How to Cope with Motion Sickness at the Fairground

Fairground rides should be about fun, and usually the fairground is a world of wonder – a playground of lights, sounds, and heart-racing attractions. From the nostalgic charm of carousels to the adrenaline rush of roller coasters, there's something for everyone at We Are Tricycle's vast array of funfair rides. However, for some, these rides bring about a less-than-pleasant experience: motion sickness.

Thankfully, at We Are Tricycle, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of funfair rides across the UK, and we know how motion sickness can affect people's enjoyment of our rides and attractions. If you or a loved one struggle with the dizzying effects of motion sickness, there are several strategies you can employ to ensure your day out remains a joyous occasion

Motion sickness, or travel sickness as it's often referred to, is caused when there's a conflict between what your eyes see and what your inner ears (which help with balance) sense. When on a spinning ride or a roller coaster, your eyes might see one thing while your body feels another, leading to that familiar feeling. When these senses send conflicting messages to the brain, it can result in dizziness, nausea, and other symptoms.

But how can you avoid these sensations while still enjoying the funfair as much as possible?

• Eat Right: It's best not to ride on an empty stomach, but equally, you shouldn’t ride straight after a heavy meal. Opt for a light snack about an hour before hitting the rides. Avoid greasy, fatty or spicy foods, which can exacerbate feelings of nausea - grab some fun foods and concessions instead! It's wise to wait a while after eating before hopping on a particularly intense ride.
• Pick Your Rides Wisely: If you're prone to motion sickness, consider starting with gentler fairground rides before moving on to the more intense thrill and white knuckle rides. Carousels, Ferris wheels and children's funfair rides can be a better choice over high-speed roller coasters or spinning rides such as the notoriously-nauseating Waltzers. Choose attractions that have a predictive motion and that go at a slower pace.
• Position Matters: On some rides, where you sit can influence how you feel. For instance, sitting at the front of a roller coaster gives you a clearer view of where you're headed, which can help in reducing the dissonance between vision and balance - read our roller coaster seating guide for more advice! Similarly, on spinning rides, sitting closer to the centre can reduce the sensation of motion.
• Focus on a Fixed Point: If you start to feel queasy, try focusing on a fixed point in the distance. Perhaps you could look at one of the biggest attractions, and turn your head when required to stay focused on the particular ride. This can help recalibrate your senses by providing a stationary reference and should help to reduce or eliminate any feelings of dizziness. Admittedly, this isn't the most entertaining way to ride a funfair ride!
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body fit and ready for fun! However, you should avoid excessive amounts of caffeine or sugary drinks which can make some people feel jittery. Alcohol is definitely worth avoiding at the funfair if you think you're susceptible to motion sickness.
• Over-the-Counter Remedies: There are several motion sickness medications available in pharmacies. Consider taking an anti-nausea tablet or a motion-sickness tablet such as Dimenhydrinate before you visit. Always follow the dosage recommendations and be aware of any potential drowsiness, excitability, constipation or other side effects - and talk to the doctor or pharmacist before trying anything for the first time.
• Ginger to the Rescue: Some people find natural remedies like ginger to be effective. Consider sipping on ginger tea or chewing on crystallised ginger snacks to stave off nausea.
• Take Regular Breaks: If you've been on a lot of funfair rides, it can help to take a break, get some fresh air, and let your senses recalibrate. Give your stomach a bit of time to get back into position before you climb aboard the next ride.
• Listen to Your Body: The most important thing is to know your limits. If you're feeling unwell, it's perfectly okay to sit your turn out or take a longer break. The fairground experience is not just about the rides but the atmosphere, the games, the food, and the company.

Each individual's experience with motion sickness can be different. With a bit of preparation and awareness, you can make your fairground visit nausea-free. At We Are Tricycle, our aim is to offer exhilarating fun while ensuring everyone feels comfortable - so the next time you're planning a fairground adventure, keep these tips in mind and gear up for a whirlwind of enjoyment!

