Servant's Heart Play Area

Servant's Heart is a Christian bookstore in Camp Hill. They have a free play area in the back of the store that is a good place to get out of the heat in the summer or just out of the house on a winter's day. There is a small plastic climbing structure with a "rock wall" and slide, as well as a fairly large selection of toys. They also have a large screen TV, with a selection of Veggie Tales (and other?) videos for viewing. Blocks, puzzles, and a small kitchen are some of the toys available for playing with.

Additionally, there is coffee and tea available, although I've never partaken of these options, so I can't speak to their variety or quality.

I have been to this play area only two or three times, and have never seen any kids in it other than the ones I was there with. My kids have always enjoyed this play area, and we will probably make good use of it this winter when we're suffering from cabin fever!

My only struggle with this play area is that it's located at the back of the store, which requires a little bit of creativity to get my three 2 and unders from the front of the store to the back without breaking anything on the way. I do wish they had a "kid-friendly" path to the play area, but so far, we've made it without incident!

Playhouse Cafe

I recently visited Playhouse Cafe with a friend and her daughter. The Cafe is located in Lemoyne, at the corner of Erford Road and Walnut Street. Their slogan is "Kids Play, While You Cafe." They have 2 separate play areas for children: one for "under 2," (the Tot Spot) and the other for "two through 6" (the Playroom) The 2-6 room doesn't open till 10 a.m., and we arrived early. Since my 2-year-olds are on the small side, and there was nobody else there, they allowed us to play in the Tot Spot. The Tot Spot costs $1 per child, and is filled with small, soft, toys. There is a play kitchen, and a play tent/house, and a small squishy climbing area with a very small slide (like maybe a foot of drop). There are some ride-on toys, and some puzzles. We were told we needed to supervise our children in the Tot Spot, although another mother dropped her child off with us and went off to "cafe."

Altogether, we had (2) 2-year-olds, a one-year-old, and a 10-month-old, and all four children seemed to enjoy this area. It was well-worth a dollar a piece for the air conditioning, and the exposure to new toys.

I did purchase a smoothie from the cafe, mostly to feel like I wasn't using their space for free. I did feel that the smoothie was overpriced ($4+), and not the best I'd ever had, but again, a total of $7 for the morning didn't seem too bad.

There is also a "mother's room" for nursing mothers. We did not look in here at all to judge its comfort or usability. There are 2 family restrooms available, with changing tables.

We did not make use of the Playroom, since we were pretty well ensconced in the Tot Spot, but we did peek in. They have some larger toys there, including a pretend airplane frame, and a bigger climbing structure. The playroom costs $5 per child for 90 minutes. My opinion was that it didn't look worth $10 for my children, but it seemed like it got pretty busy after it opened at 10 a.m. I think a lot of parents like the option of having someone else supervise their children for an hour and a half. There was one mom in our corner of the cafe who works from home, and she brought her laptop to the cafe to get some work done while her son played. Compared to other indoor options, it may be a good alternative when the weather is bad, or you just need a break.

Port Discovery

Port Discovery is a large hands on children's museum (voted in top 5 in nation) located in the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, MD. The highlight for many, including my 2 year old son, was KidWorks, the 3.5 story up-only climbing structure centrally located in the building. Around KidWorks, there are numerous activities which require the use of your child's imagination. My 4 year old daughter loved the Convenience Store & Gas Station and the Tiny Diner. They also enjoyed the play train, water exhibit, and the Drumming Studio (subject to change).

My family had a great time, but personally, I'd have a hard time paying full price. In addition to the admission price (almost $13 for 2 and older), there are parking fees for either a parking garage or lot. However the museum runs some great specials periodically . We visited on a special free admission day. Additionally, every third Friday of the month, admission for the evening from 4-7 pm is only $2. This would be a great time to go, although I'd suggest getting there before 4 to ensure entrance. On free day, we arrived at opening time, and still waited 40 minutes in line to enter. For food, there is a McDonald's within a few hundred feet. We had no problems with reentering the museum after a short break for lunch.There is also a small area with a vending machine, tables and chairs within Port Discovery if you choose to bring your own food and snacks.

Attendance in the building is capped to maintain a safe environment. We were there when attendance was maxed out. Despite the crowd, I was surprised that we were still able to move around and access the exhibits fairly well. However, I would stay close to your children; there are plenty of places for them to quickly disappear from your sight! Fortunately, the security seems to be well planned out. Upon admittance, each member of the family receives a wristband with a unique number on it. Wristbands are checked closely whenever exiting to ensure that your child will not leave with another adult. Overall, I would say it is a great way to spend a few hours!

Chocolate World and Cocoa Castle

Go see how America's favorite chocolate bar is made at Hershey's Chocolate World. The free ride tells the story starting from the cacao beans and continues through the chocolate factory tour and on to the finished chocolate product. Although my children enjoy the ride, the best part is the free product sample after the ride. The ride is only several minutes long, so we will often ride it several times...I think our record is five times on one trip.

