11 Best Theme Parks For Kids In USA

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This holiday season, you have all the time in the world to spend with your children. And what better way to engage in fun with friends and family than to visit an amusement park? We bring you the best theme parks for kids in the USA where you can enjoy thrilling rides, animal performances, family-friendly games, and picture-perfect moments to last a lifetime. The information has been gathered from the official websites and reviewers’ experiences to offer you an unbiased opinion. Amusement parks are ideal holiday destinations for kids of all ages, so find your spot and enjoy.

11 Best Theme Parks For Kids In USA

Here are a few exciting theme parks for kids in the US that are guaranteed to deliver a day of thrill and laughter. From bringing your children’s favorite fairy tales and TV shows alive to giving them a taste of real-life thrill, these theme parks offer something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a fun time with family or a toddler-friendly vacation, these theme parks offer the best of both worlds.

1. LEGOLAND, California

The LEGOLAND, packed with activities, exhilarating rides, and endless photo opportunities, is an enchanted oasis of family fun. This 128-acre theme park in America has more than 60 attractions, including a botanical garden. The park has several themed areas, including Dino Island, where the dinosaurs guard the territory and the Castle Hill, where the Lego kings and queen rule.

Even the safety standards of this park are very high. For instance, the Duplo Train has key locks so kids cannot climb out when the ride is moving. You can even book a suite at the LEGOLAND Hotel if you are planning an overnight or weekend stay.

Rachel Teodoro, a mother of three from Seattle, shares her experience of visiting Legoland with her family. She says, “Legoland’s weekday hours are 10-5. To get the most out of the price of admission, we made sure we were at the gate early. Before even walking through the gates there were several lines (parking lot, admission tickets and turnstile) to wait in. Thankfully, none were too long. Parking is $12 a day and several area hotels offer free shuttles or even a private entrance to the park (Sheraton). Legoland will have you constantly saying “ooh” and “ah” and “look!” at all of the life-size models throughout the park. We were constantly amazed at the detail on the sculptures and loved seeing them placed throughout the park (i).”

Official website: LEGOLAND California

2. Disneyland, California

With around 100 attractions and rides, Disneyland Park is the stuff of every kid’s dream. The theme park has some impressive attractions, be it the Pirates of the Caribbean boat tour or the Pixar Pal-A-Round – Swinging, where the little ones can ride one of the tallest rides in the park at 150 feet.

If you are looking for a thrilling adventure, then explore the ill-fated temple at the Indiana Jones Adventure. Kids will also get endless opportunities to interact with their favorite Disney characters. The park usually opens at 8 am but the timings depend on the season and day, so check the website to plan accordingly. Just like the LEGOLAND, Disneyland too has three luxurious hotel accommodations with remodeled rooms, a toddler splash zone, and a pool with three slides. This is one of the top theme parks in the USA to have fun with your kids. 

Dad blogger James shares some tips to enjoy a trip to Disneyland properly. He says, ”We experienced 33.c (91.f) heat and blue skies. While that sounds lovely, when you’re walking around all day it can feel a little much. There aren’t too many shady spots and some of the line-ups are in direct sunlight so bring a big hat, plenty of water (or a reusable water bottle for the FREE fill-up stations) and some handheld fans.” He also recommends getting a stroller for your child. “My daughter is 6 so traditionally a little old for being pushed around in a stroller. However, I knew there was no way she’d go more than 10 minutes before asking to ride on my shoulders. So we got a $50 stroller from Walmart and used it the entire time. She even napped in it! Grab one with a sunshade if possible. It’ll help keep the sun off (ii).”

Official website: Disneyland California

3. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Orlando

When it comes to theme parks in the United States, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been at the forefront of family entertainment for years. Here, your little ones can get up close and personal with the utterly cuddly animals at the Affection Section, where cows, pigs, donkeys and sheep await sweet interactions. Continue the fun at The Boneyard, the park’s archeological digging site where visitors can explore the world of dinosaurs. If your kid is 44 inches or taller, then allow them to take the Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, a thrilling roller coaster ride weaving throughout the Himalayan mountain setting. The park usually opens at 8am during peak season, however the timings may vary during festivals or off-season.

