A Day at Storybook Island: Where Fairytales Come to Life (and Husbands Become Pirates)
- Jolene Phillips
- Aug 10, 2025
- 8 min read
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step straight into the pages of your favorite childhood stories…but with the added bonus of sipping your favorite source of caffeine while your kids run wild, let me introduce you to Storybook Island in Rapid City, SD.
From the moment we walked in, I wasn’t sure who was more excited, my son, or my husband, who apparently decided he was the Captain Jack Sparrow of the day. (To be fair, the pirate ship is very convincing. I think he was seconds away from making us swab the deck and calling me his First Mate.)
First Impressions
Storybook Island is big. Like pack-the-sunscreen-and-good-walking-shoes big. It’s an entire park filled with interactive displays, themed play equipment, and enough nostalgia to make you want to high-five your childhood self.
Every scene feels like a storybook exploded in the best way possible; there’s a sensory garden for curious hands, a young kids’ play area, and life-sized walk-through spaces from The Hundred Acre Woods (where I half expected Pooh Bear to offer me a jar of honey). My son darted in and out of Snow White’s cottage, climbed into Cinderella’s carriage like he had a pumpkin driver’s license, and declared himself the captain of the pirate ship before I even located the bathrooms.
The Secret Mom Perk: Built-In Peace of Mind
Here’s one of the things I loved most: Storybook Island is fully fenced in with a single entrance/exit. That means your curious toddler can’t make a break for the parking lot, and you can relax just a little more. Inside, wide sidewalks connect everything, so whether you’ve got a stroller, wagon, or you’re in “casual toddler chase mode,” you can move around without weaving through grass and tree roots like you’re in an obstacle course.
As a mom and a counselor, I can tell you that part of actually enjoying family outings is feeling safe enough to breathe. This park’s layout gave me that peace of mind.
Our Twin’s Wagon Life
Our twins came along for the ride in their beloved four-seater wagon, which we’ve decided is a better option for our family. It’s a little heavier, yes, but these kids are living their best lives in that thing. Their dad is a car junkie and loves to modify his vehicles, and honestly…this wagon is no exception. We’ve added shade covers, cooling fans, snack trays, cup holders, and other accessories that make every trip smoother. (I’ll link our wagon and our favorite accessories at the end, along with some extra items that help our daughter manage her body temperature.)
On a milder day, I would have pulled out a blanket on the grass or found a shady spot so the twins could stretch, play, and enjoy the sunshine. Unfortunately, the day we went was very hot, and one of our girls struggles with regulating her body temperature. We kept her shaded, cooled, and comfortable in the wagon as much as possible, but I did find myself wishing for an early-morning or late-afternoon visit when the heat wasn’t as intense.
Nostalgia for the Grown-Ups
For adults, this park is a time machine. You walk in and instantly remember the days when you really believed fairytales might be hiding just around the corner. I found myself thinking, Why don’t we have parks like this everywhere? Then I remembered: most adults would be terrible at sharing the pirate ship with actual children.
The Practical Stuff
Cost: Free to enter! Donations and sponsorships fund the park.
Extras: A carousel (price unknown — our son was too busy captaining his ship) and a $3-per-person train ride.
Food: Limited snacks and drinks are available throughout the park, and water fountains are available.
Shopping: A gift shop with everything from plush toys to dress-up accessories.
Events: Story times, theatre camps, family fun days, and themed events throughout the year.
Avoiding the Gift Shop Meltdown
Ah, the gift shop. That magical place where parents’ wallets go to die. My number-one tip? Set expectations before you even enter the park. We’ve had success saying, “We’re going to look, and you can pick one small thing,” or, “We’re just walking through today, we’ll choose a souvenir next time.”
If your child has a hard time hearing “no” when the sparkly sword or princess wand calls their name, try these counselor-approved tricks:
Practice ahead of time: Role-play saying “no” to something you like but can’t have. Kids love acting this out, and it makes the real-life moment less dramatic.
Offer choices: Let them choose between two affordable items or between a gift shop toy and extra train ride tickets.
Distract with transition fun: “After the gift shop, we’re going to…” helps them mentally move forward.
Helping Kids Regulate Emotions at the Park
Storybook Island is so exciting that kids can easily become overstimulated, too much fun + too much heat + missed snack time = meltdowns. A few ways to keep the peace:
Snack and water breaks: Hunger and dehydration are meltdown accelerators. Honestly, I’m an adult and get hangry; these tiny humans have an even harder time recognizing that that’s what’s making them upset.
Cool-down moments in the shade: Heat zaps the energy out of you. When we’re tired, it’s harder to manage emotions. Small breaks here and there are a huge help!
Break the park into “zones”: do a few attractions, take a rest, then explore another area.
Name emotions: If your child is frustrated because they’re waiting for the train ride, say, “It’s hard to wait when you’re excited. Let’s count together until it’s your turn.”
Play a game: When you’re waiting to catch the train ride or carousel or just taking a break in the shade, and your kids are ready to go but you still need a minute, play a game.
1. “I-Spy” is always a favorite with kids and thankfully, one that most kids already know how to play.
