Knott's Berry Farm with two children under 6 years old
Until I went there, I was one of those people who thought that there is not much to do at Knott’s Berry Farm with children 5 years old and younger. While the park is known for its thrilling rides and attractions, it also offers a wide range of experiences tailored specifically for younger visitors.
Early in Knott’s Berry Farm’s history it was known for growing a “new boysenberry plant, a curious cross between the red raspberry, blackberry, and loganberry.” It was interesting to learn that to make ends meet during the Great Depression, the Knott’s family, with their berry stand, started to serve dinners, and these became so popular that guests sometimes had to wait up to three hours. The amusement park was born out of an idea to entertain guests waiting in line to get into the restaurant.
Rides
Before heading to Knott’s Berry Farm, I suggest measuring your kids to ensure they meet the height requirements for the rides. Associates at the attractions may ask children to stand against a measuring stick to check their height.
One of the highlights for young children at Knott’s Berry Farm is Camp Snoopy. There are several fun rides tailored for little ones:
- Flying Ace: Minimum height 32 inches, maximum height 54 inches. Children ride alone on this attraction, so consider whether your child will be comfortable riding solo.
- Balloon Race: Minimum height 36 inches, or accompanied by a supervising companion. It’s worth noting that adults can’t ride without accompanying a child.
- Linus Launcher: Minimum height 42 inches, or 36 inches accompanied by a supervising companion.
- Pig-Pen’s Mud Buggies: Minimum height 36 inches, or accompanied by a supervising companion.
Looks like Knott’s Berry Farm is always working on introducing new rides. During our visit, we noticed construction in Camp Snoopy, with some rides undergoing transformations.
Other kid-friendly rides: we enjoyed included the Carousel in Fiesta Village, the Sky Cabin (which offers air conditioning and a restful experience), and the Calico Mine Ride. On the day of our visit the Calico Train ride was closed for refurbishment, and the Horse Stagecoach had a lengthy wait time.
At Knott’s Berry Farm, kids have the chance to meet and interact with characters like Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and their friends. The park offers a variety of family-friendly entertainment options, including live shows and performances suitable for all ages.
Another fascinating thing about Knott’s Berry Farm is that it has a good amount of American Wild West History and Culture. The Ghost Town recreates the American frontier history. We enjoyed watching a blacksmith making a horseshoe, exploring an old Schoolhouse and a jail, learning about weaving tools and old photography. We found Native American tents and decorations and an old train to climb on. The Pan for Gold attraction is on our list for the next visit.
Food and Snacks
Knott’s Berry Farm restricts outside food, allowing only unopened water bottles, baby food, and special dietary items; however, the park offers numerous dining options inside and outside of the park.
One popular dining spot is Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Their Knott’s Traditional dinner is substantial, complete with a slice of boysenberry pie. The kids were satisfied with the offerings on the children’s menu.
It’s worth noting that Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant is situated outside the amusement park gates. However, Knott’s Berry Farm’s policy permits re-entry after passing through security again and presenting your initial ticket. (Re-entry regulations may vary for special events, so it’s advisable to check the Knott’s Berry Farm website or contact customer support for details.)
Every year Knott’s Berry Farm celebrates its historic roots with the Boysenberry Festival. On all other days, they also offer a variety of foods made with boysenberries: from boysenberry pie to boysenberry popcorn.
Parking
Based on our experience there was a lot of traffic going to the South Parking Lot. We ended up parking at the East parking lot with only a short walk under Beach Blvd and across Grand Ave. You can find the Knott’s parking map linked here for reference (parking map).
Stroller
Bringing a stroller for our children was certainly a good idea. However, it’s important to note that there is a security check before entering Knott’s Berry Farm, and there is a designated line for guests with strollers.