We’ve rounded up options and opportunities to pack your winter holiday break with your kids full—whether your kids are mesmerized by model train sets, fascinated by excursions or eager to get out in nature with hands-on science learning, there is something for everyone on this list. And the best part is many of them are free or very budget-friendly!
All mentioned places have been visited and recommended by our family.
FREE Places To Go
- FREE Indoor Play Areas. Here’s a map and guide of all the indoor play areas in Lancaster County—some are fast food places, others are not. 🙂
- FREE Museum Passes from Library. Did you know you can check out free museum passes from your local library? Some have a waiting period, others do not.
- Model Train Displays. A map and guide of all the model train displays in Lancaster County!
- 15 FREE and Cheap Things To Do with Your Kids Over Christmas Break. Some very unique ideas in this post.
- That Fish Place: That Pet Place. Our favorite here is petting the sting rays, but all of the animals and fish are really a highlight.
Fun & Hands-On Play
- The Works at Wyomissing (Arcade and Game Room)
- Trampoline Park like Xtreme Air or SkyZone.
- Go bowling.
- Develop art skills during open studio time at Art Matters.
- Go roller skating.
- Spend the day at the Laserdome with a discounted Extreme All-Day Pass for just $24.99.
- Get your energy out at Go N Bananas for just $15 with this discounted nano-deluxe pass.
- Fusion Gymnastics $5 Tuesday and Friday Mornings! This is for up to age 6, but its only $5 per child!!! Woohoo.
- Tiny Town. It seems like kids of all ages love this place!
Field Trip Ideas
- Julius Sturgis Pretzel Factory in Lititz. This is such a cute little field trip, where you even get to twist your own pretzels! Everyone receives a free pack of pretzels at the end of the tour, too!
- The Amish Farm & House.
- Railroad Museum of PA. There is a fantastic room full of toy train sets for kids to play with here! Not to mention kids love the big trains too.
- National Toy Train Museum. Some things for little kids here, but I’d recommend this one more for slightly older kids.
- Heritage Press Museum. Learn about the history of the printing press!! It’s FREE (but I think preferred for you to call ahead and schedule a demonstration).
- Dinosaur Experiences (there is a special one at the Reading museum right now!)
- Watch & Clock Museum. I was very impressed by the number of hands-on activities at this museum. Tons of opportunities for both children and adults here.
- Choo Choo Barn. Enjoy finding all the Christmas pieces in this special holiday layout.
Day Trip Ideas
- The DaVinci Science Center Only a little over an hour away, this center gives your kids dozens of hands-on opportunities, some that you won’t experience anywhere else.
- Crayola Experience If you have never visited the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA, you have to go! And, if you have visited but it has been two or three years, you also have to go! I’ll tell you why.
- Legoland has been called the Ultimate Indoor Lego Playground for a reason. Whenever you need to get your kids out of the house—whether a rainy day or cold winter day or a hot summer day when you need a little free air conditioning—this is the place to go.
- Adventure Aquarium Savings Does your child or family member love animals or the ocean? If so, you’re probably looking for coupons and discounts and any other way to save on Adventure Aquarium tickets where you’ll see the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, Little Blue penguins, Nile hippos and more than 8,500 aquatic animals.
- Philadelphia Zoo If you have kids or love animals you’ll love a visit to the zoo—and in this post we’ve listed all the discounts and ways to save on your zoo tickets!
- Maryland Science Center. They are offering a Groupon deal right now that includes the Planetarium!! Season Pass tickets are also available at an excellent rate, if you have a science-lover! 🙂
There are also some pretty neat winter day camps available for kids who are on break from school, including STEM classes at Snapology and a day at a local camp (with sledding if weather permits)!
Also, these affordable outdoor activities will fill your calendar on those not-quite-as-cold days.
