24 Great Amusement Parks & Theme Parks for Kids In and Around NYC
New York City and its surrounding regions are home to some of the most exciting amusement parks in New York, offering fun for both children and adults. Among the best amusement parks in NYC are Luna Park, LEGOLAND New York, Playland, Nickelodeon Universe, and Hersheypark, each featuring roller coasters, water attractions, interactive play zones, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment.
What sets these amusement parks apart is how much families can experience in a single visit. From thrilling rides and classic park treats to quality time spent together, each of these amusement parks promises a memorable day for visitors of all ages. Many of these parks are also conveniently located, either in the city or just a short drive away.
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At a Glance:
- Family-friendly rides: Roller coasters, Ferris wheels, carousels, and attractions.
- Boardwalk and carnival experiences: Games, food stalls, and classic boardwalk
- Themed adventures: Interactive attractions, immersive shows, and experiences based on popular themes
- Water and outdoor activities: Water rides, splash areas, pools, and beaches.
- Character and seasonal entertainment: Meet-and-greets, live performances, and seasonal events for family engagement
Amusement Parks For Kids in New York
Adventureland
2245 Broadhollow Rd, Farmingdale, NY
Adventureland offers something for everyone, no matter your interests or age. There are plenty of attractions for families to enjoy in this amusement park, located in New York. If you’re looking to beat the summer heat, try some of the water rides or spend the afternoon in the arcade. Adventureland is perfect for a fun-filled family day.
Adventurer’s Park
1824 Shore Parkway, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Adventurer’s Park offers a variety of classic rides, games, and seasonal entertainment for the whole family. As one of the best amusement parks in NYC, it’s a perfect spot for kids and adults to enjoy thrills, water attractions, and arcade fun without leaving the city.
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
3059 W 12th St, Brooklyn
If you are looking for an amusement park in New York, head over to Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. With plenty of kids’ rides to keep the little ones entertained for hours, it’s a classic destination among amusement parks in NY, and of course, no visit is complete 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
Right in the heart of Queens, visitors can experience one of New York’s most iconic amusement parks, featuring a thrilling roller coaster, family-friendly rides, classic games, and a charming carousel. The carousel, brought over from Coney Island in 1964 for the World’s Fair, is the only ride from that event still spinning in Queens today. Throughout the summer, families can also catch lively, family-friendly performances nearly every weekend at Flushing Meadows.
Legoland New York
One Legoland Blvd, Goshen, NY
If your children love everything Lego, a visit to one of the top amusement parks in NYC, Legoland New York, is a must. This themed amusement park offers a wide range of attractions and shows that bring the Lego world to life. For a full weekend adventure, families can also stay at the playful Lego Hotel right on site.
Luna Park
1000 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY
Summer in NYC isn’t complete without a visit to Luna Park, one of the best amusement parks in New York. The park offers fun rides for every age and gentle attractions for little ones, making it a perfect stop for the whole family. Along the iconic boardwalk, you’ll find fun games, delicious snacks, and plenty of opportunities to take a break between adventures. And of course, no visit is complete without enjoying a classic Nathan’s hot dog to round out the day.
Playland
1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY
This fun amusement park in NYC has been welcoming families since 1928 and remains a popular destination each season. What makes Playland special is that families can enjoy all of its attractions and rides, then spend the afternoon relaxing at the Playland pool and beach.
Sylvan Beach Amusement Park
112 Bridge St., Sylvan Beach, NY
Set on the shores of Oneida Lake, this historic amusement park offers a variety of rides and games for visitors of all ages. With its vintage charm and family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a fun destination for a classic summer outing.
Amusement Parks For Kids in NY: New Jersey
Diggerland
100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091
Diggerland is a construction-themed amusement park featuring over 40 rides and attractions designed for kids of all ages. With both dry and water-based experiences, it’s a unique destination that blends fun with hands-on adventure for the whole family.
