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The Best Amusement Parks for Kids In and Near NYC

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Best Amusement Parks & Theme Parks for Kids In and Around NYC

Nothing screams summer more than spending time at an amusement park with the whole family. Luckily for us New Yorkers, we have a ton of parks located both in and around the city that will make for a perfect day trip!

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New York

Adventureland

2245 Broadhollow Rd, Farmingdale, NY
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No matter what kind of experience you are looking to get when visiting a park, Adventureland has it all! From kiddie rides, or thrill rides, there are many attractions for families to choose from. If you’re looking to beat the summer heat while you visit, try out some of their water rides or spend the afternoon in their arcade.

Adventurer’s Park

1824 Shore Parkway, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
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Calling all adventurers: This amusement park features family rides, water boats, go karts, bumper cars and more.

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

3059 W 12th St, Brooklyn
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If you are looking for an amusement park that isn’t too far from the city, head over the Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park! There are many kids’ rides that will keep the little ones occupied for hours and of course, it wouldn’t be a day at Deno’s without riding the world-famous Deno’s Wonder Wheel. 

Fantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel

111th Street and 55th Avenue, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens
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One roller coaster, family rides and games, and a carousel are right in the heart of Queens. Don’t miss tons of great family-friendly performances throughout the summer as well, every weekend pretty much every Sunday at Flushing Meadows. The carousel was brought to Coney Island in 1964 for the World’s Fair and is the only ride left from the World’s Fair in Queens. Don’t miss the chance to ride this historical gem.

Legoland New York

One Legoland Blvd, Goshen, NY
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If your kiddos are interested in all things Lego’s then you have to take a trip to Legoland New York. This themed amusement park has everything you could ask for and more, with tons of themed attractions and shows. If you’re looking to make a weekend out of it, you can also stay in their fun Lego Hotel!

Luna Park

1000 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY 
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You can’t spend a summer in NYC without spending a day at Luna Park! Not only do they have a ton of rides for families to try, but there is also a great food selection to add a little extra sweetness to your day out.

Playland

1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY
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This fun amusement park has been welcoming families since 1928 and continues to be a popular destination during the season. The great thing about Playland is that families can come and try out all of the attractions and rides as well as plan a beach day afterwards at the Playland Pool and Beach!

Sylvan Beach Amusement Park

112 Bridge St., Sylvan Beach, NY
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This historic amusement park features a dozen rides including The Himalaya and Galaxi Coaster. Also available are kiddie rides and games, all on the shores of Oneida Lake.

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New Jersey

Diggerland

100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091
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With over 40 attractions throughout the park, Diggerland has something that kids of all ages will enjoy! Aside from the regular favorites, the amusement park has a couple of new attractions and water experiences that families can try this year such as the Mini Dig: Shapes ride and Claw Hammer Cove.

Fantasy Island Park

750 N. Bay Ave., Beach Haven NJ
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This Long Beach Island amusement park boasts 18 amusement rides, games of all types, an arcade, food, a classic carousel, private parties and more. Located in the heart of Beach Haven, attractions include skee-ball, a spinning roller coaster, Tilt-A-Whirl, Ferris Wheel, and more.

Field Station Dinosaurs

Overpeck County Park, Henry Hoebel Area, Fort Lee Road, Leonia, NJ
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Take the 9-minute trip from NYC and enter a natural oasis featuring more than 30 life-sized, realistic-looking animatronic dinosaurs (including the largest ever made). The exhibition encompasses the latest theories and discoveries in the fields of paleontology, geology, and environmental studies. Participate in more than 40 live shows, games, and workshops. At the Paleontology Lab, kids get a book and can dig for fossils like a paleontologist, and dig for fossils at the big site.

Jenkinsons Boardwalk

300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
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This beachside amusement park and boardwalk features several rides, arcades and attractions for small children to teens, as well as an adjacent aquarium for extra educational fun.  The park also hosts free weekly shows and special events.

Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids Waterpark

275 Beachway Ave., Keansburg, NJ
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This park feature dozens of rides for kids and teens, and a water park with a lazy river and more than 19 slides with varying speeds, plus plenty of rides designed for smaller children, including a kids’ lagoon area. Attractions include body slides, a looping roller coaster, a wave swinger, bumper karts, a haunted manor, and the chance to swim with a live mermaid. Many stands and rides that were not open last year due to the pandemic will open in May.

Land of Make Believe & Pirate’s Cove

354 Great Meadows Road, Route 611, Hope NJ
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Thrill rides and water rides rule at the 30-acre Land of Make Believe, with its free-fall ride, Pirate’s Cannonball, and rocking tugboat ride, along with Blackbeard’s Pirate Fort. The park is designed specifically for parents to participate with their children.

