Cedar Point has honestly always been one of my happy places in NW Ohio. I have great memories from my childhood there – from riding my favorite ride (Iron Dragon) with my mom as a young kid to visiting countless times as a teen with my friends and feeling like we had total “freedom”. Now as a parent myself, it’s been a place where our family of six has loved making memories! 
If you aren’t a seasoned CP-goer, I can understand where it may feel a little intimidating to take small kids or even kids of various ages who may want to do all sorts of different activities. But I promise you, there are ways to make it work and for everyone to have a great time!
Tip 1: Do Your Research
This could be obvious, since as parents (and moms specifically) we tend to research EVERYTHING before embarking on a trip, but it has to be said. Be sure to look at the park map and understand where things are located. If you are taking small kids under the age of 10, there are several areas you’ll probably spend most of your day – Kiddie Kingdom, Planet Snoopy, or Camp Snoopy. When you get to these areas, you can measure your kids’ heights at a designated station and see exactly which rides they can go on in the park.
Kiddie Kingdom and Planet Snoopy are located towards the front of the park, near the ferris wheel. These areas are great for your littlest kiddos!
Camp Snoopy is towards the back of the park, near Gemini. It has some of the bigger kid rides, such as Woodstock Express (mini roller coaster).
There is also a rider swap option for parents – To participate in Rider Swap, guests need to obtain a slip to authorize them for the program at one of the following locations: Main Gate Guest Services, Town Hall or Magnum XL-200 Entrance Gate.
A much asked question anywhere you go – FOOD: CP’s rules state you cannot bring your own food and beverage into the park unless you have allergies, or need to bring in baby food/formula. I recommend packing a cooler to keep in the car and if you do not want to spend money on food inside the park. You can get a stamp to exit, go to your car, eat, and return to the park.
For baby care / nursing locations – there are two Family Care Centers in the park. One in Planet Snoopy near the front of the park and one near the entrance to Maverick in Frontier Town.
Tip 2: Set Expectations 
Before heading to the park, ensure your family has chatted about the expectations for the day. What time will you arrive? Will you allow kids to play any of the games – and if so, how much money are they allowed to spend? Will you eat in the park or pack a cooler? Will they be allowed to get snacks (ice cream, french fries, etc.)? What time will you head home? And remember that you most likely will not get to everything in one day – and you can always come back.
(This is why I recommend buying a season pass – for most of us in NWO, CP is only an hour or so away from home, and 2 visits pay for the pass! You can also do a payment plan for the passes so it makes it very affordable)
These expectations help everyone understand the boundaries for the day, and prevent any (major) meltdowns!
Tip 3: Overpack – No, Seriously!
Since we still have a 2 year old, we still take our double stroller and a diaper bag into the park with us, so we are able to take in quite a bit. But even if you don’t have little kids, I still recommend taking in a backpack.
Packing tips for taking into the park:
- Stroller, diapers, wipes – if necessary
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Hats & sunglasses – but be sure you have a place to put them when on rides
- Belt bag or wristlet for cash, debit card, ID, phone, portable charger if necessary
Packing tips for things to have in the car:
- Change of clothes for everyone
- Snacks/cooler of food
- Lots of beverages
Tip 4: Have FUN!
I know how easy it is to get stressed when going somewhere new with kids. And yeah, you may encounter a meltdown or two, but I want to encourage you that a) every other parent there has been in your shoes, so b) lean into the FUN. For our family, when we get close to Cedar Point and start going over the causeway to drive in, we start the chant – “Cedar Point! Cedar Point!” This gets everyone in the car laughing and excited about the day! 
Our sample schedule for a family of 6, kids ages 2-10:
-Ensure we have our passes, credit card, ID, and a bag packed with the items listed above!
-Leave home at 8:30am
-Arrive at the park as close to opening time (10am) as possible
-One parent takes older 2 kiddos to ride the bigger coasters
-One parent takes younger 2 kiddos to Camp Snoopy
-Meet back up for lunch at a determined location – we love the BackBeatQue BBQ near Magnum, as it’s easy to get in and out, and has something a little more exciting than hot dogs or hamburgers.
-Do a few more rides, then head home usually by 2pm! We have found that this schedule works great for us, as we tend to beat the crowds, everyone tends to fall asleep in the car on the way home, and no one gets overly cranky/tired inside the park. Of course use as much of the day as you know your kids can handle. 
-A bonus tip – we always stop by Toft’s Ice Cream in Sandusky on our way home. This is a good way to encourage our kids to head to the car as they have an incentive to head out of the park!
I hope these tips and our sample schedule helps you plan your perfect day at the Point!
For more tips, visit: https://www.cedarpoint.com/hints-for-families
Guest Author: Kirsta Tull
Kirsta is a mom of 4 (ages 10 to 2) living in Perrysburg & she is a graduate from Bowling Green HS. Between running kids to dance practices, competitions, karate and school plays, Kirsta is an Boss mom running her own Non-Profit /Operations Consultant Business (after years with United Way) as well as works along side her husband Luke with his online tech consulting business.
You can follow her @kirstat15
