Kids and theme parks may seem like they’d go hand-in-hand, but visiting a major theme park with small children is no easy task. Proper planning can help your visit go a little smoother. Some disasters are avoidable, while others can at least be managed with proper damage control. Watch out for these common problems with young children.
1. Exploding Diapers
It seems to be a universal law of parenting that explosive diapers will inevitably happen when it’s most inconvenient. A really bad diaper explosion can ruin an entire outfit and stroller seat before you have a chance to realize what’s happening. The best you can do to prevent this occurrence is make an extra effort to remember to check for wet and dirty diapers while you’re on vacation.
If you fall victim to this disaster, you can minimize the damage quickly and efficiently by keeping some important items on hand. If you have diaper age children, you should always keep the following in your bag for a theme park vacation:
- A complete change of clothes
- Extra diapers
- Plenty of wipes
- Antibacterial hand sanitizer
- A small towel or rag
2. Wet clothes
Splash Mountain
Theme park visitors can end up with wet clothes in a number of ways. Whether you’re caught in a storm, get drenched on a water ride, or turn around just as your child decides it will feel awfully refreshing to dump a bottle of water over his head, the results are basically the same.
An adult in wet clothes will be uncomfortable, but have the self-control to deal with it until the clothes dry. For a child, the same problem can seem unbearably uncomfortable. Wet socks in particular can cause chafing and blisters.
If you’re at Universal Studios or another theme park with body dryers, you have an easy solution available for just a few dollars. If you’re pushing a stroller around, lay a towel down on the seat before you leave so you’ll have one on hand for these situations. If you’re carrying a backpack, a towel is probably too bulky of an addition, but at least keep some dry socks in there.
When at all possible, you can avoid this situation by keeping cheap ponchos with you. In their original packaging, ponchos are extremely small and portable, so you can grab a couple for everyone in your party. Toss them on before water rides if you have small children who may get upset at getting drenched. If the skies open up, you can either wear the ponchos, or use them to cover the stroller and create a dry retreat.
3. Bathroom accidents
Flights of Wonder Restrooms
If your child was recently potty trained, the hectic pace of a theme park vacation may wreak havoc on his or her bathroom routine. Be especially mindful of this potential problem and you can often avoid disasters.
It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re rushing from one attraction to another. Set an alarm on your watch or phone to remind you to take a bathroom break once every hour or two. Take young children into the bathroom and encourage them to try even if they think they don’t have to go. Keep ahead of restroom breaks instead of waiting for your child to tell you he has to go. By the time you get to this point, you may be too far from a restroom to make it in time.
4. Lost items
Small children are experts at tossing important items out of the stroller while you’re on the move through a busy crowd. You can do a few things to help prevent lost items. Secure toys, cups, and pacifiers to the child or the stroller with a piece of ribbon, or an adjustable strap designed for just this purpose. Carry extras of the items you really need, like bottles or sippy cups.
Leave really important items at home or in the hotel room. If your child has a blanket or stuffed animal that he’s used to carrying along, begin weaning him of the habit a few months before your vacation. Begin with short walks where the special items stays at home “taking a nap” or “guarding the house.” Progress to longer and longer trips until you can manage a day out without the irreplaceable friend.
5. Exhaustion and tantrums
Long hours, overexcitement, heat, and sun can all contribute to cranky children and major temper tantrums. The easiest way to prevent this is to include an afternoon break in your day. Head back to the hotel during the hottest hours for a rest. Older children can take a dip in the pool while younger ones get a good long nap.
Don’t expect children to skip a restful nap and stay up late in the same day without losing it. If a midday break doesn’t fit in your schedule, plan to leave the park at a reasonable hour. As tempting as it is to push the kids to fit as much fun in the day as possible, this just isn’t an option for many small children.
6. Upset tummies
Dasani Bottled Water
While an increasing number of theme parks are offering healthy meal options, particularly for children, not all kids actually take advantage of these choices. Typical park food is heavy, greasy, sweet, and fattening. Eating too many of these treats in one long, hot day can result in some seriously upset tummies.
Minimize the potential for this kind of problem by including as much fresh healthy food as possible in your child’s diet. Consider the types of foods your kids usually eat in a typical day and don’t veer too far from the norm.
Always push lots of water to avoid dehydration, which will only aggravate tummy issues. If your kids aren’t used to drinking much water, start including it in their diet in the weeks leading up to the vacation so it won’t be brand new to them. Choose a fun water bottle to make the experience more exciting, and feel free to make a big deal out of how you’re practicing for your exciting upcoming vacation.
