Taking Your Small Child To The Amusement Park (or the Zoo or anywhere)

I think a lot of parents out there are very excited about getting to take their children to an amusement park. It's natural and done right it can be a lot of fun. It can also be very, very stressful for both the parents and the children. Whether you are going to Disneyland or the local fair there are things you can do to make sure both you and your smaller children have a great time.

1. They will be overwhelmed. The sites, the sounds, the food and the characters, it will be a lot for any kid to take in. Let them take it in. Don't be pushy. If a character or situation is stressful to them don't force them into it thinking they will enjoy it. In my younger days I worked in a mall. Parents would force children to sit on Santa's lap. All it created was unneeded stress. Forcing a child to meet any character in any park for the sake of a picture just isn't worth it.

2. They'll do it when they are ready. I waited a long time for my son to be tall enough to ride the roller coasters with me. He is a roller coaster riding fool now, but it wasn't always like that. Likewise with my daughter. Even once she was tall enough she didn't want to ride everything she could. This is one of my big mistakes in trying to force her to ride. Let me tell you from experience, don't bargain, don't demand, don't cajole them into doing it. You will just ruin their time and frustrate you both.

 Disneyworld 2012 ~ You can't tell by the picture, but my baby is terrified!

3. Let them dress up. My daughter usually goes to Six Flags dressed as wonder woman and not just around Halloween. She absolutely loves wonder woman. This is your kids day. She feels great seeing pictures of Wonder Woman everywhere and it makes her special day even more special. Random people give her high fives and make her the center of attention. You don't have to go that far of course, but let them wear what they want.

4. Let them have their fun. My daughter loves playgrounds. Even in a park full of mechanical rides if there is a playground their we are going to be playing on it for a couple hours. She can also fixate on a ride she likes. She will ride the same ride five or six times in a row. She probably rode the Boot Scoot at Six Flags Over Texas a hundred times last summer. So what if your kid doesn't go on every ride they are able to do? Which memory would you rather your child have in the long run; a miserable time being forced to go on everything, or an amazing fun memory of doing what they wanted? This was a hard one for me for a long time.

5. Take a break. Time at an amusement park is limited. Especially if its going to be your only trip, but forcing a killer pace on children big or small will make everyone grouchy. Rest and relax. Your small child might even require a nap in a stroller. If they are walking make sure you remember their legs are small then yours. They will have trouble keeping up and they will get tired quicker then you do. I still carry my youngest on my shoulders a lot of the time, but breaks are mandatory.

A quick little note about strollers. Bring a fold-able one of your own. Small children won't want to walk all day. They also might need a nap. Yes, the park rents out strollers. Usually big plastic strollers. Most parks have a train and most little kids want to ride it. The same park that just rented you a big plastic stroller wont let you take it on the train. Save yourself some headache, bring your own.

6. Let them be kids. That's what it all comes down to. Don't expect adult behavior from a child. Just because you know something is safe doesn't mean they do. Just because to you the value is in doing all the rides you can doesn't mean they feel the same. It's not just your vacation. If it's all about you come back without the kids. When they are there it has to be all about them.

7. A couple random thoughts. Make a checklist. Bring sunscreen, aspirin, band-aids. Bring bottled water to venues that will allow you to carry it in. If you purchase dinning passes your might not need one for the toddlers in your group (we often have so much left over food at each dinning pass meal we could have feed several other children and we are a family that likes to eat). Just remember, relax and have fun. These memories, good and bad will be with your kids forever.


I hope these tips make your next trip with the kids (especially the little ones) a lot more fun and a lot less stressful.