The dog days of summer are here.
If you're finding it hard to keep the little ones occupied or engaged, we curated a list of family-friendly activities to do in Lancaster County that gets the family out of the house, but still keeps you in air conditioning.
A fun day out can be as simple as going to your local library to enjoy its often-free programming, or checking out a new museum exhibit.
Here are five activities to help you and your family stay cool this summer.
Moviegoers all socially distanced as they watch Lord of the Rings, as movie theaters across Lancaster County re-opened to customers at Penn Cinema in Lititz Friday June 26, 2020.
Go to the movie theater
Lancaster County is home to a few movie theaters, each location having a slightly different selection than the others.
Some mainstream, family-friendly films out now include "Elemental" and "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."
Lancaster County's movie theaters include:
— Regal Manor, 1246 Millersville Pike, Lancaster.
— Reel Cinemas Lancaster 7, 1500 Christopher Place, Lancaster.
— Penn Cinema, 541 Airport Road, Lititz.
— Kendig Square Movies 6, 2600 Willow Street Pike N., Willow Street.
— The New Main, 124 E. Main St., Ephrata.
For those looking for more adult, indie movies, check out Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse, 112 N. Water St., Lancaster.
The North Museum of Nature & Science recently debuted its exhibit, "Dinosaurs Among Us," which draws connections between birds and dinosaurs.
Check out an interactive museum
— The North Museum of Nature & Science, at 400 College Ave. in Lancaster, recently debuted a new exhibit called "Dinosaurs Among Us," which delves into the connection between birds and dinosaurs.
The North Museum is the only U.S. museum selected by the American Museum of Natural History to be a premier presenter of the exhibit.
The North Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission costs $11 for general admission. Children younger than 3 years old can attend for free.
— The Lancaster Science Factory, at 454 New Holland Ave. in Lancaster, features several different interactive exhibits fit for children from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade (though, many activities there are fun for adults, too).
Make sure to check out the recently opened Sky Bridge while you're there.
Lancaster Science Factory is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission costs $12 for general admission. Children 2 years old or younger, as well as Lancaster Science Factory members, get in for free.
— The Hands-on House, at 721 Landis Valley Road in Lancaster, features several STEM-themed exhibitions and interactive activities, from an HVAC maze to a STEM lab that features a new robotic arm.
Hands-on House is best suited for those ages 2-10 years old, according to the museum's website.
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission costs $12 for children ages 2-10 years old, $10.50 for adults, $9 for active or retired military members, $3 for SNAP card holders and free for members.
A dish of ice cream is handed to a customer inside Fox Meadows Creamery's new location at 193 E. Main St., Leola Tuesday, July 19, 2022.
Go on an ice cream tour
Beat the heat with a sweet treat.
Discover Lancaster, a resource for both Lancaster County residents and those visiting the county, introduced an ice cream trail app this year that gives people looking for great ice cream a list of around two dozen locations in Lancaster County that sell it.
The ice cream trail's app is delivered through text or email. The app acts as a passport and uses GPS to mark off spots as you go. Most ice cream parlors on the app have special deals and discounts available for those who use the passport.
Check out the app and a map of the featured locations here.
This is the view before you step out of the Lancaster Library into Ewell Plaza on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Explore your local library
It's easy to find your next favorite book at your local library, whether you're into feel-good beach reads or edge-of-your-seat thrillers.
But, libraries in Lancaster County offer more than just books. Many of them have free children's programming, including read-alouds, special crafting events, therapy pet visits and more.
Some programs offered locally include pajama story time events at Musser Park, weekly mindfulness classes, toddler-centric programming and more.
For more information, visit lancasterlibraries.org.
Play pretend with children's theater
Several family-friendly productions kicked off in July, many of which being shorter and more engaging for kids than the average two-hour-plus shows.
Here are a couple shows to mark in your calendar.
— "Legally Blonde Jr.," debuted at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Road in Lancaster, and runs from July 18 to Aug. 1. Admission costs $19 to $22. More info.
— "Marian and Friends, Ventriloquist" debuts July 29 at 11 a.m. at Gretna Theatre, 200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mount Gretna. Admission costs $10. More info.
— "Disney's Newsies Jr." debuts Aug. 4 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center, 320 Cocalico St., Ephrata. Tickets cost $10. More info.
— Servant Stage's "Shrek Jr." debuts Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lancaster County Christian School, 2390 New Holland Pike, Lancaster. Admission is pay-what-you-will. More info.
