Help for trip w/ 8 year old boy....
 

We gave our 8 year old son an amusement park trip to Europe for Christmas. So far he knows he wants to go to Lego Land. Since this trip is for 10 days we have limited him to just 2 countries (it may go to 3), so far he's picked Sweden and Denmark. <BR>Can anyone advise of any other amusement parks in Denmark or Sweden other than Lego Land and Tivoli? He is THE typical 8 year old boy, likes, cartoons, PS2, gameboy, etc., doesn't like to read or do the regular &quot;site-seeing&quot;, can you also name some other things he might enjoy.<BR>We are going from June 2 - 12, 2003. <BR>Any help wpuld be appreciated. Thanks-

Connie,<BR><BR>&quot; doesn't like to read&quot;.<BR><BR>That seems to pretty much sum up why you are going to amusement parks.<BR><BR>Good luck.<BR><BR>Surely you've got to be

Sorry I can't be of help. My eight year old likes to read and we don't own any PS2, gameboy, DVD in the minivan, etc.. Also we usually don't go to theme parks but go to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, etc. usually on nature/outdoor related vacations, and have a no tv policy while we are on vacation. We play board games at night, go swimming, hiking, biking, skiing, and eat together. And my 8 year old is rarely bored. We did go to Legoland California once and we did have a good time, then went to Palm Desert, Joshua Tree, and San Diego. Only a two hour flight for us and much less hassle than going to Europe to visit theme parks similar or worse than what we have at home. Sorry not to be of much help, but I can't identify.

We were in Scandinavia last summer, and went with our 12 year old son, but I have to tell you, forget what the other poster said, I love a good amusement park, and that's what we did on my 50th birthday. Aside from the Tivoli, which is loads of fun for adults and for children of all ages, go to Bakken amusement park, which is located in a wild deer park in Klampenborg on the outskirts of Copenhagen. A beautiful setting and very easy train ride (about 15 minutes) from Copenhagen's central station. Very popular with the Danes, and boasts a neat wooden roller coaster, along with loads of other rides for kids of all ages.<BR><BR>In Stockholm, head over to Djurgarden, where you can visit Skansen, an open air folk museum, zoo, and huge park. Across the street is the Grona Lunds Tivoli, yes, another amusement park, but don't miss the Vasa Museum, which houses the warship Vasa that sank (has kid hands-on displays too).<BR><BR>Oslo is another great choice for children. Tusenfryd is a giant amusement park just out of Oslo which boasts a famous wooden roller coaster, and has about 50 rides. You can catch a shuttle bus to the park from right behind Oslo's train station.<BR><BR>There's loads of other things to do in these three cities that your son will surely enjoy. Have fun!

One more thing, Connie. I'm an avid reader, love museums, and work hard for a living. But I also know the definition of &quot;vacation&quot; -- and children need one too. After all, they're in school nearly 9 months out of the year, learning how to get on in society. Relaxing, enjoying new places and cultures, as well as having fun and a good laugh is a positive thing, don't you think?

maybe you should use the trip as a way to TRY to get him to read more. Go to a good library or book store and have him pick out tourbooks about Scandanavia and study up. Let him make some of the choices - but only after he has done some research. It seems like a real extravagance to go all the way to Europe just for theme parks without getting at least some culture and horizon broadening out of it.<BR><BR>He will REALLY enjoy the parks, especially in Denmark, but leave the gameboy at home - he won't be bored.

What a wonderful Christmas present!! We're visiting Legoland in Denmark with our two young boys as part of a trip as well. Besides the parks mentioned, there is Liseberg in Goteborg, Sweden and also Astrid Lindgrens World in Vimmerby. You might use this as an excuse to read or watch Pippi Longstocking...Try this link for a list of other amusement parks and such in Sweden http://www.sverigeturism.se/smorgasbord/smorgasbord/natrecspo/recreation/zoo.html<BR>Have a great trip and hug your little boy!<BR>Esther

While he may not like &quot;regular sight-seeing&quot; now, did you ever consider that in the future he might appreciate the experience and it might be beneficial? his tastes WILL change and new experiences help in that process.<BR><BR>What's so wrong with telling him, &quot;we'll do what you like on a these days in return you come with us and do what we like.&quot;