Great Wolf Lodge Packing List: Everything You Need (For Families with Kids Under 5)

We’ve been to Great Wolf Lodge multiple times across different states, and every single time I get better and better at avoiding the overpriced gift shop, so I finally put together the definitive packing list so you don’t have to learn the hard way.

This is the complete Great Wolf Lodge packing list for families – organized by category, with notes on what GWL sells on-site (and the markup you’ll pay if you forget it). Everything links directly to Amazon so you can add to cart as you read.

Already know what to pack? Jump to the 👉free printable checklist at the bottom.

Quick links:

🩱 Swimwear

What to wear at Great wolf lodge

For full swimwear recommendations with photos, see 👉 What to Wear at Great Wolf Lodge. Here’s the quick checklist version:

Adults:

Kids:

  • Bright/neon rash guard set — neon colors help you spot your kid in a crowded wave pool instantly
  • Extra swimsuit — if one gets wet before the end of the day (it will), you’ll be glad you packed a spare
  • Kids’ robe — for the walk back to the room; much easier than wrestling wet kids into clothes

Pro tip: Pack at least 2 swimsuits per child. The park is warm and humid and suits take hours to dry, even if you hang it up inside your room – a wet suit at 4pm means a miserable kid.

👟 Footwear

What to wear to great wolf lodge - water shoes

🎒 Water Park Bag Essentials

GWL has lockers but they’re often on a different floor from where you need them. A lightweight waterproof tote you can carry around solves this.

  • Waterproof phone pouch — the single most important item on this list. You WILL get separated from your partner at some point. Bring one per adult.
  • Waterproof tote bag — for carrying cover-ups, snacks, water bottles, and sunscreen poolside
  • Reef-safe sunscreen — GWL sells sunscreen but at a significant markup. Some locations have outdoor pools and all have sun-facing windows
  • Reusable water bottles— water in the park costs $5+ for a small bottle (and it’s not even mineral water lol). Bring your own and refill at fountains

🧴 Toiletries & Bathroom

GWL rooms have basic toiletries but families with young kids always need more than basic.

  • Baby shampoo and body wash – the lodge provides adult toiletries only
  • Body lotion – chlorinated water can dry the skin! Bring your own to ensure you use only lotions with good ingredients
  • Swim hair treatment – optional but great for longer hair; chlorine is brutal over multiple sessions
  • Mini first aid kit – band-aids, antiseptic wipes, children’s pain reliever. The lodge store sells these at inflated prices, and it’s always nice to have your own.

👕 Clothing Outside the Water Park

People forget this and end up living in swimwear for the whole trip. The lodge is air-conditioned and evenings can feel cold when you’re coming out of the water park.

Per person, per night:

  • Casual outfit for evenings (MagiQuest, arcade, dinner)
  • Cozy layers or a light hoodie — the hotel corridors are cold, especially when wet
  • Pajamas — for the kids especially, since GWL does a whole evening wind-down routine
  • Change of clothes for the drive home

For kids specifically:

  • At least one full outfit change per day beyond swimwear — accidents happen, spills happen, and toddlers are toddlers

👶 Toddler & Baby Specific Items

This section is the one most packing lists skip. If you’re going with kids under 5, this is where the trip can go sideways without the right gear.

  • Swim diapers — GWL requires these for babies and toddlers in the water. Bring a full pack — you’ll go through more than you think
  • Puddle jumper / infant PFD with head support — GWL provides these on loan but they’re basic and sizes run out during busy periods. Bringing your own means no hunting around for the right size
  • Waterproof diaper bag or dry bag— Can just be the same waterproof tote listed above if your regular diaper bag is not waterproof already
  • Baby wipes (extra pack) — for sunscreen cleanup, food, and everything in between
  • Portable sound machine — GWL can be loud and there are lots of birthday parties and older kids roaming the hallways. If your baby or toddler is a light sleeper, this is a game changer for nap time and bedtime

Pro tip for under-2s: The lazy river and the zero-entry splash zones are the best areas for babies and young toddlers. Skip the big slides section entirely — it’ll stress everyone out and they won’t be tall enough anyway. Plant yourselves at the baby area and let them splash to their heart’s content.

