Your Perfect Stay & Play in Splashin’ Safari

A St. Louis Mom’s Itinerary.

There’s a rhythm to summer that catches you off guard.

The kind of day where time slows down, sunscreen lingers on your skin, and laughter bounces off the water like music. It was one of those rare days where the mood, the moments, and the magic all showed up at once. We were fully present — and exactly where we needed to be.

I’m so excited to share our Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Trip Itinerary complete with mom-hacks and meaningful moments that made it one of the sweetest highlights of our summer.

What We Packed (and Almost Forgot)

With three kids in tow, packing smart is everything.

• Water shoes
• Swimsuits + change of clothes
• Small stroller fan
• Wet/dry bag
• THE WAGON

Trust me — the park is huge. Bring wheels.

While outside snacks and drinks aren’t allowed, Splashin’ Safari more than makes up for it with free unlimited drinks like soda, Gatorade, and ice cold water.

Mom tip: The Oasis drink stations are fully air-conditioned and offer the perfect mini reset when the heat kicks in.

Day 1: Arrival & Adventure

We checked into The Hampton Inn in Jasper, Indiana then started our trip with a 5:00 PM reservation, just down the street at The Broken Tee — a fun family spot featuring a golf simulator and arcade-style games to help everyone unwind post-road trip.

Then, we wandered over to The Jasper Riverwalk and Dave Buehler Park for some fresh air and wide-open play before bedtime. It was a relaxed, kid-approved start to our adventure.

Day 2: Playful Mornings & Park Magic

We started our morning at The Playce – Play Cafe just minutes from our hotel, a local gem just minutes from our hotel. Designed for kids 0–8, it blends open-ended, screen-free play with a calm café vibe. The kids were fully immersed while we enjoyed a Marshmallow Latte and Americano.

By late morning, we were headed to Holiday World, and tackled Frightful Falls and The Legend with hardly any wait. For our toddler, Holidog’s FunTown was a big hit — complete with a mini coaster and splash pad.

Everyone had their moment — whether it was racing down a slide, floating in the lazy river, or grabbing a cold drink in the shade.

The park was spotless, well-organized, and we felt completely safe letting the kids explore. It’s the kind of place that takes the pressure off and lets you just be a family, having fun together.

We wrapped the evening with dinner at Retro Mexican and The Parklands, a gorgeous green space just minutes from the hotel — a perfect way to wind down and watch the sunset.

Day 3: Storybooks & Splashin’ Safari

Our morning began at the Jasper Library, where a Candy Land-themed activity zone gave the kids space to explore and unwind. It was the perfect quiet moment before diving into another water-filled adventure.

Back at Splashin’ Safari, we spent the afternoon exploring some of our favorites:

• Kima Bay
• Bahari River
• The Wave
• Tembo Tides & Tembo Falls

We found a set of shaded lawn chairs tucked under Cheetah Chase, which gave us the perfect place to regroup, dry off, and relax while the kids refueled. Highly recommend the Mango Margarita from Liki Tiki (located next to The Wave.)

What We’ll Remember Most

Yes, the rides were incredible. Yes, the free drinks and shaded rest zones were total lifesavers. But what I’ll remember most?

The look on my kids’ faces — wide-eyed, soaked, and shouting “again!” as we raced back for one more turn.

If you’re planning a visit: pack light, stay flexible, and don’t stress about doing it all. (There’s so much to do, and that’s the fun of it.)

Download our Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Trip Itinerary here— but remember…

The magic lives in the moments you don’t plan – the impromptu funnel cake stop, wave pool giggles, quiet stroller snuggles, and the rush of tipping over the top of Frightful Falls.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari gave us more than a vacation. It gave us a camera roll of core memories we’ll look back on forever.

Until Next Time,

Jamie Lee & Family