Make the Most of Summer’s Final Days: Free and Low-Cost Family Adventures

As the days get a little shorter, many families are looking for ways to soak up the rest of summer together. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy fun, educational, and low-cost day trips that spark your child’s imagination and foster meaningful family time.

One option is to take advantage of Museums for All—a nationwide program that offers free or discounted admission (typically $3 or less) to more than 1,500 museums for families receiving SNAP benefits, including 88 in Pennsylvania.

From children’s museums and science centers to botanical gardens and art exhibits, there’s something for every interest.

Another option is to visit a local park, trail, or playground before wrapping up with a picnic lunch.

Let’s build out a few sample day trip itineraries that could be used during these final weekends of summer.

Option 1

8:00 a.m. – Get Ready for the Day

Pack a backpack with:

• A simple lunch (think sandwiches, fruit, and snacks)
• Refillable water bottles
  • Most parks have fountains!
• Sunscreen, wipes, a change of clothes, and any comfort items your child loves

9:00 a.m. – Head Outside

Visit a local park or trail for some open-ended outdoor play. Explore nature trails, play on the swings, or bring bubbles and sidewalk chalk.

Options include:

• Chutes and Ladders (Harrisburg)
• Cocoa Castle (Hershey)
• Elizabethtown Community Park
• Kids Joy Land (Mount Joy)
• Koons Park (Linglestown)
• Long’s Park (Lancaster)
• Rails to Trails (Multiple locations)
• Shank Park (Hershey/Lower Dauphin)
• Wildwood Park (Harrisburg)

10:30 a.m. – Picnic Lunch

Find a shady spot to eat your packed lunch. Talk with your children about what they’ve seen so far, asking questions uses the five senses like:

• “What was your favorite thing you saw at the park?”
• “What sound did you hear the most outside?”
• “What were some objects you touched? What did they feel like?”
• “Did you notice any smells at the park?
• “What was your favorite food you tasted during lunch?”

11:30 a.m. – Head Home

Option 2

8:00 a.m. – Get Ready for the Day

Pack a backpack with:

• Snacks
• Refillable water bottles
  • Most museums have fountains or refill stations!
• Sunscreen (if the museum has an outdoor element), wipes, a change of clothes, and any comfort items your child loves

9:00 a.m. – Head to a Museum for All Site

Choose a museum that’s part of the Museums for All network. Here are just a few nearby.

Dauphin/Lancaster County:

• The Hershey Story: chocolate-themed fun and cultural history
• Hands-On House: perfect for preschool and early elementary ages
• North Museum of Nature and Science: dinosaurs, space, and live animals

Berks County:

• Reading Science Center: interactive STEM exhibits
• Daniel Boone Homestead: explore early PA life outdoors

York/Harrisburg Area:

• Keystone Kidspace (York): creativity and invention stations
• Susquehanna Art Museum: beautiful and inspiring arts for all ages

No car? Try an Amtrak ride to Philadelphia—kids ride for half price with an adult, and you can walk to places like the Please Touch Museum, The Franklin Institute, and Shofuso Japanese Garden.

11:00 a.m. – Head Home for Lunch Before Nap Time

If there is time before heading home, stop by a splash pad, eat a packed snack at a shady bench, and/or play “I Spy.” Need a new game? Try “Alphabet Bingo” on the drive. Look for letters A–Z on street signs and billboards!

Quick Tips for a Smooth Trip

Check museum websites ahead of time for hours and programming.

Always bring your EBT card. It’s your ticket to Museums for All discounts!

Pack smart: water, snacks, weather-appropriate clothing, wipes, and a comfort item go a long way.

Make It Tradition

Museums for All is available year-round, not just during the summer. Start a monthly adventure plan with your family and turn outings into meaningful rituals that grow your child’s love of learning.

Whether you’re riding the train to Philly, driving to a new small-town museum, or walking through wildflowers at a preserve, your child will remember the time you spent together. With a little planning, big fun can be budget-friendly and full of learning, laughter, and love.