Roller Coasters for Kids at Planet Snoopy in Carowinds

Fun Roller Coasters for Kids at Carowinds © Katrena

If the kids love the thrill of a roller coaster, chances are that Carowinds offers a ride the kids will love if you are around the North Carolina and South Carolina border. Planet Snoopy features two roller coasters – one larger, older wooden one called Woodstock Express and another smaller, shorter steel one called Lucy's Crabby Cabbie.

Tips for Riding Roller Coasters With Kids

Just a quick note to parents who are planning to ride the coasters with the kids – make sure you are physically able to do so. Some rides may be a tight, if not impossible, fit for adults who are larger or taller. You might want to wait a while after eating to hit some of the higher thrill roller coasters, especially if the kids or you tend to get carsick, although these rides tend to cause less nausea than the ones that go around in circles, at least that's the case for my family.

Ensure that the kids meet height requirements before standing in line. If you have more than one child in a height range that requires a responsible person to ride with each and only one adult is in the group, you might find a volunteer (that you trust) behind you in the line willing to ride with one child or you might consider having someone else to accompany you on your Carowinds trip. If you hit Carowinds on a day with small crowds, the ride operators may allow you to ride more than once without having to go back through the line again if no one is waiting for that seat.

Make sure to secure any loose items, including shoes and glasses and hats, before riding. Those who are well endowed might want to wear a good-fitting support bra...just sayin'.

Lucy's Crabby Cabbie

Roller Coaster for Small Kids at Carowinds - Lucy's Crabby Cabbie © Katrena

This little roller coaster scored big time with my 4-year-old who is too short for many of the more thrilling and bigger rides at Carowinds. This one is located at the back of Planet Snoopy and is designed with kids in mind. People above a certain height must be accompanied by a child. Children 36 to 40 inches must be accompanied by a responsible person - taller kids can ride alone.

This little roller coaster lasts one minute and fifteen seconds and makes a circle with lots of ups and downs on the way. A camera will catch the grins and grimaces as you head down the first and largest hill. This one actually picks up pretty good speed for a tiny roller coaster. The ride ends with multiple little hills. Those riding in the back will feel those hills a bit more.

Fun First Roller Coaster at Carowinds © Katrena

Lucy's Crabby Cabbie is a great first roller coaster for the little ones. Most of the kids who were riding this one walked around numerous times to get back in line over and over. The front car tended to be the most popular with the kids. We were fortunate to pick a date that was not very crowded, so the wait time was minimal.

This ride also offers a great view of the Intimidator roller coaster (red track in the background). One of my older kids practically drooled while watching that huge coaster because she was not quite tall enough this year!

Woodstock Express

I'm going to have to show my age on this one because I remember this one used to be called something like the Scooby Doo Roller Coaster. It later became the Fairly Oddcoaster. Now I've got to get used to the newest name of Woodstock Express.

This is a nice sized wooden coaster for the kids and it is also pretty popular with some adults. You can walk around toward Lucy's Crabby Cabbie and take a look at the track if you want to have more of an idea of where you may be going on a ride named for Snoopy's feathered friend.

Wooden Roller Coaster in Planet Snoopy at Carowinds © Katrena

The Woodstock Express reaches speeds of 35 miles per hour and a few hills might leave your stomach behind. When riding it for the first time, the kids might want to pick a spot near the middle of the coaster because this section tends to give the tamest ride.

If the kids are between 40 and 46 inches, they will need to have a responsible person to ride with them who meets the requirements to ride alone and is at least 16 years old. My 10-year-old and 8-year-old both enjoyed the Woodstock Express and rode it several times when we visited Carowinds. A camera is set up on the largest hill of this roller coaster to catch those fun expressions as riders pick up speed.

I hope you find this information helpful as you look for adventurous outdoor activities in NC that are family-friendly. Readers may also wish to read my article on practical tips for enjoying Carowinds with the family and my article on Carowinds' water park called Boomerang Bay. If you have kids that are a little bigger, you might want to read How Tall Do You Have to Be to Ride the Intimidator? Season pass holders might want to check out the 2013 Carowinds Bring a Friend Dates article. Find more of Katrena's articles at the Travel NC With Kids site map.

Roller Coasters for Children at Carowinds Kids Area © Katrena

Adventure Landing in Winston-Salem NC – Great Place for Miniature Golf

Miniature Golf at Adventure Landing

People who drive on Stratford Road near Hanes Mall in Wintson-Salem cannot miss seeing Adventure Landing, especially if you have kids in the back seat. This is the place with the elephant, giraffe, and a huge waterfall. Actually, they have a crocodile, hippo, and even a turtle too, although you might not notice them from the road. No, Adventure Landing is not a zoo, but it is a fun place to play miniature golf!

Adventure Landing in Winston-Salem NC

Adventure Landing offers three different 18-hole miniature golf courses, and the most popular one is the course with the cave under the largest waterfall called the Cavern Falls Course. My three daughters were quite excited to play this particular course when we visited.

