We're creating the ultimate list of things to do in Wisconsin Dells with kids, gathering tips from regular parents for the best water park resorts, campgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants & other must-do activities on a family trip to the Dells.

We hope you'll share your experience, too!


Browse our list for inspiration and "like" your favorite things to do in Wisconsin Dells with kids to help them rise to the top. If you can, comment with your own tips & reviews to help other parents discover something new!

Find more travel recs from fellow parents on our lists of family vacation destinations throughout the US.


 
    Big Sky Drive-In

     (904.9 mi)

    Early May thru fall

    Shila:  Big Sky is a drive-in movie theatre featuring two full-sized outdoor screens that play popular and new releases. Snack on their reasonably priced concessions, along with meals like the Mamaburger or homemade sloppy joes. Even quiet pets are allowed.

    Baraboo RV Resort

     (905.8 mi)

    Vanessa M.:  When we take a family getaway to the Dells, we camp here, where families can enjoy the exciting Dells and the beauty of Devil's Lake State Park. The campground is loaded with fun activities our kids love, such as heated pool, jumping pillow, playground, mini golf, pedal carts, inflatable pond toys, and more. Themed weekends like Super Hero, Dino Dig, and Glow weekends fill their calendar. In addition to tent and RV camping, families can rent yurts, cabins, or tiny houses.

    Kalahari Resorts

     (906.2 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Kalahari Resorts features an exciting mix of indoor and outdoor rides, slides, and entertainment. The resort has an indoor (84 degrees) waterpark and outdoor waterpark, theme park, salon, kidz spa, and much more. Plus, there are several on-site restaurants to please both sophisticated and picky-eater tastes. Kalahari also features body board surfing, kid-friendly hot tub, character breakfasts, and arcade. An indoor Ferris Wheel stands 6 stories tall within its carnival-like adventure park! Purchase day passes as a guest, or stay at the resort and they will be included.

    Macaroni and Cheese Shop

     (906.5 mi)

    Shila:  Wisconsin has the best cheese! Check out the quick-and-casual, yet incredibly innovative, Macaroni and Cheese Shop. Kids will love the mac and cheese menu items, including their signature toasties, cheddar mozzarella fried hot dogs, and gooey grilled 4-cheese blend sandwiches. Savory melts and fresh salads are also popular.

    Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells

     (906.7 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Great Wolf Lodge offers 80,000 square feet of indoor waterpark fun with more than a dozen slides, a lazy river, in-lodge family entertainment, spa, restaurants, and more. Guest passes are available for the day, too.

    MagiQuest (Great Wolf Lodge)

     (906.7 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Does your son or daughter love wizardry and fighting off dragons and other mystical creatures? Take them to The Great Wolf Lodge for a game of MagiQuest. The concept is simple enough even for little ones. You select a sword that comes in several assorted colors and designs. Then it is activated and you go around the resort and try to win the MagiQuest game by pointing your sword at various spots to unlock your quest. Kids can take the wand home as a nice souvenir of your trip!

    Hot Rocks

     (906.9 mi)

    Shila:  Hot Rocks is a fun, family-friendly restaurant where guests can cook their own food over hot rocks at their table! This is especially perfect while sizzling-up tender steaks and seafood - Hot Rocks' signature fare! This is an interactive dining experience for all ages in the Dells.

    Knuckleheads

     (907.0 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  One of our favorite things to do with kids in Wisconsin Dells is Knuckleheads. If you are staying in The Great Wolf Lodge or Kalahari, it is a 5 or less minute drive. This is a large indoor arcade with bowling, a climbing structure for younger kids, a go-cart track, a trampoline park, and a rope's course for the tween to older crowd. My kids love the small amusement rides they have like a rollercoaster and a large jumping pillow.

    Buffalo Phil's Pizza & Grille

     (907.0 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Buffalo Phil's Pizza & Grille is one of our favorite kid-friendly restaurants in the Wisconsin Dells. We go there every year! Meals are delivered via model train car. Plus, they have a huge buffet which is great for those kids that like a little of this and a little of that. They also have a small arcade inside the restaurant which is fun, too.

