What should you do if a child is rough with a character?

• A. Ignore it and continue.
• B. Kindly yet firmly tell them to stop; the character doesn't like that.
• C. Encourage the child to rough with the character more.
• D. Remove the child from the area without explanation.

Answer: (B)

When a child is rough with a character, the priority is safety and a positive guest experience, so intervene promptly with calm, clear boundaries. A kind but firm message to stop sets that boundary without shaming the child and keeps the interaction respectful for everyone involved. Saying that the character doesn’t like rough contact gives a simple, relatable reason tied to the character’s experience, helping the child understand why the behavior isn’t appropriate while preserving the magic of the moment.

If the behavior continues, involve a supervisor to ensure safety and proper handling. Ignoring it or encouraging more roughness sends the wrong message and can create safety risks or spoil the interaction. Removing the child without explanation cuts off the moment before teaching a boundary, which isn’t ideal for learning how to engage appropriately.