20 Fun Things to Do in Lancaster (PA) with Kids (Indoor and Outdoor)

Are you dreaming of an unforgettable vacation or a spontaneous weekend getaway with your family but can’t decide where to go? Worry not, dear adventurer, as we know the perfect place to enjoy a much-needed holiday that will keep both you and your children entertained: Lancaster, Pennsylvania!

Just a short three-hour drive from New York City, this charming city bursting with heritage, history, and culture has something for everyone, which means that it’s packed with fantastic activities that will leave the little ones in your family absolutely delighted. Grab a notebook because you’ll definitely want to jot down all these fun things to do in Lancaster PA with kids!

Family-friendly entertainment

Cartoon Network Hotel

Who doesn’t love cartoons? They’re part of everyone’s childhood, after all. Parents and children alike know how exciting it is to sit in front of the television and enjoy the crazy antics of their favorite animated characters. But do you know what’s better than that? Spending a few days at Cartoon Network Hotel and live an extraordinary cartoon-themed adventure!

• Address: Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602

• Price: As low as $139 per night

• Recommended ages: All ages

Hotel

This one-of-a-kind resort has 4 decked-out suites and over 150 character-themed family rooms designed with kids in mind. Each room evokes the fun and whimsy of different Cartoon Network series with colorful decor, a 49-inch large-screen TV, and a mini-fridge for insatiable snackers. Is there a better way to make your kids excited to go to bed?

Attractions and activities

Yet, we aren’t sure whether they’ll want to go back to the guest room after seeing everything the hotel has to offer—refreshing outdoor and indoor pool areas for hot summer days, different fun zones, including a 24-Hour Ben 10 Omnicade, and a hearty dose of activities for all ages, such as outdoor screenings on the Giant Finn Face Movie Screen… The fun never ends here!

Restaurants and shops

Still, we need to stop sometime to grab a bite. Fortunately, there are 3 on-site restaurants at the resort, including Cartoon Kitchen which offers kid-friendly menus with delicious dishes straight from your children’s favorite cartoons. And before you leave, make sure to stop by the Cartoon Network Store to end your vacation on a high note with an exclusive souvenir.

Dutch Wonderland

As if you needed more reasons to stay at Cartoon Network Hotel, here are two fantastic perks of doing so: discounted admission tickets for Dutch Wonderland and exclusive priority access to the park! This must-visit destination, conveniently located right next to the resort, boasts over 35 family-friendly rides, shows, and attractions that will give your little ones the perfect first amusement park experience.

• Address: 2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602

• Price: Tickets are included in the Stay and Play Packages. Save up to $415!

• Recommended ages: Up to 12

Tiny Town

Looking for an activity that brings out your children’s creative side? Head to Tiny Town, an indoor play center made up of 12 luxury playhouses where kids can become doctors, hairdressers, and even dragons. And parents, you won’t get bored—while the little ones let their imaginations soar, you can order something at the coffee bar and enjoy the free Wi-Fi.

• Address: 533 Janet Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601

• Price: $15.00 for a three-hour session

• Recommended ages: Up to 7

Go ’N Bananas Family Fun Center

Not in the mood to sit down and simply watch your children have a blast? Go ’N Bananas is your go-to destination, then. This indoor entertainment center will keep the entire family entertained with all sorts of activities, from a laser tag arena and spinning bumper cars to arcades. The cherry on top? If you top the leaderboards, you can win great prizes.

• Address: 1170 Garfield Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601

• Price: $15.99 - $42.99 per person

• Recommended ages: All ages

Round1 Bowling & Amusement

A game of bowling and some arcade games paired with a tasty slice of pizza and a bubbling soda—can you think of a better way to spend the afternoon with your family? You’ll find that and more at Round1 Bowling & Amusement, an indoor entertainment center able to cater to all your recreational needs under one roof.

• Address: 142 Park City Center, Lancaster, PA 17601

• Price: $6.00 per game + $4.25 per person for shoe rental (check the website for more information about other activities)

• Recommended ages: All ages

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Nothing screams fun like trampolines! There’s nothing more thrilling than jumping up and down and feeling like you may get to touch the sky if you keep bouncing. That’s why we recommend you visit the unique Sky Zone Trampoline Park, the world’s first all-walled trampoline playing court.

• Address: 1701 Hempstead Rd #102, Lancaster, PA 17601

• Price: $27.00 - $30.00 per person

• Recommended ages: 6-12

Amish cultural attractions

Amish Country Homestead & One-Room School

Nearly 300 years ago, the Amish settled in Lancaster County, and their traditions have remained largely unchanged. Curious about this fascinating culture? Take a tour around the Amish Country Homestead & One-Room School! Learn about Amish customs and watch your kids’ shocked expressions when they learn how these people adapt to life without electricity.

