A Day of Family Fun at Kalahari Resort, Poconos By Suraj Sansi, Contributing Writer

Family Fun at Kalahari Resort, Poconos. Photo Suraj Sansi,

A Day of Family Fun at Kalahari Resort, Poconos

By Suraj Sansi, Contributing Writer

In the middle of a hectic week, my family and I carved out a rare Wednesday for something even rarer: uninterrupted fun together. We didn’t pack overnight bags or plan a long getaway. Instead, we headed to the Kalahari Resort in the Pocono Mountains for a day trip that managed to fit a full vacation’s worth of joy into just a few hours.

There were five of us: my wife, our one-year-old daughter Kiara, and my parents. Between work schedules, childcare, and caregiving, finding time for the five of us to unwind in the same place is no small feat. But the resort’s sprawling indoor waterpark—one of the largest in America—proved to be an ideal backdrop.

Mrs. Sansi and Kiara

First Impressions

We arrived mid-morning at the Kalahari Resort in Pennsylvania, welcomed by towering elephant statues and a lobby alive with movement. Kiara pointed and babbled the moment she saw the massive animal figure near the entrance, tugging us toward it with a kind of toddler urgency that set the tone for the day.

Although we were only visiting for the day, the staff treated us with the same warmth and efficiency as they would to overnight guests. With wristbands fastened and towels in hand, we made our way toward the waterpark.

Kiara with Papa Suraj. Photo Mrs. Sansi

Inside the Waterpark

Spanning more than 220,000 square feet, the indoor waterpark is an immersive space filled with slides, pools, lazy rivers, and splash zones. My wife and I took turns on thrill rides like the Barrelling Baboon, while my parents gravitated to the slower-paced Lazy River, content to float under waterfalls and past colorful murals.

Kiara found her happy place in Tiko’s Watering Hole, a toddler-friendly area outfitted with soft play surfaces, fountains, and mini-slides. Her joy was contagious—splashing, giggling, and trying to catch water droplets as if they were fireflies.

Lunch and Little Moments

For lunch, we stepped over to B-Lux Grill & Bar, one of several dining options inside the resort. I ordered a classic burger; my wife went with a grilled chicken salad. My parents split a trio of sliders, and Kiara stuck with mashed potatoes and soft bread, pounding her spoon like a tiny percussionist delighted by her culinary debut.

After lunch, we strolled through the resort’s Big Game Room Arcade, and paused at the souvenir shop where we picked up a plush elephant for Kiara—a gentle nod to the one that had first captured her imagination earlier that day.

A Midweek Reset

By late afternoon, our towels were damp, our fingers pruney, and our hearts full. Kiara, flushed from play, drifted off in her stroller, her hand still wrapped around her new toy.

We didn’t need a weekend or a long vacation to make memories. We just needed one day, the right setting, and each other. For my parents, it was a chance to relax and laugh. For my wife and me, a pause from the usual demands of parenting and work. And for Kiara, it was magic—a new world made of warm water, smiling faces, and the wonder of her very first waterpark.

To learn more, go to their website:  https://bit.ly/3HaJSuh