Going to an amusement park has been a tradition for many families for a fun-filled vacation away from home. While there are thousands of different theme parks across the United States alone, there are so many different appeals to each one.
Best Theme Parks for Kids
From Florida to California, theme parks are perfect for kids of all ages and offer plenty of pint-size rides, healthy eats, family conveniences, and high-tech features.
To help you choose the best option for your family, here are the best theme parks for kids and why they’ll love them!
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
With over 20 different activities and attractions for kids, Busch Gardens is an excellent destination for families! This theme park has many shows, themed rides, and animal encounters to keep your little ones entertained all day long.
Busch Gardens is the world’s most beautiful theme park, as voted year after year since 1990. The theme is classic Europe with artfully landscaped villages, like the Parisian streets of France, the hamlets of Scotland and the Oktoberfest celebrations of Germany. In all, there are nine villages centered around six countries for you to explore.
If you visit the height check station, your kids can get color-coded wristbands, so they know which rides they’re able to ride. Notable spots to see with your little ones include the Land of Dragons and the Sesame Street Forest of Fun.
Walt Disney World
This wouldn’t be a theme park list if we didn’t touch on the iconic Walt Disney World theme parks. With four parks and two water parks (as well as Disney Springs dining and entertainment center) nestled into one massive place, this is the kind of theme park with a different spot for every person in your family.
Your little ones will love getting to meet their beloved characters for the first time and experience the magic that only Disney can offer! From thrill rides to water rides, Walt Disney World has so many things to keep your little ones occupied for weeks!
Story Land
One of the best theme parks for your dollar is Story Land in New Hampshire. This small-scale theme park is perfect for preschool-aged children. Most of the rides are geared toward ages seven and under and include classics such as Alice’s Tea Cups and Whirling Whales that kids will want to ride over and over again.
The parking here is free, and the entire park is very family-friendly. If you have slightly older kids traveling with you, make sure to head to Roar-o-Saurus for a fun roller coaster your whole family can ride.
Ideal for kids ages 7 and under, Story Land models many of its 22 rides, numerous shows, and attractions after fairy tales. Unique rides include Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach (families hop inside a giant pumpkin attached to motorized horses) and the Crazy Barn (which gets raised and spun around).
Hershey Park
A trip to Hershey Park is a sweet treat, but not just because of the delicious chocolates and candy! This theme park has more than 50 different rides with 13 different roller coasters included. You’ll find over 10 acres of zoo with more than 200 different animals for your little ones to see.
There are also two indoor arcades to help you beat the heat or bad weather, and you can even enjoy some chocolate tastings and a chocolate tour just across the street!
For over 110 years, Hersheypark has been known as a clean and green destination for family fun. Hersheypark’s outdoor attractions are surrounded by shady trees, ample green spaces, and fresh Pennsylvania air.
Dollywood
Head to Tennessee to visit one of the most underrated theme parks out there! Dollywood is a country-themed amusement park that is owned by the famous Dolly Parton. Dollywood rides are fun for the whole family, including kid-friendly smaller rides to thrilling twisting and upside-down rollercoasters.
The food here is your traditional southern country favorites making this an excellent place for picky eaters too.
Dollywood offers you the chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains and the incredible spirit of its people, all at a place fun for all ages.
In addition to standard amusement park thrill rides, Dollywood features traditional crafts and music of the Smoky Mountain area. The park hosts a number of concerts and musical events each year, including appearances by Dolly Parton and her family as well as other national and local musical acts. It is also the site of the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame.
There are so many great amusement parks out there, but these have to be the best hands-down! There are so many different options for every kind of family and an excellent option for families with kids of all ages.
Also be sure to check out the Legoland parks as well as the Universal parks. Theme park fun for the family is never too far away! Don’t forget Disneyland in California.