Climbing, Zipping and Laughing: Parent Tips for a Fun Adventure Park Visit
By The Adventure Park Team
Trip Advisor
Recommended
As a parent, you want your kids to have fun, meaningful experiences. At The Adventure Park, we want our guests (both kids AND parents!) to discover new challenges, celebrate victories and share moments of joy. With a little preparation, your visit can be less about stress and more about making unforgettable memories. Here are some tips to help prepare you for the day, both before you arrive and during your visit.
Before You Go
Being prepared will help you feel more comfortable, so we recommend the following tips before you head to The Park.
#1 Watch Our Videos
We have several videos that you can watch prior to your visit, so you can know what to expect from your visit with us.
- “Pop Goes the Tweezle” is a catchy, kid-friendly video that introduces our continuous belay safety system in a way that’s fun and easy to understand (more on that later).
- “What to Expect” provides tips on how to make your visit amazing as you climb and zipline through our trees.
- The “Safety Briefing” video walks you through all of our safety rules. You’ll also watch this video when you arrive at The Park (more on this later), so consider it a sneak preview.
#2 Choose What to Wear
- Wear comfortable and flexible clothing that allows you to move. We suggest tops that let you stretch and bottoms that allow the harness to fit snugly around your waist and legs.
- Closed-toe shoes are required.
- Depending on the weather, consider dressing in layers.
- Any accessories, like hats or sunglasses, should be snug and secure.
Check out our blog post to learn more about what’s best to wear during your visit. Being comfortable and prepared will make your experience more enjoyable!
#3 Pack Your Bag
Make sure to pack the essentials: a pair of protective gloves, water and a post-climb snack. Depending on the season and time of day, bring an extra layer and sunscreen. We have hydration stations throughout the Park, so you can refill water bottles.
A note on gloves: while they’re not required, we highly recommend bringing a pair for each member of your party, as gloves will make the experience more comfortable. They also make it easier to grip the ropes and prevent skin irritations. If you don’t have gloves, we sell them in our Park Store.
If you bring a phone, make sure you have a way to secure it while you’re zipping and climbing.
At The Park
We offer the following tips while you’re at The Park.
#1 Watch the Safety Briefing
During every visit to our Park, you’ll receive a complete safety briefing before your climb. Make sure to listen carefully to the briefing and ask any questions you may have. Our staff is here to support you. Even if you don’t plan to climb yourself, listening to the safety briefing will educate you about how our safety system works, giving you confidence that your kids will be in good hands.
#2 Trust the Safety System
Speaking of our belay system, we understand it’s natural to be a bit nervous watching your kids up in the trees, but know that they are always attached to our safety system. In fact, we want you to know that our ropes course safety system is the most advanced in the world!
Our double-connected, “always-locked-on” LockD Clips system helps keep your climbing harness securely attached to the safety line at all times. So enjoy the fun, whether that’s watching from the ground or joining in with your kids. Everyone is securely locked in with our one-of-a-kind smart belay system.
#3 Pick a Path from the Color-Coded Courses
Our Park trails are color-coded by level of difficulty, just like how ski resort trails are coded. Beginner courses are purple (select locations) and yellow (gentler and closer to the ground) and range up to the most advanced, which is double black. Our blog post provides detailed explanations of the colors and descriptions plus recommended child ages.
Our Parks have signs that show the trails and their colors. We recommend starting on one of the easier trails (even if your kids protest!). Once they get a feel for the courses, let them choose what’s next.
#4 Encourage Your Kids
Our trails may take some time to work through, especially if someone is timid. This is natural. Cheer your kids on, but also give them some time and space to work through the challenges, whether you’re “coaching” them from the ground or climbing with them. Working through an obstacle on your own feels like an accomplishment, and your child will be proud if they figure it out on their own.
We do have Park Monitors throughout the facilities. They also love to shout words of encouragement to our guests!
#5 Join Your Kids in the Fun!
Want to be the coolest mom or dad in town? Join your kids in the fun! You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish on the courses, and we dare you not to smile and laugh! Impossible! Rediscover your inner kid as you tackle obstacles and soar to the finish line. It’s a great way to bond and make memories. Besides, we guarantee climbing and zipping are so much more fun than carrying everyone’s stuff around while you listen to laughter from above!
When your legs get a little shaky and you simply can’t laugh anymore, head to the ground and relax at one of our picnic tables. Share stories with your kids about your successes (and giggle about your failed attempts). Drink some water and enjoy a post-climb snack—you deserve it!
Another fun way to close out a climb is to stay for Firepit Fridays (available at our Nashville; and Storrs and Bridgeport, CT locations). Pull up a chair and soak up the heat from a roaring fire. Create even more memories while you enjoy some laughs about your day and share s’mores (available to purchase). Check out our events page for a location near you!
Let the Adventure Begin!
Are you ready to book your adventure? Head to the Tickets & Reservations section of our website, select your location and book your tickets! We have a variety of ticket options, including a Last Call ticket for the final hours of the day. Send us an email if you have any questions. We can’t wait to see you!
