How to Take Kids to a Theme Park

Theme parks are a great way to feel like a kid again, unless you have kids with you. Then you have to be the adult. If you're a camp counselor or a teacher on a field trip, this article is for you. The following tips are designed for a group of up to ten kids with one to two adults.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Matching shirts or hats in bright colors
• Cell Phones
• 1-2 Adults
• 2-10 Kids
• Spray Bottle
• Backpack

How to Discuss Safety

1. Dress the children in matching t-shirts in bright colors. This will keep them together and make them easier to spot from a distance. For a water park, try a wrist band.
2. Be sure to collect the cell phone numbers of all children and adults in your party before you enter the park.
3. Use the buddy system. Counting heads is a helpful tool, but it doesn't always tell you who is missing. Have the kids choose a "buddy" to check on at different points throughout the day. When you call out "buddy check!" you will know immediately which child is missing. Then count the children again in case you've lost a pair.
4. Arrange a meeting place in case anyone is separated from the group. Good meeting places are tall attractions because the child only has to look up to find them. Don't rely on a child to follow a map.
5. Kids also have trouble determining time. If they get lost, tell them to stay where they are and count to a hundred slowly or sing through a favorite song twice in their heads before wandering over to the meeting spot. This will allow you a little time to find them before the separation interrupts your day.

How to Plan Your Itinerary

6. Find out which rides each child wants to go on and check to see that these rides are open. Most theme parks have a list of closed attractions at the ticket booth.
7. Roller coasters and new attractions will have long lines. Fortunately, some theme parks allow you to reserve a time slot by entering your admission ticket into a kiosk at the ride entrance and taking a number. If the rides on your list have this feature, get your return tickets when you enter the park and go on the less crowded attractions while you wait.
8. Tell the kids that all souvenir shopping will be done at the end of the trip. This will spare you from the inevitable hassle of having to carry the souvenirs for them and will minimize the risk of anything getting lost.

How to Handle Rides

9. Not all rides are appropriate for all children, especially when there are age differences. If you have another adult with you, you can split the group in half to allow the older kids to ride the roller coasters while the younger kids ride something else. If you're on your own, send the kids on the ride alone and wait with the others at the exit. The children on the ride will be strapped in and supervised by the ride operator. The kids left behind will be at a greater risk for getting lost and should be supervised.
10. Theme parks are notoriously hot in the summer, especially when it is crowded. Make the line cooler and more fun by bringing a spray bottle and filling it with water before you get in line. Make sure that you have control of the spray bottle at all times--the guests in front of and behind you in line will appreciate it.
11. Secure all loose items of clothing before getting on the ride. If there is no designated place on the ride to store these items, offer to put them in your backpack until the ride is over.
12. Some ride exits are in the middle of a gift shop, which is both clever and incredibly irritating to adults with a big group of kids. Make sure you exit the ride ahead of the children. Remind the kids that shopping is reserved for the end of the day. They will probably scatter anyway. Stand at the exit to catch any escapees and wait for everyone to assemble before leaving the store. This is a good time for a buddy check.

How to Plan Meals

13. Plan in advance whether to bring or buy lunch at the park. Some parks require all outside food to be eaten outside, while others will not mind a sack lunch eaten at the table with a purchased lunch. Keep all sack lunches and money labeled and separated in your backpack or purse.
14. Have one adult wait with the children with sack lunches while the other is in line with the kids who are buying their lunches. If you are alone, send the kids with sack lunches to a table within your line of sight and tell them not to leave while you help the other kids order.
15. Plan to stand next to all the children while they order to make sure they order real food and don't overspend.