Travel

Fact-checked

How Do I Choose the Best Amusement Park for Kids?

B. Miller

Last Modified Date: March 06, 2024

If you want to take younger kids to an amusement park, it will be necessary to do some research ahead of time to make sure they will enjoy it. When choosing an amusement park for kids, it is a good idea to begin by going to the specific amusement park's website, as many of them will have complete lists of rides and attractions, as well as height limits required and intended ages. This will help you to learn ahead of time if there are a number of rides that your kids will even be allowed to go on. Consider the other nearby attractions as well, and if they will match your child's interests.

When selecting an amusement park for kids, you may be able to find one the matches the child's specific interests. For instance, there are many specially themed amusement parks, such as parks that are built entirely around a favorite television show or brand of toys, where the characters from the television show will be present at the park. Storybook theme parks exist as well, in which favorite classic childhood stories are found in various ways throughout the park, in rides, attractions, or the various characters who are found there.

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing an amusement park for kids is safety. All theme parks have a place for kids to go if they become lost, and typically have park employees that are willing to help. However, amusement parks especially designed for younger kids often have additional safety features to ensure that kids are kept safe, particularly if they become separated from their families.

The price of attending an amusement park for kids is another consideration. As a general rule, it is a good idea to buy a day pass for a park if it is offered, which typically allows the holder to ride as many rides as desired for one price. If kids are especially nervous about rides, however, purchasing a few tickets might be a money-saver if the child decides he or she does not want to go on many rides.

Taking a break from all the rides to have some lunch or watch a show is a good idea as well. Some parents or caregivers find that it's a good idea to purchase tickets to one of the performances at an amusement park for kids, which are typically fairly common throughout the day. This gives kids a chance to take a break and sit down to rest for a while, even if they may not want to.

AS FEATURED ON:

Discussion Comments

chivebasil

June 20, 2012

There are not any amusement parks close to where I live but there are a few carnivals and fairs with rides that come through each year. My son is just getting to the age when he is big enough to ride some of the rides but I am just not sure that they are safe. How do I know that the ride is safe for a child as small as him? Furthermore, how do I make sure that the ride is safe generally? You hear about carnival accidents and they sound just horrible.

Ivan83

June 19, 2012

It is not so much a matter of picking the right amusement park as picking the right time to go to the amusement park. Find a day when it will not be too hot or crowded and when you will have the time to spend at least 5 or 6 hours at the park. You want to get your money's worth and most kids are not content to ride a ride just once, they want to go over and over again.

If you are going to go all the way out to the park and pay the oftentimes ridiculous admission prices you might as well make sure that it will be the best experience possible.

summing

June 18, 2012

Many amusement parks have only a very limited selection of rides that are suitable for children. It may not be worth your time and money to get the whole family together and plan a day at the amusement park only to find out that your child can barely ride any of the rides.

Check out the park's website or call ahead before you go. As I say, some parks have a limited selection but others have entire sections of the park dedicated only to young children.