When I tell people I have four daughters, I hold my breath and wait for the inevitable comments and questions that follow. Our family’s size naturally leads to many birthday parties every year—four to be exact, plus various family celebrations. Over the years, the themes and ideas have started to feel a little redundant, and it’s hard to keep the creative spark alive when you feel like you've "done it all."
So when my soon-to-be 12-year-old daughter, Charlotte, came to me and announced, “I want a sleepover party at a hotel,” I thought about it for a moment. While I could certainly take her to any hotel locally, I couldn’t help but wonder—how would I keep the girls entertained? That’s when I remembered a trip we had taken to The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Water Park a few years ago. The resort’s waterpark had left such an impression on me, and I realized it was the perfect solution to make this birthday party epic.
The Waterpark
The Kartrite’s waterpark is the main attraction, and for good reason. With over 80,000 square feet of indoor water attractions, the fun never stops, rain or shine. The waterpark features everything from thrilling slides to a lazy river, catering to all ages. My favorite part, however, is the indoor/outdoor hot tub. After hours of watching the girls splash around, I found it to be the perfect place to unwind. The warm water combined with the fresh air made it incredibly relaxing, and it was the ideal spot to recharge before the next round of excitement.
The Cabana
To make the day even easier, we booked a cabana as our base camp. The cabana offered a great homebase for the girls to gather, dry off, and enjoy food and drinks throughout the day. We employed a buddy system so they could explore the waterpark with some independence, always knowing where to check in. As any parent knows, it’s easy to go overboard with treats when you’re away from home, so I definitely allowed more snacks and soda than I normally would. Shh… don’t tell the other parents!
Accommodations
As much as I wanted to give Charlotte some autonomy with her friends, I also wanted to keep an eye on them. So, we booked adjoining rooms. Charlotte and her friends got to feel all grown-up in their own room, while my husband, myself, and our other daughters stayed in a Family King Bunk Suite. This suite is perfect for families with kids—it’s 500 square feet and comes with a king-size bed, a sleeper sofa, and a separate room with two sets of bunk beds. It gave us all space to relax while still being close enough to check on the girls.
Dining
When it comes to dining, The Kartrite makes it incredibly easy. We had several dining options right on site. The resort has a full-service restaurant for sit-down meals, but with the waterpark’s busy schedule, we opted for the fast food options available within the park itself. It made mealtime a breeze, and the girls loved grabbing a quick bite between their adventures.
Arcade and Attractions
After a day of swimming, we headed down to the arcade for some fun. I purchased an Ultimate Indoor Fun Package, which gave the girls credits they could split however they wanted. Some opted to play video games, while others got into the Escape Cube or tried their hands at Carabiners, a daring ropes course. There was something for everyone, and it was a great way to keep kids of different ages entertained.
Take Two: A Waterpark Double Feature
The next morning, after a night of staying up way too late, we geared up for round two. The Kartrite offers two days of waterpark admission with room rentals, so we made the most of it by requesting a late check-out. We went straight back down to the waterpark to do it all over again—more slides, more fun, and more time to bond. By the afternoon, we were all sufficiently worn out. We packed up and hit the road to head home.
This birthday party is one Charlotte—and all of us—won’t forget anytime soon. It was a perfect blend of relaxation, excitement, and family fun, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate my daughter’s special day.
Learn More About The Kartrite
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark offers an unforgettable experience for guests of all ages.For more details on booking your own getaway, visitthekartrite.com. Located at 555 Resort Drive, Monticello, NY.
“The best part of having my birthday party at The Kartrite was going down all of the fun slides with my friends.” - Charlotte Slowinski