• Address: 3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505

• Price: $10.95 per person (ages 4-12) - $15.95 per person (ages 13 and up)

• Recommended ages: All ages

The Amish Village

Want to experience the Amish culture up close? In that case, we recommend you visit the Amish Village. This peculiar village is located on 12 scenic acres of land and lets its visitors enjoy a genuine Amish property with three different tours. The Premium Package Tour is the best, though, as it allows you and your family to explore every inch of the village.

• Address: 199 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA 17572

• Price: $19.00 per person (ages 0-4) - $24.00 per person (ages 5-12) - $35.00 per person (ages 13 and up)

• Recommended ages: All ages

Amish Farm and House

If the first two options didn’t quite hit the mark, don’t worry! The Amish Farm and House will surely have something for everyone in your family. After a captivating guided tour, search for adventure on a 15-acre farm where children can feed and pet farm animals, ride an Amish scooter, walk across a covered bridge, and much more.

• Address: 2395 Covered Bridge Drive, Lancaster, PA 17602

• Price: $12.95 - $35.95

• Recommended ages: All ages

A is for Amish Buggy Rides

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to go on a buggy ride and step back in time? Well, that’s exactly what A is for Amish Buggy Rides offers! This premier buggy ride service has Amish drivers eager to share their stories, point out worthy Amish landmarks, and show you a wonderful farm with plenty of furry and feathered friends for your kids to enjoy.

• Address: 312 Paradise Lane, Ronks, PA 17572

• Price: $7.00 - $15.00 per child; $15.00 - $30.00 per adult

• Recommended ages: All ages

Museums and exhibitions

Choo Choo Barn

Do you have any little train lovers in your family? If so, you can’t miss Choo Choo Barn. Find locomotives galore running around a 1700-square-foot model train layout with over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles that capture the essence of life in Lancaster. Make sure to bring your camera because you won’t find something like this anywhere else!

• Address: 226 Gap Road, Box 130, Strasburg, PA 17579

• Price: $8.00 per person (ages 3-11); $12.00 per person (ages 12 and up)

• Recommended ages: All ages

Landis Valley Museum

So, you decided to stay at the Cartoon Network Hotel and go to Dutch Wonderland, but you ended up exhausted. Your children beg you to go out again, and you want to visit somewhere nearby to comply. But where should you head to? Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum is the answer! There, you’ll find everything from mesmerizing German art and handiwork to heirloom seeds for sale.

• Address: 2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster, PA 17601

• Price: $8.00 per person (ages 3-11); $12.00 per person (ages 12 and up)

• Recommended ages: All ages

Railroad Museum of PA

Here’s another fun thing to do in Lancaster PA with kids: visiting the Railroad Museum of PA. In this fantastic exhibition of more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars, you can hop onboard the vehicles and see the inner workings of most of them! Moreover, your little ones can become tiny train operators and explore the fun of running trains at the Stewart Junction Railway education center.

• Address: 300 Gap Road, Strasburg, PA 17579

• Price: $8.00 per person (ages 3-11); $10.00 per person (ages 12 and up)

• Recommended ages: All ages

Lancaster Science Factory

Do your kids find science class boring? Well, they’ll make up their minds as soon as they find out that science can be as fun as playing computer video games at Lancaster Science Factory, an interactive center where every exhibit, experiment, and mini-lab is meant to be touched and tried. Here, each discovery is an exciting adventure!

• Address: 454 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17602

• Price: $12.00 per person

• Recommended ages: 5-12

Strasburg Rail Road

As you may have already noticed, trains are almost everywhere in Lancaster PA. Yet, the Strasburg Rail Road offers a one-of-a-kind experience: an authentic steam train ride on the oldest railroad in the nation! Choose your preferred accommodation (President’s Car, First Class, Dining, Open Air, or Coach) and relax as you travel through 2,500 acres of Lancaster County’s famous Amish Country.

• Address: 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA 17572

• Price: $16 - $37 per person

• Recommended ages: All ages

Theaters and cinemas

Reel Cinemas Lancaster

Sure, all the activities we’ve already mentioned sound like a blast, but what if the weather turns sour? Staying cooped up in a hotel room won't keep your little ones happy. So, why not spend the afternoon at Reel Cinemas Lancaster? Watch the latest animated movie while sipping drinks and having delicious food delivered right to your seat. Rain or shine, fun is guaranteed!