Morey’s Piers

3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ
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Morey’s Piers spans more than 18 acres along six beach blocks. It includes three piers and two beachfront water parks: the Adventure Pier, which features coasters, thrill rides, and a raceway; the Surfside Pier, with kiddie and family rides; the Mariner’s Landing Pier, where you can ride traditional rides such as the Ferris wheel and teacups, play in the arcade, and enjoy Boardwalk treats; the Raging Waters waterpark, with kiddie play areas, water slides, and activity pools; and the Oasis Waterpark + Beach Club, which features more water rides for kids and adults.

Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream

1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
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This one-of-a-kind experience is Located inside American Dream and is sure to make your summer more memorable! The Nickelodeon Universe theme park is one of the biggest indoor parks in the Western Hemisphere and has record-breaking rides that guests can try.

Playland Castaway Cove

1020 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ
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On this Ocean City boardwalk you’ll find thrill rides, pirate golf, go-karts, an arcade, and kids’ rides as well as food concession stands.

Six Flags Great Adventure

1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ
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With new attractions every season, Six Flags Great Adventure is the perfect place for families to spend the summer! From amazing rides and great food to their Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure, there is something for everyone to do during their visit.

Wild West City

50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ
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Watch the best of the Wild West come to life in a real Western town. Enjoy live actions shows all day long on outdoor Main Street. Get a bird’s eye view of the town on the Stage Coach, hop aboard the train, deep into outlaw territory and for younger buckaroos ride a pony. Explore the town’s shops and museums which replicates the historic 1880’s town of Dodge City, Kansas. Visit the barnyard, and watch live demos and learn about the life of a blacksmith, mountain man and school marm from the American Frontier.

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Pennsylvania

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

3830 Dorney Park Road, Allentow, PA
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This park features rollercoasters and water rides including Steel Force, the longest steel roller coaster on the East Coast, and HYDRA, the first and only floorless coaster in Pennsylvania. Play in the waterpark, which features three levels of water games and the 70-foot-tall Lighting Falls water slide.

Dutch Wonderland

2249 Lincoln Highway E., Lancaster, PA
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Designed for families with young children, this park features 37 kiddie and family rides, including two kid-friendly coasters, bumper cars, a merry-go-round, and more. Duke’s Lagoon features water slides, splash zones, and lounge areas.

Hersheypark

100 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA
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Everyone knows Hershey from their delicious chocolate treats, but have you ever taken a trip to their iconic amusement park? Hersheypark has a wide variety of rides and games for families to try, as well as great restaurants that you can get some delicious food and sweet treats! Looking for a way to cool down? Make sure to check out their waterpark during your visit.

Idlewild and SoakZone

2582 Route 30, Ligonier
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At the oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania, you’ll find thrill rides and water park fun as well as attractions just for younger children, including the Story Book Forest, Bigfoot’s Mudslide, and the one-and-only Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

Kennywood Park

4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin
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Experience the Black Widow, a giant circle moving in a pendulum motion that swings riders 146 feet above the ground. The Sky Rocket roller coaster takes riders from zero to 50 miles per hour in less than three seconds and features a 95-foot vertical climb. The park also features other thrill rides, a Kiddieland for smaller children, and Olde Kennywood Railroad, where visitors can experience a tour of Kennywood history.

Knoebels Amusement Resort

391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg
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Take a dip in the 900,000-gallon Crystal Pool that includes waterslides, diving boards, and a play area for young children. You can stay overnight at one of two campgrounds or one of our cottages. In addition to more than 60 rides, visitors can also play a round of golf at Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Club.

Sesame Place

100 Sesame Rd, Langhorne, PA 19047
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Spend the day with some of your kids favorite TV characters at Sesame Place. This amusement park has family-friendly rides and water attractions that kids as young as 2 years old can enjoy! The park also offered live sesame street shows,meet and greets and hosts a wide variety of events throughout the season. 

Waldameer Park & Water World

3100 W. Lake Road/220 Peninsula Drive, Erie
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Features more than 75 rides, slides, and attractions, as well as Kiddieland, Imagination Station, and a game-filled midway. Enjoy the Music Express rock and roll ride and The Battle of Lake Erie, a family water complex featuring 103 water attractions, seven slides, and a 400-gallon tipping bucket.

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About the Author

Courtney Ingalls

Courtney is the Digital Editor at New York Family. She was born and raised in Massachusetts and graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Journalism. When she isn’t at her desk, you will find her reading historical fiction books, spending time with her family, or watching the TV show Friends.

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New York Family May 2024

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