Fun Putt-putt Golf Course on Stratford Rd

They offer different sized putters, so ensure that the kids pick one that is about waist height. Adventure Landing also has small plastic putters for the smallest kids. My kids were tickled to see that they had a variety of different colored golf balls too. Score cards and pencils are also at the desk, and the friendly staff members are more than willing to answer any questions that you may have.

Fun Things to do With Kids in Forsyth County

Each hole is numbered and also gives the par, or number of strokes expected to make the hole. Several kids that were there that day said they made at least one hole in one. My kids had only played miniature golf once before, but they made par on several holes.

Family Activities in Winston-Salem NC

The course starts out with a couple of quite simple holes but gets more challenging with hills and barriers. Probably the most challenging part of the course for my kids was keeping the balls from rolling off the bridge and into the water!

Fun Miniature Golf Course in Piedmont

The waterfall cave was one of my daughters' favorite parts of the course. You can look out behind the waterfalls while inside the cave and there is also a small waterfall inside. This can be a great place to enjoy some shade and cool off a little if playing on a hot and sunny day.

Adventure Landing Miniature Golf Courses

My kids were excited to discover that there are actually two parts to the cave. Players travel one direction through the first side and the course eventually winds back through the other side of the cave.

Fun Things to do Near Hanes Mall

The last hole on the course has a collection chute, so it is helpful to let the kids know that the ball will disappear. The end of this one is conveniently located near the check-in desk, so if you have plans to play another course, ride the bumper boats, or play games inside, you can easily move to the next activity.

Family Activities in Winston

My kids really enjoyed this cool putt-putt golf course in Winston-Salem. Adventure Landing not only offers fun features like a cave, waterfall, and large animal statues, but the staff members are very friendly and helpful.

Adventure Landing - Fun Outdoor Family Activity

Find directions, hours, current prices, special deals, and more at the Adventure Landing web site. You may also wish to read more of Katrena's articles loaded with fun family activity ideas at the Travel NC With Kids and Love 2 Travel With Kids. This fun family activity is located very near Hanes Mall and the Winston-Salem Children's Museum. One of my all-time favorite restaurants, The Carriage House, is across the street in sight of Adventure Landing and snacks are also available at Adventure Landing.

The Great Bullhole Duck Race & Festival at Riverpark in Cooleemee NC

Rubber Duck Race at Bullhole in the Yadkin River © Katrena

Summer time means lots of things to lots of folks in and around Cooleemee NC, a small mill town located in the Piedmont of the state in Davie County. A break from school. Mosquito spray. Enjoying a cookout with family and friends. Watching rubber ducks race at the Bull Hole?

The Bullhole Also Known as RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls © Katrena

Some people who live nearby confess that they have never been to RiverPark. Now, if you call it that, you are using newfangled terminology, but if you call it the Bullhole, many more might recall visiting the park that borders the Yadkin River where Rowan and Davie Counties meet right by Highway 801. They now have signs sporting both names directing people the couple of miles off the highway to the scenic park at the dam.

RiverPark Rubber Duck Race 2012 © Katrena

But what about the rubber ducks? The Great Bullhole Duck Race & Festival began in the summer of 2010, and the annual event has continued each summer to help raise funding for RiverPark. You can see a video of the 2010 duck race. People traveling down I-40 might have seen the billboard featuring the race in 2012.

Yadkin River Duck Race in Davie and Rowan Counties © Katrena

Rubber Ducks Race for Cash Prize © Katrena

Folks purchase numbered ducks in either singles, quack packs, or flocks in the hopes of winning one of the three cash prizes awarded to the proud owners of the fastest ducks to reach the finish line. Many volunteers are on hand to help reel in the ducks after the race is over.

Cooleemee Falls at Yadkin River © Katrena

The event also features music, vendors, activities, and snacks right at the riverside and along the nature trail. The summer heat can quickly be drenched by taking a dip in the river. The dam is generally only opened wide for two days each year, and this is one of those special days. Those brave enough to try might venture below the falls to enjoy a powerful shower.

Natural Water Slide at the Bullhole © Katrena

The park also serves as a fun natural water slide for swimmers who want to venture down the rocks near the center of the river. A tube race was also added to the mix of fun for the day. People traveling to the Bullhole to visit may wish to bring some food and enjoy a picnic while listening to the sound of the Yadkin in the background.

Emergency Crew from Rowan County Ready at the Duck Race © Katrena

A Rowan County emergency crew was on hand for the event just in case anyone might need a little help. Yep...they were well prepared for the terrain. Common sense and using caution can go a long way in helping people to keep safe at places like RiverPark.

Yadkin River Waterfall at Cooleemee Dam © Katrena

The Bullhole has enjoyed quite a facelift in recent years, thanks to volunteer efforts of many citizens of the area, and those efforts continue on both sides of the river.

Duck Race Fund Raiser at RiverPark © Katrena

Since the falls at the Bullhole are rarely this full and you don't often see hundreds of rubber ducks floating downstream, the shutterbug in me was delighted to get lots of pictures during this event.

Free Fun Family Park in NC © Katrena

Those visiting the Bullhole or RiverPark might also enjoy touring the nearby Textile Heritage Museum in Cooleemee, NC. Find more of Katrena's blog articles, tips, and events at the Travel NC With Kids site map.