Surviving and Thriving at Great Wolf Lodge with Two Toddlers

We were blessed this year with a special Christmas gift from my parents: a family trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs. Our weekend getaway was full of excitement, water fun, and memories that will last a lifetime. However, traveling with a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old is no joke! With a little preparation and the right gear, though, we made it through with ease (mostly!). Here’s everything we packed and learned along the way, from tips for navigating the trip to what to bring for toddlers.

Packing Essentials for Toddlers

When you’re traveling with little ones, preparation is key. I used packing cubes to keep things organized, with one cube for each kid. Here’s a rundown of what I packed for Easton and Rylie:

• Clothing:

  • 2 swimsuits each

  • 3 sets of pajamas

  • 3 outfits (with extra layers for the chilly winter temps)

  • Swim diapers for Easton (6 in total)

  • Pull-ups for Rylie for bedtime

• Footwear:

  • Crocs – perfect for both the pool and running around.

• Other Essentials:

  • Diapers and wipes (lots of wipes!)

  • 2 cups for each kid

  • Toddler hair supplies

  • Books and Toys for quiet time

  • Sleep sack for Easton

  • Pack and Play for naps and bedtime (you can request one from the hotel if needed)

  • Blackout cover for the Pack and Play – this was a game changer! It allowed us to keep the lights on and still have Easton nap peacefully during the day.

  • Swim bag – This bag included a swim diaper, swimsuit, wet bags, and even goggles for Rylie (although she didn’t use them much).

  • Puddle jumper – While the hotel has life vests available, it’s first-come, first-serve, so I recommend bringing your own if you have one already sized for your child. We learned the hard way that a pop-up floaty wasn’t allowed since it wasn’t Coast Guard approved.

  • Radio Flyer Wagon - instead of our Wonderfold or double stroller. This was a game changer! It was perfect for lugging the kids around, including our 5-year-old niece, and all their gear. The best part? It folds up pretty small, making it easy to store when it’s not in use. Whether we were heading to the pool or walking around the resort, it was a lifesaver for transporting the little ones and all their stuff without being too bulky.

Food and Snacks

Let’s be real: eating out with toddlers can be tricky. They may or may not eat what you order, and the food at the resort is expensive. So, we brought our own snacks to keep everyone happy:

• Small oranges (easy and healthy)

• Yogurt pouches

• Goldfish crackers

• Uncrustables (perfect for picky eaters!)

• We also took advantage of the fridge in our room to store some other snacks and drinks. My husband brought alcohol for the pool and we packed it in our Yetis (essential for every trip, trust me). Not only do these keep our drinks cold, are easy to clean using the Dr. Brown wipes, but they also save us from paying for overpriced beverages at the resorts.

Don’t forget to pack a reusable water bottle for each kid. We brought two for Easton and Rylie, which helped keep them hydrated throughout the trip.

Other Tips for a Smooth Stay

• Coffee: If you’re like us and need that morning coffee, be aware that the coffee machine in the room is pretty small. We ended up grabbing coffee from the Dunkin’ downstairs.

• Pool Time: The indoor water park is amazing, but getting everything organized for the pool can be chaotic. Our Crocs were perfect for the pool and running around the resort, and I recommend having a swim bag ready with all the essentials.

• Travel-Friendly Sound Machine: We used our toddler’s tablet for a portable sound machine for Easton’s naps and bedtime. It made a huge difference in helping him stay asleep, even with the hustle and bustle of the resort around us.

• Dr. Brown's bottle and pacifier cleaning wipes: These are absolute lifesavers for quickly cleaning bottles, adults' alcohol cups, or any surface that needs a quick sanitation clean. With two toddlers, we constantly needed to wipe down cups, bottles, and even the high chair at the restaurant. These wipes are gentle but effective, and they make life so much easier when you’re on the go.

Final Thoughts

Our family trip to Great Wolf Lodge was a blast! Despite the challenges of traveling with young kids, we managed to make it work thanks to a little planning, a lot of snacks, and the right gear. I hope these tips help you plan your own family adventure at Great Wolf Lodge (or any other trip with toddlers!). Happy travels!