Early on this week, our family took our first trip to the Schlitterbahn Water Park in South Padre Island.
To be honest, I really wasn’t sure if Baby Girl and Little Man would have much to do as I’ve always been under the impression that the park is better suited for older kids, teens and adults.
I was wrong.
Schlitterbahn South Padre with Young Kids {+ 5 Tips}
My 16 month old and 5 year old had a blast!
While they were too young to enjoy any of the larger water thrill rides, there was enough for both to enjoy while Dad and big sis hit the same.
Keep these 5 tips in mind for your visit to a Schlitterbahn water park with young kids:
1. Know before you go
Check out the attractions/rides your little one can enjoy, before you go. The Schlitterbahn site allows you to narrow down your options based on age interest and height requirement.
Sand Castle Cove is another fun play area, for all ages.
Baby Girl loved the Lily Pad the most, as the water was shallow enough for her to wade through. Plus the Frog and Whale slides and large Frog floats were fun additions for play.
2. Swim floats for kids
You don’t have to carry floats for your child. Schlitterbahn offers the same for kids of all ages, free of charge.
I would recommend bringing your own if you are particular about sharing a vest another child has worn or if your child is younger than one as the smallest sized vests may be too big for him/her. The Stearns Kid Puddle Jumper Life Jackets come highly recommended and don’t cost a lot.
3. Best times to hit the water park during the summer.
The weekends are definitely the busiest. If you can manage to make it out on a weekday and go as soon as the park opens at 10 or later in the evening after 4/4.30 pm, you will find the park won’t be as crowded.
We visited on a Monday, spent over 4 hours at the park and walked out satisfied that we were able to enjoy the same minus the crowds.
For a time, while Dottie and Hubs hit the Los Rios Azul-Torrent, Baby Girl and Little Man had the Lily Pad to themselves.
4. Save by bringing your own lunch, snacks and beverages.
I love that Schlitterbahn actually encourages guests to bring their own picnic lunches in a mini cooler. (You can invest in a season pass if you save the money you would have otherwise spent on food and beverages in the park!)
5. Too hot to play outdoors? Stay indoors!
I agree, Texas summers can be real scorchers. If you plan to spend the whole day at the park with young kids, you can always spend a good portion of the sunniest parts of the day indoors at the Mega Blast soft foam ball play area, the 1950’s styled Grand Carousel, Pirates Cove or firing water missiles on unsuspecting victims floating by.
Ready for some #BahnLove? (Search out the hashtag on your favorite social media channels to find more photographs, articles and tips from other guests at 1 of the 5 Schlitterbahn parks)
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My kids love going to water parks! This one sounds like a real winner.
Wow – this looks like one awesome water park! My kids are always asking to go to the water parks during the summer but we don’t have any good ones near us. I wish I was closer to this one!
I have never been to this Water Park, but it looks fabulous! We love going to Water Parks to cool off in the Summer. I want to go on vacation to your Water Park!!
This looks like a great water park. I love how everything seems to have been made with kids and safety in mind.
That place looks amazing! I would enjoy spending a whole day there with the family. So fun!
We have never been to this one but I’ve seen it on tv. I just got back from Water Country USA which was Ahhhmazing!
This looks like such a fun place to go! We recently went to a water park here in NH and it was such fun, my youngest is almost 7 so no little little ones for us anymore to go on trips like this. I would be a nervous nanny with young ones around water, always have been.
This looks like so much fun! We haven’t done a waterpark with the kids yet, but I cannot wait!
Oh my daughter would have such a blast there. What a nice place to spend a hot summer day!
I think checking on hat is availabel ahead of tie is really important. I have had that one bite me int he butt before.
This waterpark looks like so much fun. Water parks are so much fun in the summer time.
That looks like a lot of fun! My kids love to visit water parks and would really enjoy this one!
My kids always get super amped up and excited about water parks or any water activity we do. We recently went tubing and had a blast.
I can’t wait until my kids are old enough to go to a water park! They’ll have a blast!
We’ve never been here before! It looks like so much fun and my grandsons would have a blast!
I’m glad you posted about Schlitterbahns because we plan on going either this summer or next with our 2 children. Looks like they will have a blast. I miss living near a nice water park.
This sounds like so much fun. I love that there is an indoor area too to get out of the sun for a bit.
There is a great water park here in Ottawa my family loves. They are a great way to keep cool in the summer. I would love to check out a Schlitterbahn Water Park.
My kids love going to water parks. We have a great amusement park a few hours away from us that has a ton of roller casters and a huge water park. We try to go a few times in the summer.
This looks so fun, and they are smart to offer free floaters.
Wow, that place looks amazing. We’ve never done a big waterpark, just a couple of times in a hotel with a waterslide. Not even close to as cool.
I love waterparks even tho I cannot swim. I like being in the atmosphere. This place looks fun. Thanks for sharing.
It is pretty cool that they help you find age appropriate attractions ahead of time. Hate going places with kids just to find out they are too young to do it
Alysia would love that giant frog mouth!
Looks like a fun place. Glad they have some indoor places.
This looks awesome, what a fun time my kids would have here