When you think of an amusement park, fair, or carnival, no doubt many things spring to mind. You have animal shows, where you can see many prize horses, cows, pigs, etc. Some parks even carry shows that feature marine life, such as whales and dolphins. No doubt you also think of delicious food, where anything you can imagine has been deep fried! And there are games you can play, where you could win giant stuffed animals and other fun prizes.

But if you’re like me, the first attraction that comes to mind is the ride. There are many roller coasters that you’ll find in amusement parks, some scary and thrilling rides (Экстремальные аттракционы), and some that provide gentle fun without scaring your socks off. When I lived in Texas, my favorite amusement park to visit was Six Flags Over Texas, in Arlington. I will never forget the irony of waiting in line for over two hours to ride Batman, only for it to last less than two minutes! There is the Titan, the coaster that moves at 85 miles per hour and treats you to a 255 foot drop, among other amazing rides that provide thrills.

Fairs also provide fun rides, even if they are not the classic roller coaster. You’ll find rides such as the small pirate ship (мини аттракцион пиратский корабль) that you sit in, and hang on for dear life as it rocks forward and backwards, nearly spinning upside down but stopping just short of it. The names of each ride vary from fair to fair, but no doubt you know which rides are which when it comes to your local fair.

But today, many people are more interested in the tame rides when they visit an amusement park or fair. Why is this the case?

Even though amusement parks, fairs, carnivals, and the like are famous for attracting thrill seekers, I think it’s fair to say that the main demographic for these fun centers is the family. Every time I visit an amusement park or fair, I see more families with their children than anyone else.

Having a younger brother and sister, I have seen my fair share of rides dedicated to children. You have cute rides that mimic the roller coaster, giving your children a dose of thrills before they are big enough to ride the big rides. As it seems that families are the main visitors of these parks, it makes sense that kiddie rides (Детский аттракцион) are very popular choices indeed.

But adults can’t always ride the mini rides that are intended for children. What about the adult that does not want to ride the biggest and baddest ride there is?

The last time I visited the fair, I was 24 years old. I’ve enjoyed my share of scary and thrilling rides, but I felt the need to keep it more tame this time. I ended up riding the tilt-a-whirl more than anything. This is the ride where you sit in a teacup or other shape, and hold onto a bar in front of you. The cup moves in a circular motion along a track, and it’s up to you to spin the ride around as much as you can if you so choose using that bar. I had just as much fun riding the tame rides such as these as I did riding the thrilling rides in the past.

So whether or not you have children, enjoy the most thrilling and scary rides available, or just want something that will provide you fun without being too daring, there is something just right for you!