At A Grade Ahead, we provide superior academic enrichment for our students. Time spent in our classrooms is vital to academic growth. While classroom time is important, taking breaks and enjoying time outside the classroom is also important for every child’s well-being. Summer break is a great time for kids and families to embrace some fun in the sun. Our headquarters in Central Ohio is surrounded by many opportunities for summertime adventures. Join us for this article as we head north for lakeside thrills at Ohio’s favorite amusement park: Cedar Point!
Located on Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, Cedar Point is a peninsula packed with fun for all ages. Whether you’re seeking thrills on record-breaking coasters or hoping for a relaxing day at the lake, Cedar Point has it all. With 19 rollercoasters, the park holds the title of “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” Every summer, thrill seekers from all over the globe flock to Cedar Point for its abundance of amazing coasters. If white-knuckle rides aren’t your favorite, the park has plenty of tamer options as well. Families with small children will love the kid-friendly attractions located throughout the park. In addition to the rides, guests can also enjoy live shows, musical performances, and the natural beauty of Lake Erie.
Thrill Rides
Known as “America’s Rollercoaster,” Cedar Point boasts an impressive collection of the world’s tallest and fastest thrill rides. These sky-scraping coasters have been divided into three height-based categories: “hypercoaster,” “giga coaster,” and “strata coaster.” Are you a daredevil wanting to level up in these coaster categories? See below for information on Cedar Point’s 4 biggest rides:
- Hypercoasters exceeding a height drop of 200 ft: Magnum XL 200 and Steel Vengeance (both 205 ft).
- Giga Coasters exceeding a height drop of 300 ft: Millenium Force (310 ft)
- Strata coasters exceeding a height drop of 400 ft: Top Thrill 2 (420 ft)
At A Grade Ahead, we love combining fun with learning. Our original math curriculum includes story problems based on fun situations such as trips to amusement parks. Relating math to fun times is a great way for kids to embrace the importance of the subject in everyday life. Take a free assessment and sign up your child today. They will love mixing math with the idea of fun and adventure.
Looking for even more? Call or visit an A Grade Ahead Academy near you and see if they are offering MathVenture Jr., MathVenture, or one of our other enrichment camps, in your area!
Kiddy Rides
Families with small children have plenty of options for junior-sized fun at Cedar Point. The park has four different kid-dedicated areas including Kiddy Kingdom, Planet Snoopy, Camp Snoopy, and the Gemini Midway Area. Kiddy Kingdom offers classic “preschool-level” rides. Your littlest kiddos will light up with smiles as they spin on the carousel or test drive a 4×4. Right next door to Kiddy Kingdom is Planet Snoopy. This Peanuts-themed area is full of delightful rides like Snoopy’s Express Railroad and The Kite Eating Tree. Another fun Peanuts-themed area is Camp Snoopy, featuring rides like the Woodstock Express junior coaster. Just across the way, The Gemini Midway Area is a great stepping stone for the early-elementary crowd. These rides are perfect for kids who are working their way up to the big thrills. Check out this park map to decide where you want to start your family adventure.
Did you know A Grade Ahead offers math and English enrichment for children in grades Pre-K through High School? Whether your child is at the beginning, middle, or end of their school-aged years, we have you covered!
Live Entertainment
At Cedar Point, the fun does not end with rides. The park also offers live entertainment and musical performances. Families with young children should be on the lookout for Peanuts characters wandering the park in search of high fives and hugs. Charlie Brown and his gang can usually be spotted around Planet Snoopy and Camp Snoopy. You might even catch a Peanuts musical performance along the main midway. Music lovers of all ages will enjoy Cedar Point’s Bands in Residence performing throughout the summer. And new this year, comedy enthusiasts can check out Hoots and Hollers at the Palace Theater. From Snoopy and Linus to music and comedy, the fun never ends at the amusement park. For more information about Cedar Point’s shows, click here.
Accommodations
If you’re considering spending more than one day at the park, check out Cedar Point Resorts’ overnight accommodations. Guests can choose from several conveniently located options. Sawmill Creek Resort is a quick 15-minute drive from the park and features an 18-hole golf course. Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark Hotel, located at the front of the Cedar Point Causeway, is great for families. Across the causeway is Cedar Points Express Hotel, a value resort just minutes from the park entrance. Three on-site options include Lighthouse Point Campground, The Cedar Point Marina, and The Hotel Breakers.
My personal favorite is The Hotel Breakers. Located along the Lake Erie shore, The Breakers is a beautiful resort full of relaxing amenities. Guests can enjoy the pools, restaurants, lakeside views, and Cedar Point’s mile-long white sand beach. Having opened in 1905, The Hotel Breakers is more than a place to stay, it’s a place full of history! While its official status as a U.S. historical landmark has been removed due to renovations, the resort possesses the quality of timeless memories. Why not book your stay and create some timeless memories of your own with your loved ones?
Do you want to spark your child’s interest in history? A Grade Ahead offers a history-themed summer camp: Time Traveler Tales. Campers will explore a variety of topics and periods while sharpening their writing skills. To find out more about A Grade Ahead enrichment camps, check out this blog post.
Have you ever been to Cedar Point with your family? Are you into the big thrill rides, or would you prefer relaxing on the beach? Do you have little ones who would flock to Camp Snoopy for the kiddy coasters? Let us know in the comments below!
Author: Amanda Hutson, Curriculum Assistant at A Grade Ahead
