Top Amusement Parks to Offer Thrills to Young Kids

Year after year, amusement parks across the United States offer thrills and screams to anyone willing to ride their offering of thrill rides. Roller coasters often steal the show, but it really is the entire atmosphere of the park that makes it truly unique. Families often travel together, and for a park to grab their interest, it most offer fun for everyone in the family. These are the top three parks that not only offer thrills for the older kids (and kids at heart), but for the youngsters, too. All information was found through the respective park's Web site.

Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio

Cedar Point is known as the roller coastal capital of the world. It's 17 roller coasters are a world record for roller coasters in a park. What most do not realize, however, is that a few of these roller coasters are suitable for young children; some were even created specifically for kids. Jr. Gemini is the only roller coaster at Cedar Point that only allows young children (and an accompanying adult) to ride. It's short course and minimal height make it fun, but not too scary, for the younger crowd.

Another roller coaster created specifically for young children is Woodstock's express. This roller coaster is a step up from Gemini, but is still small enough to be safe for a younger child. Woodstock Express stands 42 feet tall, and features an on-ride photo taking machine. Cedar Creek Mine Ride is a ride for all ages, but is small enough and safe for younger children (but there is a height requirement).

Cedar Point is revamping their kids area that features small thrill rides for younger kids. The new area will be ready for the 2008 season. For more information about Cedar Point's family friendly park, and height requirements, visit www.cedarpoint.com.

Islands of Adventure
Orlando, Florida

Islands of Adventure offers two insane, thrilling roller coasters for adults. The park also offers two great roller coasters for little kids, and their families, to enjoy together. Pteranodon Flyers is a suspended roller coaster that weaves over the ground at higher, but not unsafe height for young children. Suspended under the track, little kids have fun feeling as if they are flying around in the air. Flying Unicorn is also a roller coaster built for little kids. While the name suggests otherwise, the roller coaster sits on top of the track. The roller coaster itself actually features the exact same layout as Cedar Point's Woodstock Express.

Another aspect of Islands of Adventure that captrres the attention and hearts of kids is the theming. The theming (decorating) of the park helps put kids in a different world. Running around the park, they notice different areas, and have fun visiting different "worlds" and exploring the park to its fullest. The park also offers smaller rides designed specifically for young children. To learn more about Islands of Adventure and the full spectrum of their kids rides, go to www.universalorlando.com.

King's Island
Kings Mills, Ohio

King's Island was recently named the winner of Amusement Today's Golden Ticket award for best kids rides. The park offers Nickelodeon Universe, an area of the park specifically for kids that offers 18 rides and attractions. The area offers three full roller coasters for young children, including a small steel roller coaster, a suspended roller coasters, and a tiny wooden roller coaster for the young kids. These allow the kids to get their roller coaster riding on without feeling left out. Most of the rides only require a minimum height of 36 inches. For more information, visit the park's website here.

While little kids may be small and unable to ride the big, record breaking roller coasters, they still deserve to have fun at the park. These three amusement parks offer thrills to not only the older generations, but to the younger thrill seeking kids as well.