If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to spend time with your kids, there’s nothing quite like a trip to an amusement park. With thrilling rides like roller coasters, delicious food, and a festive atmosphere, amusement parks offer something for everyone. But with so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decide which parks are the best for kids. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the top amusement parks for kids, and explore what makes them such great destinations for family fun!
Disney World
Disney World is typically at the top of the list when it comes to amusement parks for families and little kids. Located near Orlando, Florida, Disney World has four parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Disney World is known for its themed attractions that are designed to appeal to kids’ imaginations. Whether it’s the classic rides like “It’s a Small World” or newer attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, both young kids and older children will love the opportunity to immerse themselves in their favorite movies and stories. Disney World is known for its high level of safety and security, which can give parents peace of mind when taking their kids to the park. The park has strict safety guidelines and protocols in place to ensure that everyone stays safe and has a great time. Overall, Disney World is a fantastic amusement park for kids because it offers an immersive and entertaining experience that is specifically designed to appeal to their interests and imaginations. And, if you’re closer to the West Coast of the US, then you have the option to visit Disneyland instead. Disneyland offers similar attractions, but also has a lot of unique experiences that can’t be found at Disney World.
LEGOLAND
Similar to the Disney Parks, LEGOLAND has locations in California and Florida. LEGOLAND is unique in several ways, which sets it apart from other theme parks. For example, LEGOLAND features attractions and rides that are built using LEGO bricks, including Miniland, which has iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, and the Empire State Building. This makes the park visually stunning and highly interactive for visitors. Unlike other theme parks that cater to all ages, LEGOLAND is specifically designed for children aged 2-12. The park features rides and attractions that are safe and age-appropriate, allowing children to have fun in a secure and playful environment. LEGOLAND offers educational experiences that teach children about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts. LEGOLAND also offers accommodations that are designed with LEGO themes, such as the LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Castle Hotel. These accommodations provide a unique and immersive experience for visitors, complete with LEGO-themed rooms, play areas, and activities. LEGOLAND provides a fun and engaging experience for children and families, with its LEGO-themed attractions, educational experiences, and focus on children’s safety and well-being. It is a unique destination that combines playfulness, creativity, and learning, making it an ideal choice for families with young children.
In addition to the two amusement parks, LEGO also has various Discovery Centers spread across the US. These are much smaller in scope, but provide a lot of interactive opportunities to play with LEGO bricks and see some amazing creations. You can do things like race LEGO cars, watch movies in their 4D cinema, and see stunning brick-built recreations of major American landscapes. So if you’re unable to visit a LEGOLAND park, check to see if there’s a Discovery Center near you where you can have a similar experience!
Sesame Place
Sesame Place is a water park and theme park located in Langhorne, PA. Another location has also opened in San Diego, CA. Sesame Place is a fun destination for young kids and families for several reasons. First, the parks are themed around beloved Sesame Street characters like Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster, which small children probably know and love. These characters come to life through live shows, parades, and meet and greets, creating an immersive and engaging experience. Secondly, the Pennsylvania park offers a variety of rides and attractions designed for young children, including gentle kiddie rides like “Bert and Ernie’s Slip and Slide” and “Big Bird’s Rambling River,” as well as more family options like the “Oscar’s Wacky Taxi” roller coaster. The California park has similar options, with “Elmo’s Rockin’ Rockets” and the “Sunny Day Carousel” providing gentle options, as well as a starter roller coaster in “Super Grover’s Box Car Derby.” In addition to these land and water rides, there are water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, a splash pad and many character experiences, Sesame Place offers a variety of entertainment options, including live shows, seasonal events, and special experiences like character dining. The park also features water attractions and play areas, making it a great destination for a summer day trip. Overall, Sesame Place offers a unique and fun experience for young children, combining beloved characters, fun rides and attractions, and engaging entertainment options.
Universal Studios
Depending on where you live, you may have the option to visit either Universal Studios in Hollywood or Orlando. Universal Studios Hollywood is a great destination for families because it provides a variety of attractions and experiences that cater to different age groups and interests. One of the main reasons why families enjoy visiting Universal Studios Hollywood is because of the thrilling rides. The park has a wide range of rides, from gentle to extreme, which means there is something for everyone. Some of the most popular rides include the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride 3D, and The Simpsons Ride. In addition to the rides, Universal Studios Hollywood also offers a range of interactive shows that are both entertaining and educational. Families can experience shows like WaterWorld, the Special Effects Show, and the Animal Actors Show, which provide a behind-the-scenes look at how movies are made. Food options are also plentiful at Universal Studios Hollywood. From quick snacks to full meals, the park offers everything from butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to classic American fare at Mel’s Diner. Finally, Universal Studios Hollywood hosts seasonal events such as Halloween Horror Nights, Grinchmas, and Lunar New Year, which provide families with a unique and exciting experience.
