little splash parks near me. South Florida is insanely hot, obviously, during the summer, so we spend a lot of time at places like this. Some of them make you put all your personal items in lockers. It can be annoying, but the one place that asks you to leave cell phones in lockers is my favorite. I do not want my kids having their pictures taken by other moms, or worse, perverts, so we feel really safe there. I try not to overpack, but it’s hard. You get it 😉
It is always good to be prepared. You never know what can happen.
Living in Florida, we go to the splash parks often. We are sure to bring snacks, extra waters, and lots of sunscreen. the kids always have a blast.
Great tips!
I always look for the rules when entering a new water park. I’m not a very risky person, so i try to make sure that I know what is expected of me when I go to these places.
All water parks have different rules, so it makes total sense to check them ahead of time. I also look at the map to get a sense of where the types of rides are that we can enjoy and where the bathrooms are, just in case!
I love your advice about being prepared the night before going to a water park. That insures you don’t leave nothing behind. The taking inventory is an awesome idea too. Thanks for sharing.
Wearing shirts over swim suits is usually not allowed in a lot of private resorts & water parks here because they’re trying to promote certain standards that people should follow. I like it when these kinds of rules are strictly enforced.
Almost every day a water parks was happened.
to insure security, the rules are necessary.
I work with water parks and I know the accident seriously .
you can find some security rules on :www.chinawaterparks.com
wow to be honest never tho about my kids been exposed to a thong I have a teenagers and raise my toddler nephews. I think they can an will see worst thing in the young life’s and as long as Im there to help with answer or explain them, they should be ok
I learned a long time ago too, the benefits of packing for things the night before. If I’m rushing I forget things, inevitably.
Great info! The more you can do ahead of time, the better your day at the water park will be!
Thanks for thee nice post! I always pack things 3-5 days away before the trip!
That are some great tips! I am planning on taking my daughter to a water park soon.
Great tips. I miss going to water parks. They don’t allow wearing t-shirts and shorts at the pool. You should really use proper clothing like swimwear.
Great tips! My kids love going to the waterpark, but I am always an anxiety case because I worry about drowning, etc. Thanks for the helpful tips.
These are such great tips. Water parks can be a great time for family fun!
Having a plan is a great idea. It help to alleviate stress if someone gets separated from the group etc. Great tips. Thanks for sharing.
This is a great list of tips. I have not been to a water park in so long.
Yeah, we stick to Disney water parks mostly. Not only do I not want Baby Mash exposed to thongs, I don’t want my hubby exposed to them… as I’m sure he doesn’t appreciate the skin-tight speedos. Yuck!
Great tips! My nephew is about to turn 13, and the last thing my sister would want is him ogling some woman in a thong. Yeesh.
Great tips. It’s always good to know what you’re getting yourself into when you go on a day trip. Always be prepared!
We went to our first water park this summer. I think these are great tips.
Great advice to follow all the rules and do your research before arriving at the water park.
Great tips and your daughter looks like she’s having fun!
Be prepared. There’s a reason it’s the boyscout motto. Planning ahead ensures you’re pubescent son is ogling everything in site, and you have snacks for your cranky five year old.
Awesome tips! lol Who would have thunk to check out the dress code! LOL
When you have kids you always need a plan. You cannot just wing it because you always need to prepare and anticipate.
Great tips! Our local theme park has a waterpark and we spend a lot of time there in the summer 🙂
Great tips, we are heading to the water park soon. Thanks for sharing!
Good tips for everyone,even us single adults….be prepared is always a timeless motto. Thanks for sharing,Robin!
I need to remember to pack the night before. I always forget something
We’ll definitely be hitting the pool a few more times this summer. I do think my kids are a little young for a big water park since they don’t know how to swim, but its an essential part of summer I think!
Very good list of tips for people that may travel allot or that are on vacation, we need reminders of these things sometimes, its better to be prepared then to loose out on opportunity.
I have taken my son to the amusement park a number of times but I have never taken him to the waterpark. I might have to do that before the summer ends.
Its weird but checking my pouch wit all my important stuffs before i go out or come out from a place is a must for me. like its my impulse or someones telling me to chekc my things haha great tips
yea our pool doesn’t allow cut off shorts or t-shirts in the water. kinda lame. so i had to buy my son a pool shirt since he refuses to take his shirt off in front of other people (which is good, i’m not complaining, but still).
These are some GREAT tips! I take my girls to the water park all the time, thanks for sharing
I can’t wait to go to the water park, Now I know what to look after thanks to you!
Great tips and each place has their own rules so it’s good to know the rules of the place you plan to visit. I want to take the kids and these are great tips to keep them safe!
great tips for everyone, we haven’t taken the kids to a water park of any kind. Maybe a river to go swimming but it’s noting to pack days before hand about. Just pile in the car and go type of places!
Great tips! I love the water park but because baby is only 7months old, we can’t justify going quite yet.
These are good things to consider while planning a waterpark trip. Especially if it’s not one near your home.
Great tips! I am bad. I wont brave the pool unless I have another adult with me. Makes me too nervous!
Great tips. Especially since I have twin 7 year olds I have to think ahead and articles like this make it a lot easier on me not to forget stuff.
I had that happen to me once with a t-shirt and the bathing suit. I’m pretty modest and when I found out I couldn’t wear anything over my suit, it ruined my fun!
Whenever we go to a theme park, the adults and the kids are always not together. So you’re truly right – there must be a plan and a decision point on where and when to meet afterwards. If anything goes wrong, the customer service counter / staff should be there to help.
these are some really good things to consider.. thanks for those tips..
we are going to such a water park cum entertainment park this weekend and we did a lot of research on what is allowed and what is not.. I guess everyone must 🙂
Reminds me why it doesn’t feel like summer yet….no water parks!!! Thanks or the tips!
This summer we spent lots of days cooling off at our local park with waterworks. It’s a great way to cool off and have some fun.
What a great post! I’ll have to share this with my family members with children!