Knott's Berry Farm with Kids: Camp Snoopy, the Coasters and Boysenberry Everything
Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, Orange County, is a smaller, easier theme park day than its famous neighbours, and it works for a wide age range: Camp Snoopy is built for toddlers and preschoolers, while older kids get some of California's biggest coasters.
This is where the boysenberry became famous, and it's still everywhere, from pie to churros. Knott's is now part of Six Flags, so tickets, hours and the park app are on the Six Flags website. Hours change by day and season: check the park calendar before you go.
A day at Knott's Berry Farm
Little rides early, the log ride and coasters, then boysenberry pie.
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Opening
Knott's Berry Farm (opens Google Maps)
Arrive before opening with tickets bought online. Download the Six Flags app for the map, wait times and show times.
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Morning
Camp Snoopy (opens Google Maps)
Go while it's cool and quiet. The Off-Road Rally and Balloon Race take riders from 36 inches; Snoopy's Tenderpaw Twister and Linus Launcher from 36 inches with an adult. Look out for the Peanuts characters and the Beagle Scout Badge Quest.
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Late morning
Timber Mountain Log Ride (opens Google Maps)
A classic log flume through Ghost Town, with a drop and a splash at the end. Kids from 36 inches ride with an adult, from 46 inches alone. The Calico Mine Ride nearby is a gentle mine train for 46 inches and up.
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Lunch
Boysenberry break in Ghost Town (opens Google Maps)
Ghost Town is the place for boysenberry treats: pie from the bakery, filled churros and floats. Menus change, so treat it as a tasting tour.
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Afternoon
Coasters for older kids (opens Google Maps)
GhostRider, the big wooden coaster, takes riders from 48 inches, as do HangTime, Pony Express and Jaguar!. Silver Bullet needs 54 inches. Sierra Sidewinder in Camp Snoopy is a good first spinning coaster: 42 inches with an adult.
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Afternoon
Calico River Rapids (opens Google Maps)
A raft ride for 46 inches and up. Everyone gets wet, so ride on a warm afternoon and keep a change of clothes in the car.
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Dinner
Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant (opens Google Maps)
The fried chicken restaurant that started it all, with boysenberry pie for dessert. It's in the California Marketplace outside the park gates, so no ticket is needed. Reservations are suggested.
Height limits at a glance
From the park's ride pages in October 2026. Limits can change, so check the app on the day.
- 36 inches (91 cm): Camp Snoopy's Off-Road Rally and Balloon Race; with an adult, Snoopy's Tenderpaw Twister, Linus Launcher and Timber Mountain Log Ride.
- 42 inches (107 cm): Snoopy's Tenderpaw Twister and Linus Launcher alone; Sierra Sidewinder with an adult.
- 46 inches (117 cm): Timber Mountain Log Ride alone, Calico Mine Ride, Calico River Rapids and the Calico Railroad.
- 48 inches (122 cm): GhostRider, HangTime, Pony Express, Jaguar! and Sierra Sidewinder alone.
- 52 to 54 inches (132 to 137 cm): Supreme Scream (52), Silver Bullet and Sol Spin (54).
Seasonal events
- Knott's Spooky Farm (autumn days around Halloween; check the dates): a daytime, not-scary Halloween with trick-or-treating around the shops of Calico and kids' activities.
- Knott's Scary Farm (select autumn nights around Halloween): a separate night-time ticket, not recommended for children under 13.
- Knott's Merry Farm (late November to early January; check the dates): lights, holiday shows and Santa, with shows and most rides included in admission.
- Spring: the park's Boysenberry Festival usually returns in spring; check the events page for dates.
Tips
- Plan the day by height: measure your kids at home so nobody queues for a ride they can't take.
- Rides close for maintenance: some rides close for scheduled work through the year. Check the app before you promise a favourite.
- Soak City is a separate waterpark next door, with its own ticket and seasonal opening days.
- Stay nearby: Knott's is in the Disneyland area of Orange County, so it pairs well with a Disneyland trip. See our Disneyland tips.
Make it a game
A Play Your Trip book turns your park day into an adventure: every stop a quest with a coin to collect, every place one tap from the map. Make your Los Angeles book or play the demo.
Questions
Is Knott's Berry Farm good for toddlers?
Yes. Camp Snoopy has several rides that take riders from 36 inches, plus Peanuts characters and play areas. Toddlers under that height can still enjoy the shows, the characters and the play areas.
What is the height requirement for GhostRider?
48 inches (122 cm), the same as HangTime, Pony Express and Jaguar!. Silver Bullet needs 54 inches.
Is Knott's Scary Farm OK for kids?
No: it isn't recommended for children under 13 and needs its own ticket. Younger kids will prefer Knott's Spooky Farm, the daytime Halloween event.
Do you need a park ticket for Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant?
No. It's in the California Marketplace outside the park gates, along with the bakery and shops selling boysenberry treats.