Theme parks are fantastic family vacation spots, but some make better vacations for toddlers than others. The best amusement parks for kids are scattered across the country. They offer a variety of attractions, character meet-and-greet opportunities, and more for the littlest enthusiasts. If you’re thinking about taking your toddlers or pre-schoolers to a theme park or amusement park this year, there are some things you’re going to want to consider (like ride heights, wait times, and character meet-and-greet opportunities). Luckily, we’re experts at taking kids to theme parks.
We’ve learned how to have fun even if the kiddos can’t ride everything or are scared to meet an iconic character. Below are our 15 favorite amusement parks for kids, plus tips for tackling each one. These amusement parks for kids in the United States are fun for the whole family and offer pint-sized thrills.
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1. Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort
Orlando, Florida
At Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, younger kids can go under the sea with the Little Mermaid, dine with Cinderella, fly with Dumbo, and, of course, meet their pal Mickey Mouse. Magic Kingdom has nearly 30 fun rides and attractions with no height requirement. Plus, there are a few play areas where kids can run around if they’ve been pent up in the stroller (or had one too many Mickey ice cream bars).
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Leave some time to explore Tom Sawyer Island, climb to the top of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, and cool off at the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station. Character dining experiences go quickly if that’s of interest to your family. Reservations can be made online up to 60 days in advance. They go fast, so you’ll want to secure those as early as possible. If you aren’t able to get a certain dining experience on your first attempt, keep looking. People are always changing their plans and modifying dining reservations. You never know when you’ll get lucky and snag one up.
2. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World Resort
Orlando, Florida
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, kids can learn about the world around them while observing hundreds of wild animals in their natural habitats. You can take a walk on the wild side at the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, the Discovery Island Trails, and the Maharajah Jungle Trek. For even more animals, hop in line for a guided tour of an African savanna on the Kilimanjaro Safaris, which has no height requirement.
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While at the park, take the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where there’s a petting zoo, an animal education area, and a daily art lesson with a Disney animation expert. Kids can even become Wilderness Explorers, just like Russell from the movie Up. Stop by the Wilderness Explorer Headquarters on the bridge to Discovery Island (where the Tree of Life is located) to pick up your handbook. Then, go around the park to complete activities and collect badges as you explore the park.
3. LEGOLAND
Multiple Locations
If kids can dream it, they can build it (and probably ride it) at LEGOLAND parks around the country. With locations in Florida, California, and New York, chances are you aren’t too far from one of the premier amusement parks for kids. In addition to attractions themed to the LEGO Movie, LEGO City, LEGO Ninjago, and more, you can meet your favorite LEGO characters, build with LEGO bricks, and stay in a LEGO hotel (don’t worry, it’s not really made from LEGO). Toddlers and preschoolers will especially love the Duplo rides and play areas.
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Bonus: Right next door to LEGOLAND Florida, the Peppa Pig Theme Park has a dozen toddler-friendly attractions and rides, many of which do not have height restrictions.
4. Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, Florida
Universal Studios Florida is the best for young children at Universal Orlando Resort. The newest area to open, DreamWorks Land, is a toddler and pre-school age kid’s actual theme park dream come true. The area has rides, interactive zones, and shows featuring iconic DreamWorks movies and characters. I really love the Trolls Trollercoaster for a kid’s first rollercoaster ride. Don’t forget to check out the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration show. Here, kids and adults can dance and sing along with songs from movies like Shrek, Trolls, and Kung-Fu Panda.
The Dispicable Me and Minions area towards the front of the park is also a great spot for families with little ones to hang out. Not only can you meet Kevin and Gru, but you can also take part in Villian Con on Villain-Con Minion Blast and munch on despicably delicious meals at Minion Cafe.
5. SeaWorld
Multiple Locations
SeaWorld has locations in Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego, and all three have kid-friendly rides, entertainment, and lots of opportunities to interact with aquatic animals. Each park has a unique Sesame Street area with rides, characters, and interactive play areas that young kids will love.
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If you can drag them away, kids can also see whales, dolphins, sharks, and tropical fish. Behind-the-scenes offerings vary from park to park, but you can make it a trip to remember by adding on a penguin encounter, dolphin swim, or sea lion tour.
6. Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort
Anaheim, California
There’s no better place for kids to experience a world of fantasy (and parents, a sense of nostalgia) than Walt Disney’s original park in Anaheim, California. Disneyland has many of the same lands and attractions as Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park, but there are a few things you can only find at Disneyland. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and other classic attractions are specific to Disneyland.
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You can also tour the homes of Mickey, Minnie, and their friends in Mickey’s Toontown and travel to a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Don’t forget to leave time for a trip on the Disneyland Railroad. During your scenic ride around the park on an old-fashioned steam train, you’ll encounter dioramas of the Grand Canyon and the primeval world of the dinosaurs.
7. Sesame Place
Multiple Locations
Sesame Place is one of the few U.S. amusement parks for kids specifically designed with little ones in mind. It has locations on both coasts (San Diego and Philadelphia). The rides are milder, and even the coasters are family-friendly. Oscar’s Wacky Taxi coaster has the highest height requirement in the park, and it still comes in at only a 40-inch minimum.
