With 25 different locations spanning North America, it's not surprising that you're planning a trip to Six Flags with your family in the near future. People of all ages flock to these various amusement parks for a day of fun to escape reality...and that includes babies. Though toting your baby with you to Six Flags may seem daunting, we're here to tell you it can still be an enjoyable day filled with fun memories. Taking the time to plan, pack wisely, and utilize our best tips will help you have the best time at Six Flags with your baby.
And since your baby's admission is free, why wouldn't you want to bring them along for the ride? Let's get this Six Flags trip planned, shall we?!
Plan Ahead for Your Day at Six Flags
If we can give you one piece of advice in terms of heading to an amusement park as large as Six Flags with a baby, it would be to plan ahead. Chances are you'll know the day(s) you'll be going plenty in advance, giving you ample time to secure what you need for your little one and plan your day around their needs.
Trust us when we say that taking the fly-by-the-seat-your-pants approach in this situation will only backfire. So let's get you set for your trip to Six Flags so that the day it comes, you know you're ready for whatever may come your way.
Your Baby Essentials Packing List for Six Flags
Before we get into the specific gear that will work best for a trip to Six Flags, let's first go over the basics.
Though these items may seem like no-brainers, I think we all know how easy it is to forget something. Checklists are your friend!
Here are the baby essentials you'll want to bring with you for your trip to Six Flags:
Baby Sunscreen - Get your little cherub slathered in sunscreen before the day begins and be sure to reapply it every 2 hours. If your baby is younger than 6 months, the FDA cautions the use of sunscreen, so it's best to shade your young baby as much as possible and cover them with sun-protective clothing. Here is a list of the safest sunscreens from the EWG.
Sunhat and baby sunglasses: Get a good hat for your baby that will shade their face and neck. Additionally, baby sunglasses can be a good idea if your baby will keep them on. Your baby is delicate and not used to being in the sun for long periods so just keep this in mind when choosing what they'll wear.
Extra diapers and wipes: As a rule of thumb, figure out how many diapers you'll need for the day and add 2. Grab the normal stack of wipes you'd use in a day...and then grab one more stack. You do NOT want to run out. On that note, some Six Flags have a diapering and nursing center, but if they don't, there should be changing stations in all of the restrooms.
An Extra Outfit: If your baby finds out you forgot an extra outfit, you can bet they'll have a blowout. No mercy.
Naptime Favorites: Though your little one's schedule will certainly be thrown for a loop the day you go to Six Flags, this doesn't mean they need to skip nap time altogether. In fact, it's in your best interest to get them at least a couple of short naps during your day of fun. Otherwise, you'll have a tired, screaming baby on your hands which surely cut your fun day short. Bring anything along that you know will help your baby sleep - pacifiers, blanket, and favorite stuffed animal can all help your baby relax in an overstimulating environment.
Feeding Time Essentials: Of course you'll bring whatever your baby requires nutritionally, but we recommend you bring extra beyond what you think they'll need. A hot day can make your baby thirstier, leading them to need more breastmilk or formula than usual. Though Six Flags has strict policies on bringing in food, you shouldn't have a problem bringing in food and milk for your baby. Just be sure to skip the glass jars.
So what about some of the bigger items you'll need to bring?
Best Baby Gear to Simplify Your Six Flags Trip
Clearly there are a lot of little things you have to account for when packing for your theme park trip. Each one is important to ensure your baby stays happy and content as the day goes on. But, we're not done yet. We have a few more of our favorite items to share to make sure your day doesn't get cut short. (And no, pack mule isn't one of them...but we'll keep that in mind for next time!)
The Baby's Brew Portable Bottle Warmer
Even though this piece of gear is small, having one can really help you have a seamless day with your baby. The Baby's Brew Portable Bottle Warmer is the only one of its kind. Unlike other travel warmers, it's completely reliable so you know that you'll have warm milk for your baby when you need it. And with 12 hours of charge, there's no reason to head home from Six Flags early! It's safe for warming up both breastmilk and formula, and if you are a formula-feeding parent, we suggest the option with the detachable formula dispenser for easy bottle prep on the go.
Stroller with Shade and Storage
We already discussed the importance of keeping your baby out of the sun as much as possible, so having a stroller with a shade cover can really help with this. Additionally, a space for storage underneath is key. You don't want to have to be constantly carrying around everything and this is the perfect play to stash it. Stroller rentals are available at the park if you're unable to bring your own.
Baby Carrier
You might think it's overkill to have both a stroller and a baby carrier, but we think you'll be very happy to have both. I know my babies all slept better in a carrier - so if it's naptime, strapping your little in a carrier can get them the precious sleep they need. Additionally, there will be areas where you won't be able to take your stroller that you won't want to hold your baby in your arms, either. Having one can also allow you to enjoy a few of the rides with any older children as long as it's one where lap babies are allowed.
Backpack w/ Cooler
We've seen some pretty cool diaper backpacks with coolers lately. Though you may have the cutest diaper bag there ever was, you're not going for cute when making sure everyone has a fun time at Six Flags with a baby in tow. So, leave that one at home and grab a backpack instead. It will hold all those little essentials we talked about earlier and is much easier to carry when you need to park and leave your stroller for a bit. A cooler is great for storing any prepped bottles (or pumped milk during the day), just be sure it fits within your particular Six Flags requirements.
Top Tips for Going to Six Flags with a Baby
Each Six Flags location will have different attractions and rides, but no matter which one you choose, there are some things in common about bringing a baby to enjoy the fun.
Find rides with no height requirement
Many of the rides suitable for children at Six Flags are labeled with "Minimum Height: None with adult." Technically that would mean your baby could come with you. But depending on the age of your little one, some of these still may not be suitable. Additionally, you'll see that many of these rides say, "no lap children permitted." So, if you have a younger baby who can't yet sit up on their own, you'll need to skip. We suggest you look over these rides ahead of time to determine which ones could be one you could take your baby with you.
There are, however, some rides that allow babies to sit on your lap (or be in a carrier) such as this one: Daffy's Adventure Tours at Magic Mountain. Carousels are usually safe bets, too.
Use Kid-Swap
We know you want to enjoy the thrill rides, too. Luckily, you don't have to sacrifice your own fun just because you decide to bring your baby to Six Flags with you. Kid-Swap is a must have option for parents. Simply wait in line as a family, and when it's time for the ride to start, one of you will stay with the too little members of the group while the others ride. Once they finish, it's your turn while they watch the kiddos!
Grab a Locker
If you find you just have too much stuff to carry for the day, you may want to consider getting a locker to store some of your things until you need them.
For more specific information, we suggest you visit the website of the individual park you'll be visiting. Though rules and offerings are similar among the parks, there are some differences. Individual park websites can be accessed through the main Six Flags site.
