Sometimes the Little Ones Get to Have All the Fun

Parents of toddlers, take note of this happy little fact: Wisconsin Dells has water parks just for the little ones. In fact, these kid-friendly businesses are what jumpstarted water park development in the area in the first place. So, if you have tykes who are not quite ready for the extreme slides and toddlers that you want to keep a close eye on at all times, then consider a water park that's sized just right.

Up first, the outdoor water park Riverview Park & Waterworld. Their slogan is "Where Kids Rule," and they do. Specifically kids 12 and under. Their water rides are really geared to that age group and have been since the park's inception in the early 1970s. They promote value too, with day and evening passes that include the water park and a nice variety of dry-land amusement rides.

Next, the place where America's first indoor waterpark was invented, the Polynesian Resort Hotel & Suites. Local lore has it that owner Stan Anderson and some of his fellow business owners were at an amusement park convention in the south when they conceived of the idea to put a roof over a water attraction they had seen at the convention. It featured squirts, geysers, slides and gizmos, all just right for the younger set. The year was 1995, the attraction was "The Water Factory," and the place where it was built was the Polynesian.

Really, when you get right down to it, the list of water parks that are little kid-friendly is quite long. And so many are themed in ways that toddlers will find just magical - polar-inspired pools, pirate ships, dragons, dolphins, frogs and turtles, unicorns and mermaids. When making a reservation, ask about zero-depth pools, kiddie swings and kiddie slides, water geysers and easy lines of sight so you can keep your toddlers in focus.

Vacationing with the little ones can be stressful, and Wisconsin Dells gets that in a big way. So forget settling for an inflatable pool at home and head to the Dells instead, where parenthood is honored with shallow waters that lap just about at ankle-height.

View more Wisconsin Dells Toddler-Friendly Destinations.