Simple Thrills

Have you ever been to Storybook Forest at Idlewild Park in Ligonier, PA? Did you know that it was named the Second Best Kids' Park in the World by Amusement Today? If you have, then you would have experienced the larger than life representations of all the nursery rhymes from our childhood as well as The Neighborhood of Make Believe, straight out of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. This amusement park doesn't have all the thrill rides that you'll find at Cedar Point, for example, but when you have little ones who can't ride those rides anyway, why not pack up for a day trip to a park that THEY would enjoy? If you're looking for a fun-filled day trip, check out some of these (or click here for even more ideas) Storybook Island This 8-acre family theme park features over 140 live performances of fairytale sets. The sets include themes from old-school nursery rhymes as well as newer additions from modern-day Disney movies. Admission is free! The downside is that this park is in South Dakota, but it's only 45 minutes from Mount Rushmore, which would be a fun way to complete the trip. Holiday World Bringing Santa to Santa Claus, IN for over 60 years, this park's attractions celebrate Halloween, July 4th and Thanksgiving, plus it offers a waterpark with the country's tallest water drop (the Pilgrim's Plunge) and The Wildebeest, the world's longest watercoaster, over 1/3 mile long. Children's Fairyland Amusement Park In Oakland, CA, you can visit Children's Fairyland, America's first storybook themed park. You can visit places like Pinocchio's castle and the Old Lady in the Shoe's shoe. For only $2, you can purchase a 'magic key' to listen to all the stories at each site. And at only $7 admission fee, it's a steal! These parks and others were featured in the August 2009 issue of Cookie Magazine.