In full disclosure, we were provided with meals, accommodations, and activities at the Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey to aid us in creating family travel stories to help you plan your family vacation to Crystal Springs Resort, a family-friendly New Jersey area resort in Sussex County, New Jersey.
This past November we enjoyed a special treat, a stay at the Crystal Springs Resort, one of New Jersey’s premier resorts for families. The Crystal Springs Resort has been on my family vacation bucket list ever since I first saw the images of the Biosphere online. It was definitely worth the wait. Despite visiting between seasons fall and winter, my boys and I found plenty of things to do with kids at Crystal Springs Resort. If you’re looking for a family vacation for your tweens or teens, then the Crystal Springs Resort is for you. Take a look!
13 Things to do with Kids At Crystal Springs Resort
Enjoy the amazing oasis that is the Grand Cascades Lodge Biosphere
This one of the must do things to do with kids at Crystal Springs Resort. This 10,000 square foot tropical indoor pool complex is unlike anything we’ve ever seen for a hotel pool.
The Biosphere Pool Complex Features:
- Heated indoor and outdoor freeform pool
- Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains
- Underground aquarium
- 140 foot water slide (48” is the height requirement to ride the Biosphere Slide)
- Grotto-like Jacuzzi ~ For the adults only, but it does overlook the pool.
- Cave-themed steam room & sauna
- The Biosphere Café featuring freshly made gelato, sandwiches, salads and imaginative tropical drinks every day.
See our Live video tour of the Grand Cascades Lodge Biosphere Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort
Hit a bullseye at the Grand Cascades Quarry Archery Range.
Take your best shot at the Crystal Springs Resort archery range, by the freshwater quarry. After a short free shuttle ride, we arrived at the quarry for a lesson in archery. This was incredibly fun. Our instructors Jake and Matt made sure we all learned and practiced archery safely. Between rounds of shooting off arrows, the instructors scored points talking with my boys about Pokemon. By the end of the lesson, we were all hitting several bullseyes. For an additional charge, guests 10 years old and older can participate in archery.
Archery is one of the many things to do with kids at the Crystal Springs Resort Grand Cascades Lodge.
Test out your kicking skills with a game of FootGolf.
When soccer meets golf you have one great way to burn off all that excess energy. It was cold on our visit, but I was not turning down an opportunity to let me boys run. They are skilled soccer players, but this game tested their skills in a new way. In FootGolf a soccer ball is used at the golf ball. Instead of putters you use your feet to kick the ball into a cup/hole that’s larger than your standard golf hole. I drove the golf cart as my boys ran across the fields attempting to get ball after ball into the hole. The Crystal Springs Resort FootGolf course offers 18 holes and is a short golf-cart ride or walk from the main building. Guests 6 years and older can reserve a time to play FootGolf for an additional fee.
Have you ever played golf by kicking a ball?
Go beginner against advanced in a game of Junior Golf and golf.
What’s junior golf? At Crystal Springs Resort families can play in the same rounds of golf together regardless of skill. Advanced players are challenged, while juniors have their own tees ahead of mom and dad! Oversized cups also make it easier for the beginners. Bonus points for Crystal Springs Resort having 4 seater golf carts to get around the course.
Take a walk on the self-guided nature trail.
This was on our list of Crystal Spring Resorts activities to do. The self-guided trail is described as a semi-strenuous walk through the woods overlooking the Wild Turkey Golf Course. Unfortunately, as we prepared to go out on the 3.2-mile hike it started to rain and we simply ran out of time to get back to it. But seeing what we have of the Crystal Spring Resort I’m sure the nature trail provides plenty of beautiful views. There’s no charge to use the trail.
Go sibling against sibling or parents against kids in a game of Laser Tag.
Laser tag is a game played with a harmless laser. Two teams battle to disarm their opponents and win. It’s a Crystal Springs Resort evening activity for ages 8 years old and older. There is a per person fee charged for each 30-minute session.
Wrap up your night around the fire with Moonlight & Marshmallows.
Every Friday and Saturday night, on the beautiful terrace that overlooks the property, the Grand Cascades Lodge serves up marshmallows. Marshmallows and sticks are complimenary and S’mores kits are available for purchase.
Get outdoors for lifesize versions of some of your favorite games.
Outdoor life-size chess, oversized dominos, yahtzee or scrabble sets can be played on lawn adjacent to the Biosphere Pool Complex. Another great way to keep the kids through teens active while at Crystal Springs Resort. There’s no charge to borrow what you need from the Biosphere ambassadors.
Test your observation skills in a Photo Scavenger Hunt.
Check in with the front desk staff and they can send your family out on a scavenger hunt during your stay. We discovered one of the clues way above our head while at the Biosphere. So make sure you look everywhere and high and low.
Yoga, tennis, Zumba there are so many ways to get out the wiggles at the Mineral’s Sport Club’s Kids Fitness Classes.
Guests of Minerals and the Grand Cascades Lodge, children, teens, and adults can take advantage of fitness classes at Minerals Sports Club for a fee.
A Trap & Skeet Range for the tweens and teens
A trap and skeet range offers a unique opportunity to participate in clay sports for guests 12 years and older.
Animal Shows
The Crystal Springs Resort offers live animal shows on weekends. For an hour of fun every Saturday at Grand Cascades Lodge animal experts from Eyes of the Wild, Rizzo’s Reptile Discovery and Space Farms Zoo bring animals for guests to learn about.
Family Entertainment Nights
Throughout the year the Crystal Springs Resort offers evening entertainers, Saturday mid-day shows and movies on the lawn in the warmer months.
Bonus seasonal activities at the Crystal Springs Resort
Depending on the season the Grand Cascades Lodge and Crystal Springs Resort will have a multitude of activities for your family to enjoy. You can learn more at their website www.crystalgolfresort.com/play/family.
Want to see more? Visit these Facebook Albums.
- Crystal Springs Resort – The Rooms, Restaurant, and Resort
- Crystal Springs Resort Activities
- Crystal Springs BioSphere Pool
Click over to see the rest of our Family Travel to Crystal Springs Resort series.
The Crystal Springs Resort is located at 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, New Jersey in Sussex County. You can learn more at their website, www.crystalgolfresort.com.