When the temperature outside is so cold that the kids’ fingers freeze despite their fleece-lined gloves, it’s time to think about warmer climates, even if it’s just for the day. There are great options within a two-hour drive, and even though many have the same types of activities, each place definitely has its own feel.

Fun for a Day

The Salvation Army Kroc Center Camden

1865 Harrison Avenue, Camden, New Jersey

 

Camden’s Salvation Army Kroc Center has a fun, affordable, and nearby water park for local families. Either sign up for a monthly or annual membership, or buy a day pass when you decide to visit.

Greater Plymouth Community Center

2910 Jolly Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA

 

This indoor pool is a hidden gem that’s close by and super affordable! The weekend open swim times, including a splash area and a slide, are only $18 per person.

 

H2Oooohh! 

Split Rock Resort, 100 Moseywood Road, Lake Harmony, PA

 

H2Oooohh!! is a smaller water park that parents love for kids under 12. It has five exciting slides, some of which twist and turn four stories down, a wave pool, activity pool, aquatic play structure, crossing activity, FlowRider surf machine, and hot tubs. The little ones will love the Jungle Falls and Leapin’ Lizards play areas. At two hours away, it’s a little on the far side for just a day, but if the plan is to go for a weekend in the Poconos and you’re looking for another activity for the kids, this is a great option.     

Sahara Sam’s Oasis

535 North Route 73, West Berlin, NJ

 

For a day of aquatic action, Sahara Sam’s Oasis can’t be beat. Four slides, a leisure pool, a lazy river, a FlowRider surf machine, aquatic jungle gym, activity pool with basketball hoops and balancing activities, and a pool just for toddlers round out all the activities. It’s super close — less than an hour away — and features a relaxed environment.          

DreamWorks Water Park

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ

 

DreamWorks Water Park, located within the American Dream shopping and entertainment complex, is the largest indoor water park in North America. With attractions inspired by DreamWorks movies, your kids will love spotting their favorite characters and settings throughout the park.

Water Parks in Resorts

If a getaway is in the plans for one of these frigid winter weekends, and each member of the family has a different idea of what he or she wants to do, one of these resorts might be the answer.

Island Waterpark at Showboat

801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ

 

Atlantic City’s indoor waterpark which opened last summer offers 11 slides, a 6,500 foot lazy river, and a wave pool, among tons of other fun activities for kids of all ages. The 21+ Paradise Adult Island is an oceanfront pool with swim-up bars for the ultimate relaxation for parents.

Aquatopia

Camelback Resort, 193 Resort Drive, Tannersville, PA 

 

For those who want the best of both worlds, aquatic fun in the morning and skiing or snowtubing in the afternoon, Camelback Resort‘s Aquatopia is a great option. Rated one of the top indoor waterparks in the country, Aquatopia is guaranteed to keep the kids busy and entertained. With 13 water slides, seven pools, a lazy river, hot tubs, and small-kid friendly zero-entry pools and activities, there’s tons to do. The temperature is kept at 84 degrees and the transparent roof allows the sun to shine in, so it might even feel like you’re someplace warm and sunny.

Kalahari Resorts

250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocono Manor, PA 

 

While you don’t have to stay the night, there’s so much to do that you might want to consider it at Kalahari, which is a resort inspired by African cultures. There are six exciting water slides, an aquatic jungle gym, a lazy river (and a smaller lazy river just for the preschool set), pools, hot tubs, a FlowRider, and a special pool with slides and activities for babies and preschoolers.  Outside of the water park, the resort has of a wide selection of restaurants, including a buffet, pizza place, tavern, café, and restaurant.

Great Wolf Lodge

1 Great Wolf Dr., Scotrun, PA

 

For a true vacation weekend, Great Wolf Lodge sets the standard for water parks. It’s the perfect weekend destination. The space is immense, with eight different water slides, activity pools, wave pool, hot tubs, lazy river, aquatic jungle gym with spilling bucket and much, much more. One of the newest attractions, slideboarding, combines gaming and water slide action for a truly unique experience.  Parents love Great Wolf Lodge for the attention to detail, the variety of activities inside and outside of the water park, and the friendly and helpful staff.

 

Photograph courtesy of Kalahari Resort.           

 

Becki Melchione contributed to the original version of this article.