Is Disneyland still the happiest place on Earth if your toddler is screaming his lungs out because the line is too long? We’ve been witnessed some classic toddler tuntrums over the years. Whether it’s your kid, a friend’s, a relative’s, or a fellow traveler’s, you can’t help sympathizing with the poor parents.
Fortunately, you don’t have to make the same mistakes. Bringing kids to the amusement park must take a lot of preparation. Can you imagine how they’ll react in a famous haunted house attraction? That needs a lot of preparation, too. You might have to forego attractions that are not appropriate for your kid.
Include Your Kid in the Planning Stage
Your kid already knows they’re going to the theme park, why not include them in the planning as well? Visit the park’s website and download the map. Walk with your kid virtually through the park so that you have an idea of how long the walk will be and where the comfort rooms and snack bars are.
Choose a Park Appropriate for Your Kid
You can’t bring your toddler to Six Flags. Those have scary rides, and they cater mostly to adults. Think long and hard what your kid will enjoy. You need a theme park that has lots of kid-friendly attractions because this trip is for your toddler to enjoy. There will be plenty of time in the future to bring your kid to the big-boy rides. For now, let the kid enjoy dolphin shows and animal exhibits.
Bring the Right Supplies
What could be more stress-inducing than having to wait in line with your kid? They can grow impatient by the minute, and it’s not a good look for you to break down and cry in an amusement park. Bring a toy that they love, or let them, just this once, use your phone for some educational apps. Another thing you need to bring is a stroller—or at least, rent one. Although most toddlers are only too happy to walk and run around, they will grow tired. Unless you want to carry a 15-kilo wiggling kid, bring a stroller for your peace of mind.
Take a Break
This vacation isn’t like your other jam-packed adventure. This is for your kid, and they will get tired. It doesn’t matter if you pay a hundred bucks for that afternoon tourist attraction. If you notice that your kid is getting sleepy, take them back to the hotel and rest. Tantrums can be prevented if you just let them take a break. They’ll recharge, and you’ll be happy to see them well-rested just in time for dinner at that sumptuous restaurant by the bay.
When bringing kids to vacation with you, accept that not everything will happen the way you want it to. This vacation will test your patience to the extreme, and everything might go wrong. But remember why you are in an amusement park in the first place: You want to go on an adventure with your kid. You want them to see the world. You want to appreciate the small things yourself and learn to see the world through your kid’s eyes. You’ll find that their way is somehow always much better.
