The Coolest Places To Take Your Kids In The USA

By: Phoebe Ackland, 03 October 2023

By: Phoebe Ackland, ellaslist

If you’re heading to the U.S for your next family holiday, then these super cool and family-friendly attractions definitely need to be on the itinerary. You’ll score major points with your kids.

1. Diggerland, New Jersey

You might not believe us, but at Diggerland USA, kids can ride and operate heavy machinery including dump trucks, excavators and steamrollers! Here you can dig holes, watch stunt shows, take military vehicles off-road.. and even parents can get in on the fun! There’s an ‘XL’ section for grown-ups to have a go too.

diggerland

Source: Diggerland USA

2. Head To San Diego

San Diego is so absolutely jam-packed with family-friendly attractions, that we had to make a list of our favourites! See over 4000 animals across 100 acres of tropical gardens at the San Diego Zoo, catch one of the 6 daily shows at San Diego SeaWorld, head to Balboa Park where you’ll find 15 major museums and galleries, or get hands-on at the New Children’s Museum!

kids museum Source: The New Children’s Museum

3. LEGOLAND, California

Calling all little LEGO lovers! There’s over 60 rides, and the park is broken up into different ‘worlds’ for every kind of LEGO experience imaginable. The LEGO NINJAGO World is 1 acre of a new, interactive ride where you can virtually throw fireballs, ice and lightning to beat the villains and earn your ninja status – all with cutting edge technology! Memorable Star Wars scenes will be recreated at Miniland USA, and don’t forget to pack a cossie for the Pirate Reef Ride that packs a real splash.

legoland

4. Cool Mess, NYC

For a lunch-time treat, head to this upper Manhattan venue where you can make ice cream at your table! Cross the pink velvet rope and enter a world where you choose your own flavours- a vanilla or chocolate base, topped off with add ins of your choice! From gummy bears to cookie dough, we wonder what your child will come up with.

cool mess

Source: Cool Mess Facebook

5. The Crayola Experience

This interactive museum can be found in several locations: Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Here, you can let your creativity run free with 26 hands-on activities where you can mould, burn off energy at the Crayola inspired indoor playground, customise the label on your very own crayon, star in your very own colouring in page, & LOADS more!

crayola

Source: Orlando Sky Radio

6. The Mystery Spot, California

This bizarre site must be seen to be believed. It is a small area said to be unbound by physics and gravity, where people appear to be tilting when standing. Really, it’s an optical illusion of the coolest kind EVER.

tilted

Source: SMALL TALK

7. The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, Florida

No longer do you have to fall asleep and dream to enter the magical realm of Harry Potter! In Orlando, you can visit Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley. The charming Hogsmeade village has fascinating shops and eateries for you to explore, wander through the classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts, and see the iconic establishments on Diagon Alley including Olivander’s wand shop! You can even board the Hogwarts Express to take you from location to location.

diagon alley

Source: DIS UNIVERSAL

8. The Happiest Place On Earth

The Disneyland Park in California and the Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida both recently made our list of the BEST Disneyland venues in the world! In Florida, you’ll find over 2000 animals across 6 different lands including DinoLand and Discovery Land, and families always seem to enjoy the live shows including Finding Nemo the Musical and The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic. California is home to Walt Disney’s original park, where 8 extravagant lands will whisk you into a world of princesses and pirates. There’s a ride dedicated to all your favourite characters including Goofy’s Playhouse, and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. As if a trip to America would be complete without visiting Disneyland?!

finding nemo

Source: Disney World

 

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