Amusement parks in Virginia offer more than just thrills for kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school students. Some also provide unique educational opportunities and team-building experiences. Imagine taking a behind-the-scenes tour of rollercoaster engineering or learning about the operation of heart-pounding rides. Not only do amusement parks provide a fun day outside the classroom but they also include chances to learn about the science and technology behind award-winning amusement park attractions. Get ready to explore the top ten waterparks and amusement parks in Virginia to consider for your next field trip.
Whether you are seeking an adventurous outdoor classroom or a fun activity to break up a field trip, a visit to waterparks or amusement parks in Virginia is more than just a day out for kindergarten through high school students. It’s a chance to experience some of the most famous and exciting rides in the country. From the adrenaline rush of towering waterslides to the thrill of winding rollercoasters, these theme parks offer a range of unique and memorable experiences. And the best part? There are also learning opportunities, making these trips both fun and educational.
1. Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Williamsburg
Learning Opportunities for High School Students
- Engineering
- Science
- Technology
Voted Most Beautiful Theme Park 33 years in a row and voted Top 10 Best Theme Park by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2023, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a must-visit for student groups in kindergarten through high school. The 100-acre, European-themed park features aspects of England, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy and Ireland, immersing students in many diverse cultures and inspiring a sense of curiosity.
Enhance your field trip to this all-encompassing amusement park in Virginia with a Coasters 101 Educational Tour. This unique experience takes high school students behind the scenes, providing a glimpse into the engineering of rollercoasters and the science behind their operation. Expert guides will discuss the technology involved with these massive machines in a real-world setting. With field trip opportunities and discounted rates for groups of 15 or more, this is a perfect amusement park in Virginia for your next adventure.
2. Water Country USA
Williamsburg
Learning Opportunities for All Grades
- Team building
Water Country USA, Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s sister park, is the mid-Atlantic’s largest water park, comprised of 43 acres of pools, lazy rivers and water rides. Let your group compete on the thrilling Nitro Racer: Supercharged water ride, a six-lane bodysurfing slide with a twist. Six students at a time can assemble at the starting line and race down the 320-foot slide in a timed race to the bottom. Nine more water slides, tubes and flumes offer more aquatic fun for all types of thrill seekers.
Be sure to experience Virginia’s largest wave pool at a whopping 23,000 square feet! This amusement park in Virginia offers on-site dining options, including burritos, bowls, nachos, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, chicken tenders, sweet treats and quick bites at five fun park eateries.
3. Kings Dominion
Doswell
Learning Opportunities for Middle and High School Students
- Performance group productions
- Physics
- Science
- Math
- Engineering
A 300-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower welcomes visitors in front of Kings Dominion, a 400-acre theme park near Richmond. This iconic amusement park in Virginia features 60 iconic rides, live shows and attractions, 13 world-class roller coasters, the 20-acre Soak City water park and educational programs and performance opportunities galore.
Field trip groups in kindergarten through high school will have chances to ride exciting roller coasters like Anaconda, the world’s first looping coaster to feature an underwater tunnel. In fact, this is one of the most photographed rides at the park! Soak City is Kings Dominion’s 20-acre waterpark, which features group-friendly rides like Zoom Flume where up to four riders can pile into a water raft and splash down into the pool below. The park also offers visitors numerous on-site eateries and options for catered meals, all-day drinks and all-day food.
4. Funland Park
Fredericksburg & Fairfax
Learning Opportunities for Elementary to High School Students
- Team building
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving techniques
This amusement park in Virginia has two locations, Funland Park of Fredericksburg and Funland Park of Fairfax. They both offer student groups exciting opportunities to immerse themselves in challenging group activities like Laser Tag, Rookie Go-Karts and Thunder Speedway. In addition, four state-of-the-art batting cages let groups test their baseball and peer-supporting skills. Rocky River Golf gives students the chance to utilize team-building prowess on the golf course by pairing up into small crews and challenging each other to 18 holes of strategic fun.
Groups will also find ticket and prize games along with non-ticket video games to test their critical thinking skills. Sky Trail is an indoor ropes course where students can explore 25 unique options and a zip line that takes them sailing above the arcade. Clip ‘N Climb is a rock-climbing experience that provides students with problem-solving techniques, while Mini Bowling is a fun and competitive group activity. Student trip planners can take advantage of Funland Park’s Play All Day packages for savings on experiential fun.
5. Great Wolf Lodge
Williamsburg
Learning Opportunities for Elementary to High School Students
- Geology
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving techniques
Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg is a top indoor waterpark and amusement park in Virginia for kindergarten through high school groups. The park offers team-building and group activities, including bowling at Ten Paw Alley, the Northern Lights Arcade full of challenging games, Howlers Peak Ropes Course and an interactive laser tag experience at Laser Trail.
