Activity: Design a Theme Park – Plan the Rides, Map It Out, and Pitch It Like a Pro

Perfect for: Indoors (at a table, on a whiteboard, or even on a giant roll of paper)

Best for: Ages 7+ (teaches creativity, spatial planning, design thinking, communication, and presentation)

Activity Description:

Let kids design their own theme park from the ground up. They’ll create rides, attractions, themed lands, menus, and even characters. Then they can present their park like they’re pitching it to investors—or family! This activity helps develop strategic thinking, artistic skills, and imaginative planning, and it’s surprisingly addictive.

How to Do It:

1. Choose a Theme First

Ask them:

• What’s your dream theme? (Space? Pirates? Robots? Candy? Dinosaurs?)
• Would you want different lands or zones with different ideas?

Let them name their theme park—something bold like “Dragon Rush Kingdom” or “Future World 3000.”

2. Plan the Layout

Give them a large sheet of paper or grid to draw:

• Paths and entrances
• Zones and rides
• Rest areas, food stalls, shops, and bathrooms
• A central attraction or signature ride

They’ll learn how to think about space and flow.

3. Invent the Rides and Attractions

Encourage them to go wild:

• A roller coaster through a volcano
• A ride where you fly a dragon
• A water ride that tells a story
• Robot-controlled bumper cars

Ask them to draw, label, and describe each one.

4. Add Real-World Features

Make it more educational by adding:

• Ticket prices and a basic budget
• Opening hours and schedules
• Safety rules and accessibility ideas

Older kids can even write up a short pitch as if they’re presenting to real theme park executives.

5. Host the Presentation

Let them give a tour of their theme park map, describing each area and answering questions like a creative director. You can even give awards:

• Most Creative Ride
• Best Park Name
• Smartest Layout

This develops confidence, articulation, and big-picture thinking.

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