Hersheypark is perfect to visit with toddlers and young children!
We love Hersheypark! And we’ve been visiting since the kids were little. In fact, our youngest was two the first time she visited Hersheypark. And she had a blast!
One of the best reasons to visit Hersheypark with toddlers is all of the rides they can go on. A typical toddler can get on over 20 different rides. And taller toddlers have access to more than three dozen rides!
The guide below shares everything you need to know about visiting Hersheypark with young kids and toddlers, including what you can bring, the best quiet spaces, and other tips to make your visit the best ever. So, let’s dive in!
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Prepare For Your Visit to Hersheypark With Toddlers
Pack Your Diaper Bag Well
You can bring your diaper bag to Hersheypark, so make sure you have everything you need! There are plenty of changing stations in the bathrooms throughout the park.
Don’t forget to pack swim diapers if you plan on going to the park’s Boardwalk area. Your child won’t be allowed in the water without one.
Change of Clothes, Swimsuits, and Towels
In addition to your diaper bag, you’ll want to pack a change of clothes (for the inevitable accidents) and, if you’re going to the Boardwalk, a swimsuit, towel, and water shoes for your toddler.
Don’t forget to bring a waterproof pouch to hold your cell phone and money.
Pack Snacks and a Water Bottle
Hersheypark’s official stance is that no outside food is allowed into the park. But after dozens of visits, no one has ever said anything about the snacks in our bag. You’ll want to pack some of your child’s favorite snacks for your visit to avoid hunger meltdowns while in line,
You’ll also want to pack a reusable water bottle. Hersheypark now has water bottle filling stations around the park.
Bring Your Stroller to Hersheypark
Hersheypark is not only huge (121 acres compared to Magic Kingdom’s 107 acres), but also has many steep hills throughout the park. Your little one will not want to walk around all that!
Another bonus of bringing a stroller to Hersheypark is using it for storage versus renting a locker.
Practice Safety
Like any place with many people, it can be easy for little kids to get turned around and lost.
Make sure your children can recognize a Hersheypark employee if they get lost. Take a photo of your child in their current outfit so you have an accurate picture to show employees.
Consider using a toddler harness with a leash or wrist link if your child dislikes sitting in a stroller.
Avoid the Weekends
It doesn’t always work for everyone’s schedule, but if you can avoid the weekend while visiting Hersheypark with a toddler, then do it! Even in the summer, weekdays can be busy, but weekends will always be the busiest. The less crowded it is, the less time you’ll spend waiting in line for rides and attractions.
Measure Up!
Before you head into Hersheypark with your toddler, have them stand next to one of the chocolate characters by the front gate. You can determine if they’ll be a Hershey’s Miniature or Hershey’s Kiss. Then you’ll know which rides they can go on!
Download the Hersheypark App
One of our biggest tips when visiting Hersheypark is downloading the Hersheypark app.
The app will give you ride wait times, help you map out directions to the attractions you want to visit, give you show times, and allow you to pre-order food.
It’ll save you time and frustration, which is essential when visiting an amusement park with a toddler!
Visiting Hersheypark With Small Kids: 10 Things to Know
1. Children Under 3 Are FREE
One of the best reasons to bring your toddler to Hersheypark is that they are FREE! Anyone under 36 months of age can enter Hersheypark at no charge. So, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit the Sweetest Place on Earth.
2. There Are Tons of Hersheypark Rides For Kids
We loved visiting Hersheypark when the kids were little. Don’t get me wrong. We still love it now that they are tall enough for the BIG rollercoasters. But visiting Hersheypark with a toddler is so easy since they have many rides.
The average height of a three-year-old is anywhere between 34 and 40 inches. That would put them in the Hershey’s Miniatures or Hershey’s Kisses ride height categories.
If your toddler is a “Miniature,” they will have over 20 rides available. And if they are “Kiss,” they have over three dozen rides! You can find a list of the rides by height category here.
3. Parents Can’t Always Ride With Kids
Although there are plenty of rides that both toddlers and their parents can enjoy together, not every toddler ride at Hersheypark is appropriate for parent-sized guests.
Rides like Balloon Flite and Granny Bugs are limited to those shorter than 54 inches. The mini versions of the pirate ship and Himalaya rides do not allow anyone over 60 inches tall to ride.