Students can discover gemstones, minerals, and other earthly wonders at Oliver’s Mining Sluice, where they will learn about geology and how to identify stones. The indoor waterpark features numerous aquatic activities perfect for classmates to participate in, like a rousing game of water basketball at Chinook Cove or a thrilling tubing adventure down River Canyon Run. Numerous eateries on-site provide ample dining options for all ages and tastes, with places like Buckets for burgers and fries, Dunkin’ for sweet treats and Freshwoods Market for healthy grab-and-go dining options. Groups of 30 or more receive price discounts. You can find more information on the Great Wolf Lodge Groups & Meetings page.
6. Massanutten Indoor/Outdoor WaterPark®
Massanutten
Learning Opportunities for Elementary to High School Students
- Critical thinking skills
- Team building
- Problem-solving techniques
Voted “Top Amusement Park in Virginia” by ArrivaLIST Most Visited Places and one of the “10 Best Indoor Water Parks in America” by Budget Travel Magazine, Massanutten Indoor/Outdoor WaterPark® is a must-visit for student groups in all grades. They provide experiential fun for youth and school groups throughout the year, offering a natural 6,000-acre setting for an unparalleled outdoor classroom. Discover endless aquatic fun, an engaging arcade, two golf courses, mountain biking for beginners to experts, a Mega Zip Line, and winter sports like snow tubing, ice skating and skiing.
Work together as a team and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills at one of three immersive escape rooms at Real Escapes VR & Escape Rooms. Multiple racing simulators and virtual reality stations provide more chances to test problem-solving techniques. Students can learn how to surf on The Pipeline while teachers and chaperones relax in one of two Shenandoah Hot Springs (one is for adults only).
7. Pirate’s Cove Waterpark
Lorton
Learning Opportunities for Kindergarten to Middle School Students
- Team building
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving techniques
Kindergarten to middle school groups will have a splash learning at Pirate’s Cove Waterpark, the largest pirate-themed waterpark in the area. Buccaneer Beach engages young minds, where kids can dig for buried treasure in the large sand area, promoting curiosity and focus.
A variety of water features, like spraying palm trees and a 300-gallon water dumping bucket, provide plenty of cool recreation, while kid-friendly waterslides offer unique challenges among peers. Two picnic areas have ample space for student groups of up to 20 individuals to enjoy an outdoor lunch with reservations available.
Find all the group information you’ll need for a field trip, graduation celebration or end-of-the-year class party on their website.
8. Cameron Run Regional Park
Alexandria
Learning Opportunities for Elementary School to High School Students
- Critical thinking skills
- Team building
Students can explore 26 acres of outdoor recreation at Cameron Run Regional Park, including Great Waves Waterpark, which features towering, four-story waterslides. Batter up at the slow-pitch and fast-pitch nine-station batting cages, or pair up and play a stimulating round of golf on the deluxe miniature golf course for fun competition.
An oversized swimming pool provides cool relief on hot days, and plenty of picnic shelters, tables and covered pavilion space are available to host class celebrations and field trips. In the wintertime, Cameron Run offers ice skating and Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run lights display.
9. Motor World
Virginia Beach
Learning Opportunities for Elementary to High School Students
- Team building
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving techniques
Elementary to high school student groups with a need for speed will have a blast at Motor World, a go-kart amusement park in Virginia. The park features 11 dynamic go-kart racetracks, including the JR. Dune Buggy Track for off-road adventures, a Family Track, and a Cannonball Track with mini-NASCAR-themed go-karts. Groups can also partake in a friendly competition at Ship Wreck Mini Golf on a newly renovated and exciting 36-hole course with waterfalls and tropical music.
For younger elementary school field trip groups, Kiddie City provides 10 unique rides, including the popular Himalaya, a bounce house and more. Kids can even ride gas-powered go-karts by themselves on four designated child-friendly and safe tracks. Motor World offers group rates, catering opportunities, and meeting rooms that can hold 10 – 150 people, perfect for graduation and end-of-the-year celebrations or field trips.
10. Ocean Breeze Waterpark
Virginia Beach
Learning Opportunities for Kindergarten to High School Students
- Team building
Students in grades kindergarten through high school on a field trip to Ocean Breeze Waterpark will have fun exploring 17 exciting aquatic attractions. Chill out in Runaway Bay, a million-gallon wave pool with “Hugh Mongous” waves. Thrilling waterslides include Operation Splashdown for group rafting, Paradise Pipeline that’s full of sharp twists and turns and many more.
Field trip groups can book a Patio Party Package for discounted ticket rates, a one-hour Party Patio reservation, pizza, beverages and dessert. Ocean Breeze is a great option for hosting graduation parties, end-of-the-year classroom achievement celebrations and fun field trips.
11. SplashDown Waterpark
Manassas
Learning Opportunities for Kindergarten to High School Students
- Team building
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving techniques
SplashDown Waterpark is Northern Virginia’s largest waterpark, featuring thrilling aquatic attractions like 40-foot-tall waterslides. Discover team-building opportunities for younger students at Lily Pad Walk and the Log Walk or race opponents down the waterslides.
With advanced registration, groups receive discounted ticket prices. During a fun field trip or classroom celebration, rent one of the pavilions and enjoy a catered lunch or bites from one of several park eateries on-site.
By Heather Dale – Managing Editor