Please note that We Are Tricycle takes no liability for any losses or damages you may sustain by following any advice you see on this website! We recommend you discuss motion and travel sickness tablets with your doctor before taking any - even over-the-counter drugs can be more dangerous than you might expect!

Plan the Funfair Around What Feels Comfortable

People respond differently to spinning, acceleration, changes of direction and repeated ride cycles. Someone who enjoys one attraction may feel uncomfortable on another, so there is no need to treat every visit to the funfair as a checklist of rides to complete.

How to Choose the Right Funfair Rides & Games is useful for organisers planning entertainment for an audience with varied preferences. Combining fairground rides with fairground side stalls and games also gives visitors ways to take part without continually moving from one ride to another.

Choose Your Next Ride Rather Than Your Biggest Ride

If motion sickness is a concern, think about the type of movement involved rather than simply whether an attraction looks large or small. Different rides can involve rotation, swinging, acceleration or changes in direction, and individual reactions vary.

Our carousels, Ferris wheels, Chair O Planes, Paratroopers and roller coasters demonstrate just how different fairground ride movements can be.

For a closer look at one particular ride type, What Are the Forces Experienced on a Roller Coaster? explains why different sections of a coaster can produce different physical sensations.

Take a Break Before Deciding What Comes Next

If you begin to feel unwell, there is little benefit in immediately joining another ride queue. A period away from moving attractions may give you time to assess how you feel before deciding whether you want to ride again.

An event containing relax and chill out zones, seating such as picnic benches, catering and non-ride entertainment can provide natural breaks within the day rather than making every part of the visit ride-focused.

There Is Plenty to Do Without Going on Another Ride

Taking time away from rides does not have to mean sitting out the rest of the event. Traditional activities such as Hook A Duck Side Stall, Hoopla Side Stall and Coconut Shy Side Stall provide a different style of fairground entertainment.

Depending on the event, visitors might also find retro arcade machines, garden games or indoor fairground games. A varied programme makes it easier for people to participate at their own pace.

Children Should Not Be Pressured to Keep Riding

A child who says that they feel dizzy, frightened or unwell should not be encouraged onto another attraction simply because other children want to continue. Preferences can also change during the event, particularly after experiencing an unfamiliar type of movement.

How to Help Nervous Children with Funfair Rides provides related guidance about supporting children who are uncertain about an attraction, while How to Keep Children Safe at Fairgrounds looks at the wider family visit.

Check Ride Restrictions Before Joining the Queue

Motion sickness is separate from the passenger restrictions that can apply to individual attractions. If you have a health condition or there is any uncertainty about whether a ride is suitable, pay attention to the information provided for that attraction and follow operator instructions.

Funfair Ride Health Restrictions and the Equality Act looks more closely at health-related ride requirements. Refusing Access to Funfair Rides explains why there can also be circumstances in which an operator cannot allow a person to ride.

Feeling Unwell and a Ride Stopping Are Different Situations

Motion sickness experienced by a passenger should not be confused with an attraction stopping unexpectedly. Ride stops can occur for a range of operational, environmental and technical reasons.

If your question relates to the attraction itself rather than how a passenger feels, see What Causes a Funfair Ride to Stop? for a dedicated explanation.

Build Choice into Events with Lots of Rides

For event organisers, one practical way to accommodate different tolerances is to avoid making the entire entertainment programme dependent on high-motion attractions. family funfair attractions and rides, games, food and quieter activities can be combined so visitors have alternatives throughout the event.

Ideas for Family Friendly Funfairs provides further inspiration for mixed-age events, while Ideas for Children's Fairground Rides focuses more closely on younger audiences.

More Advice Before Your Next Funfair Visit

Health and Safety FAQs answers further questions about fairground safety, and Funfair Accessibility FAQs covers accessibility considerations for visitors with different requirements.

You can also browse our Guides for information about individual rides, passenger restrictions, children, accessibility and event planning. If you are organising fairground and funfair hire, contact us to discuss creating a varied entertainment programme for your audience.