Big amusement parks can be overwhelming and exhausting, but San Antonio’s Kiddie Park is not that kind of place.

It’s actually rather relaxing. There are no big lines, no wandering licensed characters. There is one small snack stand and lots of picnic tables under the trees. The amusements are small-scale; rides are intended for children aged one through twelve. 

Kiddie Park was built in 1925 and claims to be the country’s oldest amusement park. The original rides are still in operation, and are still completely charming. Some may be familiar, such as the little cars and airplanes gliding gently around and around. Some rides are a bit more unusual.  The cheery “School Bus,” in which a smiling miniature bus glides around a track on a tether, is very popular, as is the ferris wheel, with its diminutive wooden cabins. One ride is child-powered – a train is propelled around an oval track as long as the kids on board keep pedaling. The centerpiece of the park is the classic 1918 Herschell Spillman carousel, which adults may ride as well. 

Kiddie Park is located right on the edge of Brackenridge Park, which is also home to the San Antonio Zoo, the Witte Museum, a golf course, and more. It is a wonderful place to go for a fun family outing. 

Update: As of August 2019, the park has closed in preparation for it’s move to the San Antonio Zoo. The opening date is yet to be announced.