Winter in Northeast Ohio means trying to find ways to burn your kids’ seemingly endless energy, while being stuck indoors. One of our favorite things to do this time of year is to visit one of the many indoor water parks in the Sandusky area.
It can be hard to decide where to go, so here’s a little comparative study of your options for winter splashing fun!
One thing to note: prices for all these places vary depending on dates and accommodations desired, but I did put these in order of most to least expensive based on a specific date choice.
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
Day passes available? Yes.
Overnight accommodations? Yes.
Dining options include B-Lux Bar & Grill, Great Karoo Marketplace Buffet, and Ivory Coast Restaurant, as well as quick serve options and a bar inside the waterpark.
We really enjoyed the burgers and milkshakes at B-Lux. And a fruity blender drink will make it seem even more like summertime, even though you’re inside.
Beyond the water park action, Kalahari offers a Big Game Room, Mini Golf, Mini Bowling, 7-D Motion Theater, Laser Tag, and Virtual Reality.
There is also an Adventurers Club that gives kids options for crafts and other non-water-based activities.
Kalahari offers water slides that will delight everyone, from toddlers to teenagers to adult thrill seekers. This location is a great choice for those looking for fun for a wide age range, as well as a lot of options for activities beyond just the water park.
Great Wolf Lodge
Day passes available? No.
Overnight accommodations? Yes.
Dining options include Gitchigoomie Grill, Hungry as a Wolf, and Buckets Incredible Craveables. The dining choices at Great Wolf are definitely geared to be accommodating to the entire family.
Beyond the water park action, Great Wolf offers MagiQuest, Northern Lights Arcade, and Build-a-Bear Workshop.
There also are activities throughout the day such as Wake Up with Wiley and Friends, PJ Party with the Great Wolf Kids, Story Time, and Cub Club.
Great Wolf is definitely geared to families with younger children. Unlike Kalahari, you won’t see adult guests without children. Also, the food, activities, and even slides are geared mainly to a younger crowd.
Castaway Bay
Day passes available? Yes.
Overnight accommodations? Yes.
Dining options include Mango Mike’s, Quaker Steak and Lube, and Bay Harbor Waterfront Dining. There is also Big Daddy’s Snack Shack within the water park. From casual to fancy, there are a wide range of dining options.
Beyond the water park action and Crabbie’s Quarterdeck Arcade, there are lots of Peanuts-themed activities, since Castaway Bay is part of the Cedar Point family. From Arts & Crafts and a Dance Party to Karaoke, Family Movie, and Story Time, you’ll get your share of chances to hang out with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang.
Castaway Bay offers a wide range of water park attractions for toddlers through adults, as well as a variety of dining options, too, making this a great choice to keep everyone entertained.
Maui Sands
Day passes available? Yes.
Overnight accommodations? Yes.
Dining options include the Volcano Grill and Lava Lounge. There are no drink or dining options inside the water park.
Beyond the water park action, there is an arcade. Maui Sands offers the fewest activity and attraction options outside of the water park.
Maui Sands offers water attractions from a Vortex Pool to Pineapple Bay, keeping thrill seekers and toddlers alike splashing happily.
Whether you choose to focus on water park fun or choose a location that offers lots of other activities, too; whether you choose to focus on small fries or the whole family; whether you choose overnight or just a day, there are lots of great indoor water park options to get you through the winter months and let you dream of summer.
From Cleveland That I Love,
Jen