8 places in Pennsylvania to take your kids when it's too cold to be outside
Sam RulandAs temperatures continue to drop, now might not be the time to think about being outside.
Sure, the snow can be fun. But parents most likely want to keep their children out of the cold and indoors during the harsh winter months.
More:On this day at the museum in York, kids are encouraged to run around, laugh and play
Fortunately, even as the weather gets colder, Pennsylvania offers plenty of things to see and do to keep the entire family occupied — just take a look at the list below.
1. Crayola Experience
Where: 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042
Hours: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kids can get a behind the scenes look inside the factory. From making their own crayons to climbing around a giant playground, there are plenty of "colorful" activities to keep them occupied for hours.
Ticket prices and additional information available here.
2. Please Touch Museum
Where: 231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Hours: Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please Touch Museum’s mission is to “Change a child’s life as they discover the power of learning through play.” They offer interactive exhibits, programs and special events designed to focus on creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking.
Ticket prices and additional information available here.
3. Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events
Where: 1001 Bosler Avenue, Lemoyne, PA 17043
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Junior karting is offered to children that are eight and older, and at least 48” tall. They get to experience the thrill of high-performance go-karting in a safe, controlled environment.
4. Hands-on House
Where: 721 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
Hours: Closed on Monday. Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The museum is designed for children ages 2 to 10. Kids can touch everything at this interactive museum designed to help children and their parents learn together.
Ticket prices and more information available here.
5. Franklin Institute
Where: 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
The Franklin Institute is the most-visited museum in the commonwealth. Kids can explore the museum’s famous giant heart, take the “Sports Challenge” and square off against life-size football linemen, or take a ride in the train factory.
Ticket prices and more information available here.
6. Turkey Hill Experience
Where: 301 Linden Street, Columbia, PA 17512
Hours: Hours vary month to month. View a schedule here.
Learn how the ice cream is made, sit in a milk truck, and milk the mechanical cows. Kids can even create their own virtual ice cream flavor, ice cream package and commercial.
Ticket prices and more information available here.
7. The State Museum
Where: 300 North St, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
On a trip to the museum, kids will encounter a giant chick, meet a family of Coelophysis dinosaurs, and bump into a huge mastodon.
Ticket prices and more information available here.
8. Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
Where: 222 Market St, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Here, kids are encouraged to build their imagination. There's a LEGO Building Exhibit ready for kids to come in and create.
Ticket prices and more information available here.
