Taking the Kids -- to theme parks when they aren't in school yet

By Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency on Aug 7, 2014

Maybe your little guys are already thrill seekers. If so, you've got more choices than ever with new family coasters -- starting at Walt Disney World, which has launched The "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train" roller coaster, the centerpiece of the New Fantasyland area for younger kids at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. On this ride, the individual train cars swing from side to side as they enter the dwarfs' world. Here's what I wrote about trying it out.

Here are four more new coasters designed for younger kids-and their parents:

1. "Speedy Gonzales Hot Rod Racers" at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, brings the number of kids' coasters in the park to four.

2. "Roar-O-Saurus," is a dinosaur-themed wooden roller coaster with a maximum height of 40 feet at Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire.

3. Head off in one direction on the FireChaser Express at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and travel back the opposite way. Perched 12 stories above the park's Wilderness Pass area, the family coaster leaves the station in one direction before traveling back to return in the opposite direction.

4. The "Cocoa Cruiser" at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has just enough bumps, twists and turns for a child ready for his or her first thrill ride.

Family coasters can also provide a teaching moment. Point out the listed age, height and weight restrictions and explain why they're necessary to have safe fun. Everyone must follow the rules and that, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, means remaining seated until the ride comes to a complete stop, keeping arms and legs inside and never trying to wriggle free.

Just one word of caution: No matter how mild the ride seems to you, don't force a frightened child to ride. There's always next time.

A few years from now, they'll beg you to ride that giant coaster "just one more time."

(For more ideas for that last-gasp summer break, check out the Taking the Kids Very Best Summer Vacation Ideas and Eileen's series of Kid's City Guides. Follow @Takingthekids on Twitter and Facebook.)