First things first—HOW COOL IS IT that your admission ticket to Silverwood Theme Park also gets you into Boulder Beach Water Park? That’s right—you get two epic parks for the price of one!

If you’re anything like us (or should I say, like my toddler), picking just one side is simply not an option. So, let’s talk about what to pack to make the most of both sides of the park—without losing your mind (or your kid’s shoes).

Before we jump into the packing list, here’s a quick pro tip we swear by: As soon as we enter the park, we make a beeline for the table just across the train tracks (right near the stroller rentals). There, you can grab two super helpful things:

1. A phone number wristband—just write your number on it and pop it on your kiddo’s wrist in case you get separated.

2. A height wristband—they’ll measure your child once, and this wristband saves time by letting them hop on rides without needing to be re-measured at every attraction.

Quick, easy, and totally worth the two-minute stop!

Dry Park First, Water Park Later? Here’s Why We Love That Flow

You can hop back and forth between Silverwood and Boulder Beach all day long. We usually start on the dry side because mornings tend to be cooler, and nothing feels better than splashing down in Boulder Beach once the afternoon heat kicks in.

Also important: shoes are required for everyone in the dry park—even babies! Don’t leave your little one disappointed when their baby sibling prevents them from riding the antique cars because you forgot shoes for their baby sister like we did. 😅 Trust us on this one: pack the baby shoes!

🧳 What to Pack for a Day at Silverwood & Boulder Beach

Make your day smoother with this Silverwood family packing list:

• 👟 Shoes (for everyone—even babies!)
• 🧴 Sunscreen
• 🚼 Stroller or wagon (bonus points for an umbrella or shade)
• 🤱 Baby-wearing carrier (for little ones who’d rather be held than ride in the stroller/wagon!)
• 🧻 Towels
• 💦 Life jacket/Puddle Jumper (optional, Coast Guard-approved only)
• 🧢 Hats
• 👕 Change of clothes (don’t forget underwear!)
• 🩱 Swimsuits (if not already wearing)
• 🧊 Soft-sided cooler (within size limits)
• 🥪 Lunch & snacks (tons available to buy if preferred)
• 🍼 Extra swim diapers & regular diapers
• 📱 Waterproof phone pouch (optional, but handy)

👣 Let’s Talk SHOES (Yes, Even Baby’s!)

Everyone needs to wear shoes in the dry park—it’s required. Even our under-1 baby had to have shoes on to ride! So don’t forget those adorable little baby sneakers that rarely get used—today’s the day!

🔎 Note: Once you switch to Boulder Beach, check each water attraction—some don’t allow water shoes, so be flexible!

🛞 Stroller or Wagon? YES, Please!

Good news: wagons are allowed in the park—and we bring ours every single time. It hauls our gear, kids, snacks, and is also perfect for the beach or local lakes if you’re exploring more of North Idaho.

💡 Pro tip: If your wagon has a clip-on umbrella or sunshade, you’re winning. Shade can be scarce, and the wagon becomes a cozy nap spot for your little ones when they’re all tuckered out. It’s one of our favorite mid-day parenting hacks!

Stroller or wagon not your thing? No worries, there are lockers available to rent! 

🍔 Let’s Talk Food

A soft-sided cooler (12x12x12 or smaller) is allowed—and I highly encourage bringing one. Not only will it save you money, but it’s also super helpful for storing leftovers if you eat at the park.

As a food allergy family, we always pack a lunch and plenty of snacks. That said, there are definitely allergy-friendly options available (check out this blog about allergies), and if you’re not packing food, there are tons of places in the park to grab lunch and snacks. (Silverwood Conductor-Alyssa always covers the best places to eat and these twins have the full scoop on the best sweets inside Silverwood—worth a look!)

For this particular trip?
Yes, we packed sandwiches…
BUT the turkey leg was calling my name and I couldn’t resist. It’s always my go-to indulgence at theme parks. What’s yours? (Seriously—comment below!)

Honestly, the turkey leg paired perfectly with the sides we brought, and I even considered tearing up the sandwich and putting some of that turkey in it instead. Savage? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely. 😋

One important note—NO GLASS is allowed in the park.
We’re a pretty plastic-free household, so we swapped in some stainless steel snack and lunch containers, and they worked perfectly.

Also:

• • Bring reusable water bottles—there are spots to fill them up throughout the park.

  • Thinking about grabbing a slushy or adult beverage? Souvenir cups might be worth it!

• Pro tip: Toss some freezer pops in your cooler. They’re the perfect cool-down treat and help keep everything else chilled. You can even store them in an insulated bottle or thermos to keep them frozen longer.

💦 Life Jackets + Swim Diapers

• You don’t need to bring a life jacket, but they’re available first come, first serve at Boulder Beach.

• That said, we prefer our own Puddle Jumper—my toddler floats better and stays longer in the lazy river (my happy place).

• Bringing your own? Make sure it’s Coast Guard-approved—they’ll check it at security.

• Swim diapers: Bring multiples. Even reusable ones can get… messy. Better safe than soggy.
  

👚 Change of Clothes Hack

If you’re spending the whole day, bring jammies to change the kids into before heading home. Yes, they’ll be sticky and sun-kissed, but they’ll crash in the car—and you’ll thank yourself at bedtime.

If you’re doing a half-day and it’s around nap time when you leave, plan an outfit that’s car-nap-friendly. My kid doesn’t even make it to the highway before he’s out cold!

🎒 Also, if you’re wearing a swimsuit into the park, don’t forget to pack your undergarments for later.

🧼 Forget Something? Don’t Stress!

Honestly? I’ve almost forgotten something on purpose just to have an excuse to buy the adorable puddle jumpers, swimsuits, and reusable swim diapers they sell in the park. No shame in a last-minute splurge!

Wrap-Up: Make Your Silverwood Day a Splashing Success

Whether you’re heading to Silverwood Theme Park, Boulder Beach Water Park, or both—a little planning goes a long way. With this packing list and a little prep, you’ll be free to focus on what really matters: making memories with your family.

Got a favorite snack, ride, or park hack? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear how you do a Silverwood and Boulder Beach day!

MEET THE CONDUCTOR

I’m Bri, a “stay-at-home mom,” though I’m hardly ever at home! My routine involves getting out of the house every morning by 10 a.m. with my kids to go play in our community. Honestly, I’d go crazy if I stayed home all day. There are too many opportunities in our area to miss out on and too many life experiences to have outside the house!
A little background: I’m a former teacher and school administrator who started staying home in 2022 after our first son was born. In those roles, I was often called the “energy bunny” because I loved making learning fun for my students and bringing joy to my staff as a vice principal. Despite juggling many tasks, I always had plenty of energy and wanted to make the most of each day. Becoming a mom was a game-changer in the best way. Teaching and administration had been my life, but I knew I wanted to stay home with my kids, and I’m so grateful I can! My hobbies—gardening, skiing, wakeboarding, camping, sewing, and anything outdoors—had to shift as I learned how to incorporate a baby into my activities.
I quickly immersed myself in the “mom” community and found myself naturally stepping into an organizing role. In the summer of 2024, Playtopia was born when I started hosting playdates and larger public events, like park building activities, art sessions, and STEAM nights. What began as small get-togethers with friends, grew into a place for families to connect with one another and build community.

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