• Address: 1500 Christopher Place, Suite B101, Lancaster, PA 17601

• Price: $12.25 per child - $15.25 per adult

• Recommended ages: Depends on the film

Fulton Theater

Not in the mood for a movie? Don’t worry! You can always buy some tickets to watch a flawlessly executed theater play at the charming Fulton Theater, the oldest working theatre in the United States. Try to purchase your tickets a few days in advance to make sure you won’t miss the performance you’re so eagerly awaiting!

• Address: 12 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603

• Price: $33.00 - $92.00

• Recommended age: Depends on the play

Outdoor escapes and natural marvels

Holtwood Dam

Are you a big fan of scenic views? Do your kids enjoy exploring nature? If so, you should definitely stop by Holtwood Dam, one of the first hydroelectric projects on the Susquehanna River. The facility is closed to the public, but there are multiple hiking trail passes, such as the Mason-Dixon, beautiful waterfalls, and boulders where you can sit down and enjoy the scenery.

• Address: Holtwood Dam, Airville, PA 17302

• Price: Free

• Recommended ages: All ages

Buchanan Park

No vacation to Lancaster PA would be complete without a picnic at Buchanan Park! This 22-acre gem offers plenty of open grass to explore and is rarely crowded. Our favorite spot is the botanical garden—its beautiful roses and inviting benches provide a perfect spot for parents to relax while their little ones play catch and have a blast.

• Address: 901 Buchanan Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603

• Price: Free

• Recommended ages: All ages

Lancaster County Central Park

Oh, Buchanan Park isn’t up to your expectations? Perhaps what you need is to spend the day in Lancaster County Central Park. This 544-acre green space has many facilities and recreational features, from a refreshing swimming pool and a fun skate park to the unique Shuts Environmental Library. There’s no way to get bored here!

• Address: 1050 Rockford Road, Lancaster, PA 17602

• Price: Free

• Recommended ages: All ages

Free things to do with kids in Lancaster (PA)

Sometimes, we plan holidays because we want to rest, not because we want to squander all our money. If that’s your case, you can visit Holtwood Dam to hike around while enjoying breath-taking views, Buchanan Park to have a picnic next to the botanical garden full of roses, and Lancaster County Central Park to borrow a book while your little ones take a dip in the pool or have fun in the skate park.

Low-cost things to do with kids in Lancaster (PA)

Who said you had to spend a lot of money to have a good time with your children? Lancaster offers multiple low-cost fun activities to do with kids, such as visiting Tiny Town's playhouses, spending a few hours at Go ’N Bananas Family Fun Center, enjoying a bowling game at Round1 Bowling & Amusement, exploring Amish Country Homestead, and Lancaster Science Factory.

Top indoor activities to do with kids in Lancaster

Are you worried that the weather may become a problem during your holidays? It’s alright! Lancaster PA has you covered, as there are plenty of indoor activities to do with kids here: spending the entire day exploring Cartoon Network Hotel's fun zones, playing non-stop at Go ’N Bananas Family Fun Center, bouncing around at Sky Zone Trampoline Park, watching a movie at Reel Cinemas Lancaster, or enjoying a theater play at Fulton Theater. Museums and exhibitions shouldn't be ruled out, either—they all remain open on rainy days as well.

Best outdoor activities for kids in Lancaster

For those sunny days no one wants to waste, Lancaster PA offers a wide range of fun activities to do with kids: Dutch Wonderland will surely keep you amused with all its family-friendly rides, shows, and attractions, whereas The Amish Village entertains anyone curious about history and culture. Landis Valley Museum, Holtwood Dam, Buchanan Park, and Lancaster County Central Park are also great locations to have fun with your little ones.

Everything planned? Start booking your accommodation at the Cartoon Network Hotel!

Now that you’ve seen all the fun things to do in Lancaster PA with kids, don’t you think it’s time to book your dream vacation? Secure your unforgettable stay at the Cartoon Network Hotel now!

• Enjoy a delicious meal prepared by some of the most famous Cartoon Network characters at our distinctive on-site restaurants.

• Make sleep time fun by staying in awesome character-themed rooms, complete with fantastic amenities for the whole family.

• Take advantage of the resort’s convenient location to make the most of your holiday and visit all the exciting attractions in Lancaster PA.

• Experience a magical day at Dutch Wonderland with discounted admission tickets and skip the long lines with exclusive priority access, all courtesy of the Cartoon Network Hotel.

• Let your kids enjoy different cartoon-themed fun zones, such as an outdoor pool and an arcade, while you take a break from your hectic routine and sip a coffee or a cocktail.