2. “Which hand is it in?” It is a simple game that you only need a coin or another small item. Put your hands behind your back and put the small item in one hand. Make both hands into fists, bring your hands out to the front, and let your kid pick which hand they think the item is in. If they guess correctly, it’s their turn to make you guess. If they guess incorrectly, you go again. Super simple but a great way to keep them occupied while you take a moment to rest! Also, this is a great game to play when you’re waiting in restaurants!
Small activities or coloring items: An excellent option for keeping your kids busy when you all need a break for a bit.
Bubbles: It’s hard to be mad when there are bubbles involved. Seriously! Grab a pack of the party favor bubbles from Target or Walmart and bring it along. It’s a great distraction or a great way to get kids laughing when they’re starting to struggle with emotions.
It’s Worth the Drive
For us, Storybook Island is a two-hour drive, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It’s a one-of-a-kind, screen-free, imagination-fueled experience where kids can explore safely and parents can feel like kids again. Our son had the time of his life, my husband got to live out his pirate dreams, and the twins cruised like royalty in their wagon.
If you’re anywhere near Rapid City or looking for a destination that’s equal parts magic and nostalgia, add Storybook Island to your list. Just…keep an eye on your husband near the pirate ship. Trust me on that one.
The following section contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. These are just recommendations, and you do not have to take them. Any purchases you make are done so at your discretion.
Our Favorite Wagon Accessories
Our wagon has been an absolute game-changer for family outings, and it’s not just about convenience, it’s about making sure all three kids are comfortable, safe, and happy. Here are the things we use and love (and yes, some of these are total “mom hacks”):
Our Wagon: There are a ton of brands you can buy a wagon from. We’ve seen a lot in action, and honestly, our wagon appears much less flimsy than others. It’s an investment, but we will be using this wagon for years to come, even as the kids grow older. My 5-year-old nephew and 7-year-old niece have climbed into it when they need a break from walking. Here’s a link to the 4-seater option, as well as the 2-seater option. We opted for the 4-seater as we have three kids that need to ride in it. It’s nice having a spare seat for my nieces and nephews, though. I will include links for the 2-seater and 4-seater wagon options for the accessories that are impacted by the wagon size. Being able to arrange the seats in different ways or pull one or both seats out is a plus as well. By taking the seats out, the life and use of this wagon will get extended beyond when the kids are willing to sit inside of it.
Clip-on Fans or Tripod-leg Fans: Perfect for hot days and a must-have for helping our daughter regulate her body temperature.
Overhead Shade Canopies: Extra coverage for when the sun is relentless. Ours was included with the purchase of our wagon.
Around the Side Shade Canopies: Extra coverage from the sun. These are still breathable and let the breeze through! This one fits on both 4-seater and 2-seater wagons.
Snack Trays: Keep food contained and give the kids a little personal space. I’m linking the one we have for our wagon, but also our smaller trays that we use in the car and can fit in cup holders that you’ve attached to the wagon.
Cup Holders: our snack tray includes a cup holder, but here’s a link for others that you can clip on the wagon itself.
Parent Organizer: This organizer is attached to the handles, and it has two cup holders and space for me to set my phone.
Weather-proof (and spill-proof) Floor Mat: An excellent addition for those days when your kids want to pour all the goldfish on the bottom of the wagon or juice gets spilled. These are easy to pull out and wash, versus having a mess in the bottom of your wagon.
Attachable Storage Container: This is helpful and always attached to our wagon. It is specific to our wagon brand and came with the purchase, so there are spots we can slide it in. We keep our first aid kit and spare diaper wipes in here all the time, but when we are out and about, we have a simple insulated cooler bag with ice blocks and waters so we can easily wet a washcloth for the girls when they are getting too warm.
Cooling Towels: We used to use some of the girls’ muslin washcloths for this, but you could use a regular washcloth, a burp cloth, or another smaller piece of fabric. We opted for the option linked below because it stayed on better for the girls when they turned their heads or moved around. These cooling towels do stay cold for an extended period, which is helpful.
Storage Hooks & Pouches: For hanging diaper bags, water bottles, and the inevitable “extras.” If we’re out and about, either by ourselves or with friends and family, our wagon stores everyone’s stuff. Bags and items get set under the kids’ seats, and in every pocket available. It’s a huge help!
Additional Accessories: These are on my wishlist for our wagon.
A magnetic phone holder so I can easily see messages or calls.
A stand-on buddy board for my son to have an alternate spot to be during walks
A step on the side of the wagon to help kids climb in, so I don't have to do the lifting.
Please keep in mind that most of these accessories are specific to the Wonderfold Wagon brand, so they may not fit other wagons. Also, 2-seater accessories commonly don't fit 4-seater wagons due to the side differences, so please check the item descriptions before purchasing to make sure any wagons or accessories are a good fit for your family.
It’s basically our SUV-on-wheels, and well worth the extra weight over a stroller. As a bonus, if I go to the store by myself with all three kids, one of the small shopping baskets fits perfectly between the wagon handle and the seat of our wagon. Our parent organizer helps support it a bit as well, but then I have a spot to put things that I grab on our shopping trip.
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