Universal Studios Florida is another popular theme park destination owned by Universal Parks & Resorts. It is located in Orlando, Florida, and is known for its movie-themed attractions, thrilling rides, and family-friendly experiences. Universal Studios Florida is home to a wide range of movie-themed attractions, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in their favorite films and TV shows. Some of the most popular attractions include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and The Simpsons Ride. Like Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida also has character encounters where visitors can meet and take photos with their favorite movie and TV show characters. Popular characters at the park include Harry Potter, the Transformers, the Minions, and the Simpsons. Overall, Universal Studios Florida offers a diverse range of attractions and experiences that cater to different age groups and interests. Whether you’re a movie buff, a thrill-seeker, or just looking for a fun day out with the family, Universal Studios is one of the best amusement parks to consider.
Six Flags
Six Flags is one of the most recognized amusement park companies, operating parks all over the United States. We’ve visited the Six Flags locations in California and Illinois and had a great time at each of them. While the parks and their thrill rides are primarily catered towards older kids, there are also many activities for younger children. Six Flags parks are often rated as some of the best theme parks in the world and they’re the perfect place to combine thrills, shows, interactive play and seasonal special events.
SeaWorld
There are three SeaWorld parks conveniently located in the west, central, and east United States, one in San Diego California, one in San Antonio Texas, and one in Orlando Florida. While all three SeaWorld parks offer a similar theme centered around marine life and conservation, there are some key differences between the parks. Firstly, the size and scope of the parks varies, with SeaWorld Orlando being the largest of the three, covering over 200 acres of land. SeaWorld San Diego, on the other hand, is more compact and located on the edge of the city, making it more accessible for visitors staying in the area. SeaWorld San Antonio falls somewhere in between, with a mid-sized park that offers a range of attractions for visitors.
Another key difference between the parks is the animal exhibits and shows that are available. Each park features different marine animals, with SeaWorld San Diego having a strong focus on orcas, dolphins, and sea lions, while SeaWorld Orlando has more diverse animal exhibits, including whales, manatees, and sharks. SeaWorld San Antonio also offers a range of marine animals, including beluga whales and penguins. The shows at each park also vary, with SeaWorld San Diego featuring shows like Orca Encounter while SeaWorld Orlando offers shows like One Ocean and Dolphin Days, and SeaWorld San Antonio offers shows like Killer Whales Up Close and “Pacific Point Preserve.” Overall, while each SeaWorld park offers a similar theme and experience, the differences in size, location, and animal exhibits make each park a unique destination worth exploring.
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is a great amusement park for the whole family because of its unique combination of thrill rides, animal exhibits, a train ride and cultural experiences. With roller coasters like the “Cheetah Hunt” and “SheiKra,” Busch Gardens offers plenty of excitement for adventurous kids. But the park also features a variety of animal exhibits where kids can learn about and interact with creatures like tigers, elephants, and giraffes. Additionally, Busch Gardens showcases cultural performances and events that give kids the opportunity to learn about different traditions and customs from around the world. All of these elements make Busch Gardens a well-rounded destination for family fun.
Cedar Point
We haven’t yet visited Cedar Point, but have heard so much about what a great place it is that we have to mention it here! Cedar Point amusement park is unique for several reasons. Firstly, it holds the record for the most roller coasters in a single park, with a total of 72 rides, including 18 world-class roller coasters. Some of the park’s most famous coasters include “Top Thrill Dragster,” which reaches speeds of up to 120 mph, and “Millennium Force,” which was the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster when it opened in 2000. Also, Cedar Point is located on a peninsula on Lake Erie in Ohio, offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding scenery. The park’s location also means that visitors can take advantage of nearby attractions like Cedar Point Beach and the Cedar Point Shores Water Park. In addition to its impressive coaster lineup and scenic location, Cedar Point offers a range of attractions for visitors of all ages, including live shows, family rides, and children’s play areas. The park also hosts seasonal events like HalloWeekends and Winter Chill Out, which offer unique experiences and entertainment. Ultimately Cedar Point is a unique and thrilling destination for coaster enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking for a fun and memorable amusement park experience.
The Family Fun Center Closest To You
If you’re not up for a trip to one of the big amusement parks in the US, then there’s a good chance that there is a family fun center or smaller theme park close to you! These smaller attractions usually have things like miniature golf, arcade games, laser tag, a zip line, or small boat rides. There may be a variety of kid-friendly rides or midway games where you could win prizes like in a carnival. Much fun can be had at these locations without spending as much to visit one of the larger amusement parks. So take a look at what’s close to you to see if you can have a great day out on a budget!