Official website: Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Did you know?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom park welcomed its first inhabitants, a pair of two-year-old giraffes named Miles and Zari, in 1997.

4. Universal Islands Of Adventure, Orlando

Universal Islands of Adventure, a stunning TV-based theme park in the USA, make two of the children’s’ favorite book series come alive. The tiny tots will adore the Seuss Landing featuring rides inspired by Dr. Seuss’ classic tales. They even have themed food like green eggs and ham for lunch. School-going kids will be amazed seeing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Do not forget to try out the ever-popular, non-alcoholic wizarding beverage, butterbeer! This theme park opens at 9 am and closes at 8 pm, but the timings may vary during peak season.

Official website: Universal Islands of Adventure

5. Sesame Place, Philadelphia

If your kids insist on seeing the adorable puppets of Sesame Street, then take them to Sesame Place in Philadelphia. The Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Elmo are a few of the many friendly, furry characters that your kids will encounter in this 14-acre cherry amusement park.

Water activities like crawling through the water-spraying mazes and tubing past the spraying geysers will keep them cool on a hot afternoon. You can even pop into one of the park’s shows, the most noted being Elm – the Musical. The park opens at 10am during peak season but the hours may change based on season, special events, and festivities.

Official website: Sesame Place Philadelphia

6. Hersheypark, Hershey

Created originally to provide a recreation area for employees, Hersheypark is a massive theme park with abundant rides and roller coasters for kids to enjoy. It includes several themed areas and features entertainment shows and dining experiences. There are more than 30 rides for kids who are under three feet, and plenty of roller coaster rides to woo the thrill-seeking teens and parents. You can even escape the heat by exploring the shaded zoo or slipping into the air-conditioned Chocolate World. The gates open at 11am but check the official website for more information.

Official website: Hersheypark

Quick fact

Hershey’s Chocolate World, an attraction designed for visitors, is located next to the park. It features various shops and restaurants, along with a ride that offers a tour of a chocolate factory.

7. Santa’s Village AZoosment Park, Illinois

After shutting his workshop at the North Pole, Santa packs up his sleigh and heads to his summer home, Santa’s Village Azoosment Park! Santa’s Village Azoosment Park gives a year-round tribute to the most thoughtful man in the world, Santa Claus. With various fun attractions and rides, the theme park offers a thrilling and interactive experience for children. The park’s animals will also engage everyone, especially the Bunny Tree, where bunnies hop in and around the boxes laid underneath the Christmas tree. Most importantly, do not forget to grab a bite at the Reindeer Ridge on your way to see the denizens of the Petting zoo or Tortoise Island. This is one of the best US theme parks to visit during the holiday season. The park’s timings may differ based on the season and special events, so check the website for more details.

Official website: Santa’s Village AZoosment Park

8. Six Flags Magic Mountain, California

With 20 roller coasters, Six Flags Magic Mountain holds the world record for most roller coasters in an amusement park. It spans 209 acres and has 11 themed areas, each with their unique rides, attractions, and food stations. Some popular themes include the DC Universe, featuring rides and attractions inspired by the DC comics universe, the Bugs Bunny World inspired by the Looney Tunes characters, Full Throttle Plaza, which offers an outdoor barbecue, gift shop, splash pad, and more, and the Rapids Camp Crossing, with the Roaring Rapids being its main highlight. If your children enjoy adventure and action, they may also like the Underground, the Metropolis, and the Samurai Summit. From junior roller coasters to intense ones with loops and drops, your family is in for a ride. You can also enjoy other attractions like bumper cars and a free-fall drop. The park gates open at 10:30 am but the closing times may vary. 

Official website: Six Flags Magic Mountain

9. Diggerland, New Jersey

Is your kid fond of cars, trucks, and jeeps? Do they dream of driving their very own monster truck? Then here’s a theme park that will make your kid’s dream a reality. Diggerland, the first and only construction theme park, allows kids to get behind the wheel of various construction equipment and operate the machines. The massive machines at Diggerland are similar to the ones you see on a real construction site. Other attractions include ziplines, rock climbing, ropes course, and a swamp, buggy attraction. The park opens its gates at 11 in the morning. It is one of the best theme parks in the United States, especially for a thrill seeker.

