How we chose these ten
Every park below has its own page on JuniorTravelClub, built from the park’s official information: ticket rules, height limits, baby facilities and the practical details that decide whether a day works with children. We picked the ten best-known parks in Europe and pulled out the one thing about each that matters most to a family. The full facts are on each park’s page.
1. Disneyland Paris, France
Disneyland Paris plans for families with small children in more detail than most parks: there is baby care in both parks, changing tables in most restrooms, character dining at any meal of the day, and a Rider Switch system so parents can share the big rides without queuing twice. It sits just outside Paris, so it pairs easily with a city stay.
2. Europa-Park, Germany
Europa-Park, near Lahr in the Black Forest, is a theme park first, and children read it as one. Its themed quarters look genuinely different from each other, so walking between them feels like part of the visit, and food is spread across the park, which means lunch can be timed around a small child instead of around one restaurant. If you add the Rulantica water world, plan the switch between the two in advance.
3. Efteling, Netherlands
Efteling, open since 1952 outside Tilburg, is big enough that families treat it as a day out in its own right. Admission runs from €40 to €56 depending on the date, and you need both a ticket and a reservation, so book before you go. A ticket stays valid for a year from purchase.
4. Tivoli Gardens, Denmark
Tivoli Gardens is an amusement park set inside a pleasure garden in central Copenhagen, so the rides are only part of the visit. Many event days through the year are included in the entrance ticket, which makes a slow afternoon of walking, watching and eating a real option. The Tivoli Food Hall can be entered from the street without paying for the Garden.
5. PortAventura Park, Spain
PortAventura Park near Tarragona gives small children an area of their own in SésamoAventura, where every ride is a children’s ride and Waikiki has no minimum height at all. Elsewhere in the park many rides take a shorter child riding with an adult, and junior tickets cover ages 4 to 10, with prices that vary by date.
6. Parc Astérix, France
Parc Astérix, north of Paris, rewards a little planning around food: there are buffets, hot dishes, pizza and ice cream, and the two sit-down restaurants serve from 11:30 to 15:00 on every opening day. Meals at several outlets can be bought in advance with the ticket, which saves queuing at lunchtime.
7. Legoland Deutschland, Germany
Legoland Deutschland in Günzburg copes well with a grey day. Indoor attractions such as Temple X-pedition in Pharaoh’s Land and the LEGO Studios keep the day going, and when the weather is poor the waiting times at many rides are often much shorter.
8. Alton Towers, United Kingdom
Alton Towers in Staffordshire has a land of its own for CBeebies fans, adds Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies!, and lets the smallest children in free, so the day can be planned around the youngest in the family rather than the biggest coasters.
9. Heide Park, Germany
Heide Park in Lower Saxony lets parents take turns on the roller coasters with a Baby-Switch-Pass instead of queuing twice, on days when the Express Ticket is on sale. A free wristband from the Service Center carries your name and phone number in case you and your child get separated.
10. Parque Warner Madrid, Spain
Parque Warner Madrid works for mixed ages: small children recognise the Looney Tunes rides before they can read the signs, while older ones head for Gotham City, Metropolis and the stunt theatre. A toddler’s first ride and a teenager’s first big coaster are on the same ticket. The park is a day trip from Madrid.
Tickets & tours for these places
Bookable tours via GetYourGuide. Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
