Rides and attractions

Please note: During our 2024 Egg Hunt, the carousel will be the only operational amusement ride. All other rides are expected to be open as of May 18, 2024.

Storybook Gardens may be closed if there is inclement weather. Please review our closures and cancellations page to ensure programming, events, rides and attractions are running as scheduled.

Rides

Access to the following rides are available at an additional cost of one ticket per person, with the exception of the ferris wheel which requires two tickets per person. Individual tickets are $3.00 per person, or you can purchase 20 tickets for $35.75. Unlimited wristbands are $14.50 per person per day. Infants under 24 months old ride for free. Ride tickets never expire. For more information regarding general admission and ticket prices, please visit our general admission page

Carousel

Ride the classic Storybook Carousel, fun for the whole family. Please note admission is not required for the carousel since it is located directly outside of Storybook Gardens grounds. Total capacity is 38 adults or 38 children. Height restrictions: must be at least 42” to ride alone. Children can also ride with an adult if they are able to sit upright in the seat.

Elephants

The mechanical elephant ride is a perfect introductory amusement ride for smaller children. Total capacity is 12 adults or 24 children. Height restrictions: Must be at least 36” to ride alone. Children can also ride with an adult if they are able to sit upright in the seat.

Ferris Wheel

Reach for the sky on the ferris wheel with a view of the Thames River and the Storybook Gardens. Total capacity is 36 adults or 36 children. Height restrictions: must be at least 48” to ride alone or 36” to ride with an adult. Please note infants are not allowed on this ride. 

Springbank Express Train

All aboard! The miniature train has operated in Springbank Park for more than 100 years. Please note the train is weather dependent. Please note admission is not required for the train since it is located directly outside of Storybook Gardens grounds.  Height restrictions: must be at least 36” to ride alone. Children can also ride with an adult if they are able to sit upright in the seat. Guests can purchase tickets for the train at the train station using debit or credit. 

Swings

The swings is a fast paced thrill ride for children and adults. Total capacity is 12 adults or 24 children. Height restrictions: must be at least 42” to ride. 


Attractions

Valley Pavilion and the Back Woods Pavilion

These pavilions can be rented to use for events including birthday parties and corporate events hosted at Storybook Gardens. Rent a pavilion. 

Castle

Image
Mother and son entering the Storybook Gardens castle

Guests entering the castle are immediately captivated by such storybook characters as Little Red Riding Hood, Mary had a Little Lamb, Snow White, Mother Goose, and Pinocchio, all displayed on the interior walls of the admissions area. The castle walls look like the colourful graphic pages  straight out of a fairytale book.

Vintage Storybook Chapel

The Vintage Storybook Chapel is a nice spot to sit and have a moment of peace and quiet before moving on to the next activity. The chapel was built shortly after the park opened in 1958.

Frog King's Leaping Lilypad

This giant pillow is suitable for everyone and provides a safe fitness activity for kids and adults without the hazards normally associated with trampolines, jumping castles and other traditional playground equipment.

Frog Pond Lookout

Image
Aerial photograph of duck pond

Look for wildlife in and around the frog pond from the lookout area. Watch for frogs and turtles, or watch the many giant carp as the swim about the pond. The pond is also often visited by blue herons looking for a snack! There are shaded seating areas by the edge of the pond.

Gnorbert's Gardens

Image
Family entering Gnorbert's Garden

Come see what’s growing in Gnorbert’s Gardens! Garden programs and activities are scheduled daily, and you may even catch a glimpse of Gnorbert the Gnome!

Hands in the Sand

Hands In The Sand is a large sand and water play area located in the pool area between Gnorbert's Garden and the Play Village.The area features almost 110 square metres of play area, 90 tonnes of quality play sand, two water sources, a variety of toys and loose parts for children to play with, a shaded seating area for parents, beautiful surrounding gardens, and a clean up area, with a hose and soft brushes for sweeping loose sand from clothing.

