Lancaster, PA, is filled with fun activities for kids, both indoors and outdoors. Whether you prefer exploring nature, fishing, or get a hands-on museum experience, there is definitely something your kids would like on this list. Here are 8 adventures you can enjoy with your little ones in Lancaster County.
1. The Tree House Playground
This fairly new playground in Lititz was opened in 2020 and it is an adventure for children of all ages. Tree House of Lititz Foundation partnered with Play by Design to build a beautiful, custom-made playground for every single child in Lititz and the surrounding communities. The Tree House is a place where children of all abilities can feel included and play safely. It is also free to enter. The playground is open to all from dawn until dusk every day of the year.
Address: 300 W Orange St, Lititz, PA 17543
2. Hands-on House
This is a museum created for kids, and it is all about creating learning experiences for children and their families through play. Their philosophy of childhood learning is simple yet beautiful: it lasts longer if it’s more fun, and it’s more fun if it includes doing.
The museum is ideal for children from the ages of 2-10.
Address: 721 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601
3. Fishing in the Susquehanna River
Did you know there are fishing opportunities in Lancaster County? There are several creeks where you and your little ones can go fishing, and there is also the Susquehanna River, where you can catch a variety of fish, such as walleye or smallmouth bass. Both Bainbridge and Holtwood are good spots along the river.
At 444 miles long, the Susquehanna River is the longest river on the East Coast of the United States.
4. Dutch Wonderland
This amusement park is designed for families with younger children. Here, there's a ton of rides for the little ones. You'll also find a water park, and if your kids are into dinosaurs, Exploration Island is the place to be. 22 life-like dinosaurs can be found on the Prehistoric Path, and you can also dig up ancient fossils in their kid-friendly Dino Dig sand pits.
Since its opening over 50 years ago, Dutch Wonderland has consistently been praised as a top-tier family theme park in Pennsylvania and has been voted one of the Top 5 Best Kid’s Parks in the World by Amusement Today magazine.
Address: 2249 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602
5. Hiking in Lancaster County Central Park
Central Park has gorgeous trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. These trails will take you across fields, through woods, and along creeks. Mill Creek Trail is one of the better trails if you bring little ones along. This trail takes hikers through a natural area, an area being preserved for wildlife. The Mill Creek flows around this wooded area, and the trail passes along the creek, through stands of mature hardwoods and loops from upland species, such as American beech, sugar maple, and hickories on the ridge top to lowland species, such as American and slippery elms, American sycamore, boxelder, and honey locust.
Lancaster County Central Park is the largest of the county’s parks, covering 544 acres. Central Park is located on the southern edge of Lancaster City in West Lampeter Township.
Address: 1050 Rockford Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602
6. Strasburg Rail Road
This is America’s oldest operating railroad with a charter dating back to June 9, 1832. First used for passenger and freight transportation, the short line limped along for more than a century until in 1958, on the verge of abandonment, the railroad was salvaged and given new life as a tourist railroad.
When you visit Strasburg Rail Road, the first thing you can expect is an authentic experience of a real steam railroad. On the ride, you'll see more than 2,500 acres of Lancaster County farmland, much of which is farmed by the Amish. During the growing season, this land supports livestock as well as crops such as corn, alfalfa, soybeans, and tobacco. As seasons change and farmers work their fields, the view from the Strasburg Rail Road changes as well.
A few days every year, Thomas the Tank Engine, Percy, and their friends come to the Strasburg Rail Road, where your little ones can get a ride with their favorite train.
Address: 301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572
7. Lancaster Science Factory
The Lancaster Science Factory is a hands-on, interactive science center for kids in Pre-K to 8th grade. At this place, your kids will feel like real scientists! The mission at Lancaster Science Factory is to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence by fostering an inclusive environment for hands-on STEM exploration. If your children are curious, make this your next family outing.
Address: 454 New Holland Avenue Lancaster, PA 17602
8. Tiny Town
Tiny Town is a little town like no other. At this interactive, play-based center, kids can explore 11 playhouses with all the accessories, everything from a grocery store to a fire station. Tiny Town is all about providing a rich environment that stimulates children’s curiosity and creativity through play. The owners also had parents in mind when they created Tiny Town; they've got their own coffee bar and cafe seating where parents and caregivers can relax all while their children are playing within view.
Address: 533 Janet Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601