While college kids try to snag a few extra bucks from mom and pop to fund their spring break vacation, littler kids might actually have it easier, with parents happily making all the arrangements for a spring break vacation getaway to Wisconsin Dells. We’re famous for having water parks of all varieties, making us a family spring break frontrunner. For a fun look at how the Dells matches up with the college version, activity by activity, read on.

Bask

Wisconsin Dells indoor water park hotels keep the thermostat set in the balmy 80 degree-range, with the threat of inclement weather.

Tan

When the sun is out, the high-tech roof over the Wild Waterdome at the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort allows families to tan year-round. So slather on the sunscreen before you hit the wave pool.

Surf

Try the FlowRider® indoor surf machine at the Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center. Water shoots upward at 50,000 gallons per minute to create a five-foot wave, giving it a feel of the real deal.

Hang Out at a Cabana

The Dells’ largest indoor water parks have private cabanas for rental and they come loaded with amenities for families, like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and cabana staff at your beck and call.

Compete

Race against family and friends on the Mountain Edge Raceway racing slides at Great Wolf Lodge, the nation's first indoor competitive mat racer waterslides, where you’ll launch headfirst down the four-story slide. Older kids will surely want to try one of the enclosed dark tunnels. The Matador Mat Racers at Chula Vista Resort’s indoor waterpark are a blast for families too.

Pose

Get that old-timey feeling going with a family portrait at Old Abe’s Old Time Portraits in Downtown Dells.

Eat Whatever You Want

Load up on sweets at Goody Goody Gum Drop or Swiss Maid Fudge or Wisconsin Dairyland Fudge. Heck, buy something at all three. And no Wisconsin Dells spring break vacation is complete without some cheese from Market Square Cheese.

Shop

Pick out a new swimsuit at Splish Splash Surf & Skate Shop. Moccasins all around at Bailey’s Landing. For souvenirs, it’s Aunt Jenny’s Got-It-All Store.

Be Entertained

Master illusionists Rick and Suzan Wilcox wow family crowds with their mix of magic and comedy, as good as anything you’ll see in Vegas, at their Rick Wilcox Magic Theater. The Dells 4D Special FX Theater is another family-friendly option, with blockbusters themed to dinosaurs, pirates and fairies.

Golf

We’re talking 18 holes of mini-golf indoors at the Kalahari Indoor Theme Park. You’ll also find 24 lanes of bowling, an elevated go-cart track, ropes course, climbing walls, laser tag and arcade games here. There’s go-carting aplenty at the Parthenon Indoor Theme Park at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Parks and Knuckleheads Bowling & Amusement Park as well.

Snag a Package Deal

Wisconsin Dells hotels all around love the spring break vacation craze, so ask about special overnight packages when you call for reservations.