What is the Best Age for Great Wolf Lodge (2023)
Are you looking to plan a family vacation that everyone will enjoy? If so, then a visit to your nearest Great Wolf Lodge may be the perfect solution. But with each member of your family having their own unique needs and interests, it can be difficult to decide what age makes the most sense for visiting.
Let’s take a look at the best age for a Great Wolf Lodge visit, and what is available for each age group at the to help you decide when is the best time for your family to hit up this resort!
Activities for Kids of All Ages at the Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park
The great thing about Great Wolf Lodge is that there are activities and amenities catered to children of all ages. From toddlers to teens, there’s something fun and exciting available for every single age group.
While we think that the best age to enjoy Great Wolf Lodge is 7-13, we’ve had our kids at the Great Wolf Lodge water parks under 7 years old and over 13, so it’s all in the beholder’s eye.
We list the activities at Great Wolf Lodge locations below, and while all locations will vary, these are the most popular and most common activities.
For adults, there is plenty to do aside from watching the kids have fun! You can relax in any one of the pools and hot tubs or grab a bite to eat at one of their delicious restaurants.
Let’s break things down by age group to really explore all the fun there is to be had at Great Wolf Lodge!
See What Each Great Wolf Lodge Location Offers HERE
Top Activities for Toddlers at Great Wolf Lodge:
The activities are best for kids under 5 years old
1. Cub Paw Pool:
Picture a mini water wonderland crafted just for the little ones! The Lodge is a dream come true for families with tots since it has a special pool area where kiddos can splash around safely and have tons of fun.
Think shallow waters, cute slides, and magical water features that keep them entertained for hours. Sit back and soak in all the precious moments of them giggling and playing in this area.
Just pack goggles and you’ll be all set!
2.Great Wolf Stuffing Creation Station:
At the Stuffing Station, you and your little ones will get the chance to make your very own stuffed animals from scratch, making your visit to Great Wolf Lodge even more memorable.
Choose from an array of adorable creatures and watch as they’re stuffed, hugged, and loved before your eyes.
This unique, hands-on activity is perfect for families wanting to take home a tangible reminder of their water park adventure or simply seeking a creative break from the water fun.
No matter the reason, the Great Wolf Stuffing Station promises to hold a special place in your heart, just like your cuddly creations!
3. Seasonal Activities:
The Great Wolf Lodge seasonal activities such as Easter egg hunts, Halloween setups and more are so fun!
The water park is transformed into a truly unique and enchanting destination, one that caters to visitors of all ages and weaves unforgettable memories for families and friends to cherish!
It’s a fun time to visit when these events are happening.
4. Character Appearances:
You’ll be greeted by some lovable characters who are eager to make your day even more special.
Among these furry friends, you’ll meet Wiley the Wolf, the adventurous forest ranger; Violet the Wolf, a true nature lover; Oliver Raccoon, the smart and curious one; and many more!
To make sure you don’t miss a chance to meet these delightful characters, the park provides a schedule with designated times so you can plan your day around these magical encounters.
So, get ready to create unforgettable memories with these charming mascots while enjoying a super fun time at Great Wolf Lodge!
5. The Forest Friends Show:
Typically, the Forest Friends Show is performed several times a day, with specific times listed in the hotel’s daily schedule.
The show is located in the main lobby area of the hotel, which is an open area, perfect for you or the kids to move around.
The show will hold the kids attention, featuring animatronic animals, such as raccoons and bears, who sing and dance to a variety of catchy tunes.
Children are encouraged to participate in the show, making it a fun and interactive experience for the whole family – it’s super cute!
6. Read-aloud Story Times:
Great Wolf Lodge water parks are known for their water slides and pools, but they also offer Read-aloud Story Times.
These story times are perfect for families with young children who love books and storytelling.
During Read-aloud Story Times, a trained staff member reads a children’s book aloud to a group of children and their families. The readings take place in a cozy and comfortable space, usually near a fireplace, where families can sit back, relax, and enjoy the story together.
The stories that are read during these events are often related to themes that children can relate to, such as animals, nature, and adventure.