Fantasy Island Park
750 N. Bay Ave., Beach Haven, NJ
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
3 Overpeck Pk Driveway, Leonia, NJ
Just a 9-minute trip from NYC takes you to a natural oasis featuring over 30 life-sized, incredibly realistic animatronic dinosaurs (including the largest ever created). This unique attraction is one of the most exciting amusement parks in NYC for families who want both fun and discovery. The exhibition showcases the latest discoveries in paleontology, geology, and environmental science. Visitors can take part in more than 40 live shows, games, and workshops, and at the Paleontology Lab, kids receive a book and dig for fossils like real paleontologists, exploring the main excavation site for hands-on adventure.
Jenkinsons Boardwalk
300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
This beachside amusement park and boardwalk features several rides, arcades, and attractions for small children to teens. An adjacent aquarium provides extra educational fun. The park also hosts special events.
Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids Waterpark
275 Beachway Ave., Keansburg, NJ
This amusement park features dozens of rides for kids and teens, a water park with a lazy river and more than 19 slides with varying speeds, and 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.
Land of Make Believe
354 Great Meadows Road, Route 611, Hope, NJ
Families can dive into excitement at the 30-acre Land of Make Believe, one of the top amusement parks in NYC, with rides and attractions for all ages. Guests can enjoy the free-fall ride, Pirate’s Cannonball, the rocking tugboat, and also explore Blackbeard’s Pirate Fort. The park is thoughtfully designed so parents can join in on the fun alongside their children, making it a perfect family-friendly destination.
Morey’s Piers, one of the top amusement parks in NYC, stretches across six lively beach blocks, offering more than 18 acres of family fun. This amusement park has three piers and two beachfront water parks. Ensuring there’s something for everyone. Adventure Pier thrills visitors with roller coasters, thrill rides, and a raceway, while Surfside Pier is ideal for kiddie and family rides. At Mariner’s Landing Pier, classic attractions like the Ferris wheel and teacups await, alongside an arcade and tasty boardwalk treats. Water lovers can cool off at Raging Waters, with play areas, slides, and activity pools, or enjoy additional rides at the Oasis Waterpark + Beach Club. With its mix of rides, games, and water adventures, Morey’s Piers offers a full day of unforgettable fun for the whole family.
Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream
1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Located inside American Dream, Nickelodeon Universe is one of the top amusement parks in NYC and a must-visit for a memorable summer experience. As one of the largest indoor theme parks in the Western Hemisphere, it offers record-breaking rides and attractions that thrill guests of all ages.
Playland Castaway Cove
1020 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ
On this Ocean City boardwalk, you’ll find thrill rides, pirate golf, go-karts, an arcade, kids’ rides, and food concession stands.
Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ
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
Step into the Wild West and experience a real Western town brought to life. Enjoy live-action shows all day long on the outdoor Main Street. Get a bird’s-eye view of the town on the Stage Coach, or hop aboard the train for a ride into outlaw territory. Younger visitors can enjoy pony rides, while the whole family can explore the town’s shops and museums, which faithfully recreate Dodge City, Kansas, as it appeared in the 1880s.
Amusement Parks For Kids in Pennsylvania
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
4000 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA
This amusement park is packed with thrilling rides and water attractions, including Steel Force, the longest steel roller coaster on the East Coast, and HYDRA, Pennsylvania’s first and only floorless coaster. Guests can also splash around in the waterpark, featuring three levels of interactive water games and the 70-foot-tall Lightning Falls water slide.
Dutch Wonderland
2249 Lincoln Highway E., Lancaster, PA
This park, designed especially for families with young kids, is one of the top amusement parks close to NY, offering rides and activities that delight kids of all ages. It features 37 kiddie and family rides, including two gentle coasters, bumper cars, a merry-go-round, and more. Little ones can cool off and play in Duke’s Lagoon, which offers water slides, splash zones, and relaxing lounge areas for parents.
Hersheypark
100 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA
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 where you can get some delicious food and sweet treats. Make sure to check out their waterpark during your visit.
Knoebels Amusement Resort
391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg
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 their 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
Step into a world of fun and magic with your kids at Sesame Place, where beloved TV characters come to life at one of the most family-friendly amusement parks near NYC. Designed especially for young children, the park offers fun rides and water attractions that even toddlers as young as 2 can enjoy. Families can also watch live Sesame Street shows, meet beloved characters, and take part in a variety of seasonal events that make each visit feel special.
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