May 1, 2023
Wisconsin Dells Toddlers Rundown
Knowing how fast those toddler years fly by, we’ve compiled a quick read on what to do with your littles during a summer vacation to Wisconsin Dells. Get ready for lots of memory-making.
Wisconsin Dells is known as a vacation mecca for families with grades schoolers, tweens, and teens. Time to make sure toddlers aren’t left off that list, as Wisconsin Dells has a surprising number of attractions and activities sized just right for the under-age-five set. Let’s explore.
How could we not start with a waterpark rundown, given the big potential to delight little ones. An ideal choice for a toddler’s first waterpark experience would be Great Wolf Lodge, where the Fort Mackenzie indoor water fort has lots of kid-activated splash features. Their character-themed story hour in the evening is a nice way to get your toddler settled down for the night.
Wilderness Resort, Chula Vista Resort, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, and Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort have lots of options for toddlers too, from sandy beaches surrounding outdoor pools to gentle lazy rivers to cute splash pads.
Time to put in a well-deserved plug for the mid-sized waterpark resorts, known for their easy-as-you-go water slides and cute themes. Take Meadowbrook Resort, where a logging camp theme complete with animal play structures is smile-inducing for everyone in the family.
Speaking of animal themes, toddlers will take to Yogi Bear Camp-Resort & Water Playground in a heartbeat, with lovable costumed cartoon characters spotted all around the grounds and an outdoor water playground that takes camping to a whole new level of fun.
Be sure to check out Grand Marquis Waterpark Hotel & Suites with its signature blue dolphin slides, Atlantis Family Waterpark Hotel where the outdoor King Neptune pool is ankle-deep, perfect for toddlers, and Clarion Hotel & Suites with its blizzard-themed indoor and outdoor pools.
Sherwood Forest Camping & RV Park has a colorful splash pad and a heated pool that toddlers adore. At Natura Treescape Resort, parents and toddlers can frolic in the naturally filtered lagoon before heading to their very own treehouse for the night.
Finally, let’s wrap up this section with a recommendation to visit Noah’s Ark Waterpark in the warmer months. Make a beeline to Tadpole Bay with zero-depth entrance and kiddie slides, where your toddler will happily splash away the entire day. In other words, perfection for parents and kids both.
Wisconsin Dells for Kids Includes Indoor and Outdoor Attractions Aplenty
Surely, you’ll want to dry off at some point, and that’s where this list of attractions comes in handy. We think you’ll be surprised by the variety of activities that are exceedingly toddler-friendly.
Let’s start indoors:
- Let your little one burn off some energy at Knuckleheads Trampoline Park • Rides • Bowling. The Jumping Pillow and Flying Tiger family amusement ride have no height requirements.
- Prepare for lots of squeals at Tom Foolerys Adventure Park. Ride the carousel or let your little adventurer get their feet wet on the Lil’ Toucan Climb ropes course where you can hold their hand while they traverse the course.
- Mini Magi Mode is the MagiQuest adventure at Great Wolf Lodge specifically designed for toddlers.
- Bumper bowling at Chalet Lanes & Lounge ensures strikes and smiles for toddlers.
Back outdoors:
- Introduce your toddler to golf – mini-golf that is – at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park and Timber Falls Adventure Park.
- Take a side trip to Country Bumpkin Farm Market & Lil' Bumpkin Play Village—two words: petting zoo.
- Keeping with the animal theme, visit Wisconsin Deer Park where toddlers will delight in petting the gentle deer and Timbavati Wildlife Park where the animal nursery buildings are always a big hit.
- Hop aboard an amphibious Duck, a land-to-water tour vehicle, and enjoy the views of the Wisconsin River, especially during splashdowns.
- What toddler isn’t enamored of trains? Two train ride options provide fun adventures and a chance to relive simpler times: The Mid-Continent Railway Museum has a ride through the countryside on a restored steel coach. Or you can go small with a ride on the 15-inch gauge steam train at Riverside & Great Northern Railway, where the locomotive is actually turned on a hand-operated turntable.
- Sparkly gemstones will catch the eye of toddlers as they mine for treasures at Dells Mining Co.
- Let your toddler clown around with the clowns who perform under the Big Top at nearby Circus World.
- Elm Street Plaza, a free attraction in downtown Wisconsin Dells complete with dancing fountains and geysers, perfect for a quick cool-off on a sunny summer day.
Restaurants for Even the Pickiest Eaters
Meal-time meltdowns are rare in Wisconsin Dells, with credit going to local restauranteurs creating menus perfect for toddlers. Take Buffalo Phil’s Pizza & Grille, where food is delivered by miniature train and there’s a huge Lego Brick City to admire too.
The paper antler hats at Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co. are giggle-inducing and the perennial kids’ favorites of chicken “antlers” and “bucksnort” burgers are sure to be gobbled up in no time.
With two locations, MACS – Macaroni & Cheese Shop was a hit from the start. At the downtown location, be sure to slide next door to Huckleberry’s Ice Cream & Bakery.
You can’t go wrong with the menus at Mr. Pancake and Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty for breakfast. The atmosphere at both is very family-friendly.
Need more toddler ideas? Call our 800-223-3557 toll-free line or stop in our Welcome Center to speak with a staff member. We’re in the memory-making business and are at your service!
Updated: 10/02/2024
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