Hang on to this list to avoid hearing “I’m bored” this season
1. Bounce
Stuck inside on a rainy day? Stay active at any of the Valley’s indoor trampoline parks or bounce facilities. Patrons of all ages can have fun, and most Valley brands offer family-day specials.
Freefall Trampoline Park | 2800 Baglyos Cir., Bethlehem | 610.849.0373 | freefalltrampolinepark.com
Sky Zone | Trampoline Park | 2285 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.759.9663 | skyzone.com/bethlehem
BounceU | 1800 Sullivan Trl. Easton | 610.258.4800 | bounceu.com/easton-pa
Photo by Emma Horning
2. Crayon Creations
With four floors and a site bigger than a football field, the Crayola Experience is a destination that families can easily enjoy for up to four hours. Let your creativity soar as you play, explore and learn.
Crayola Experience | 30 Centre Square, Easton | 610.515.8000 | crayolaexperience.com
3. Sports Through Time
The Allentown Art Museum is providing an educational experience for your little athlete with its “Who Shot Sports” exhibit, open now through July. Learn about the art of photographing athletes, and get a glimpse inside different sports from around the world. The exhibit covers images from 1843 until present.
Allentown Art Museum | 31 N. 5th St., Allentown
610.432.4333
allentownartmuseum.org
4. Pick Your Own
Pick your own farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. Starting in June, the public is welcome to pick their own strawberries, shelling peas, sugar snap peas and snow peas at Seiple Farms, and can pluck from 2,500 Sweet and Sour Cherry trees at Grim’s Orchard.
Grim’s Orchard & Family Farms | 9941 Schantz Rd., Breinigsville | 610.395.5655 | grimsgreenhouse.com
Seiple Farms | 5761 Nor Bath Blvd., Bath | 610.837.0847 | seiplefarms.com
5. Zoo Activities
The zoo is hosting kid-friendly events all summer long. Ranging from food truck festivals to movie nights and tie-dye, there’s no shortage of fun activities.
6. Meet the Giraffes
This summer, the Lehigh Valley Zoo will welcome giraffes to its facility. Get to know these beautiful creatures and welcome them to their new home.
Lehigh Valley Zoo | 5150 Game Preserve Rd., Schnecksville | 610.799.4171 | lvzoo.org
7. Family Night
Celebrate family night every Friday this summer at Tolino Vineyards. Festivities include live music, yoga, s’mores, yard games and—for adults only—wine slushies. The fun goes from 5–8 p.m., and each week has something new in store!
Tolino Vineyards | 280 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Bangor | 610.588.9463 | tolinovineyards.com
8. Discovery Courses
Throughout the summer, L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery School offers multiple family-fun classes at Nockamixon State Park, ranging from stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking to archery. Learn basic techniques and safety skills needed to enjoy these fun sports. The minimum age requirement is eight; and those 14 and under will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
L.L.Bean | 1.888.552.3261 | llbean.com
9. Drive-In Movie
One of the Valley’s famous drive-in movie theaters, Becky’s Drive-In will celebrate its 71st Anniversary this June. Pick a family-friendly film, order a few chipwiches and take the kids back in time with this old-fashioned venue.
Becky’s Drive-In | 4548 Lehigh Dr., Walnutport | 610.767.2249 | beckysdi.com
10. Underground Wonderland
Explore nature’s underground wonderland as you tour the caverns. A guided walking tour lasts 30–45 minutes and allows visitors to discover a magical land of crystal formations where the Lost River flows.
Lost River Caverns | 726 Durham St., Hellertown | 610.838.8767 | lostcave.com
11. Go-Kart
Have a need for speed? Lehigh Valley Grand Prix is sure to get any kid’s adrenaline racing. The indoor go-kart racing offers
high-speed fun for kids above the age of eight.
Lehigh Valley Grand Prix | 649 S. 10th St., Allentown | 610.432.7223 | lehighvalleygrandprix.com
Photo by Andrew Tomasino
12. FreySmiles Kids’ Zone
Has your family explored the Easton Public Market yet? The FreySmiles Kids’ Zone is sure to keep the little ones entertained as you explore the market. The 200-square-foot play area was custom designed and built by local artists of Brick & Mortar Gallery. It allows for physical, artistic and interactive play as kids learn about food and farming. And don’t worry; there are plenty of kid-friendly dishes at the market as well—find them ahead of time on their website!
