Theme parks in Europe with children
The right park depends almost entirely on the children's age and height. Choosing wrong means paying expensive tickets for rides they can't go on.
The height rule
Before booking anything, check the minimum heights for the park's main rides. Many of the big ones require 1.20 or 1.40 metres, and a six-year-old will be excluded from almost everything at a rollercoaster-focused park. It's the most expensive mistake made.
Up to age 6
Parks with children's theming and rides without height limits. In Spain, smaller parks and water parks with a children's zone work far better than the big ones. Abroad, parks themed around construction toys and children's characters are designed for exactly this bracket.
Ages 7 to 11
The best age for almost any park: they reach the height for most mid-sized rides and still enjoy the theming. This is where the large Spanish and French parks deliver most.
Teenagers
They want big rollercoasters. The parks with the highest concentration of extreme rides are in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. Here theming matters little and the number and quality of rides is everything.
How many days each needs
Large two-zone parks need two full days to see without rushing. Mid-sized ones, one. If you're travelling from far away, check this before booking only one hotel night: ending the day half-finished with tired children guarantees a bad memory.
How to save on tickets
Bought online in advance they're always cheaper than at the gate, sometimes considerably. The park's own hotel packages usually include entry and early access, and pay off if you're going more than one day. And afternoon tickets, for arriving mid-day, are an underrated option.
What to bring
Water and something to eat, because everything inside costs triple. Sun cream and a cap. A change of clothes if there are water rides. And a power bank, since your phone drains between photos and the park app.
The reverse route trick
Most people enter and turn right. Start at the furthest zone and work back toward the entrance: you skip the longest queues during the first hours.
When to go
Avoid July and August if you can: extreme heat, long queues and high prices. May, June and September are far better. And midweek always — the difference from a Saturday is enormous.
Keep reading
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