When do you let your kids ride the big carnival/amusement park rides?
By hsmom2boys
@hsmom2boys (134)
United States
May 7, 2007 6:41am CST
My 5 year old is practically begging to ride the big roller coasters at a local amusement park. He's almost tall enough to ride most of them (48") but I don't feel he's old enough for the ride.
There was a case recently of a 4 year old boy riding a space simulation ride with his parents. It's a very intense ride but he was tall enough so he was allowed to ride by the ride operators. The little boy died and it was said that he had a pre-existing heart condition which is what lead to his death NOT THE RIDE.
But as a parent, I wouldn't let my kids (especially ones so young) on any ride that I was not on first to see what it does. I'm not trying to blame the parents in the case above, but should the carnivals/amusement parks change the rider requirements to an age AND height restriction or leave them the way they are?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@castleghost (1304)
• United States
7 May 07
I don't see how a height or an age requirement could have saved that childs life. As soon as the children are tall enough we allow them to ride which ever rides they would like. Idon't have to ride a ride first to know whether or not my child would like the ride. I can just look at a ride to decide if I want my child to ride on it.
@hsmom2boys (134)
• United States
7 May 07
There are many rides at the amusement park we go to, that are completely enclosed and you cannot tell from just looking at it what the ride does. I realize that this all comes down to common sense but it seems like kids growing taller faster than their maturing.
@onecutehoneybear (938)
• United States
7 May 07
I let my 5 year old daughter ride the Ferris Wheel. She hasn't asked to get on the roller coaster yet but I'm sure she will soon. I'll probably let her as long as an adult is sitting next to her.