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Entrance to the onsite water park is part of the admission. Changing rooms are available, so you don’t have to walk around in your wet swimsuit all day. Sesame Place is also the first theme park in the world to be a Certified Autism Center. Team Members receive special training in servicing guests with special needs, and there are quiet rooms and low-sensory areas available around the park.
8. Children’s Fairyland
Oakland, California
Oakland’s Children’s Fairyland opened in 1950, five years before Disneyland came on the scene. It’s said that Walt Disney’s visit to Fairyland provided some inspiration for Disneyland. With nearly 60 different storybook sets, kid-friendly rides, and live animals hanging out among the storybook sets, this fairytale-themed park is perfectly sized for kids to crawl, climb, play, and explore. Daily story times and puppet shows will entertain your children when they need a little break to recharge. Just know that the park is only open Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., so plan your visit accordingly.
9. Holiday World
Santa Claus, Indiana
Aside from lands themed to kids’ favorite holidays like Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, Holiday World has something that not many amusement parks for kids have—rides that adults aren’t even allowed to get on. In the Christmas section of the park, there are a few merry-go-round-type rides and a kid-friendly drop ride for those under 54 inches tall. The same kid-friendly height requirement can be found in the Fourth of July section, where the Tippecanoe boat ride is only for kids under 54 inches tall.
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The Howler is a family-friendly coaster that kids and parents can ride together (though you may be a bit uncomfortable if you’re over six feet tall), and if you howl, they’ll usually let you ride twice. There are also midway games, play areas, and free soft drinks and sunscreen for all guests.
10. Story Land
Bartlett, New Hampshire
Story Land brings kids’ favorite storybook characters to life with more than 30 family-friendly rides themed to classic tales like Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland, a petting zoo with “three little pigs” and “baa baa black sheep,” and a Nursery Rhyme play area.
Daily live entertainment at the amusement park for kids includes a magic show and a royal red carpet show with fairytale princesses. There’s also an aquarium right next door. A separate ticket is needed for entry to the Living Shores Aquarium, but it is included if you purchase an annual pass.
11. Santa’s Village
East Dundee, Illinois
Santa’s Village is the perfect park for kids (and adults) who want to celebrate the holiday season every day of the year. The park has numerous attractions with no height requirement, including a one-of-a-kind fire truck ride where kids can use a real hose to put out a fake fire.
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Santa’s Village bills itself as an “Azoosment Park” because scattered amongst the rides, you can visit animals on Tortoise Island, Parakeet’s Paradise, and Old MacDonald’s Barn. Admission to the Santa Springs Water Park is included with your ticket cost. Even better, you can meet Santa throughout the year.
12. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
Gilroy, California
One of our favorite parks is Gilroy Gardens. The amusement park for kids is a cross between a theme park, a water park, and a botanical garden. There are things in this Northern California theme park you won’t find anywhere else. In addition to the whimsical, family-friendly rides, there are lush gardens and 25 “Circus Trees.”
With a bit of shaping from Axel Erlandson, the man who planted the trees in the early 1900s, these wonders of nature delight children of all ages. There are currently 18 different Circus Trees inside the park, so be on the lookout to spot them all. One of the splash area’s slides even winds through a replica Circus Tree!
13. Knoebels Amusement Park
Elysburg, Pennsylvania
From coasters and log flumes to a miniature steam engine train and a 100-year-old carousel, Knoebels really does have something for everyone. Kids can even hop on kiddie versions of classic rides like bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and a Himalaya ride. What really makes Knoebels stand out, though, is that parking and admission are 100 percent free.
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What you will pay for is pay-per-ride ticket books or a “Ride All Day Pass” that will get you on as many rides as you can squeeze in during your day. You don’t always accomplish as much in a day as you think you will when you’ve got little ones in tow, and with this system, you only pay for the rides you actually want to experience.
14. Nickelodeon Universe
Multiple Locations
Nickelodeon Universe has locations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Mall of America, and East Rutherford, New Jersey, at the American Dream retail and entertainment complex. Rides are themed to Nickelodeon shows and characters. Younger kids will love Nick Jr. attractions like Blue’s Skidoo and the Paw Patrol Adventure Bay play area. Both locations also have mini golf and an aquarium. American Dream is also home to North America’s largest indoor water park.
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Speaking of indoors, both Nickelodeon Universe parks are indoor amusement parks for kids, so you can play with your Nick Jr. pals year round, even when the temperatures dip. Theme parks sized for younger children offer so much more than thrill rides. The best amusement parks for small children delight with toddler-friendly offerings like train rides, interactions with favorite characters, water play areas, and kiddie rides.
15. Silver Dollar City
Branson, Missouri
Branson is known for its tourist attractions. One that’s worth checking out is Silver Dollar City. The park is built on top of Missouri’s largest underground cave, which you can tour at the park. Besides the cave tour, the park offers plenty to do with kids. The Grand Exposistion area of the park is a kiddie playland with many attractions that don’t have a height requirement. The Fire District is also great for toddlers and preschoolers since there are a lot of interactive play zones.
Besides the fun rides and dedication to American craftsman, I love that Silver Dollar City has a Preschool Season Pass. This pass gives kids born in 2020 or 2021 free season passes for unlimited visits to Silver Dollar City and its White Water water park. You do have to register for the pass in advance of your first visit, but it’s easy to do.
