If your children are in their preteens, there’s no better time for a family outing to a ziplining course. At this age, kids are finally big enough to ride safely, and the exhilaration of flying down a mountain makes for a memory they won’t soon forget. Before you sign up for a zipline tour, it’s a good idea to know a few tips that will ensure you have the safest and most stress-free experience possible!
7 Tips for Ziplining With Kids
Wondering how you can prepare to zipline with your children? Check out our top seven tips for ziplining with your family below:
1. Check that the Zipline Allows Kids to Ride
Not every course sets the same rules for kids, so the first thing you’ll want to do is confirm the safety standards of the specific zipline you’re visiting. Most courses publish their requirements online, and it’s worth double-checking them before you show up with excited kids in tow. These limits are set to ensure the harness and braking systems work properly for every rider.
The safety guidelines at WildSide include:
Age Limit
10 years or older
Height Limit
Between 4′ and 6’8″
Weight Limit
50–260 pounds
Checking a zipline’s age, height, and weight limits can ensure you don’t show up to a ziplining course with your family in tow, only to learn one of your children won’t meet the course’s requirements.
2. Look for Side-by-Side Lines
Not all ziplines are built the same. Some courses only run a single line, which means kids launch alone while parents wait their turn. For confident riders, that might be fine—but if your child is nervous, it can make the experience feel overwhelming. One of the best ways to ease them in is choosing a course with side-by-side lines.
At WildSide, the MegaZip has four parallel lines, which means families can ride together. This setup offers big benefits for parents:
Comfort & Reassurance
If your child hesitates at the platform, having Mom or Dad clipping in right next to them gives instant confidence.
Shared Experience
Instead of watching from below, you’re side by side, seeing the same views and sharing the same rush in real time.
Friendly Competition
Older kids love turning it into a race to see who reaches the bottom first. With four lines, siblings can ride at once, and parents can join in too.
Parents who’ve done the MegaZip with their kids often say this side-by-side format is what made the day special—it transforms ziplining from an individual thrill into a true family adventure.
3. Wear the Right Clothing
The wrong outfit can make ziplining uncomfortable—especially for kids. Harness straps need to sit flush, so avoid short shorts, dresses, or overly tight clothing. Athletic wear is ideal: flexible, breathable, and sturdy enough to handle the harness.
But in the Smoky Mountains, it’s not just about style—it’s about the weather. The MegaZip launches from over 2,400 feet in elevation, where mornings can be chilly even in July. Afternoons can heat up fast, so dressing in layers is smart. A light hoodie or jacket that can be tied around the waist works well.
Footwear matters too. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory, and sneakers with a secure fit are best. Sandals, flip-flops, or clunky boots can be unsafe or uncomfortable. If your kids wear glasses or sunglasses, bring a strap so they don’t slip off mid-ride. Jewelry, especially dangling earrings or necklaces, is best left at home.
4. Plan to Arrive 20-30 Minutes Early
Arriving 20 or 30 minutes early for your ziplining tour will ensure your family has plenty of time to check in and address any last-minute issues that might arise before the tour begins. You’ll also be starting your family outing off right, without the stress of feeling rushed or like you can’t stop to enjoy the moment with your children.
Pro Tip
If your children are scared to zipline or have questions, giving them time to talk with an instructor can also help them build their confidence and be fully prepared to zip down the mountain.
5. Have Your Children Go to the Bathroom Before You Start
Once you’re harnessed in and headed to the launch platform, there’s no turning back for bathroom breaks. Zipline tours can last from one to three hours depending on group size and course length, so think of it like a road trip pit stop: go before you start, even if no one “needs to.”
WildSide has facilities available near check-in, and our staff always encourages families to use them before gearing up. It may seem like a small thing, but parents who’ve skipped this step know the stress of managing a mid-tour emergency—it’s not something you want to deal with on a treetop platform.
6. Bring a Bottle of Water and a Small Snack
Alongside having your children use the bathroom before a trip, it can be a good idea to pack some small snacks and water bottles in a fanny pack or other secure bag that won’t fall off on the zipline.
While ziplining isn’t particularly strenuous, your children might get hungry if the tour is longer than an hour. Likewise, they’ll probably get thirsty during the tour, especially if you’re ziplining in the summer, making water bottles a must.
Pro Tip
Look for a ziplining course with food on site (like WildSide!) so you can easily grab a snack for your children before the tour or have a full meal after you’re done!
7. Let Your Children Go at Their Own Pace
Some children will want to speed down the zipline, while others will prefer to take it slow. Since it’s normal for some children to be a little intimidated by ziplines (especially when they reach the top of the platform), allowing them to go at their own pace can be a good way for them to face their fears in a supportive environment.
The beauty of the MegaZip is that the ride itself is smooth and calming once you’re in motion. The wind rushes past, the Smokies stretch out beneath you, and the nerves usually melt away by the time you’re halfway down. In fact, many kids who hesitate at first end up begging to ride again. Allowing them to move at their own pace makes the victory that much sweeter.
Zipline With Your Family at Wildside
Wildside is home to the MegaZip, the longest zipline in the United States, and a premier destination for families who love a bit of adventure. If you’re looking for a zipline in Pigeon Forge, our MegaZip offers over a mile of epic ziplining through the Smoky Mountains.
On the zipline, you can reach speeds of up to 55 mph, and our four side-by-side lines make it easy to race your children down the zipline course. As long as your children are 10 years or older, 4’ tall or taller, and 50+ pounds, they can safely ride on our MegaZip.
Learn more about our MegaZip ziplining tours today!