The staff members who lead the readings are skilled at engaging children’s imaginations and making the stories come alive. Our kids always loved the story time!
7. Great Wolf Lodge Cub Club:
Great Wolf Lodge water parks offer a special program called the Cub Club, designed specifically for young children. The Cub Club is a supervised play area where kids can engage in fun and educational activities while parents enjoy some time to themselves, however parents are welcome to stay as well!
The Cub Club is typically for children between the ages of 3 and 12, and is available at most Great Wolf Lodge locations.
Upon check-in, families can enroll their children in the program for an additional fee, and children receive a wristband that allows them access to the club.
I love that the Cub Club is divided into different age groups, with age-appropriate activities for each group.
For example, younger children may enjoy coloring, crafts, and interactive story time, while older children may engage in science experiments, games, and team-building activities.
One of the most popular features of the Cub Club is the Creation Station, where children can make their own stuffed animal souvenir to take home.
They can choose from a variety of animals, outfits and accessories, and staff members are on hand to help with the creation process.
In addition to the supervised activities, the Cub Club also has a play area with slides, climbing structures, and other equipment that kids can use to burn off energy and have fun.
Parents can feel confident leaving their children in the Cub Club, knowing that the staff members are trained and experienced in working with children.
You can also check in anytime, or call if you need to!
8. Dance Party:
One of the most popular events at Great Wolf Lodge is the “Dance Party,” which is held regularly at the resorts.
The Dance Party at Great Wolf Lodge is a high-energy event that is held in one of the main common areas of the resort.
The party typically takes place in the evening, and it features music, dancing, and a lot of fun for guests of all ages.
The Dance Party is led by the resort’s “ambassadors,” who are trained to lead the party and get everyone up and dancing.
During the Dance Party, guests can expect to hear a wide range of music, from popular songs to classic tunes.
The party is designed to be inclusive, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. The resort’s employees will often lead guests in fun dances and games, and sometimes they hand out glow sticks or other party favors.
We always thought this was super fun!
See the available Great Wolf Lodge Coupons HERE
What is there for Kids ages 4 and up to do at Great Wolf Lodge?
All of the activities in the list ablve are all great for these kiddos too, but the activities below are best suited for ages 4 and up:
1. Magiquest:
For the most creative and imaginative Great Wolf Lodge kiddos, the MagiQuest game is where it’s at!
MagiQuest is an interactive, role-playing game that is offered at Great Wolf Lodge resorts, especially popular among children between the ages of 5 and 12. Older kids and adults can also enjoy the game, especially if they are fans of fantasy and role-playing games, or just slipping into the make believe world for a little while.
Once you have your wand, it’s yours to keep and you can begin the game by following a series of quests, which will lead you on a journey to defeat various creatures, gather magical artifacts, and ultimately save the kingdom, earning points and prizes. You get to decide how much time you want to spend in the realms of MagiQuest. Each quest takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete. With unlimited play during your stay, you can always take a break and come back later, which our kids love to do!
If you want to start a new game, you will need to purchase a new wand, but wands are usually priced around $23.99. There are also add-on games at select hotels that you might be able to take advantage of too!
It’s a break from the water, and a nice game to play with a few kids that are with you, or even other hotel guests, too!
2. Hologate Virtual Reality:
Hologate Virtual Reality is a multi-player virtual reality experience that is offered at some of the Great Wolf Lodge resorts and is a great activity for families, groups of friends, or even solo players who want to compete against others.
The game involves donning a VR headset and entering a virtual world where players can explore, battle enemies, and complete challenges.
Hologate is a popular attraction among guests of all ages, especially those who are interested in gaming and technology.
Players do not win physical prizes when playing Hologate, but they can earn points and achievements within the game itself.
The experience of playing Hologate is usually reward enough, as the game is designed to be immersive and engaging, with high-quality graphics and sound effects.
In order to play Hologate, guests will need to purchase a ticket for the experience, which can be done at the Hologate counter in the resort. It is typically played in short sessions of a few minutes each, allowing for quick and easy gameplay that can be enjoyed throughout the day.
