Merry Go Round

One of the things that most children will remember about a play ground is the merry go round. They might remember the swings fondly, or how much they love the slide, but there is something magical about the ride that has become a symbol of American playgrounds and the mainstay of any good amusement park. Some are simple, and some are run with mechanics, but the fun they provide remains that same.

The simple merry go round is the one you might find on a child’s playground. This is one that is run by child power only, but the children do not seem to mind. They pile on, and then hang on for dear life as one or more of them move it around in a circle. It can’t go too fast or everyone would fly off, but for some reason, that is usually not a problem. While children seem to take a lot of things to the extreme, they always seem to know the right speed for safety on the merry go round. They fall off once in a while, but they soon learn to be safe enough.

The other merry go round is the one that you might find at an amusement park. These are also referred to as a carousel, but it does depend on where you live. Where I grew up, both terms were used interchangeably. Whatever you call them, they are often historic items that communities want to save. They are usually unique in that each has its own set of different animals, though the most common are horses. The one in my community that was torn down and sold years ago was just recently put back together. Seeing that merry go round brings back strong and happy memories from my childhood.

I always try to make it a rule that my daughter can ride the merry go round whenever we are near one. I always seem to remember them the most from trips when I was little. There have been a few times when we just did not have the time, and I found I was highly disappointed that she could not ride. Perhaps I am projecting my memories on her, as she is not quite as upset about not being able to go on the merry go round as I am. She does love them though, and that means perhaps one day she will be putting her own children on them too.

Summary

Merry go rounds are a childhood staple. Whether it is the kind the kids have to spin themselves and jump on, or a large one in an amusement park, these rides are recalled fondly by just about everyone. Except maybe the child who gets an upset stomach just from looking at one.