Of course, if you have older children, there's even more to explore.

The hidden advantage here is that these rides can also lull an extraordinarily overtired child into sleep if necessary, just like our 'car rides to nowhere' used to do back when gas was cheaper. Infants aren't permitted even on these rides, but they provide a chance for grandparents and little ones to enjoy each other while they check out the sights. Mellow Breaksįamily rides like the Sky Ride and the Swan Boats are a chance to see the park and gain a little downtime simultaneously. My favorite is Timbertown, with a small swing ride and Frankie's Mine Train, a wonderful first roller coaster, along with a great central location for food in air conditioning with nearby restrooms. It feels like a safe zone for little kids that offers similar rides on a smaller scale, like an amusement park with training wheels to help the little ones learn the ropes. With their low-key rides and gentle family entertainment, the only big kids or teenagers you're likely to see around are big brothers and sisters of a little one. Within the amusement park, there are clear 'kiddie zones' that practically offer amusement parks within the larger amusement park. Whether kids are playing house or pretending to be nursery rhyme characters, the little structures are great for the imagination, as is the Alice in Wonderland walk in the Fest area. In a family of mixed ages, I can imagine a little kid might very well arrive at these houses and so pressing reason to move on to anything else. Remnants of Great Escape's past as Storytown USA, the structures depict different familiar nursery rhymes (like Jack & the Beanstalk, right). My daughters, at the ripe old ages of 8 and 11, were thrilled to discover the small-scaled Little Houses around Storytown, the area just inside the park. With ads that focus on the latest excitement for park thrill seekers, it can seem like the park is best for the tween- and teen-set. I'd delayed our first vist literally for years because I assumed that my girls weren't ready yet. What surprised me most about Six Flags Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom in Lake George is how many attractions are appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers.

Great escape lake george