Easton Public Market | 325 Northampton St., Easton | eastonpublicmarket.com
13. STEM
The perfect destination for families with kids under the age of 12, the Da Vinci Science Center offers hands-on exhibits and programs that give an informal, playful approach to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Exhibits range from the PPL Electric Utilities Energy Zone, with an interactive dance floor, to the KEVA Build It Up, where kids can show off their design skills.
14. Goose Bumps: The Science of Fear
This feature exhibit is available through September and allows kids and adults alike to discover the science behind their physical and emotional responses. Meet Mr. Goosebumps, take the Fear Challenge Course, play the Freeze Game, explore the Fear Lab and learn about the Faces of Emotion.
Da Vinci Science Center | 3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass Allentown | 484.664.1002 | davincisciencecenter.org
15. Cirque Imagine
This new performance coming to Dorney Park will amaze crowds of all ages with its magic, humor and tricks. Taking place at the Good Time Theatre, the show is included with park admission. Stay after the show to meet some of the performers!
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom | 3830 Dorney Park Rd., Allentown | 610.395.3724 | dorneypark.com
16. Snorkel
Those eight years and older are invited to snorkel at Dutch Springs this summer. Escorted snorkeling tours are available July through September, and are led by a professional scuba instructor. Explore 50 acres of this freshwater lake and the aquatic life that calls it home.
Dutch Springs | 4733 Hanoverville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.759.2270 | dutchsprings.com
17. Horseback Trail Rides
Enjoy a relaxing, one-hour trail ride through Jacobsburg State Park. Perfect for small groups of two to six people, riders can experience the amazing scenery consisting of woods, fields, streams and wildlife atop a gentle, natural horsemanship-trained horse, guided by a professional staff. Must be ten years old to ride.
Jacobsburg State Park | 610.730.4973 | jacobsburgtrailrides.com
18. Outdoor Laser Tag
With three different outdoor battlefields, Blue Mountain’s Xtreme Outdoor Laser Tag is perfect for family bonding. Part of the Mountain Post Charlie battlefield is in the woods, allowing for ample hiding spaces like bunkers, trees, bushes and trenches!
19. Archery
Action Archery is a combination of tag and target practice. But don’t worry; no one will get hurt, as participants are only armed with bows and foam-tipped arrows. Play outside atop the area’s highest vertical and enjoy views of the Pocono Mountains.
Photo by Susan Page Photography
20. Zipline
You don’t need to travel out of state to try this activity. Blue Mountain Resort’s Summit Aerial Park is open for every level, and strives to build camaraderie and self-confidence.
21. Disc Golf
Often referred to as “frisbee golf,” disc golf is an exciting alternative to miniature golf. Test your precision, and arm, as you enjoy the great outdoors.
Blue Mountain Resort | 1660 Blue Mountain Dr., Palmerton | 610.826.7700 | skibluemt.com/outdoor-adventures
22. Feed the Fish
Tour this giant outdoor aquarium where kids can look at and feed the fish.
Lil’-Le-Hi Trout Nursery | 2901 Fish Hatchery Rd., Allentown | 610.437.7656 | allentownpa.gov
23. Family Musical Yoga
Kira Willey’s family yoga classes encompass everything one needs to be mindful and relaxed. She incorporates songs, movement, imaginative play, age-appropriate
props and some of her own original songs to keep the classes light and fun. They are ideal for ages two through eight, with parents and other family members welcome.
Kira Willey Music, Movement & Mindfulness for Kids | firefliesyoga.com
24. At-Home Crafts
Host an in-home art session for your children to learn about fiber arts as they create their own fluffy monsters! The class lasts approximately an hour and 15 minutes, and there are friend and sibling discounts available! Felt, buttons, thread and sewing machines are provided.
Crinkle Studio | crinklestudio.com
25. Tour Martin Guitar
Visit the factory floor and see how guitars are made! The one-hour tour demonstrates the instrument’s life cycle from lumber to a finished project—a 300-step process.
C.F. Martin & Co. | 510 Sycamore St., Nazareth | martinguitar.com
26. Family Films
Did you know that this Northampton landmark usually gets new movies within a few weeks of them leaving major theaters, and typically plays one or two family films per month?