London Bridge

This is the authentic London Bridge, London Ontario, that is! The bridge is scaled down for our young visitors, so duck your head when you cross it! 

Net Play

Pretend you’re a pirate climbing the ship’s rigging as you make your way to the top of the giant net play climber!

On the Riverbank Splash Pad

Image
View of the On the Riverbank Splash Pad

Come beat the heat! Six change rooms are located right next to the splash pad. Family washrooms are also located in this area. Total capacity for the splash pad slide is 1 adult or 1 child. Height restrictions for the splash pad slide: must be at least 36” to ride. If you’re visiting the splash pad but don’t want to get wet yourself, there’s plenty of seating around the splash pad where you can take in all of the action. Tall sails located around the splash pad provide shade for comfort.

Pedal Car Track

Race a pedal car around the track and go for the checkered flag! We have pedal cars for children and adults. We also have an accessible pedal car for guardians to ride with their child.

Pete’s Friend-Ship

Image
Children playing on pirate ship

Sail the high seas on Pete’s Friend-Ship – take the wheel, slide down the slides, or head below to see what’s kept in the hold.

 Training Tower

Try out the two training towers and the various rope climbers, ladders, slides, and wooden bridges.

Rock Climbing Wall

Find some cracks and hand holds in the rock climbing wall and make your way up the surface to the very top! Once you’ve mastered the climb, choose a different route for added challenge, or try to make it all the way around the wall without touching the ground!

Skate Trail

Image
Couple holding hands on Storybook Gardens' skate trail

Each winter, enjoy a magical holiday experience with our 250-metre skate trail, which loops around the park grounds. Admission is $4.50 for adults and $3.50 for children under 24 months old. Skate rentals are available for $6.50 per person. Helmets are required for children 5 and under. 

Valley Village Playhouse

It takes a village to raise a child....it takes a child to raise a village. Located in the Play Village is a developing community of miniature play houses with intertwining roads to guide your child along the way, offering a great place for children to engage in pretend play. 

Village Square Stage

Image
Family enjoying a performance at the Village Stage

You never know who will appear next on the Village Square Stage! Two outdoor stages provide the perfect setting for a variety of entertainment features throughout the summer including live musical performances, clowns, puppet shows, sing-a-longs, storytelling, and so much more! The Village Square Stage is a lively spot and fun for musicians, magicians, mascots and artists. 


Characters

Felix the Fox's Archery Range

Grab your bow and show Felix your archery skills! This target range uses safe foam-tipped arrows.

Humpty Dumpty

Image
Two girls pose for a picture with Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty together again.

Hickory Dickory Dock

Come visit us and ring the bell.

Leap Frogs

Hop on over and play leap frog with the Giant Frogs

Monstro the Whale

Image
Two girls pose for a picture with Monstro the Whale

Have you ever wondered how Pinocchio felt when he was swallowed by the Monstro the whale? Find out for yourself by climbing inside Monstro’s giant mouth and see what treasures he has swallowed!

Old Woman's Shoe

Have you ever seen a shoe this large? The old woman’s shoe has been in the park since it opened in 1958. 

Three Men in a Tub

Rub-a-dub-dub! Three men in a tub, and who do you think they be? The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker; all scrubbing their way out to sea.

Wishing Well

Image
Wishing Well photograph

Wishing wells are believed to grant wishes with the spoken word. When you make a wish at Storybook Gardens, make sure to say it out loud and maybe your wish will come true.

Wind in the Willows

See some of the characters from Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. Watch Ratty rowing his rowboat, and climb on to the picnic blanket to share some bread and cheese with Toad and Mole.


All amusement park rides at Storybook Gardens are inspected and licensed annually by the Technical Safety and Standards Authority (TSSA). TSSA ensures that all rides follow standard procedures to ensure the safety of parkgoers. Random inspections are completed throughout the operating season. For more information, please visit the TSSA website.

Last modified:Monday, March 04, 2024