Blog: Amusement Parks: When We Have to Be Adults

Posted by: Lindsay Hansen at Aug 19, 2011 12:00 AM CDT

Keywords: Education

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Oh, to be a kid again…waking up on the morning you know you’re spending the whole day at an amusement park.  I remember wanting to do everything, as soon as I arrived. Every rollercoaster, waterslide, game booth and cotton candy stand would be checked off the list, and by the end of the day I was dizzy, thrilled, soaking wet, petrified, queasy and of course the new proud owner of a poor goldfish in a plastic bag.  The sheer joy of it all was almost too much.

That’s what’s splendid about amusement parks; the totality of experiences you can have in just one day.  But as we all know,  amusement parks usually mean something entirely different for parents or responsible adults than the kid you remember in your childhood days.  As the adult, you think of the danger of losing your kid in the park, shoddy rides that have been around since you were a kid, and, of course, the horrific realization at the end of the day that you have no recollection of where you parked your car in the 40+ acre lot.

While I won’t attempt to remind you to write down your parking location as soon as you throw your car in park (actually, yes I am), I will try to soothe any minor anxieties, or straight-up fears, you may have about bringing kids to the amusement park.

First things first, role-model safe behavior while at the park. Children are always watching and absorbing your moves, and will more likely follow safety rules when they see you doing so (note: this should not keep you from stuffing yourself silly with a turkey leg the size of, well, your leg. Do that as soon as you arrive). Secondly, trust your instincts. That means if a ride looks poorly maintained or an operator seems to be inattentive, don’t let your children ride; redirect their attention to another appealing (and more safe looking) ride.

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when it comes to riding safely, which means less of a stressful, and more of an uneventful (in a good way) day for you.

• Supervise your child getting on and off a ride. Make sure the child understands all announcements and posted rules. Also, parents should practice active supervision. Don’t allow older children to supervise younger children on rides.
• Always use the safety equipment provided. Safety belts, lap bars, chains, handrails and other safety features are there for a reason.
• Be careful when getting off a moving ride. Wait until the ride comes to a complete stop. Also, if a ride stops due to a mechanical problem or safety concern, stay seated and wait for instructions.
• Don’t let children ride if they’re too tired or scared to comply with safety procedures. On some rides, it’s important to stay upright and face forward. Don’t pressure kids to go on a ride they’re afraid of, as they’re more likely to sit incorrectly or even try to get off.

More About Recreational Safety

• Travel Safely To and From the Park
• Check Out Our Water Safety Guide

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