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great wolf lodge: learning and loving family time

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great wolf lodge | learning and loving family time | teachmama.com

For years and years and years and years now, my kids have asked to go to Great Wolf Lodge.

Really.

And for whatever reason, we never made the time.

Not that we’ve been sitting around here, twiddling our thumbs or anything. We’ve got a pretty packed schedule.

But we never set aside the time to find a date that worked, find a package that worked, or find families with whom we could coordinate our travels.

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.comgreat wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

This fall, however, we were invited to visit Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, VA, and though we just snuck away for one night, it was so worth our time.

I am not going to dwell on the past and wish we would have visited before we did; instead, I’m going to be honest when I say that our 11, 10, and 8 year old enjoyed it so very much that we are 100% planning a return trip again soon.

The learning that happens there is rockstar. And the family time is really priceless.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Great Wolf Lodge–Learning and Loving Family Time:

I’ll be honest when I say that our trip to Great Wolf Lodge didn’t exactly come at a great time; Maddy fractured her wrist just days before our trip. (Boo.)

And we’re a water-loving family. The slides, lazy river, wave pool–all of it–were highlights for my kids before we even left.

The great thing is that we made it work.

And there are about 50 million other things to do for kids broken arm or not. Tons of cool ways to sneak in some learning in the name of fun.

Here are just a few:

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.comgreat wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

  • Great Clock Tower Show: Ours was a Halloween-themed experience, complete with decorations, characters, and more. The cool thing is that any time of the year, there’s a different theme. Super fun!

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge  learning and loving family time  teachmama.com

great wolf lodge  learning and loving family time  teachmama.com

great wolf lodge  learning and loving family time  teachmama.com

  • MagiQuest: This? I wish we would have set aside more time for this, and I secretly wish that we would have invested in a wand for Maddy and Cora. Only Owen bought a wand–with his birthday money–for this adventure. It took us just a tiny bit of time to get the hang of it, but after we did, Owen and Maddy were totally hooked. We did this on our second morning (our last day) while Cora and my husband went back to the water park. There’s a lot of reading, strategizing, and planning with this game, and there are so many ‘quests’ that it honestly could have taken us the whole weekend to complete. The great thing is that next time we return, we’ll bring the wand and pick up where we left off! ย (There is a cost for this.)

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

  • Ten Paw Bowling: The kids loved this–it’s a kid-sized bowling, and it’s really affordable. No bowling shoes. No heavy bowling balls. Just come as you are, and try to learn a little about bowling!ย (There is a cost for this.)

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge  learning and loving family time  teachmama.com

great wolf lodge  learning and loving family time  teachmama.com

  • Hower’s Peak Rope Course: This? Totally awesome. It’s a ropes course unlike anything we had done before. ย Our guides were great and were so patient with us, making sure that we were all attached properly and knew what to do. Unlike our Harper’s Ferry Adventure Center experience, this one keeps you attached, or tethered?, the entire time. ย I made the mistake of following Cora straight to the top right off the bat, which I wouldn’t do again. It was way to scary for me–so I followed her, did one challenge, and then went down and off. I am more comfortable with my feed on the ground, I think. Anyway, the kids–and my husband–were pushed, were excited, and were challenged the whole time. They loved this, and I love how they all learned a little bit about themselves along the way.

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.comgreat wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

  • Clubhouse Crew: Kids make a stuffed friend–one of the Great Wolf Lodge characters–and then they go through an interactive adventure with it! In the store, around the lodge, and all around kids will go, doing their best to solve puzzles and help find a lost friend. (There is a cost for this.)
  • Activities in the lobby: Stories, songs, and dance parties–almost any time of the day!

great wolf lodge  learning and loving family time  teachmama.com

great wolf lodge  learning and loving family time  teachmama.com

great wolf lodge  learning and loving family time  teachmama.com

great wolf lodge  learning and loving family time  teachmama.com

great wolf lodge learning and loving family time teachmama.com

 

  • Of course, the Water Park!! Really, everything you want to Swim, Splash, and Slideย the entire time is right here in the lodge. I am honestly pretty disgusted by water parks, I’ll admit it. I am intolerant of gross on the floor, gross smells, and gross pools. The water park at Great Wolf Lodge was clean. It was safe. It smelled fine. And it was safe. Did I mention ‘safe’? The lifeguards were non-stop moving, watching, and keeping a close eye on the pools and swimmers.

Check out all of our photos from the weekend. It was such an unforgettable time:

 

Interested in heading over to Great Wolf Lodge for yourself? Like I said, each holiday they run a ton of specials and cool activities, but here’s what’s coming up:

great wolf lodge: learning and loving family time | collage

Snowland:

From November 28th to January 3rd, Great Wolf hosts its annual Snowland celebration, where they turn each resort into a winter wonderland complete with indoor snow showers, spectacular decorations, visits from Santa Clause, โ€œPolar Wolfโ€ Walks, Santaโ€™s Letter Depot, a Great Clock Tower Howl-iday Show, and more. Family suites that sleep four start at $199 per night and include water park admission.

Snowland Suites:

New in 2015, Great Wolf Lodge is launching Snowland Suites available at all 12 resorts (spanning Grand Mound, Washington, to Pocono Mountains, PA) complete with twinkling garland, a decorated tree, oversized snowflakes and a commemorative Snowland throw blanket that is yours to keep and a complimentary copy of the winter story book, Unique as a Snowflake. To up the holiday ante, Wiley the Wolf will also be hand delivering cookies to each Snowland Suite booked. While supplies last, add $40 to your booking for a Snowland Suite.

Gingerbread House:

Families are also invited to celebrate the magic of the season by dining inside the worldโ€™s only life-size, dine-in gingerbread house. Great Wolf Lodge has partnered with Just Born, makers of PEEPS, Mike and Ikes and Hot Tamales, to create each gingerbread house. Featuring more than 5,000 candies, 600 pounds of gingerbread dough and 1,320 pounds of sugar, each house will be baked, iced and candied to perfection, providing the setting for a memorable holiday feast. The appetizing walls of the lodge-baked abode have as much heart as taste as the proceeds for each meal goes to Ronald McDonald House Charities across the country (guests pay a $10 โ€œsitting feeโ€). Over the past three years, Great Wolf has raised $65K for charity from their Snowland fundraising efforts.

 

What do you think? Have you been there? What was your experience? Do you have any questions for me? Let me know!

 

fyi: My family and I were invited to visit Great Wolf Lodge forย theย Howl-O-Ween is a seasonal celebration and share our experience. We had an absolute blast. As always, my opinions and ideas here are all my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator and my my three little Howl-O-Ween loving kids.

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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Celebrate, we will! โ€˜Cause life is short but sweet for certain. . . 

What a weekend. So incredibly proud of all of these talented athletes!

๐Ÿ† 3rd in the state of Maryland for @sherwoodcheerleading ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿค

UMD Womenโ€™s Basketball won todayโ€” great job by @marylandcheer โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค

#lovethesegirls #cheerweekend #marylandlife #lifeinmaryland #moco
View
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This Sugarfina Advent Calendar is what your teens want. 

$33 shipped TO YOUR DOOR w my 10% off and FREE SHIPPING!

Normally itโ€™s $60! 

I have been sharing my fave, super-COOL, Advent Calendars for teens and adults in my stories today!

This one right here was ours from last year, and we โค๏ธ LOVED it!

It is made by @sugarfina and each day we were surprised with FABULOUS sweet treats! 

Good-bye to the ole, crappy, tinfoil chocolates. Weโ€™re taking fun, new, and different candies each day of the month!

Grab it here: zulily.gfpv.net/MX9Ngn

#linkinbio @zulily #adventcalendars #adventforteens
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Hey #MoCo Voters, Itโ€™s #ElectionDay2022! 

Do you need a ride to the polls? If you do, @VOTE411 and @lyft has got you covered! 

So, #NoExcuses. Get out there and make your voice heard!

#VotePlan #VoteReady #expectus #MomsDemandAction #appleballot #MCEA
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Get out and VOTE. 

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Did you have a chance to join my IG live today?

It was a rainy, gross Sunday here in Maryland, and I shared one of my top picks for the holidaysโ€”> LEGO but for BIG KIDS. 

Or GRANDPARENTS. 

Or PARENTS. 

Actually ANY grown-up who likes to unplug once in a while and CREATE. 

I showed how I was doing with the LEGO Flower Bouquet (๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŒผ) and how many other awesome sets are 15% off and FREE SHIPPING (yayyyyy!!) over on @zulily ๐Ÿ’œ. 

Check it out. Theyโ€™ve got a ton of sets to choose from, like 
Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Friends, Disney, Mario Brosโ€”you name it. 

Find them here: https://zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

Fab prices + free shipping = BIG WIN. 

#linkinbio #ad #LEGOforgrownups #everyonelovesLEGO #holidaypicks
View
Open
LEGO at 15% off and FREE SHIPPING! 

Check out the AWESOME set that is PERFECT for teens, grandparents, and ANY grownup who likes to create! 

This bouquet will last forever!

๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’

Use this link โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

#bestgiftsforkids #grandparentgifts #ad #LEGOforgrownups @zulily
View
Open
WHAT HAS ARRIVED FROM @zulily !?

Since Zulily carries such a vast array of items, it could be ANYthing: 

๐Ÿ’œ boutique-style clothes or shoes

๐Ÿค brand-name clothing & shoes

๐Ÿ’œ toys

๐Ÿค books or magazines 

๐Ÿ’œ pantry items, snacks, & treats

๐Ÿค haircare or cosmetics 

๐Ÿ’œ pet toys, treats, or accessories 

๐Ÿค personalized gifts

๐Ÿ’œ houseplants, seeds, or bulbs

๐Ÿค basics for kids through adults

๐Ÿ’œ craft supplies and kits

๐Ÿค furniture or home goods

๐Ÿ’œ designer handbags, sunglasses, or belts

๐Ÿค luxury items and gifts

๐Ÿ’œ sports equipment 

๐Ÿค sports gear for ALL fansโ€”NFL, MLB, NCAA, you name it

๐Ÿ’œ small appliances & kitchen items

๐Ÿค towels, sheets, blankets, linens

๐Ÿ’œ home storage & organization items

๐Ÿค coats, hats, scarves 

๐Ÿ’œ just about anything you can imagine!

Follow my stories for the deals and steals for families and educators, or check the Zulily Highlight!

Especially nowโ€”as we move into the exciting holiday seasonโ€”I will more frequently share items, and they will MOVE QUICKLY! 

So make sure you are checking in regularly, and pleaseโ€”if you are looking for specific items and a specific price point, let me know! 

I am happy to do some research to help you out!

๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ

#zulilypartner #linkinbio #ad #holiday #giftgiving bestgifts

Want to check it out for yourself? zulily.gfpv.net/teachmama
View
Open
๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸฅ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸจ

THE best toy for kidsโ€”and classrooms!โ€”is on sale right now. 

The 101-piece PicassoTile Building Set (WITH CARRYING CASE!)
is only $34.99 on Zulily WITH an extra 15% off!

Stock upโ€”think: teachers, daycare providers, classrooms!
AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

This is a toy that I cannot recommend highly enoughโ€”perfect for littles through elemor middle school. 

From a tween I know and love: The *click* of the magnetic blocks is so satisfying, and honestly, theyโ€™re just really fun and relaxing to use. 

๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸช๐ŸŸง๐ŸŸฉ

hereโ€™s the link that will get you AN ADDITIONAL 15% off โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/JrDdbE

And remember: FREE SHIPPING ON orders of $89+

#ad #linkinbio #besttoysforkids #dealoftheday

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