The best amusement parks for children in Europe.
Travelling alone and looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush? A theme park could be the solution, with its rollercoasters. If you're travelling as a family, then children's amusement parks are a must for entertainment during your travels. Here's our European top.
Tivoli Gardens, Denmark.
As well as being one of the oldest and largest amusement parks for children, having opened in 1843, Tivoli Gardens is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Copenhagen. It is in the heart of the city and includes not only attractions, but also gardens (after which it is named), theatres and restaurants.
Efteling, Países Baixos.
One of the most visited theme parks in Europe is located near Tilburg. The Efteling is the largest amusement park in the Netherlands. It includes not only gardens, but also several attractions whose theme is dedicated to Dutch folklore and fairy tales.Here, kids will find a Fairy Forest, creative amusements and a water rollercoaster called The Flying Dutchman. And while you're in the Netherlands, there's nothing like exploring Amsterdam. What to do here? We'll help you. Discover our suggestions.
Europa-Park, Germany.
Deciding what to visit in Germany can be an arduous task. However, there is one place that is a dream for children and families. When we talk about amusement parks for children in Europe, we can't leave out Europa-Park in Germany. It's the largest in the country, where you'll find over 100 attractions spread over 18 themed areas.
Disneyland Park, France.
How can we talk about amusement parks for children without mentioning the most iconic of them all? We're talking about Disneyland Paris, of course. France offers several theme park options, but this is the one you really can't miss.
Spread over two parks, it includes the famous pink castle, an incredible Haunted Mansion, a section dedicated to the Pirates of the Caribbean, among others. But to visit Paris is an experience, so take some time to explore the city too.
Alton Towers Resort, England.
Alton Towers is a park located in a rural and historic area of Staffordshire. Visitors can see not only the towers that give it its name, the gardens, but also numerous attractions for all ages, such as Galactica, other rollercoasters, a Black Forest and much more.
Legoland, Denmark.
Legoland is a paradise for all LEGO construction lovers. Here, as well as themed attractions, you'll find mini-cities and areas for the little ones to let their imagination run wild. Always with lots of Legos, of course.
PortAventura World, Spain.
This is one of the best-known amusement parks for children on the Iberian Peninsula. With several areas designed for all families, it includes a real ‘Sesame Street’, children's rollercoasters and a water park.
Puy du Fou, France.
Rather than travelling to France, you want to discover another era? Then Puy du Fou is the solution. A historical theme park that will transport you back in time. There are various live shows, medieval villages and much more.
Dino Parc Râșnov, Romania.
Who doesn't like dinosaurs? These creatures have conquered one of the best-known children's amusement parks in Europe, in Romania. As well as being a real history lesson, you can find over 120 life-size dinosaur figures in the woods.
There are also exhibitions, an open-air and 9D cinema, trails and much more. Make the most of your visit to see a real meteorite or a reproduction of the world's largest flying animal, Hatzegopteryx thambema.
The best amusement parks for children around the world.
Although Europe has a considerable number of amusement parks for children, the truth is that some of the best known are outside the old continent. So, if you cross the Atlantic, you really need to visit the following.
Universal Studios & Tokyo DisneySea, Japan.
Japan is known for being home to some of the best theme parks in the world. That's why we've selected two that, in our opinion, will not only delight children, but also all parents. Universal Studios in Osaka emphasises Super Mario and his friends. It's here that you'll find the first Super Nintendo World, but also a considerable area dedicated to Harry Potter.
Tokyo DisneySea, on the other hand, is perfect for Disney fans with its nautical theme, inspired by the American, Arabian or Mediterranean coasts. But there's also room for the adventures of Anna and Elsa, characters from the film Frozen, and even Peter Pan's Neverland.
Disneyland Park, United States of America.
This was one of the first children's amusement parks to appear. Created in 1955, it was also Disney's first theme park and still includes some of its original attractions. You can travel with Indiana Jones, enter a Haunted Mansion or discover the world of the Pirates of the Caribbean.
Universal Islands of Adventure, United States of America.
Located in Orlando, Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure is home to several attractions dedicated to Harry Potter, with immersive rides. But if you're not one for magic, you can always opt for a trip to the Jurassic World VelociCoaster.
Magic Kingdom, United States of America
Did you know that the Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in the world? Part of its attractions were based on Disneyland Paris, including its imposing Cinderella Castle. You can take a ride on Snow White's seven dwarfs train and much more.
How can you best plan your visit?
Many travel agencies offer exclusive packages, especially for children's amusement parks. In this way, you can often enjoy exclusive discounts. Even when there aren't any, you can always ask these travel agents to help you create a personalised itinerary.
If you're one of those who always prefer to plan each family trip yourself, start by reading our tips on low-cost trip. Essentially, however, you should always ensure that:
- Choosing your destination and time of travel in advance can save you a lot of money. You already know that hotel and flight prices are lower in the low season, so try to find out when each theme park opens and see how it might coincide with this time.
- Be on the lookout for promotions and campaigns from the moment you decide you want to go on this trip. Don't leave it to the last minute to find everything you want to experience, as there are often several offers waiting for you.
- Choosing your accommodation also allows you to add an extra dose of tranquillity. Many amusement parks for children offer packages with accommodation included on the site itself. If you just want to visit, this can be a great solution. If the theme park is near a big city, you know that it has more options for accommodation and transport to get to the rides. So, you can start looking for a more economical option for your family's stay right away.
- Plan what to visit outside the theme park. As mentioned above, if the amusement park is located near a big city, you can do a travelling combo: have fun one day at the park and use the rest of the time to explore new places. Visiting museums, sampling the local cuisine and wandering the streets of cities are always a great solution.
Renting a car in advance is also worthwhile.
Did you know that Enterprise is one of the largest car rental operators in the world? We have car hire locations in over 100 countries. That's why we can help you get from point A to point B safely and comfortably. Choose the destination you want to visit with your family, explore our fleet of cars for hire and enjoy the best memories this trip will give you.