Carnivals

I've been running CountyFairgrounds.net since 1999, and over the years I've seen plenty of families at county fairs. Some are having the time of their lives, others look like they're ready to pull their hair out. The difference? Usually comes down to planning for the right age group. 2026 County Fair with Kids – Premium Family Guide Taking a toddler to a county fair is completely different from taking a teenager. What works for one age will frustrate another. Here's what I've learned about making fair visits work for every stage of childhood, from the diaper bag years to the "can I go with my friends?" years. Toddlers (Ages 1-3): Keep It Short and Simple Toddlers at county fairs need a totally different approach. Their attention span is about as long as a goldfish, they get overwhelmed easily, and a meltdown can happen faster than you can say "funnel cake." Visit early morning (9-11am) or late afternoon when it's cooler Plan for 2 hours maximum before someone loses it Stick to the animal barns and petting zoo Skip the loud midway games Bring your own snacks and drinks The carousel is usually a winner, and most toddlers are fascinated by the farm animals. At CountyFairgrounds.net, we list which fairs have the best petting zoos and animal exhibits. Don't try to see everything. Pick two or three things and call it a win. Preschoolers (Ages 4-5): More Rides, Still Easy This age wants to do what the big kids do, but they're not quite ready yet. They can handle a bit more stimulation than toddlers, and they actually remember the fair afterward, which is nice. Try kiddie rides beyond just the carousel Let them play a few simple games Visit the agricultural exhibits (they're learning about everything) Face painting is usually a big hit Budget about 3-4 hours Preschoolers are old enough to walk most of the time, which is good because strollers get annoying in fair crowds. They're also starting to have opinions about what they want to do. Pick your battles. Elementary Kids (Ages 6-10): The Golden Years This is honestly the best age for county fairs. Kids are old enough to go on most rides, not too cool to be excited about everything, and they can walk all day without complaining too much. They can handle the bigger carnival rides Midway games become more interesting (and expensive) Let them try different fair foods 4-H exhibits and demonstrations keep their attention Plan for a full afternoon [...]