Low Cost
Klein Farms
Easton, PA
Visit a local park!
The Lehigh Valley area is home to dozens of parks! My son and I are always venturing to a new playground. You can see the ones we have gone to and hope to visit under the playground page.
Lehigh Valley Park People on Facebook is another great page to follow for playground recommendations
Wind Gap, PA
Playground fully fenced in
Low Cost - Seasonal:
Old wooden carousel - it was around $2/person
Mini golf - $5/person
[don't quote me on the price, I remember it being inexpensive!]
https://penargylborough.com/departments/parks-and-recreation/
Low Cost
Li'l-Le-Hi Trout Nursery
2901 Fish Hatchery Rd,
Allentown, PA 18103
Bring cash [quarters and single dollar bills] to purchase fish food
Feed the trout, walk around the different areas, and pack a lunch!
Covered Bridge Tour
Lehigh & Northampton Counties
Put together a playlist, sing along to your favorite songs as you drive through the Lehigh Valley to visit all of the covered bridges!
I like to end at Kreidersville Bridge. This one is not on the road and is quite peaceful! Spend some time here and enjoy a packed lunch!
These splash pads do not require any sort of membership to use.
They are open seasonally! Typically mid/end of May through Labor Day Weekend
Bethlehem Area
Allentown:
https://www.allentownpa.gov/en-us/Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Pools-Spray-Parks
Many of the kid friendly programs offered at these facilities are free or low cost [under $15]. Advanced registration is required.
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
[most programs are $5]
here’s a list of trails that has been suggested by others
Some of our favorites
Late Summer - Petals 4 Hope
Free sunflower field to walk through
Fall - visit a pumpkin patch!
Many have free admission. Just pay for anything additional you may do.
We love Savidge Farms, Unangst, and Juniperdale for some low cost fall fun
Winter-
Low Cost
There are several fast food establishments that have indoor play places. While technically free to use, please be courteous and order something off their menu!
Places include: McDonalds, Chick-fil-A, and others
https://lehighvalleywithlittles.com/blog/f/fast-food-play-zones
Check out a FREE pass to a local museum from your library
More info on ways to save and a list of libraries with passes can be found HERE
Using our library card we have been able to check out FREE passes to the Sigal Museum, National Museum of Industrial History, America on Wheels, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and Independence Seaport Museum.
Low Cost
Mack trucks Museum
Allentown, PA
Suggested donation of $5/person ages 12+
https://www.macktruckshistoricalmuseum.org/faqs/
The Mack Museum was born as a non-profit corporation in 1984 and commemorates Mack history through preserving truck build records, service and parts information, engineering drawings, photos, memorabilia and a collection of vintage Mack truck models.
Low Cost
Nazareth, PA
Suggested donation of $5/person
https://www.martinguitar.com/about-martin-martin-guitar-museum.html
Community Drop-Ins are a FREE community program within the Salvaggio Little Learner’s Lab that are centered around parents and their little ones, ages 3-4.
Join in experiences that engage in all things STEAM while promoting exploration and discovery through hands-on activities that are created for early learners. All sessions are facilitated by professional educators and all materials and supplies related to the activity will be included.
https://www.davincisciencecenter.org/salvaggio-little-learners-lab/
Free Sundays at the Museums
Bethlehem, PA
https://www.historicbethlehem.org/visit-us/experience/free-sundays-at-the-museums/
Explore the rich history of the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem for FREE – every first Sunday of the month from February through November. Enjoy complimentary admission to both museums from 11 am – 5 pm and a hands-on activity the whole family is sure to enjoy!