    Wilderness Resort

     (907.2 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  The Wilderness Resort is located on 600 acres consisting of cabin-themed properties and villas, and including multiple indoor and outdoor water parks, and so many family attractions. The resort features arcades, a laser arena, go-carts, ropes course, mini-golf and more, including Take Flight, an aerial adventure theatre ride.

    Take Flight (Wilderness Resort)

     (907.2 mi)

    Age 4+ | 32 inch min

    Kristy Pepping:  This aerial adventure theatre ride is worth checking out, even if you are not a guest at the Wilderness!

    Dells Boat Tours®

     (907.7 mi)

    Mid-March thru mid-November

    Shila:  Visit the Dells - literally! These low key boat adventures invite you to explore the natural vista of the Dells waterways, tall cliffs and iconic rock formations like Chimney Rock. There's a couple different tours based on what you'd like to see. For example, The Upper Dells Tour® meanders through the section of river above the dam. While the Lower Dells Tour® could offer more majestic views of the tall bluffs and sandstone formations above. Families can enjoy a sunset dinner cruise, too.

    Timbavati Wildlife Park

     (908.0 mi)

    Open seasonally

    Shila:  Timbavati Wildlife Park is home to more than 400 animals representing over 75 diverse species. They have everything from exotic birds of prey to mammals, reptiles, and large cats. The giraffes of Timbavati Wildlife Park are even known to come up and pose for a friendly photo! Families can enjoy a safari train, select animal encounters, and VIP Behind-The-Scenes Tour (by appointment). Among the surrounding water parks, these are unique (dry!) things to do with kids in Wisconsin Dells!

    Noah's Ark Waterpark

     (908.1 mi)

    Lisa R:  Noah's Ark features water thrill rides, food, and over 80 family activities to enjoy including schooners, arcades, and a dive-in theatre. Also featuring two endless rivers, four children's water play areas, bumper boats, and two giant wave pools. It's recognized as being "America's Largest Waterpark." Parents with young tots can appreciate the exclusive kiddie area and gentle rides. There is lodging adjacent to the water park.

    Bobbers Island Grill

     (908.1 mi)

    Molly Weber:  Bobbers Island Grill is a great family-friendly restaurant year-round, but it really shines in the summer and fall months when you can take advantage of their outdoor seating and kids' sand play area. And in the fall, there is a great outdoor fire pit! If you're visiting during cold weather times, don't worry, the kids will still love the coloring on the tables while sipping on a kid's pina colada! Their menu includes "tropical island cuisine", along with burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and more.

    Chula Vista Resort

     (908.4 mi)

    Shila:  Featuring both indoor & outdoor water parks with more than 2 dozen water slides, huge interactive kiddie play areas, activity pools, lazy river, luxurious poolside cabanas, outdoor hot springs, & more, Chula Vista was designed with the whole family in mind! The resort also features an 18-hole golf course, river walk, hot springs, spa, & plenty of family dining. Water park passes are included in all overnight stays, and day passes are also available for those not staying at the resort.

    Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty

     (908.5 mi)

    Open seasonally

    Alexandra F.:  No trip to the Dells is complete without a stop at Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty, where the food is plentiful and the donuts out-of-this-world! Family-style "lumberjack" meals are served at all hours of the day, but breakfast is our family's absolute favorite. The set menu is limited to traditional favorites such as scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes, but nothing beats the mouth-watering donuts, fresh from the fryer! Be ready for long lines at prime brunch times, but they move quickly and the food is worth the wait. For added family fun, check out the lumberjack show after the meal.

    Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park

     (909.0 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Resort offers both indoor and outdoor water parks, as well as thrilling rollercoasters and amusement park rides, like twirling teacups and bumper cars. Take a plunge down several water slides or sit in a hot tub to relax. Lodging options include typical hotel suites, but also tents for camping and unique treehouse beds! Kids love it!

Primary photo:   Kalahari Resorts

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