🍎 Snacks & Food

The food at GWL is expensive and skews heavily toward fried food, pizza, and processed snacks. You can’t bring outside food into the water park itself, but you can eat in your room.

Pack in a cooler or bag:

  • Breakfast items — cereal, fruit, yogurt pouches, granola bars. The breakfast buffet is $30 per person which is steep for a family
  • Afternoon snacks for the room — crackers, cheese sticks, fruit. There is a small fridge in the room!
  • Kids’ snacks for water park breaks — GWL allows snacks in the seating areas near the water park
  • Juice boxes or milk pouches for toddlers — the lodge charges hotel prices for these
  • Insulated snack bag — for keeping snacks cool during the day without needing the room fridge

Hot tip from experience: The breakfast buffet is worth it if you’re a family of 4+ because you can pile one tray high and everyone eats. But if you’re a smaller family or have picky toddlers, breakfast from your cooler in the room is just as good and saves $60-$120.

💰 Money-Saving Items to Bring

GWL makes a significant amount of money on impulse purchases. Here’s what to bring so you’re not caught out.

  • Light-up bubble wands — GWL sells these for $30-$36 each during the evening dance party. Buy a pack on Amazon for a fraction of the price and your kids will never know the difference
  • Glow sticks or glow bracelets — same principle as the bubble wands; great for the evening dance party
  • Kids’ goggles — another GWL markup item; bring your own

Note on MagiQuest: If your kids are 6+ and want to actually play the full game, the GWL wand is required ($25-$35) — there’s no workaround.

❌ What NOT to Bring

IMAGE SUGGESTION: Skip.

  • Inflatables or pool toys – not allowed in the water park
  • Lanyard or wristband – They will give you a waterproof wristband that can open the room door and put purchases on a tab. No need to carry a separate key card or pass.
  • Food or drinks into the water park itself – only allowed in the seating areas, not poolside
  • Valuables – the lockers are basic and you’ll be worried about them all day. Leave jewelry and anything irreplaceable at home or in your car
  • Too many clothes – you’ll spend 90% of your time in swimwear. One casual outfit per evening per person is enough
  • Your own towels for the water park – GWL provides towels in the park; save the bag space

Free Printable Great Wolf Lodge Packing List

Print this out and check off as you pack! (scroll to the bottom of the page)👇

SWIMWEAR

  • [ ] Swim dress or one-piece or bikini (adult)
  • [ ] Swim trunks with zippered pockets (adult)
  • [ ] Cover-up (adult)
  • [ ] Bright rash guard set x2 (kids)
  • [ ] Spare swimsuit (kids)
  • [ ] Kids’ robe

FOOTWEAR

  • [ ] Water shoes (kids)
  • [ ] Non-slip flip flops (adults)
  • [ ] Casual evening shoes

WATER PARK BAG

  • [ ] Waterproof phone pouch x2
  • [ ] Waterproof tote
  • [ ] Waterproof sunscreen
  • [ ] Reusable water bottles

TOILETRIES

  • [ ] Baby shampoo and body wash
  • [ ] Conditioner
  • [ ] Mini first aid kit

CLOTHING

  • [ ] Casual outfit per person (per day)
  • [ ] Underwear (per day)
  • [ ] Light hoodie or layers
  • [ ] Pajamas (kids)
  • [ ] Drive-home change of clothes

TODDLER & BABY

  • [ ] Swim diapers (full pack)
  • [ ] Puddle jumper / PFD
  • [ ] Extra baby wipes
  • [ ] Portable sound machine

SNACKS & FOOD

  • [ ] Breakfast items
  • [ ] Room snacks
  • [ ] Kids’ snacks for water park breaks
  • [ ] Juice boxes / milk pouches
  • [ ] Insulated snack bag

MONEY-SAVERS TO PACK

  • [ ] Light-up bubble wands
  • [ ] Glow sticks
  • [ ] Kids’ goggles

You Might Also Like

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *