Toddler time is one of those activities that we do twice a year. We take a day off and go to the water park when it’s not bombarded with kids, like the weekend, and spend the early afternoon sliding, playing in waves and running through the kids area (which has quite an impressive slide itself).
How much is Toddler Time?
Toddler time is $20/adult + toddler (five and under) and you’re going to need equal amounts of kids + parents to take advantage of this lower price. Admission is valid between noon and three, Monday to Thursday, but you can stay as late as you want in the park. If you do stay later, there are often more slides that are opened later in the day.
The lockers can be expensive ($12) – we’ve avoided this cost in the past bringing along everything that we’ve needed and stashed it in the stroller, that doubled as a place for very young children to have a little nap while the older ones enjoy the fun. We just left the things we didn’t want to leave in the stroller, car keys, phones, locked in the vehicle (even the car keys if we’re driving our vehicle with keyless entry).
Tips for Toddler Time
Toddler time is not available throughout the summer, and only available Monday to Thursday. It’s not usually very busy, but there are a few things you should know to make it easier.
For adventurous children you might want to show up a little later in the admission hours (12-3) because more slides seem to be open later in the day. The easy slides, the orange slides, with shallow bottoms are often open when we go, but we’ve got an adventurous five year old who goes on the blue bullet, which we usually find opens later in the day.
Early naps are key for toddler time. We do naps at 11 am and go to Toddler Time after nap time (when we’re bringing along young toddlers). This way, they’re going to have the energy to run and play, without crashing and turning into a hot mess during the regular nap time.
Use the bracelets that can be loaded with cash if you plan on using the concession inside. As part of our day out, we usually just eat before we go (grab something at the food court in West Edmonton Mall) because the kids aren’t usually keen on eating while we’re there. The bracelets do come in handy to grab some water, or a popsicle while you’re playing in the water.
Children two and under are free so if you’re bringing along a kid five and under for toddler time, and a kid under two, you’re good to go with one parent.
Always Call before you go to make sure that toddler time is going on – if you don’t you’ll show up expecting to pay toddler time prices, and come out with $100+ spent on a day at the Waterpark (Yes, this happened to our disorganized selves). Or, you can check the calendar on the West Edmonton Mall website.
It’s cold in there so if you get cold easily (or if you’re bringing along an infant or young toddler) bring along a hooded towel or long sleeve rashguard swimsuits to make the temperature a little more accommodating.
Toddler time is an easy (and inexpensive) day out with the kids at West Edmonton Mall. It’s available for the Water park and Galaxyland, so check it out while it’s still inexpensive for the kids.