It seems like only yesterday our trips to amusement parks were filled with carousel rides, pictures with characters and child swapping on attractions. Of course trips to the theme parks evolve as kids get older, making for a totally different experience.
As a mom of almost tween twins, there are always extra challenges with having multiple kids in tow, but recently I attempted the unthinkable –
I spent the day in the parks with 6 tweens of varying ages.
Yes, there were challenging moments, but there was also plenty of fun. I thought this made the perfect time to share 9 Tips for Surviving Theme Parks with Tweens.
Create a Plan.
Prior to beginning your day in the parks be sure to have a plan of action. You should be familiar with the park’s hours, and it is helpful to have a list of the rides and activities that are the must-do’s of the day. Both Universal Orlando and Disney World have apps you can download to your phone that will make the planning process much easier.
Also, be sure to check the weather forecast. Especially in the summer months, it rains almost daily here in Florida. During the afternoon rain, you could plan for lunch or an indoor show.
Another important part of creating a plan is making sure the kids know what to do if they get separated. With so many younger children having cell phones these days, perhaps the plan just consists of a text or call. Otherwise, make sure you have a centrally located area to meet up.
Pack a Bag with Incidentals.
Although I still pack a main bag full of necessities, at this age the kids can each have their own bag with a few essentials like water, hand sanitizer, snacks, spending money, and perhaps a cellphone. I know giving a 10 year old a cellphone is questionable for many parents, but in the theme parks it is a lifesaver. It gives me peace of mind when I feel like they have been gone too long waiting for a ride, or I have lost sight of them in the climbing areas of a place like Camp Jurassic.
My bag of choice for tweens is a fanny pack because even at this age not every child is super responsible. I can’t tell you how many times with the group of six tweens I had to pick up a backpack that was left behind.
Dress Smart.
Tweens are discovering their sense of style, and it may not always be practical. Recently my daughter wanted to wear cute slightly heeled boots to Universal because it was a cooler day and that clearly seemed like a practical choice to her. Comfort over fashion is always my philosophy, although convincing tweens of that may prove challenging.
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I always prefer fast drying clothing like CoolMax or Dry wick brands for sweat and water rides. Sneakers are practical for a day of walking but if you are planning for water rides be sure that the sneakers are light, walking around the park in soggy shoes is no fun.
Remember that although Florida is the sunshine state, certain times of year can still be very cold in the morning and hot as the day goes on, so layer clothing if necessary or bring a lightweight jacket along.
Allow Some Freedom.
During my day in the park with 6 tweens, there were a few that really tested boundaries when it came to having their freedom. At this age it is still important for them to have a watchful parental eye. With that said, at this age they are tall enough and old enough to ride many of the rides without an adult. I rode plenty of rides with the kids, but I also enjoyed relaxing on a bench by the ride exit while they rode together.
Schedule Down Time.
A great time to reconnect, regroup, adjust plans, and take a break from the action. Whether it be a show or a sit down meal, making sure you have down time gives you a break from the heat and a little time to rest. I found down time extremely important in trying to keep up with the youthful energy of 6 tweens on our last visit, even with that, I did not make it until the park closed without feeling completely exhausted.
Consider Splitting Up.
Even with a group of tweens, with kids of varying heights and maturity, not everyone was able to or wanted to ride every ride. So that everyone is enjoying themselves and no one is “sitting on the sidelines” frustrated, splitting up could be a good option.
Don’t Forget About Kiddie Attractions.
Speaking of maturity, although tweens are able to do most of the thrill rides at the parks, they are still young enough to not be self-conscious about riding the kiddie attractions. My group of 6 tweens not only rode The Hulk Roller Coaster but spent plenty of time in Seuss Landing enjoying the train, carousel, and Cat in The Hat. It was an important reminder that they aren’t all grown up yet.
Consider Single Rider.
Perhaps your group doesn’t want to split up, but not everyone is interested in the next ride. This is a great time to consider the single rider line. We found that many rides with a 50 minute wait were only 5 minutes for single riders. So if there were only a couple of kids that wanted to ride that particular attraction, they opted for the single rider line while the rest of us waited at the exit. Of course this means whoever is riding will be split up. My son was not comfortable with the potential of riding alone, so he sat out, but at this age if kids are comfortable being split up and riding with strangers, single rider may be a great option.
Buy Souvenirs Last.
Even though we are locals to the theme parks, our kids still love to buy souvenirs. How could you not when you are surrounded with all of that eye candy? I always make shopping for souvenirs the last thing we do on the way out of the parks. Buying souvenirs last avoids taking time away from the group and me getting stuck holding the bag all day.
In Closing. Many of these tips shared here can be applicable for any trip to the theme parks. As your kids get older and you move into a different theme park experience, not only do I hope you remember these 9 tips for surviving theme parks with tweens, but remember to enjoy every moment spent together. Before we can blink they will be teenagers, and that is a whole different survival guide.