Nurture Nature Center
Easton, PA
Open Wednesdays & Saturdays
12-4pm
Educational programs geared towards school aged children
Occasional environmentally focused programs/events for an additional cost - typically low cost
Promenade Saucon Valley
https://www.promenadesauconvalley.com/events
Toddler Tuesdays - May and September
January 25th 2025
Allentown Art Museum
Allentown, PA
*Free parking lot*
https://www.allentownartmuseum.org
Bring the kids and teens to Art Ways Interactive Family Gallery on the second floor of the Museum to make your own art to take home during ArtVentures. Museum staff is on hand to help guide you in creating an artwork inspired by the Museum’s collection. Design your own creation and bring it to life. All ages and abilities welcome! Limited seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
This free program promotes Spanish-language literacy and art-appreciation skills to children Pre-K through 3rd grade. Each hour-long session includes an immersive book reading in Spanish, artmaking, and a free Spanish-language book for each child to take home. Bring your child to the Museum on the first Saturday of every month from 1 to 2 p.m. to hone or learn new language skills. There’s a new book and activity to enjoy and learn from each time!
Visit the library !
Many have their programs open to all, even those who are not in their district. Any library program listed on my calendar is open to everyone.
You can also visit the libraries to play and explore as many now have toys and interactive areas for kids (train tables, puzzles, pretend play and more)
Some favorites;
Speaking of books, free Storytimes are available!
PBS - hosts free story times thorough the year, does require registration
Barnes and Noble
Jays local - Tuesdays & Fridays at 10am
Banana Factory - Toddler Storytime : location change due to construction. Begins again in January on Thursday mornings
Book & Puppet Co - Weekends
Story & a Snack - Thursdays at 10am at Easton Public Market
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Cops n Kids
This program offers free storytime programing!
Easton - Sigal Museum
Bethlehem - Fowler Center
Low Cost
Roxy Theatre in Northampton offers $5/ticket movies.
https://www.roxytheaternorthampton.com
Movie Tavern Trexlertown
https://www.marcustheatres.com/theatre-locations/movie-tavern-trexlertown
Regal Cinemas
Every summer they offer a kids movie series where tickets are as low as $1!
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FREE
Summertime many cities host movies in the parks that are free to attend [Upper Macungie, Allentown, Bethlehem, and Upper Nazareth are a few who hosted some last summer]
At the SteelStacks there will be a free movie played almost every Wednesday night during the summer at the Levitt Pavilion.
MyLowe’s Rewards members [FREE] can reserve their spot each month at Lowes.com/DIYU. You must register for your local store in advance, as workshops can fill up quickly. After registration, you’ll receive a confirmation email, which is your ticket for the workshop. On the day of the event, bring your child(ren) to the store at the scheduled time and participate in the hands-on building activity.
https://www.lowes.com/diy-projects-and-ideas/workshops
Suggested ages are 4-11 but all ages may participate [younger children may need more assistance from their adult]
Third Saturday of each month
FREE
Each child can bring home a newly constructed project, a Kids Workshops apron, an achievement pin, and a certificate.
These Workshops are held on the first Saturday of the month.
https://www.homedepot.com/c/kids-workshop
Registration is required.
The Home Depot Kids Workshops is a free hands-on learning experience that encourages skill-building and creativity in children ages 5-12. [younger children may participate but will need additional assistance from their adult]
FREE
Lehigh Valley Mall location
https://www.jcpenney.com/m/kids-club
Second Saturday of the month
[Have been told it is a take home activity]
Visit you local JCPenney store for our Kids Zone Event with your kids to build fun crafts and get a special 10% off in-store coupon!
Low Cost
Location:
South Mall
Palmer Park Mall
Unlimited play
$20 per adult
$15 per child
We have a growing collection of over 20 classic 1980’s arcade machines in beautiful restored condition as well as plenty of 1990s and current arcade titles. For you pinball fans we have some of the latest Stern titles such as Godzilla, The Mandalorian and Jurassic Park Premium as well as classics like Addams Family and many more. Back to the arcade features a well diversified collection of classics, driving machines, shooting games, pinball machines as well as deluxe machines such as Skee ball, basketball air hockey, dome hockey and others all wrapped within a 1980’s themed arcade decor. It’s affordable flat rate fun for the whole family