This might not be an issue for independent toddlers and little kids, but if your child needs you by their side, they’ll be limited in what they can ride.
4. Hersheypark Offers Kiddie Swap
Visiting an amusement park with a toddler can limit which rides you can do.
However, that’s not the case at Hersheypark. They offer “Kiddie Swap,” which allows a parent or guardian to wait with the child while the other party member is on a ride and then swap places afterward for the next ride. Just let the person at the front of the line know.
5. There Are Toddler-Friendly Spaces at the Boardwalk
The Boardwalk Area at Hersheypark offers plenty of fun spaces for toddlers to splash around. There are three attractions specifically designed for young children in mind.
Sandcastle Cove has water slides, cannons, sprayers, and a pool that is a max of 18 inches deep. The area also has a zero-depth entry ramp. The Shoreline Sprayground has misters, spraying jets, water curtains, and a bucket that dumps water. Bayside Pier offers a zero-depth entry with mini waves, fountains, and tipping cones.
Toddlers can also enjoy the slides at the East Coast Waterworks with an adult accompanying them,
6. Check Out a Fun Show
Another way you can entertain toddlers at Hersheypark is by watching one of the shows at the park.
There are two places to sit down and enjoy some entertainment at Hersheypark. The first is the Chevrolet Music Box Theater, which typically offers multiple shows in a day. The theater is inside and air-conditioned. The music can be loud, so if your toddler is sensitive to that, you might want to skip the performance.
The Aquatheater is an outdoor theater that incorporates sea lions and seals into a silly and fun 20-minute show. It’s a great opportunity to rest your feet.
7. Meet the Characters
If your toddler loves Hershey’s candy, then they’ll love meeting the Hershey’s Characters! Hershey Bar, Kiss, Reese, and others can be found roaming the paths in the park and occasionally putting on shows.
8. Walk Through ZooAmerica
Another option to get away from the crowds is to visit ZooAmerica. Admission to ZooAmerica is included with your Hersheypark ticket. You can access the zoo by the Hershey Triple Tower.
Your toddler will love watching the wolves, mountain lions, elk, and black bear romp and play before heading back to the park.
9. Visit Chocolate World
One of our favorite things to do when visiting Hersheypark is to stop in Chocolate World before we head back to the car. There, we love to ride the Chocolate Factory Tour, a free ride where you get a special treat at the end!
Sometimes, you can find candy characters wandering around. Your toddler might also enjoy the new 4D movie at Chocolate World or any of the other fun things to do at Chocolate World.
10. Utilize the Quiet and Cool Spaces
If your toddler is getting tired or is on the verge of a meltdown, these are some places to cool off or have some quiet.
- The Kissing Tower: It’s not a long ride, but the Kissing Tower offers some quiet time as you slowly climb up 250 feet above Hersheypark. Toddlers can sit and look out of the window over the park and the surrounding area as you make three revolutions around the tower.
- Quiet Locations: There are two quiet locations within the park that are typically used by nursing mothers but also anyone who needs a break from the crowds. The first is in Pioneer Frontier at the Family Health and Services building by the arcade. The second is at Guest Services by the Kissing Tower.
- Chevrolet Music Box Theater: Not quiet by any standard, but definitely cool, the Chevrolet Music Box Theater offers a nice airconditioned space in Hersheypark. Shows are offered throughout the day. Of course, if you just want to cool off, you can enter the theater, sit down for a bit, and then leave before the show starts!
Where to Stay Near Hersheypark With Toddlers
If you’re staying overnight at Hershey, one of the best places to stay with a toddler is the Hershey Lodge.
You not only have access to their massive indoor pool (which is more like an indoor waterpark), but you’ll also receive FREE admission to the Hershey Story Museum and the Hershey Gardens, two activities that toddlers would enjoy!
Another family-friendly option is the Days Inn by Wyndham with an indoor pool and complimentary breakfast. It’s within walking distance of the Hershey Story Museum and many family-friendly restaurants on Chocolate Avenue.
Wrapping Up Visiting Hersheypark With Toddlers
If you’re debating about bringing your toddler to Hersheypark, stop! You and your family will have a great time going on rides together, enjoying the shows, and all of the other fun avaiable. It’s time to start planning your trip to Hersheypark!