Roxy Theater | 2004 Main St., Northampton | 610.262.7699 | roxytheaternorthampton.com
27. Ride the Train
WK&S Railroad is hosting kid-friendly activities all summer long, like their “Touch the Train” event and their Kid’s Fun Weekend, allowing more opportunities for children to get up close and personal with these remarkable locomotives.
WK&S Railroad | 42 Community Center Dr., Kempton | 610.756.6469 | kemptontrain.com
28. Cooking Camp
Allow your children to build their culinary passports this summer at one of 29 Cooks’ Junior Chef Summer Cooking Camps. This summer’s week-long camps are cruise-inspired
and run from June through August. At the end of each camp week, parents are invited to attend a showcase and taste the children’s creations.
29 Cooks Catering and Culinary Center | 4030 Chestnut St., Emmaus | 484.951.0442 | 29cooks.com
29. Arts Camp
The Banana Factory has eight one-week sessions that children of all ages can join. The summer arts program gives young artists the chance to explore their creativity and reach new goals while developing fundamental life skills. Camps are available for ages four to nine years old, ten to 12 years old and 13 to 18 years old.
Banana Factory 25 W. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.332.1300 | bananafactory.org/summer-camps
30. Pottery Workshops
Children ages six through 12 can sign up for Mud & Maker’s “Clayful Kids” pottery summer camps, where they will learn the pottery wheel and create hand-built sculptures. Camp themes range from under the sea and candy, to girly girls, Christmas in July, science, superheroes and more. Each camp series lasts three days, and children will make eight to 12 total projects.
Mud & Maker | 6 S. Centre St., Pottsville | 484.650.2745 | mudandmaker.com
31. Use Your Imagi Nation
At Imagi Nation, kids ages three through 12 can try out more than 40 different careers in the indoor metropolis of branded enterprises created by partnerships with leading Lehigh Valley companies. Ranging from cashier, dispatcher and dentist to journalist, taste tester and postal worker, children will get a better grasp of how the world works while developing lifelong skills. On their visit, kids are also invited to visit Scoopendorf’s Flavor Lab to create their own ice cream. Imagi Nation’s “peak season” runs from June through August; no reservations are required.
Imagi Nation | 3313 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown | 610.841.5919 | imaginationexp.com
32. Become a Piglet
Locals of all ages love this Valley favorite, but there’s something special just for the little ones. Children can sign up to be part of the IronPiglets Kids Club, a membership that includes a 2017 IronPiglets T-shirt, FeRROUS Pillow Pet, a ticket to an IronPiglet game, four IronPigs ticket vouchers, ten KidsZone vouchers, as well as an IronPiglets membership card, providing access to membership events throughout the season.
Coca-Cola Park 1050 IronPigs Way, Allentown | 610.841.7447 | ironpigsbaseball.com
33. Canoe the Canal
Take a boat ride and explore the Canal Museum this summer to learn about America’s historic towpaths. Through exhibits and hands-on activities, kids and adults alike will enjoy this educational experience. Enjoy a 45–minute boat tour, meet the mules or canoe along the canal.
National Canal Museum | 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd., Easton | 610.923.3548 | canals.org
34. Explore the Farm
This 65-acre farmland is the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon. Keep an eye out for special family events, farm tours, opportunities to meet the animals, food truck visits and painting parties with Paintsome Pottery.
Wild Fox Farm 5015 Longview Ln., Barto | 267.424.1439 | wildfoxfarm.com
35. Young Wheelers Camp America
With three camp sessions running July through August this summer, kids ages six through 12 can enjoy four days of learning all about safety, engines, design, fuel and more at the America on Wheels museum. Only want to go for a day? Kids ages 12 and under get in free on Sundays.
America on Wheels | 5 N. Front St., Allentown | 610.432.4200 | americaonwheels.org
36. Butterfly Sanctuary
June 10 is the opening day at the Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary where the public can walk in without reservations and experience the world of butterflies. Check out the indoor “Flutterarium” live butterfly flight room, live exotic frog room, native caterpillar exhibit and more.
Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary | 18 Church Rd., Jim Thorpe | 570.325.4848 | bearmountainbutterflies.com
37. Rope Climb
With routes for every skill level, North Summit Climbing Gym offers terrain for anyone who wants to take on a new challenge. The 6,500-square-foot facility offers toprope, lead climbing and bouldering.
North Summit Climbing Gym | 481 Bushkill Plaza Ln., Wind Gap | 610.863.4444 | northsummitclimbing.com
