10 Toddler-Friendly Theme Parks that are Perfect for All Ages

All theme parks are welcoming family vacation destinations for young children, but some are better for toddlers than others. We’re talking about rides with no height requirements, live and in-person encounters with young children’s favorite movie and TV characters, and play areas where they can climb, slide, and run around.

Children’s Amusement Parks

These amusement parks for kids in the United States are fun for the whole family, but especially for families with small children looking for kid-sized thrills.

#1 Animal Kingdom – Orlando, Florida

Children can learn about the world around them while observing hundreds of wild animals in their natural habitats at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You can go for a walk in the wild at the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, Discovery Island Trails, and Maharajah Jungle Trek, or you can ride along on a guided tour of an African savanna with Kilimanjaro Safaris (no height requirement).

Take the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, which has a petting zoo, animal education area, and a daily art lesson with a Disney animation expert. Children can even become Wilderness Explorers like Russell from the film Up! As you explore the park, stop by the Wilderness Explorer Headquarters inside the park’s entrance to collect badges (and wilderness skills).

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#2 Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida

Younger children can go under the sea with the Little Mermaid, dine with Cinderella, fly with Dumbo, and, of course, meet Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom has over 20 fun rides and attractions for families to ride together, including a few play areas where kids can run around if they’ve been cooped up in the stroller (or had one too many Mickey ice cream bars).

Allow time to visit Tom Sawyer Island, climb to the top of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, and relax at the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station. If your child is set on a specific character dining experience, reservations can be made online up to 60 days in advance. They sell out quickly, so get yours as soon as possible.

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#3 Islands of Adventure – Orlando, Florida

caro seuss el at universal's islands of adventure.

With young children, Islands of Adventure is the better of Universal’s two parks. Kids can enter the world of classic Dr. Seuss stories like “Cat in the Hat” and “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” in Seuss Landing, and even taste Who Hash at the Green Eggs and Ham Cafe.

There’s a prehistoric playground just for kids in the Jurassic Park section, as well as a very special ride that may make visitors without children envious. The Pteranodon Flyers is a high-altitude suspended ride with some of the best views in the park, but adults must ride with a child (36-inch minimum height).

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#4 LEGOLAND – Multiple Locations

At LEGOLAND, if kids can imagine it, they can build it (and probably ride it). And, with parks in Florida, California, and New York, you’re probably not too far away from one.

You can meet your favorite LEGO characters, build with LEGO bricks, and stay in a LEGO hotel (don’t worry, it’s not made of LEGO). The Duplo rides and play areas are especially appealing to toddlers and preschoolers.

Bonus: The newly opened Peppa Pig Theme Park, right next door to LEGOLAND Florida, has a dozen toddler-friendly attractions and six rides, half of which do not have height restrictions.

Accommodation in Florida and Accommodation in California

#5 Disneyland – Anaheim, California

There is no better place for kids to experience a fantasy world (or for parents to feel nostalgic) than Walt Disney’s original park in Anaheim, California. Many of the lands and attractions at Disneyland are shared with Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park, but there are a few exclusive to Disneyland. Only at Disneyland can you experience Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and a few other classic attractions.

In Mickey’s Toontown, you can tour the homes of Mickey, Minnie, and their friends, and in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you can travel to a galaxy far, far away. Make time for a ride on the Disneyland Railroad—along with a scenic ride around the park on an old-fashioned steam train, you’ll see dioramas of the Grand Canyon and the prehistoric world of the dinosaurs (complete with “live” dinosaurs).

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#6 SeaWorld – Multiple Locations

SeaWorld has parks in Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego, with kid-friendly rides, entertainment, and plenty of opportunities to interact with aquatic animals. Each park has its own Sesame Street area, complete with rides, characters, and interactive play areas that young children will enjoy.

They can see whales, dolphins, sharks, and tropical fish if they can be dragged away. Behind-the-scenes experiences vary by park, but you can make it a memorable trip by adding a penguin encounter, dolphin swim, or sea lion tour.

Accommodation in San Antonio and Accommodation in San Diego

#7 Children’s Fairyland – Oakland, California

Oakland’s Children’s Fairyland opened in 1950, five years before Disneyland, and it’s said that Walt Disney’s visit to Fairyland inspired him to create Disneyland. This fairytale-themed park is perfectly sized for kids to crawl, climb, play, and explore, with nearly 60 different storybook sets, kid-friendly rides, and live animals hanging out among the storybook sets. There are also daily story times and puppet shows to keep your children entertained when they need a break to recharge.

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#8 Santa’s Village – East Dundee, Illinois

Santa’s Village is ideal for children who want to enjoy the holiday season every day of the year. There are many attractions at the park that do not require any height, including a one-of-a-kind fire truck ride where kids can use a real hose to put out a fake fire.

Santa’s Village bills itself as a “Azoosment Park” because you can visit animals on Tortoise Island, Parakeet’s Paradise, and Old MacDonald’s Barn among the rides. Admission to the Santa Springs water park is included in your ticket price, and you can meet Santa all year.

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#9 Nickelodeon Universe – Multiple Locations

Nickelodeon Universe has locations in Minneapolis’ Mall of America and East Rutherford, New Jersey’s American Dream retail and entertainment complex. The rides are themed after Nickelodeon shows and characters. Nick Jr. attractions such as Blue’s Skidoo and the Paw Patrol Adventure Bay play area will appeal to younger children. Both locations have mini golf and an aquarium, and American Dream has North America’s largest indoor water park. Speaking of indoors, both Nickelodeon Universe parks are indoors, allowing you to play with your Nick Jr. pals all year long, even when the weather turns cold.

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#10 Story Land – Bartlett, New Hampshire

Story Land brings classic tales like Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland to life with over 30 family-friendly rides, a petting zoo with “three little pigs” and “baa baa black sheep,” and a Nursery Rhyme play area.

There’s also live entertainment every day, such as a magic show and a royal red carpet show with fairytale princesses, as well as an aquarium right next door. The Living Shores Aquarium requires a separate ticket, but it is included with the purchase of an annual pass.

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