The ticket includes access to the VR headset and any necessary controllers or other equipment. Players do not need any special tools or skills to play Hologate, as the game is designed to be easy to learn and intuitive to use.
3. Ten Paw Alley:
Ten Paw Alley is an exciting and fun-filled indoor bowling alley that is available at some Great Wolf Lodge Resorts.
To play at Ten Paw Alley, guests are required to pay a fee, which may vary depending on the location of the Great Wolf Lodge resort and the time of day which is not included with either the Pup Pass or Wolf Pass.
You can typically expect to pay around $5 to $8 per game per person, with discounts available for multiple games or larger groups.
Ten Paw Alley features five traditional ten-pin bowling lanes that are scaled down in size to fit the smaller space inside of the resorts.
The lanes use lightweight bowling balls, smaller pins, and automated bumpers that can be raised or lowered to help younger children play.
The bowling alley is perfect for a change of pace!
4. Northern Lights Arcade:
Do your kids love arcades? If so, here’s a fun thing to do at Great Wolf Lodge when you need a break from the water!
Northern Lights Arcade is your run of the mill arcade including classic games like skee-ball and air hockey, as well as newer games like virtual reality experiences and interactive motion games.
The arcade also includes ticket redemption games, where guests can earn tickets by playing games and redeem them for prizes at the end of their visit.!
The arcade games aren’t included with either the Pup Pass or Wolf Pass and the cost of playing at the arcade may vary depending on the location of the Great Wolf Lodge resort, but I always paid $0.50 to $3 per game or activity.
And, the kids love the arcade!
Several other highlights that are perfect for the kids are:
Several Great Wolf Lodge Resorts offer mini golf courses for guests to enjoy. The courses typically feature 9 holes and are themed around the resort’s overall aesthetic. For example, at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX, the mini golf course is themed around a Texas oil field.
Many Great Wolf Lodge Resorts feature a laser tag arena where kids can compete in team-based laser tag games. The arenas are typically designed with a fun and exciting theme, such as a castle or outer space.
Some Great Wolf Lodge Resorts offer gem mining activities, where kids can purchase a bag of mining rough and sift through it to find gems and minerals. The experience is designed to be educational and interactive, and kids can take their finds home as a souvenir.
The “Fallen Timbers” ropes course is a challenging outdoor activity available at some Great Wolf Lodge Resorts. The course features a series of obstacles and high ropes elements that challenge participants to navigate and balance while suspended in the air. The course is designed for guests over 48 inches tall and typically requires a separate fee.
Check out the Nearest Location to You HERE!
And, last, but not least, with an adult for the younger kids in this age group, inside the indoor waterpark enjoy the wave pool, lazy rivers, outdoor pool areas, the frog pond (outfitted with ropes to hang from, lilypads to try to stay on, and basketball hoops to shoot on!) and of course water slides upon water slides!
Teens and Tween Activities at Great Wolf Lodge:
These activities are for the kiddos age 10 and over:
In addition to everything mentioned above, there are several water slides like the Howlin’ Tornado that are perfect for the older kids and take some courage to go in to.
These are perfect for the teens, tweens, and dare I say adults that are more daring (than I!)
Adult Activities at Great Wolf Lodge:
Along with just being a kid yourself and enjoying watching your kids have fun at the water park, you can relax in any one of the pools and hot tubs or grab a bite to eat at one of their delicious restaurants with different dining options and food including: pizza, sandwiches and fries, burgers, chicken offerings and more.
Your kids won’t be the only ones that will want to enjoy the ice cream, candy and bear paw sweets that different Great Wolf Lodge resorts have to offer.
I also need to mention that most locations also have a Dunkin’ Donuts on site. (Yay to help with those who still have early risers!)
Let’s just say: come hungry!
You will run out of time to do all of the things you want to!
I hope this article helps put your mind at ease while booking your Great Wolf Lodge vacation, and don’t forget to check out the website for the exact location that you’re planning on visiting here so that you can see a map of the hotel. If you are a visual learner, like I am, this will help a ton!