Coin-Operated Kiddie Rides
The coin-operated kiddie ride has been around for a long time and is still one of the most popular mechanical amusements. It is often found outside of shopping centers, in malls and at amusement parks.
There are many different kinds of kiddie rides available for sale or rent. Here are a few of the more common:
The history of the kiddie ride
Kiddie rides are a type of coin-operated amusement ride that is primarily used in commercial areas such as shopping malls, supermarkets and amusement centers. Although they are primarily designed for young children, these rides can also be found in restaurants and food courts, hotels, outside supermarkets and discount department stores.
A coin-operated kiddie ride resembles a car ride and typically entertains riders with motion, sounds and music. Depending on the ride type, kiddie rides may include pedals and buttons that allow for interactive features such as a beeping horn or touchscreen game element.
In the early aEURoe century, coin-operated kiddie rides were an important part of America’s rapid suburbanization. They were a great way for merchants to attract young shoppers into their stores. It was a combination of clever merchandising and wholesome fun that made them so popular, according to Billboard magazine in 1953.
However, these rides soon began to lose their popularity and were largely forgotten by the time the aEURoe 60s hit. The biggest problem for kiddie rides was the fact that they had to be constantly serviced by a machine operator; this often took up too much time and meant that bigger vending operators, specializing in soda and snack machines, saw them as a hassle rather than a profitable business opportunity.
Another issue was that many kiddie rides were built in dirty environments, such as county fairs and traveling carnivals. In these circumstances, people assumed that the rides had not been well taken care of.
Despite the problems that kiddie rides face, the industry is still thriving and manufacturers are incorporating new technology to keep them relevant. For instance, many of the latest kiddie rides feature a touchscreen game element that can be played with one hand while the other hand controls the movement of the car.
Today, kiddie rides are still a very important part of the industry; they are mainly used to generate extra income for commercial areas and have become increasingly common in homes in many developed countries. This renaissance is being led by Denver-based Kiddie Rides USA, who have received coverage in Time, Fortune, United Airline’s Hemispheres and CNN.
The Hahs Gaited Mechanical Horse
Originally conceived as a Christmas present for his children, the Hahs Gaited Mechanical Horse was crafted by James Otto Hahs of Sikeston, Missouri. After seeing his children’s infatuation with riding their rocking horses, he began creating a ride that mimicked the movement of the real thing.
Initially, he used wooden horses, like those found on carousels. However, these were too heavy for the rides he was planning to build and he decided that aluminum would be a better material. He then patented a process to form his horses out of aluminum.
Once he had perfected his invention, Hahs started distributing these horses to different markets. He was able to sell them to various amusement parks, carnivals and retail stores.
He also had a hugely successful concession at the 1933 and 1939 World Fairs. In addition, he had an agreement with Exhibit Supply Company to distribute his rides throughout the country.
The rides he made proved to be a hit with both adults and kids alike. They were a fun traffic ploy at shopping centers, bringing parents and children together outside of stores in a way that made them want to walk inside. They sold quickly and were very profitable.
Many of these rides are still around, but they are mostly found at specialized venues rather than in general markets. The days of taking a quick ride outside the store have passed.
Kiddie rides were a very lucrative business, especially in the 1950’s. Their popularity lured children and their parents into storefronts and they became a major revenue source for many department stores.
Eventually, the horse became a staple at malls and other public places. These rides were a Kiddie Ride popular way to advertise for new stores and even replaced soda fountains in many stores.
The coin operated kiddie rides are now a favorite among collectors and the demand for these collectibles has only continued to grow. In 2020, the top lots at Mecum auctions reflected this trend.
The Kiddie Coaster
A Kiddie Coaster is a small, themed, mildly interactive coin-operated ride for young children. They are found in amusement parks, arcades, malls, hotels, and outside supermarkets or large department stores.
Most kiddie rides have a theme of some type, such as an animal or popular cartoon character. Some are more elaborate, with lights and sounds. Some of the more elaborate commercial rides are based on popular films or television shows, which is a good way to get children interested in the ride and to encourage them to pay for their tickets.
One of the most common kiddie rides with a licensed character is the Flintstones. The ride is often accompanied by a short tune from the TV show when in attract mode, or if it is not being activated by a coin. It also has a sound board that plays “Meet The Flintstones” when the ride is in motion.
It has two buttons that play the horn sound, as well as the theme song from the show. Taiwan electronics supplier Eletech Enterprise added another audio file of the theme song to their extensive kiddie ride sound library for this ride, taken from a classic TV show theme song album released by a generic record company. Many units refitted with the EM2001 or EM2021 boards have this file, which is different from the version that was originally used.
The ride also has an eject button which is designed to allow parents or chaperones to release their kids from the train. This allows them to have a safe and fun experience with their little ones while keeping the ride running smoothly for other riders.
This coaster is a great way to build hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills for preschoolers, as well as providing a fun way to practice balance. The 3-piece riding track has a high back, handrail, and foot rests for a secure ride down Kiddie Ride the coaster; and 2 sets of non-slip steps lock securely into the coaster car’s platform for a safe and smooth ride off the coaster track as well.
The Kiddie Himalaya is an amusement park classic that spins riders around and around on a series of small hills. Its figure-eight layout is reminiscent of the Big Apple MB28 kiddie coaster, which was built by Pinfari in 1977. Over the years hundreds of figure-eight kiddie roller coasters have been manufactured by many manufacturers, including Zamperla, which introduced its own model in 1983.
The licensed kiddie ride
A licensed kiddie ride is a kid-sized coin-operated amusement device. They are usually found in shopping malls and family entertainment centers. Some are also found in theme parks and carnivals.
These rides have been known to feature paint jobs of well-known characters, although they do not need to be officially licensed by the owners of those characters. These include the Disney and Looney Tunes characters. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are another common license.
Many of these rides are simple and interactive, with push buttons that play sound effects or the character’s voice. Some even play a theme song from the show when in motion.
They can be purchased at local retailers or via the Internet. Some are even made by European manufacturers.
In Hong Kong, kiddie rides are regulated by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). A permit for a ride must be obtained from EMSD before it can be operated in public. The application form must be submitted together with supporting documents, a report on the inspection of the ride and the prescribed fee.
The capacity of the kiddie ride must be a minimum of 12 persons and no more than three amusement rides can be operated at any one time. In addition, the kiddie ride must have an inspection certificate which has been issued within 6 months of the date of the application.
Licensed kiddie rides are a great way to draw in children and keep them entertained for a long time. They are also an excellent money maker for business owners as they provide a good return on investment.
A popular type of kiddie ride is the track ride. These rides are generally shaped like trains and are powered by a low-voltage current passing through the tracks. They are typically designed to seat two to three toddlers but can be found in larger models for older children.
Other popular kiddie rides are the coaster and mini-carousel types. These are usually commercial quality and can be found at a variety of locations.
For example, the Bing carousel features an animated version of Cbeebies character Bing on the front pillar of the car. It plays the Bing theme and has buttons that interact with the sound effects.