Carthage Kiwanis Club’s Kiddieland
I had heard about the Carthage Kiwanis Club’s Kiddieland amusement park for years, but had never ventured over to Carthage to check it out until my daughter was invited to a birthday party there last week. Now, I wish I’d gone sooner.
Kiddieland is located at 2000 Oak Street, just inside the Carthage Municipal Park and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from the weekend before Memorial Day through Labor Day. It was built in the 1950s and offers a few vintage rides. The staff did a great job checking to see that all of the kids were buckled in safely and assuring parents that rides could be stopped at a moment’s notice should any child want to exit.
Our first ride was on the train, which runs on a quarter-mile oval track. The day that we went was sunny and mild and we enjoyed our two laps around the park. Parents are also allowed on the carousel and the whirling tubs ride. Only children are allowed on the airplanes and the kiddie car drive (which consists of plastic ride-on cars that are hooked together and move around in a circle).
The Kiwanis members are exceptionally friendly and clearly enjoy being around children. Not only do they donate their time by working at the park, they also donate all of the proceeds from ticket sales to local charities.
If you have little ones, don’t wait one more second to take them to this pint-sized amusement park made just for them!
Kiddieland is located at 2000 Oak Street in Carthage’s Municipal Park. Click here to visit Kiddieland’s Facebook page.
If you’re looking for more fun things to do with kids in the Joplin area, click here.
Living Life to The Fullest!
I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.
