Safety

15 Amusement Park Safety Tips

By GToys Published · Updated

15 Amusement Park Safety Tips

Summer is coming and the fun has started. But safety is more important, it will ruin your fun if you are injured.

The Essential 15 Safety Tips

  1. Obey listed age, height, weight, and health restrictions. These exist for a reason and are based on engineering specifications for each ride.

  2. Observe all posted ride safety rules. Read the signs before you get in line, not when you are already strapped in.

  3. Keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside the ride at all times. This is the most basic rule, yet injuries from extended limbs happen every season.

  4. Remain seated in the ride until it comes to a complete stop and you are instructed to exit. Jumping off early is one of the leading causes of amusement park injuries.

  5. Follow all verbal instructions given by ride operators or provided by recorded announcements. Ride operators are trained to keep you safe.

  6. Always use safety equipment provided and never attempt to wriggle free of or loosen restraints or other safety devices. Harnesses, lap bars, and seat belts are your lifeline on high-speed rides.

  7. Parents with young children should make sure that their children can understand safe and appropriate ride behavior. If your child cannot follow basic safety instructions, the ride is not appropriate for them yet.

  8. Never force anyone, especially children, to ride attractions they do not want to ride. Fear is a natural protective instinct, and overriding it can lead to panic during the ride.

  9. Avoid neck or back injuries. Since you are riding a high-impact ride, you are risking injury. Most common injuries are back and neck injuries from riding on different roller coasters. If you have pre-existing back and neck injuries, you need to steer clear of the wild rides.

  10. Avoid split lip injuries. Some water rides look like pokey, slow, kid-friendly options, but the final drop is intense. A heavier person sitting behind a lighter person can go flying forward and injure the person in front.

  11. Watch for scared kids. Small children get scared on rides and try to stand up or get out. Sometimes they succeed, and injuries occur.

  12. Be careful on steps and stairs. People run down the stairs, ramps, and walkways, which often results in cuts, bruises, scrapes, or a bloody knee. Kids are especially likely to hurt themselves through being careless and excited.

  13. Understand G-force effects. High-speed rides can cause blackouts, vomiting, and disorientation, especially in people who are dehydrated or have not eaten properly.

  14. Be cautious on old wooden roller coasters. Neck injuries, back injuries, bruised ribs, bitten lips, lost retainers, and migraine headaches are common on rougher older coasters.

  15. Secure your belongings. Keep your stuff in lockers. Getting hit by a cellphone flying at roller-coaster speed can cause serious injury.

General Amusement Park Safety Advice

Beyond these 15 tips, remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and take breaks in the shade. Amusement parks are meant to be fun, and a little preparation goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe and happy.

Expert Tips From Parents and Educators

Experienced parents and early childhood educators offer valuable perspective on choosing and using toys effectively. Here are insights gathered from those who have seen thousands of children play.

Start Simple, Build Up

Many parents make the mistake of buying the most advanced version of a toy right away. Start with the basic version. If your child loves it, upgrade to the next level. This approach saves money and prevents overwhelm. A child who masters a simple puzzle feels motivated to tackle a harder one. A child given a puzzle that is too difficult from the start may give up entirely.

Watch How Your Child Plays

Before buying the next toy, spend some time observing how your child plays with what they already have. What draws their attention? What do they return to day after day? What gets ignored after the initial excitement wears off? These observations are worth more than any buying guide because they reveal your individual child’s preferences and play style.

Quality Time Beats Quantity of Toys

Research from the University of Toledo found that children with fewer toys engage more deeply, creatively, and for longer periods than children with many toys. Four toys produced higher quality play than sixteen toys in controlled studies. The takeaway is clear: a curated collection of excellent toys outperforms a mountain of mediocre ones.

Do Not Underestimate Cardboard Boxes

Ask any parent what their child played with most after a birthday or holiday, and many will sheepishly admit it was the box. Cardboard boxes become spaceships, castles, race cars, puppet theaters, and time machines. They cost nothing and provide some of the most creative play experiences available. Keep a few good boxes around and watch what happens.

Let Boredom Happen

Parents often rush to fill every quiet moment with a new toy or activity. But boredom is actually a powerful catalyst for creativity. When children are bored, they invent games, create stories, and discover new ways to use familiar toys. Resist the urge to solve boredom immediately and give your child the space to solve it themselves.