DON'T MISS THESE 7 BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS FOR TODDLERS

A trip to a great amusement or adventure park is one that a toddler will not soon forget. From experiencing the thrill of taking a first roller coaster ride to the joy of meeting favorite characters, so many family memories are created in these little lands of fun. While there are great parks everywhere for big kids, it can be more difficult to find ones that are age-appropriate and fun for the under-five crowd. Luckily these parks do exist, and we know just where to find them. Check out our list of the best theme parks for toddlers and families, and let the family fun begin!

NO TIME TO ENJOY THIS ARTICLE NOW? PIN IT OR BOOKMARK IT FOR LATER!

Sesame Place – Langhorne, Pennsylvania

For young kids that are fans of the classic show “Sesame Street,” a trip to Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA is the perfect place for a fun weekend getaway. Little ones will be awestruck when they come face-to-face with Elmo, Cookie Monster, and all of their favorite characters at the park’s meet-and-greets, family shows, and special character dining events. There are also tons of rides for the entire family to enjoy together, as well as a sizable water play area that includes several water slides, a wave pool, and a splash pad. For those that live nearby or plan to visit often, a season pass is definitely the way to go to get the most savings. Children under 23 months receive free admission to the park, which makes this an even more affordable trip for young families. 

Get your DISCOUNT tickets here from Undercover Tourist!

Where to Stay Near Sesame Place

The Sheraton Bucks County Langhorne is located just minutes from the park. The hotel has an indoor pool, on-site restaurant and provides a free shuttle service to Sesame Place. 

Posing with Ernie at Sesame Place. Photo courtesy Kimberly Falchek.

Santa’s Village and Storyland – White Mountains, New Hampshire

Nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire are two of the very best amusement parks for toddlers and young children. Over the years, both of these parks have delighted generations of young families and now feature a combination of classic rides and modern attractions. At Santa’s Village in the town of Jefferson, families will enjoy a winter wonderland experience as they celebrate the Christmas season at this unique park. Be sure to visit Santa and enjoy themed rides such as the S.S. Peppermint Twist coaster ride, Christmas Ferris Wheel, and the Chimney Drop bounce ride. Other highlights include the Christmas Light Show, the water park area, and visits with Santa’s reindeer. At nearby Storyland in Glen, NH, fairy tales and nursery rhymes come alive in a park that is the perfect size and scale for smaller kids. Little ones will delight as they explore this magic kingdom and have so much fun driving antique cars, discovering Cinderella’s Castle, and riding around the park on the Huff Puff train. There are also plenty of live shows, character experiences, and games to enjoy. Storyland offers free parking as well as paid preferred parking.  

Places to Stay Near Santa’s Village and Storyland

A great place to stay with kids in the White Mountains is The Lodge at Jackson Village. Storyland is just two miles from the hotel, and Santa’s Village is about twenty-four miles away. The hotel has a kids’ play area and an outdoor pool. To save time, guests can purchase Storyland tickets right from the hotel desk.

Riding in a swan is so much fun at Storyland! Photo by S. Smith.

Dutch Wonderland – Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Another park that is exclusively geared toward families with young children is Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA. There are over 30 attractions and rides to choose from, and most are in the mild to moderate thrill range. Little ones will love taking a spin on rides that are just their size. The bumper cars, merry-go-round, and boat rides are also fun rides for families to enjoy together. Coming soon is a new ride called the Topsy Turvy Tea Party! While at the park, be sure to check out Exploration Island, where kids can discover life-like dinosaurs and have a chance to dig for fossils. Dutch Wonderland also features a water area and has live entertainment. The park additionally hosts special events at Halloween and Christmastime.  

Where to Stay Near Dutch Wonderland

To make the most out of a family-friendly Lancaster experience, families will definitely want to stay at the nearby Cartoon Network Hotel. Kids will have a blast immersing themselves in the Cartoon Network experience, which can be found in every aspect of the hotel, including the themed rooms, activities, and dining experiences. Hotel guests also receive special Dutch Wonderland discounts.

Make sure to make time for ice cream breaks! Photo courtesy Ross Sokolovsk on Unsplash.

Gilroy Gardens Family-Theme Park -Gilroy, California

Fun and beauty are intertwined to create a magical family experience at this one-of-a-kind amusement park in Gilroy, California. At Gilroy Gardens, littles will not only enjoy kid-friendly rides but will also have the opportunity to take in and explore the property’s colorful gardens featuring more than 10,000 trees. There are a ton of attractions for kids of all ages ranging from calm kiddie rides like the Illions Supreme Carousel to thrilling roller coasters. Gilroy Gardens also has a water park that is a welcome treat on hot days. 

