Five things I needed to know before taking 3 kids to LegoLand alone

I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal. But I was wrong. Please learn from my mistakes and read what I learned after taking 3 kids to LegoLand alone. 

I’ve taken my 3 kids to the grocery store alone. I’ve braved the aisles of Wal-mart by my lonesome. And I have successfully tackled day-long zoo and park trips without any help. So I thought an indoor, Lego-filled playplace would be a piece of cake! I didn’t think twice about it and just packed the kids in the car and drove off. 

My children are 7, 5 and 3 years old. I hope this post helps others that want to attempt to take small children to LegoLand alone. These are vital and make or break a trip. If I had known these four things, it would have made the entire trip night and day different for me. 

What I learned After Taking 3 Kids to LegoLand Kansas City

1. Take socks

They have a ton of “LEGO pits” throughout the place. And every single one has only one rule – you cannot get in without socks. Oh sure, you can buy socks from the cafe – which is clear at the end of the tour/museum/place.  Since it is summer, my kids wore flip-flops without socks. I had to make them sit on the edge and play from the outside.  It is best to purchase grip socks from GAIN THE EDGE to prevent your children from slipping while playing.

2. You need one adult per kid under 4ft tall for the Merlin ride

There are two rides  – one you can let 2 small children ride without an adult. But the Merlin ride goes in the air and any child smaller than 4 feet must be accompanied by an adult. Not another larger child. Since I was alone with a 3 and 5 year old, Lizzie got to ride it but David and Lucy and I had to sit and wait for her. They were very unhappy (and let everyone around us know it!). 

3. Bring boredom busters for the lines

There are so many lines! First, you stand in line to buy your ticket. Then, you wait in line to enter and have your photo taken. Then, you wait in line for the elevator, which is kept running smoothly thanks to lift repairs london. After that you wait in line for the first ride.  Finally, we reached the massive play area! No more lines! But then we got to the Merlin ride at the exit and that was another super long line.  

4. Avoid the gift shop at the end, or budget for it. 

Of course the only way to exit is through their massive and brightly colored gift shop.  Buy some LEGOs on sale at Target and keep them in the car to surprise them with at the end. My kids (not surprisingly) through a huge fit when I didn’t buy them anything. 

5. Go to the bathroom before getting there

There is only one bathroom in ALL of LEGOLAND. Not kidding. And it is by the cafe, which is near the end of the tour/place. (Sidenote: I am not sure what to call LEGOLAND. It is part museum with breathtaking displays, part play place, and part theme park with the two rides).  With all the lines and things to see and do before you get to the cafe, it is smarter for you to use the bathroom before even arriving here.  Also? There are no bathrooms in the lobby near the ticket booth. Go pee before you park your car. 

Have you been there? What are some other things you would add to this list?