Kids Attraction Autumn - Refreshing Mountain - Stevens, PA

Adventures kids will love

Lancaster County's Best Kids Attractions

What Fun Things Are There for Kids To Do in Lancaster?

Looking for unforgettable kids’ attractions in Lancaster, PA? Explore LancasterPA.com’s guide featuring family-friendly fun and educational adventures for all ages. Choose from interactive children’s museums, model train exhibitions, lively indoor/outdoor play centers, mini golf, farm attractions, and see how the Amish live, to petting zoos, scenic playgrounds, and immersive Pennsylvania Dutch cultural experiences.

Whether you’re planning a toddler outing or a tween’s weekend adventure, our listings highlight safe, engaging, and memorable venues along with helpful tips on making the most of your visit, offering plenty of activities for kids today. Perfect for families, grandparents, or visitors seeking unique and entertaining things to do in Lancaster County this guide connects you with local favorites that blend entertainment and learning.

Activities of all different kinds, Lancaster, PA, has it all. Here you will find the perfect outing to spark curiosity, build memories that you won’t forget, and enjoy quality time together in Amish country. Cruise Kids Attractions in Lancaster, PA today and plan your next family adventure with confidence and excitement.

Big Fun for Little Ones in Lancaster

Where Little Explorers Come Alive

Enjoy a Variety of Kids’ Opportunities in Lancaster

If you live here or are visiting Lancaster with kids, you’ll find a variety of indoor and outdoor attractions for kids, including farm adventures, train rides and displays, indoor play centers and amusement parks, theatres with kid-friendly plays and magic shows, mini-golf courses, places to ride a horse, playgrounds, children’s museums in Lancaster, and other Amish Country fun. Explore our expanding list of fun things to do with kids below.

Strasburg Rail Road - Strasburg, PA

Strasburg Rail Road

A full steam adventure! All aboard a 45-minute ride on the larger-than-life coal-burning steam train to Paradise, PA and back. Dine aboard the train, featuring scratch-made food from Café 1832 and explore Fun Extras like the Pint-Sized Pufferbelly and Cranky Cars at the historic East Strasburg Station.

Strasburg Rail Road

301 Gap Road (Route 741 East)
Ronks (near Strasburg), PA 17572
Strasburg Rail Road - Day out with Thomas - Strasburg, PA

Day Out With Thomas at Strasburg Rail Road

Make memories with Thomas the Tank Engine, Percy, Mavis, and Rusty during Day Out With Thomas, visiting in June and September. Enjoy a full 45-minute ride aboard the larger-than-life coal-burning steam train pulled by Thomas. Your ticket includes a variety of Thomas-themed activities and the Fun Extras. You can purchase tickets online. Advance purchase is recommended.

Day Out With Thomas at Strasburg Rail Road

at Strasburg Rail Road
301 Gap Road (Route 741 East)
Ronks (near Strasburg), PA 17572
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre - Lancaster, PA

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

Enjoy family-friendly live theatre paired with a kid-approved brunch buffet featuring favorites like French toast sticks, hash browns, mac and cheese, chicken tenders, and desserts. After the show, stay for a cast Q&A and meet-and-greet in the lobby. Special rates available for school groups and parties of 16 or more.

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

510 Centerville Road
Lancaster, PA 17601
Water's Edge - Bird-in-Hand, PA

Waters Edge Mini Golf

Escape to Water’s Edge for a serene outing filled with cascading waterfalls, trickling streams, and lush greenery. Visit Annie the llama at the Bird-In-Hand Petting Zoo, take a stroll around the pond and feed the fish, and stop in for a scoop of hand-dipped Turkey Hill ice cream, all at Water’s Edge.

Waters Edge Mini Golf

230 North Ronks Road
Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505
Fox Meadows Creamery - Lancaster County, PA

Fox Meadows Creamery

Cow-to-Cone! Fox Meadows Creamery features hand-crafted ice cream made on-site with milk from our small dairy farm. Enjoy lunch, taste our 24 flavors of ice cream, try the Baked Fox, browse our Market featuring local foods, jewelry and apparel, play on our playground and watch ice cream being made!

Fox Meadows Creamery

2475 W. Main St., Ephrata, PA 17522
and
193 E. Main St., Leola, PA, 17540

FAQs About Things to Do With Kids in Lancaster, PA

Rainy days in Lancaster provide the perfect opportunity to check out some of Lancaster’s indoor family activities. Your family can play games and participate in the immersive experiences at the Lancaster Virtual Reality Lounge. Or you can learn how ice cream is made, then create your own ice cream flavor at the Turkey Hill Experience. If your kids are extra energetic, they can burn off energy at Bounce Kraze.

Lancaster has a variety of free parks, trails, and family-friendly playgrounds. Longs Park is centrally located and features a petting zoo, decorative pond, playgrounds, and walking trails. If you feel more adventurous, the trails at Columbia Crossing prove a safe, flat walk along the Susquehanna River. At the southern end of the county, your family can enjoy the overlooks and trails maintained by the Lancaster County Conservancy.

In addition to the trails, playgrounds, and shopping in Lancaster, many local businesses provide free activities for families. There is no cost to watch the trains at Strasburg Railroad, and they have a great, free play area. You and your family can observe a variety of exotic animals and Fish at That Fish Place. For more local animals, check out one of the many free petting zoos!

You will find educational activities for kids of all ages in Lancaster County. The Lancaster Science Factory is continually adding new science experiments and activities that families can participate in. Or, your family can learn about the history and culture of the Amish at Amish Village. If your kids have a creative side, be sure to check out Painting with a Twist.