Where to Stay Near Gilroy Gardens

The Best Western Forest Park Inn is close to the park, restaurants, and area attractions.  The outdoor heated pool, free breakfast, and Gilroy Gardens’ packages make this inn a favorite among families.

There are rides for the whole family at Gilroy Gardens! Photo courtesy Davis Brooke Martin on Unsplash.

DON’T MISS! Our First RV Trip: A Beachy Way of Life- Review: Pismo Coast Village RV Resort

Nickelodeon Universe – East Rutherford, New Jersey

A trip to Nickelodeon’s Universe park in New Jersey is perfect all year round because the park is completely indoors! Located in the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ, the park has rides and amusements for both older children as well as little kids, so everyone in the family will be entertained. Younger children will especially love meeting Dora, Blue, and all the other Nickelodeon characters and will have lots of fun trying age-appropriate rides and attractions such as the PAW Patrol Adventure Bay and the Shimmer and Shine Jumping Genies. The best part about this park is the location. Within the mall are many other great attractions, including DreamWorks Water park, SeaLife Aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and Angry Birds Mini Golf, as well as several restaurants and shops. With all this under one roof, a visit here can easily be made into a vacation.

Where to Stay Near Nickelodeon Universe

The SpringHill Suites by Marriott East Rutherford, located about a mile away from the mall, offers many family-friendly amenities, including an indoor pool, microwaves, and wonderful complimentary breakfasts.

Take a break from the rides and enjoy some mini golf. Photo courtesy Jason Abrams on Unsplash.

LEGOLAND California Resort-Carlsbad, California

What kid doesn’t like legos?  Even adults who aren’t necessarily a fan of these classic building blocks will still have a great time on a family visit to LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad, CA. Small children will enjoy amusement rides like the Junior Driving School Cars, Coast Cruise Boat Ride, and Royal Joust Horse Ride. Other entertaining features include play areas, building zones, and a water area to splash around in. Kids will also have a great time digging for fossils at Explorer Island and riding aboard the FunTown Lego Express Train Ride. Be sure to pick up a LEGO building kit or souvenir from the park’s gift shops and enjoy the on-site dining options featuring burgers, ice cream, and pasta.  

Get your DISCOUNT tickets here from Undercover Tourist!

Where To Stay Near LEGOLAND

What could be more fun and convenient than actually staying at a hotel within the LEGOLAND resort? The LEGOLAND Hotel is the perfect place to stay to make the most of a LEGOLAND vacation. The hotel features themed rooms, complimentary breakfast, and children’s activities. Special hotel and park packages are available to purchase. 

Pro Tip: For even more LEGO fun, take a visit to the brand new LEGOLAND Water Park, opening in late March of 2023!

Legos are everywhere at this fantastic park! Photo courtesy Mike Dias on Unsplash.

DON’T MISS: Why Legoland is the Best Theme Park for Preschoolers

SeaWorld – San Diego, California

Another popular destination for young families is SeaWorld San Diego. The whole family will enjoy attending the exciting marine shows, discovering cool sea animals such as beluga whales, sea turtles, and dolphins, and taking a spin on the park’s many rides. One of the best attractions for toddlers is the park’s Sesame Street Bay of Play area.  This small world of fun includes play areas, character appearances, and toddler-sized theme park rides. There are also special storytimes and dance parties that kids can take part in. 

Get Your DISCOUNT SeaWorld San Diego Tickets here from Undercover Tourist!

Where to Stay Near SeaWorld San Diego 

The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina is a short drive to SeaWorld and has plenty of amenities to keep the family fun rolling during the vacation. The hotel has several pools, water slides, and sports rental equipment. 

Raingear may be a good idea when you watch the whale show at SeaWorld. Photo courtesy Joseph Stalin on Unsplash.

Larger parks

Families traveling with kids of varying ages may want to consider visiting a bigger park where the whole family can find things to suit their interests. Parks like Busch Gardens, Disneyland Park/DisneyWorld, Universal Orlando Resort/Universal Studios, and Cedar Point all have rides and attractions specifically geared toward younger kids too. When visiting these parks, it pays to plan ahead and figure out which attractions are the most toddler friendly and where to find amenities such as baby care centers, restaurants, and stroller rentals. Check on prices ahead of time, as some parks may have reduced or free entry for children under a certain age.  

Be sure to catch a kiss from Minnie when you visit Disney. Photo courtesy Adrian Valverde on Unsplash

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE CONSIDER PINNING IT OR SHARING IT!

The post Don’t Miss These 7 Best Amusement Parks For Toddlers appeared first on LA Family Travel.