OCT 26 – NOV 1 Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey · Lancaster, Harrisburg and Hershey

Things to do with kids in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey this weekend, found and checked for you.

Hersheypark Halloween runs its final weekend Friday through Sunday, with trick-or-treating for kids before the haunts open at 6. Closer to Lancaster, the Manheim Township library has Dramatic Play Friday and a Saturday morning Crafterday. Our list has 5 outings this weekend, and 4 of them are free. Of those, 4 are indoors.

What’s on today, Friday, Oct 30: Hersheypark Halloween, Dramatic Play Friday and Speech Links to Literacy.

Last checked · 5 kids events and outings at 4 places · 4 free · 4 indoor. Every listing links to the page we checked it on. How we choose

Top 5 picks

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Saturday, sorted

Our plan for Saturday

Here’s how we’d do Saturday, Oct 31. One thing from this week’s list, plus one of our regulars from Around town. Tap a stop for the details.

  1. MORNINGCrafterday!9am–12pm · Manheim Township Public Library · Free
  2. NAPHome by 1:30 for nap.
  3. AFTER NAPAround townHands-on House, Children’s Museum of LancasterOpen 9am–4pm · Lancaster, 721 Landis Valley Road · Kids $12, adults $10.50 (opens their site)

Times come from each event’s page or the place’s own site. Times can change, so check before you head out. Print this plan

Every outing this week

Find your thing

Holiday season in Central PA

Around town

Central PA favorites

A few of the places we keep going back to. The full list, with prices, hours and kid-friendly restaurants, lives in the guide.

HERSHEY, 170 HOTEL ROAD
Hershey Gardens
Gardens with a butterfly atrium.
LANCASTER, 721 LANDIS VALLEY ROAD
Hands-on House, Children’s Museum of Lancaster
Children’s museum for ages 2 to 10.
Kids $12Adults $10.50Indoor
LANCASTER, 454 NEW HOLLAND AVE.
Lancaster Science Factory
Hands-on science center.
Kids $132 and underIndoor
DOWNTOWN HARRISBURG, 222 MARKET ST.
Whitaker Center Science Center
Science center in downtown Harrisburg.
Indoor
See the full Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey guide →Visiting with little kids
On the horizon

Coming up

NOV 26Thanksgiving weekendOne outing for Thanksgiving weekend so far, including Millersville Turkey Trot.See the list → ON NOWChristmas lights3 light displays on our list so far.See the list → NOV – DECSanta visits5 places to see Santa so far, with dates, times and prices.See the list →
Good questions

What to do with kids this weekend in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey: the FAQ

What can we do with kids this weekend in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey?

This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) our top picks are Hersheypark Halloween (all weekend); Dramatic Play Friday (Fri, Oct 30); Crafterday! (Sat, Oct 31); Duplo Free Play (Sat, Oct 31). That’s four of 5 outings on this weekend, all checked on the organizer’s page and picked for kids ages 0–6. See the full list.

What are kid-friendly things to do in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey this weekend?

This week we found 5 outings that work for kids ages 0–6, all of them this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Our top three: Hersheypark Halloween, Dramatic Play Friday, Crafterday!. See the full list.

Where are the Halloween events for kids in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey this week?

One Halloween outing is on this week’s list for ages 0–6: Hersheypark Halloween. Its page has the date, time, price and the organizer’s link. See it in the list.

Are there free things to do with little ones in Central PA this week?

Yes, 4 of this week’s 5 picks are free, including library storytimes and Dramatic Play Friday. Tap “Free” in Find your thing. For free places you can visit any week, see free things to do in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey in the city guide. Free museum days and free events coming up are on free things to do with kids in Central PA.

What are good indoor activities for kids in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey when it rains?

4 picks this week are indoors, mostly at the libraries. Tap “Rainy-day OK” in Find your thing.

Where can I find storytimes and toddler activities in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey?

This week we list 4 library storytimes and baby or toddler programs. Each one links to the library or venue page with the time and place. See them in the list. For every weekly storytime by day and branch, see library storytimes in Central PA.

How do you pick what goes on the Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey list?

We go through Central PA’s library calendars, parks, museums, zoos and local family pages every week, and keep what works for ages 0–6. Each listing links to the page we checked it on, and where the organizer or venue has its own page, we confirm the date, time, place and price there. This list was last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we choose and check listings.

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