Lancaster is home to some of the best family-friendly attractions where you and your kids can play, learn, and discover while making lasting memories. With so much to do and experience during the summer months in Lancaster, now is the perfect time to check these activities and more off your summer bucket list.
These fun things to do with kids are great family activities for locals, tourists, and children of all ages. Learn more about our favorite summer activities with family-friendly environments.
Outdoor Children’s Activities
Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park is a theme park known as the “Kingdom for Kids,” which couldn’t be more accurate. The park sits on 48 acres of land with rides, attractions, and more nestled in Lancaster, PA. Children and families can enjoy more than 35 amusement park rides and activities for kids, Duke’s Lagoon tropical-themed interactive water play area called , and a variety of shows for kids while visiting the park. This activity is the perfect combination of outdoor fun with safe and friendly activities for all ages.
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Home to the Amazing Maize Maze, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is an interactive 5-acre corn maze with over 2.5 miles of paths, scenic bridges, and clues. The maze is a great way to test your skills and work with your children to solve the puzzles. With over one million adventures visiting the farm each year, this popular attraction is fun for everyone. Also, it includes Maze Masters to help those who need some extra assistance.
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm also features over 50 farm fun activities for all ages, including the farm animal center, singing chicken show, pedal karts, pumpkin slinger, guided wagon tour, and more.
Refreshing Mountain
Refreshing Mountain is a year-round outdoor retreat and adventure center that has provided fun for families and groups of all sizes in Lancaster County for over 30 years. With outdoor activities galore, the fun never ends at Refreshing Mountain, with ziplines, obstacle courses, escape rooms, and more.
Waters Edge Mini Golf
For those who love a slower-paced outdoor activity, mini-golf is a beautiful option that all ages can enjoy. Nestled in the Amish countryside of Lancaster County rests Waters Edge Miniature Golf, a fun and challenging space for you and your family to enjoy miniature golf surrounded by gardens, shrubs, waterfalls, gently flowing streams, and ponds. But, of course, the most challenging choice you will have to make here is which color golf ball you want to use for your game!
Cool Down With These Kid-Friendly Summer Attractions
Hayloft Ice Cream / Soft Pretzels
Enjoy refreshing and delicious hand-dipped ice cream or tasty hand-made soft pretzels in a beautiful Lancaster County location at Hayloft Ice Cream / Soft Pretzels. The business overlooks the family pond, where you can feed fish and ducks and enjoy the fresh air. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, whether you’re looking to enjoy the sun or prefer to cool off inside.
Enjoy treats including:
- Hand-dipped ice cream
- Soft serve ice cream
- Hand-made soft pretzels
- House-made Italian ice
- Hot soup and coffee
- Sandwiches
Proceeds from the business benefit Allegany Boys Camp, a year-round residential wilderness camp for boys ages nine to sixteen who are struggling in their homes and at school.
Strasburg Railroad
Strasburg Rail Road takes you directly through the heart of Pennsylvania Amish Country with a view of more than 2,500 acres of breathtaking farmland. Then, comfortably seated aboard a pristine, authentically restored passenger car, you will embark on a 45-minute, fully-narrated ride behind a real, operating steam locomotive. And that’s just the beginning of this one-of-a-kind adventure at America’s oldest active railroad.
Ride first-class, open-air, coach, or choose to dine aboard the train in our authentic wooden dining car. Then, back at the station, get your wristband to enjoy our fun extras, including the Pint-Sized Pufferbelly, a real miniature steam train that travels around our property, the Cranky Cars, and hand-propelled cars for little ones.
Turkey Hill Experience
The Turkey Hill Experience is a fun and unique activity for those who have never visited before. Visitors can walk through interactive exhibits depicting the ice cream-making process and try their creations. So, become an ice cream maker for a day and put your skills to the test to see what delicious concoctions you can come up with.
While this is not a guided tour of a working factory, this is a series of fun, hands-on exhibits where families can interact with and explore the ice cream-making process at their own pace. Youngsters can milk a mechanical cow and participate in the fun, hands-on exhibits while learning about the various processes. There are also many play opportunities designed just for kids along the way!
Third Space Theatre
Third Space Theatre performs at various locations across Lancaster County with dinner shows, performances for kids, and much more. The crew at Third Space Theatre loves interacting with the audience in a way that most live theatre does not get the chance to do.
During these shows, audiences continually give lovely feedback and often burst with laughter. This is an excellent activity for all ages, engaging audience members with the actors and actresses during every performance.
Hands-on House Children’s Museum
Hands-on House Children’s Museum of Lancaster is designed for kids ages two through ten and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers. The museum features self-directed exhibits where children and adults can play together and learn more things. We encourage adults to let their children take the lead and use their imagination while exploring.
Welcome to a world where kids can still be kids and can learn while exploring, creating, experimenting, and having fun in a safe, hands-on environment.
Still Looking For Some More Things To Do With Kids?
If you’re looking for more summer activities for the family, we recommend trying some of our favorite ice cream spots. Check them out here and explore our blog for more Lancaster activities and adventures to try!