In addition to the chocolate factory tour, young children may enjoy the KissWorks Factory, where they receive a free factory hat (okay, it's paper, but it makes them happy) and participate in a special little dance as they package up some special Hershey Kisses. You may opt to purchase a package, which also includes the Kisses and a Factory Worker ID badge, but my personal opinion is that it is overpriced. The kids just enjoy the experience as much as anything.

Thanks to advice from my sister, we never leave the house without some pennies to throw into the waterfall area in the food court area. It's amazing how this simple activity will please and entertain the kids until the coins are all thrown. I believe that the money collected is used to support local charities, but I am uncertain as to which ones. Another activities passed on to me was the color game on the picture on the floor at the entrance of Chocolate World. If the lobby is not crowded, we take turns shouting out colors or letters, and everyone has to quickly find and stand on that color/letter. I have yet to find a child (up to the age of 7) who has not enjoyed playing this game with us!

I've found Chocolate World to be a great option in the wintertime, when the weather is too cold to be outside. It is usually less crowded during this time, at least during the weekdays, so we can walk right onto the ride without a wait. It you choose to go in the warmer weather, think about also visiting Cocoa Castle, a wooden playground just minutes away. The Hershey Outlets are close by as well. At busier times, including weekends, avoid the crowds by arriving at 9 am when Chocolate World opens. Parking is free for two hours in the adjacent parking lot. However, during the winter I have rarely seen anyone enforcing the 2 hour rule. If you choose to go during times when HersheyPark is open, if you stay longer, you will have to pay!

There are several activities at Chocolate World that cost a fee including "Create Your Own Chocolate Bar", a 3D show, and a chocolate tasting adventure. Since I have never done any of them, I am unable to comment on the quality of these programs. Also special events take place around Halloween, Christmas, and Easter.

Bass Pro Shop / Enchanted Forest

Located at the end of Harrisburg Mall, Bass Pro Shops has more to offer families than the typical outdoors and sporting goods store. The "fishy place", as our family likes to call it, has a large aquarium full of fish that the kids can watch, and even learn to identify. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can watch the feeding frenzy at 1 PM. The store can also be an adventure in taxidermy--you know, stuffed animals. Throughout both floors you can spot animals frozen in action -- a moose and bear fighting, ducks flying overhead, wolves attacking, bear cubs playing, and much more. Don't miss the bear giving a high five upstairs! Other activities are available at a small fee, including a rock climbing wall, a shooting gallery, and arcade style games.

Bass Pro often runs special events which include free activities for kids and family. During the Christmas season, Santa visits and the children receive a free photo. The Easter Bunny appears in the Spring. Although the quality of the photographs may not be as good as the mall, it's an inexpensive alternative to the ever increasing package prices required at most other malls. During the summer, the store becomes Family Summer Camp, including the opportunity to make s'mores!

When there isn't a special event occurring at Bass Pro Shops, I often pair a visit to see the animals and fish with a trip down the mall to the indoor play area for young children called the Enchanted Forest. Centrally located in the playground is a large tree, which used to periodically sing, moving its arms and mouth. As far as I know, the tree has stopped working and is not planning to be repaired. However, under its branches are two small slides for children to enjoy. There are several other structures for children to climb over, sit on and just pretend. The area can become crowded at times, especially during the winter. To avoid the crowds, it is best to go early or in the afternoon, when many children are napping. The mall is open two hours before the stores open, which makes a perfect time to hit the play area!

Letort Park/Fort Letort Playground

Letort Park is located in Carlisle, at 260 East Pomfret Street. (There are no good links to the park online). The park borders Letort Creek, one of the highest quality waterways in Pennsylvania.
There is a giant wooden play structure at the park, as well picnic tables and a ballfield. I've found references to a sprinkle/water area also, but we have never seen it or played in it.

The playground is in the Fort style of the newer accessible playgrounds, but is older and wooden. It also has a sand area at the entrance to the play area, which tends to get strewn throughout the entryway.

There are many many ducks along the creek; there are signs up to not feed them, but people apparently ignore this sign.

Unfortunately, I have not paid attention to whether there are bathroom facilities available at this park.

Colonel Denning State Park and Lake

Colonel Denning State Park is located outside of Newville, just down the road from Camp Yolijwa. There is a lake with a swimming area and beach, as well as a playground and picnic facilities. There is a changing room area between the parking lot and lake, but there are no bathrooms at the lake. There are permanent port-a-potty facilities located a short walk away. (Well, short if you're not in a hurry). It is free to use the lake.

There is a picnic pavilion and playground at the opposite end of the parking lot from the lake entrance. Additionally, there is a larger pavilion, recreational field, and playground at the top of the hill from the lake. There is car access to the top of the hill.

As with most swimming areas in PA, there are no lifeguards on duty.

The park is also open for camping and hiking, including Flat Rock Trail, a 2.5 mile round-trip trail to the top of the mountain, which (on a clear day) provides an incredible view across the valley. It may not be a long hike, but it is rather tough.

Also within the camping area, there is a nature center and three orienteering courses (although the last update shows the courses to still be under construction, so they may not be open yet). It has been a long time since I've been to the nature center, but from what I remember it was both educational and entertaining. There was also a small fish pond near the nature center.