Tips and Ideas for Kids Attraction Owners

The kids love it when they have to collect stamps around an attraction. We've seen this done well at zoos and ornamental gardens. At the start of the attraction the kids are given a booklet with a number of places for stamps which they need to look out for. My boys love these and it adds an extra layer of interest and keeps them going towards the end if they start getting a bit tired. Some attractions offer a small prize such as a sticker or postcard for a completed booklet, but this isn't necessary.

An indoor area with coloring or a craft activity themed to the attraction. This is very welcome on rainy days or if the kids need a rest. It's fine to ask for a small donation towards materials if you are worried about the cost of providing such an activity. If you can make the activity educational and linked to the attraction that's brilliant. For example we have enjoyed coloring pictures of locally discovered dinosaurs at a dinosaur museum.

Spot the items. Young guests are given a photo sheet or instructions for items they need to look out for. We've seen this done with small details in a historical museum such as the carving on a stone vase.

We've also seen it done with large objects like carvings outdoors in a park. And finding all the shields or rats hidden in a castle is brilliant fun. Activities like this can be enjoyed by children of all ages and hold their attention and get them properly looking around rather than rushing through.

A clipboard makes kids feel important. They love marking pictures off on a worksheet as they find them. 

An interactive sculpture or machine that kids can operate. Kids love to be able to touch things and make things happen. Buttons to press, handles to turn and water to pour are all great fun. But be careful. We've visited so many attractions where buttons don't work - don't put in anything that will be difficult to maintain.

At an aquarium we interacted with a very clever floor that responded to us moving over it to reveal fish and other sea creatures. And at another attraction the kids had great fun putting marbles into a large metal bowl that spun them around and made an interesting noise.

Musical sculptures are always popular. Big drums, xylophones or wind chimes. Kids love to make a noise. 

Yes, it's fine to have a store and we understand that you want to make some extra money. But please don't sell generic stuff that we could find elsewhere cheaper. What we actually want is a keepsake from our visit. Get t-Shirts, baseball caps, postcards, stickers and magnets made using a print-on-demand company like Zazzle. Use interesting photos from the attraction, we'll remember you everytime we look at the items and they are a great talking point and therefore advertising for your attraction.