Live shows with characters that kids recognize and love are a fairly big part of the Busch Gardens experience, especially for younger kids. And with the chance to meet and greet the characters at the end of most shows, it’s all the more worthwhile to work a few into your day (check the Busch Gardens website to see what’s on during the day of your visit). The youngest kids (from ages 2 to 8 or so) go crazy for the A is for Africa show, which takes place several times throughout the day in the open-air Sesame Street Safari of Fun’s Sunny Day Theater.

Abby, Zoe, Grover and Cookie Monster all come into the crowd to shake hands and stir up the frenzy of young admirers. Critter Castaways, in the Bird Gardens Theater, is a fun animal show with rescue dogs and cats performing tricks to the backdrop of a sunken ship as well as exotic birds such as emus and parrots making appearances. And the Desert Grill hosts several shows throughout the day, too (with food continuously served) so you can time your meal break to coincide with Dance to the Music (a 70’s-disco-themed show), a Christmas production, or some other song-and-dance extravaganza. Additionally, there are seasonal shows throughout the year that might feature ice skating or 4-D pirate shows in the Timbuktu Theater.