Fun for Kids in Maine
With boundless opportunities for outdoor adventures, Maine is a playground for people of all ages. Like adults, children love to take part in camping, boating, fishing, swimming, and other outside activities, but there are also tons of activities in Maine designed especially with children in mind. Here are a few great places in Maine to bring your kids, whether they’re toddlers or pre-teens.
Photo by Glenn Suttenfield
In Saco, Funtown and Splashtown, USA are two amusement parks in one; together, they make up the largest theme park in all of New England. Funtown features roller coasters and thrilling rides, such as the Dragon’s Descent, and a large Kiddieland section for the littlest ones. Splashtown, USA, located right next to Funpark, is a large water park filled with intense slides for daredevils, and a fun lagoon, if you’d rather just splash around and soak up the sun. You can stick with one or the other, but why not let the kids have their run of both amusement parks? A combination pass for both parks is only $34 for adults and $25 for children and seniors — you won’t find this much fun for the price anywhere else.
Funtown Splashtown USA
US Route 1, 774 Portland Road
Saco, Maine 04072
207-284-5139
www.funtownsplashtownusa.com
You’ll find another great twofer at York’s Wild Kingdom and Amusement Park, a combination zoo and theme park that includes paddleboats, mini-golf, go-karts, and more. The zoo features incredible displays like the white Bengal tiger and a walk-through butterfly exhibit. Children will love the opportunity to ride on a pony or an elephant. After checking out the animals, playing some games, and maybe even venturing into the haunted house, you can take a break on the beautiful York Beach, right outside the zoo’s gates.
York’s Wild Kingdom
Route 1, York Beach, Maine 03910
Voice: 207-363-4911 FAX 207-363-4299
www.yorkzoo.com
Once the little ones burn out on roller coasters and cotton candy, you can always head inside for a while to visit some of Maine’s many museums. At the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company & Museum in Portland, history will come to life when you take a ride on one of the museum’s old-fashioned coal-fired steam engines. During your visit, you can learn all about the history of the locomotive in Maine — it’ll be like Thomas the Tank Engine come to life.
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company & Museum
58 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04101
www.mngrr.org
If trains aren’t your kids’ obsession, that’s okay — at The Children’s Museum of Maine, there’s something to amuse everyone, no matter what their passion. Conveniently located in the heart of Portland’s Old Port area, the museum holds a rich array of interactive games and adventures for kids of all ages. Here, kids can make their own fake milkshakes and burgers at Coco’s Diner, play vet at the Animal Hospital, explore the lobster boat, the space shuttle, and so much more. There’s even a real Tidepool Touch Tank, where visitors can feel live sea urchins, hermit crabs, and other underwater creatures. With an endless selection of activities for children of all ages, the Children’s Museum is the ultimate cure for boredom.
Children’s Museum of Maine
142 Free Street
Portland, ME 04101
www.childrensmuseumofme.com
If you’ve exhausted all these options, there’s a great alternative — just go back outside. With miles of sandy beaches perfect for sandcastle-building, swimming, and shell-collecting, Maine’s great outdoors is the best place to play.
Written by Kathy Hawkins on July 6, 2007
Filed Under Maine, Children, Museums, Amusement Parks
|
Print This Article