Free
Dauphin County Library System
Harrisburg and Hummelstown
Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes at East Shore, Alexander Family and other branches.
Good for: A free weekday morning.
Skip if: you need Sunday.
Report a problemGUIDE Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey · Lancaster, Harrisburg and Hershey
Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey: the parent guide.
Lancaster, Harrisburg and Hershey sit within about 45 minutes of each other, with Hershey in the middle.
Around town5 spots · checked Oct 30
The Central PA places we go back to, again and again.
The places we go back to all year. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Play
Indoor play and rainy days
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour.
Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Central PA that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
Splash & ride
Parks and outdoor play
Pools, fountains, zoos and theme parks: the big all-day outings.
Hershey, 170 Hotel Road$$
Hershey Gardens
Theme gardens with a Children’s Garden and an indoor Butterfly Atrium.
Good for: A stroller morning near Hersheypark.
Skip if: it’s pouring; most of it is outdoors.
Daily 9am–5pmSite ↗ for Hershey Gardens
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Central PA that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
Explore
Museums, zoos and big outings
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
Hands-on House, Children’s Museum of Lancaster
$Lancaster, 721 Landis Valley Road
A children’s museum built for kids 2 to 10.
Tickets
- Kids 2–10 $12
- Adults $10.50
Good for: Toddlers and preschoolers on a cold day.
Skip if: it’s Monday; it’s closed.
Tue–Sun 9am–4pmSite ↗ for Hands-on House, Children’s Museum of Lancaster
Report a problemLancaster Science Factory
$Lancaster, 454 New Holland Ave.
Hands-on science exhibits; timed tickets online.
Tickets
- Kids 3 and up $13
- 2 and under
Good for: Kids 3 and up.
Skip if: it’s Monday; it’s closed.
Tue–Sat 10am–5pm · Sun noon–5pmSite ↗ for Lancaster Science Factory
Report a problemWhitaker Center Science Center
$$Downtown Harrisburg, 222 Market St.
The science center inside Harrisburg’s arts and science building.
Good for: A rainy weekend in Harrisburg.
Skip if: it’s midweek; it opens Friday to Monday.
Fri–Mon 10am–5pmSite ↗ for Whitaker Center Science Center
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Central PA that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
No ticket needed
Free things to do
Where a family can go in Central PA without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Central PA.
Littlest explorers
Best for under 3s
Free or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Every week
Library storytimes
Recurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar. For every weekly storytime by day and branch, see library storytimes in Central PA.
Tuesday baby storytimes and moreLancaster Public Library
Free baby and family storytimes, some bilingual.
Schedule ↗Weekday morningsDauphin County Library System
Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes.
Schedule ↗Babies and 1-year-olds
Things to do with a baby or a 1-year-old in Central PA
Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Baby and lap-sit storytimes
Tuesdays at 10:30am and 1pm · Lancaster City BranchBaby Storytime (Lancaster) · Library System of Lancaster County
A half hour for babies up to 11 months. Walk-ins welcome.
Storytime calendar ↗Tuesdays at 9:30am · East Shore Area LibraryBorn to Read (East Shore) · Dauphin County Library System
Songs and stories for babies and caregivers.
Storytime calendar ↗Wednesdays at 10:15am · Alexander Family LibraryBorn to Read (Hummelstown) · Dauphin County Library System
Baby storytime near Hershey.
Storytime calendar ↗Babies get in free
Lancaster Science Factory
2 and under
Admission page ↗By season
Seasonal spots
Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices. For holiday and indoor rinks with season dates, prices and skate aids, see ice skating with kids in Central PA.
This week
What’s on this week in Central PA
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey right now.
- Hersheypark HalloweenHersheypark · Park ticket required
- Dramatic Play FridayManheim Township Public Library, Lapp Story Silo · Free
- Crafterday!Manheim Township Public Library · Free
Good questions
Things to do with toddlers in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey: the FAQ
Is the Lancaster-Harrisburg area good for toddlers?
Yes. Hands-on House is built for kids 2 to 10, and library storytimes run most weekdays.
What’s free for little kids here?
Library storytimes in Lancaster, Harrisburg and Hummelstown.
What can we do in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey on a rainy or cold day with a toddler?
Go indoors: Dauphin County Library System. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.
What can we do with a baby, 1-year-old or 2-year-old in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey?
Hershey Gardens: Stroller paths and a Children’s Garden. Hands-on House, Children’s Museum of Lancaster: Built for small kids. Free for the littlest: Lancaster Science Factory (2 and under). See best for under 3s.
Where are the free storytimes in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey?
Lancaster Public Library: Tuesday baby storytimes and more. Dauphin County Library System: Weekday mornings. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Central PA weekly list.
How do you choose the places in the Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey guide?
Every one of the 5 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 2 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we choose and check.
How much is Hands-on House, Children’s Museum of Lancaster for a toddler?
Kids 2–10: $12; adults: $10.50. We checked this on its official site on Oct 30, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
Get the list every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in Central PA.