Our Mega List of What to Bring to a Water Park With Kids

Planning a water park day with kids? Make packing stress-free with these mom-approved Amazon essentials. Get the full list now.

Planning a water park trip with kids can feel like packing for a mini vacation, especially when you’re juggling sunscreen, swimsuits, and a crowd of excited little ones. Between keeping everyone safe, dry, fed, and entertained, there’s a lot to think about.

But over the years, we’ve figured out which Amazon finds actually make the day easier for moms. This list is filled with items we personally use and love, and it’s saved us from plenty of meltdowns (the kids’ and our own).

If you want to feel prepared from the moment you park the car to the last ride down the lazy river, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk about what you really need to bring to the water park to make the day smooth, fun, and a little less soggy.

Water Park Packing Tips for Moms

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Before we get into our must-have list, let’s talk about some of our tried-and-true tips for us moms when we’re bringing the kids to the water park for the day.

Keep the Hands-Free Essentials Close

First of all, hands-free is a must. We love a good waterproof fanny pack or a waterproof case for your phone, ID, and credit cards. Our favorite is the lanyard phone pouch we have listed below. We can still use the phone through it, but it protects it from getting wet by accident. We also like to bring some extra ziplock baggies to put things like bandaids, hair ties, and other items that we don’t want to get drenched.

Make Snacks and Drinks Easy

As I’m sure you know, when it comes to any activity that involves water, the snack monster comes out in full force. We like to pack a soft cooler for sandwiches and have some cut fruit on hand to avoid spending too much at the snack bar. We also throw in some pre-packaged items that we are sure won’t melt or crumble too bad if they are out in the heat. And don’t forget to have a cup with a tight lid and straw to make sure youru kiddos stay hydrated easily.

Manage Wet Gear Without the Stress

Another one of our pet-peeves at the water park is having tons of soggy wet, water-logged items to drag around. That’s why we always bring a large waterproof tote of some kind to put any of the soggy stuff away from the clean stuff. We also love having towel bands for the kids to avoid arguing over who’s towel is whose and keep them compact in our bag. Also, don’t forget extra swim diapers if you have littles too.

Don’t Skimp on Comfort Items

Since we typically spend the whole day at the waterpark, one of our secret weapons for beating the heat is to bring cooling towels. Not only do we love these for ourselves, but they are great to help our kids from overheating.

And, if you know you know, a stubbed toe can put a serious damper on the day, so we make sure our kids where water shoes. It also makes going in and out of the bathroom less chaotic than trying to put shoes on when they’re wet.

We also always bring the kids a change of clothes to make sure the ride home is comfortable and, of course, extra sunscreen. Lastly, if you have any littles with curls, we always bring a leave-in spray to help with the post-water tangles.

Our Water Park Essentials

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Here are our top favorite must haves for bringing to the water park:

1. Waterproof Pouch Bag with Adjustable Waist Strap – A lightweight and hands-free way to carry your phone, keys, and essentials without worrying about water damage. The adjustable strap makes it easy to wear across your waist or chest for convenience.
2. DragonFly Kids Swim Goggles – These goggles stay on and don’t fog up, making them a kid favorite. They’re great for splash zones and wave pools when your kids want to see underwater and keep chlorine out of their eyes.
3. SoCozy Swim Leave In Conditioner Spray & Treatment – Chlorine and sun can do a number on your kids’ hair. This spray makes it easier to detangle after a long day of swimming, and it smells amazing too.
4. Large Waterproof Beach Tote Bag – Big enough to hold towels, snacks, water bottles, and more, this bag is made for wet days. Plus, it’s easy to rinse off after a sandy or soggy trip.
5. Case-Mate Soap Bubble Waterproof Phone Pouch – Keep your phone safe and functional while near water. This pouch lets you take pics, check messages, and scroll without risking water damage.
6. Nabisco Team Favorites Variety Pack – Bring the snacks they love without worrying about melting or mess. This variety pack has something for everyone and keeps the hangry moments at bay.
7. Simple Modern Kids 24 oz Tumbler with Handle and Silicone Straw Lid – These tumblers are a win for hydration and kid independence. They’re leak-resistant and easy for little hands to carry.
8. Insulated Soft Cooler Portable Cooler Bag – Keep your snacks and drinks cold all day with this compact but roomy cooler. It fits neatly under a lounge chair or in a locker if needed.
9. Cooling Towels for Neck & Face – These towels cool instantly with water and can help kids regulate temperature during hot sun breaks. They’re also soothing for sun-sensitive skin.
10. Theme Park Essentials Fanny Pack for Women – A cute and practical way to keep your essentials close without lugging a purse. It has just the right amount of pockets for the water park basics.
11. Towel Bands (6-Pack) – No more towel mix-ups or lost beach towels. These are stretchy, colorful, and help each kid remember which towel is theirs.
12. Barefoot Water Shoes – Keep little feet safe on hot pavement, slippery stairs, and rough pool bottoms. These are flexible, easy to dry, and stay put all day.

Hopefully this what to bring to the waterpark list helps you set aside the franticness during your days at the water park and keep the fun and enjoyable. Of course, half of the battle is making sure you having the right essentials packed and making sure you don’t forget anything important. It doesn’t matter if you’re heading to a giant splash zone or a local slide spot, these Amazon picks are our tried-and-true favorites that make the day smoother, cooler, and a whole lot more fun.

Don’t forget to check out our full waterpark idea list too! Now we want to know, what are your must-haves for water park days with the kids? Tell us in the comments… we’d love to add your favorite to our list!

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