What attractions interesting to 8-12 year olds can be found around Amish Country?
I visited Amish Country a while back (in my 20s), and while I don't remember specific details, there were few things terribly interesting, despite my more-than-average interest in history.
If visiting the area (Lancaster Cty, PA), what would be the things of interest for 8-12 year old range? Assume normal city kids, so no super special interest in horses/farming. If it matters, the time of visit is late summer.
I checked some guides (such as this) but none are age-bracketed, and didn't see anything especially kid-friendly aside from may be buggy rides.
Must be within 30 mins driving radius (so 20-30 miles tops) from Lancaster, PA.
Ideally should be somewhat unique to the area; something that you can't get in any other place, likely for cheaper.
For example I saw a Balloon Ride on one of the sites, which may be fun for kids - but there's nothing special about a balloon ride over Amish Country and it would likely be overpriced being in the middle of tourist trap area.
Excludes
Charlie'sHershey Chocolate factory(because I already know about it).
Best Answer
Nothing
My grandparents lived in Amish country a fair stretch outside Harrisburg when I was young. Except for Hershey, PA, all the activities within a long distance were on the very marginal side of interesting. "Farms for kids" and all don't really excite most kids, one petting zoo is about as much as anyone wants. You're going to have to balance them being really interested with forcing some learning upon them. I went to a variety of those places as a kid, I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. I still have a hex sign from one of those trips to this day though.
What we mainly found interesting was going out on our grandparents' farm and exploring, watching cats kill mice, riding the 4-wheeler till someone would get a traumatic injury, betting on which cow would get eaten next, that sort of thing. If you're staying in a hotel and touristing it... Sorry man, you're in one of the less kid-interesting parts of the universe.
You could drive through Intercourse, that'll keep them entertained for the better part of a day.
Pictures about "What attractions interesting to 8-12 year olds can be found around Amish Country?"
What is the best Amish country to visit?
Pennsylvania: So Much to See and Do. In Pennsylvania, you'll see America's oldest \u2014 and perhaps best known \u2014 Amish settlement in Lancaster County. There are additional settlements in the state besides Lancaster if authentic Amish settlements are your destinations of choice.Is Amish country in Ohio worth visiting?
The area is generally referred to as Amish Country Ohio and is a great place for visitors to learn about the history and local traditions of the Amish and Mennonite peoples, purchase traditional Amish handicrafts, eat a lot of hearty Amish food, and enjoy the great pastoral scenery of this region.Is Amish country open to the public?
Most of their outdoor shops are open. If you're looking for any type of Amish made souvenirs and gifts- we've got you covered. Our gift shop is open to the public, free of charge. Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop has all your favorite PA Dutch pies- whoopie pies, shoofly pies, strawberry pies- you name it!Is anything open in Amish country on Sundays?
All Amish businesses, farmers markets and roadside stands are closed on Sundays. If you really want to feel the peace and tranquility that the Amish lifestyle provides, come see us on a Sunday!Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Dutch Country): Amish People
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Answer 2
There are a few things to do:
- A brief tour through an Amish village and an Amish farm house
- A hands-on museum for children
- A farm with a lot of activities targeted towards children and families, and another similar farm
- An amusement park for children
- Buggy rides and more buggy rides
- An outdoor park in the mountains
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