Blogger Nicole Zawidski says, “With about 25 rides and attractions, Diggerland was definitely a different experience for us. While there were some rides, the bulk of the fun for us was getting to use real construction equipment. So maybe there were some scary moments when my daughter took the wheel of the Kubota but everything is safe and modified to allow kids to have fun and experience real life construction equipment and I got over it pretty fast…My daughter was exactly 4 foot tall so she was able to do most the rides and attractions herself, although I went on a lot of them with her. With only one seat in some, she rode on my lap and I was able to help her when needed. My son was tall enough to ride with his dad so while he didn’t have as much independence as his big sister, he certainly enjoyed himself going along for the ride (iii).”

Official website: Diggerland

10. Story Land, New Hampshire

This magnificent amusement park is a lovely escape into the kid’s favorite fairy tales. Inspired by fantasy and magic, it has around 30 rides, shows, and attractions modeled after the kids’ favorite folk tales. This charming theme park comes packed with unique rides, shows, and delicious treats. Some of the unique rides include Crazy Barn, Tea Cups, and Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach. The antique cars and choo-choo trains will provide ample entertainment to the toddlers. The back of the park offers some of the modern-day attractions like a roller coaster, a wonderful raft ride, and a log flume ride. While the park usually opens at 9:30am, check the park’s calendar for more information.

Official website: Story Land

11. Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens is a vast amusement park in Florida. Tailored for children of all ages, the park is designed around themes of Asia and Africa and has many attractions, including rides, play areas, water activities, games, and shows. The live entertainment at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay featuring world-class performers adds to the magical experience. The park offers several child-friendly rides, from the Air Grover roller coaster to splash zones. Busch Gardens is decked up with twinkling lights during Christmas and hosts numerous festive shows, including those featuring Sesame Street characters. Additionally, the Serengeti Safari tour provides an up-close encounter with African wildlife, promising unforgettable moments and opportunities to click stunning photographs of your child’s favorite animals. The usual park hours are from 10am to 8pm, but check the official calendar for special event details.

Official website: Busch Gardens

Safety Measures For Kids In Theme Parks

While exploring different attractions and thrilling rides are probably at the forefront of your child’s priorities, following certain safety guidelines to prevent accidents and stay safe during your visit is important. Here are some essential safety precautions to follow in a theme park (1) (2).

1. Research the rides: Before you opt for a ride, check the safety measures taken by the park and if it’s suitable for your child’s age and height. Even if your child qualifies for the minimum requirements, the ride might not be appropriate for them. Take some time to observe the ride with your child so they know what to expect. 
2. Listen to your child: Don’t force your child to go on rides they are afraid of. If they have a fear of heights or the dark, avoid rides or attractions that might make your child uncomfortable. Ask them to stay seated even if they are scared and alert the operator to stop the ride.
3. Pay attention: Keep an eye on your child at all times. Ensure the ride operator is seating your child properly and safety equipment is in place. Look out for problematic behavior and alert the authorities immediately. Remind your kids not to trust strangers, even if they know their names. Tell children to keep their heads, hands, legs, and feet inside the ride and to stay away from any doors or open spaces.
4. Prepare an action plan: Coordinate an emergency plan with your child beforehand in case you get separated from them. Help them identify uniformed park officials and decide on a place you can meet for check-ins. Ensure your children have your phone number written on a piece of paper or in their hand. Also, take a group photo in the morning to give an accurate description of your child.
5. Dress appropriately: Avoid baggy clothing and slippers or sandals. Ensure your children wear sneakers or closed-toe shoes. Also, long hair should be tied properly to prevent hazards. 
6. Stay hydrated: Most theme parks are massive and it can take the whole day to explore the area. Running around in the sun all day without adequate hydration and nutritious food can lead to heat strokes and sickness. So, make sure you and your kids drink plenty of water and eat proper food.
7. Protect from the sun: Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you go out and reapply it every few hours to protect your skin from sun damage. Also, wear hats and sunglasses to keep yourself cool.

These simple but effective safety measures can ensure your family vacation stays accident-free and relaxing. Your children can have all the fun while being safe and cautious.

Illustration: Best Theme Parks In USA For Kids

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

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