Grandparents are beyond amazing, often helping dual income parents with part- or full-time childcare. If they’re not assisting with childcare, they’re babysitting so parents can enjoy a date night or getaway. Plus, there’s no greater host for grandkids and grown kids during a visit at their home.
No matter the circumstances, what better way to spend the special time together this summer than exploring new places with grandchildren? Here’s a list of six unique activities that are sure to create beautiful memories.
Kinder Farm Park
Cost: There is limited free parking by the upper playground. $6 for a daily parking pass. Bikers can go for free and use the bike racks.
Address: 1001 Kinder Farm Park Rd, Millersville, MD 21108
Phone: 410-222-6115
kinderfarmpark.org
About Kinder Farm Park
With farm animals, two playgrounds, and a 2.8-mile paved nature trail, Kinder Farm Park offers plenty of outdoor entertainment for people of all ages. Located in Millersville, Maryland, the 288-acre park is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to dusk.
Start your day with farm animal visits to chickens, cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, and sheep. Then play on the nearby playground and lunch at the shaded picnic tables. Lucky visitors might have a snowball man spotting.
Pop into the Kinder Farmhouse Museum that’s restored to reflect what it would have looked like in the 1930s and open to the public on the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are free.
Herr’s Snack Factory
Cost: Adults (18+): $8, Students (4 years-17 years): $4, Children (3 & under): Free
Address: 271 Old Baltimore Pike, Nottingham, PA 19362-9788
Phone: 800-284-7488
herrs.com
About Herr’s Snack Factory
Located in Nottingham, Pennsylvania, the Herr’s Snack Factory would be a day trip for most —and with the promise of fresh chips — it’s totally worth it. With over 70 years of making snacks that make people smile, the famous potato chip factory gives tours Monday – Friday from 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Visitors also get a taste of Herr’s history, products, and souvenirs. The walking tours take roughly one hour and are handicap accessible. Let Herr’s staff know in advance if anyone in your group has special needs, so they can try to best accommodate them.
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Reynolds Tavern – Tea Party
Cost: Eight different tea options, ranging in individual prices from $16 to $39 per person.
Address: 7 Church Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-295-9555
reynoldstavern.org
About Reynolds Tavern
The historic Reynolds Tavern of Annapolis, Maryland — built in 1787 — consists of four levels complete with a pub in the cellar, tea rooms, and hotel rooms. The tea rooms remain unchanged from when they were built and are the perfect setting for children to spend the day being prim and proper with their tiny pinkies up. Carefully cut finger sandwiches, tea cakes, and pastries are just a few of the scrumptious items offered.
“A tea party is an excellent way to spend an hour or two with the grandkids without any distractions or any electronics,” said Marilyn Burge, proprietor at Reynolds Tavern.
Burge shared how “Tea and Conversation” is an art that they hope to introduce to their younger guests.
“It is not your regular dining experience. Everything is meant to be enjoyed at a nice pace while you share stories and make memories with those at your table,” Burge added.
Reynolds Tavern is open seven days a week. Traditional English Afternoon Tea is served daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Play N’ Learn
Cost: $10 per child (12 months – 15 years)
Address: 9033 Red Branch Road, Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: 410-992-0992
playnlearn.com
About Play N’ Learn
Play N’ Learn is the perfect weather-proof activity. Rain or shine and avoid unbearable heat. The indoor facility offers a variety of playgrounds so that kids tire themselves out playing instead of the other way around.
With locations in Columbia, Maryland, and Chantilly, Virginia, the spacious showrooms feature safe rubber flooring, swing sets, basketball hoops, trampolines, air hockey, ping pong, and foosball tables best suited to entertain ages 2 to 8 during two-hour play sessions. Columbia does open play Monday – Friday starting at 10 a.m., with the last session starting at 3 p.m. Chantilly’s open play is Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Online ticketing is offered at Columbia. Call 703-502-1864 to book for Chantilly.
B&O Railroad Museum
Cost: Adults: $20, Seniors (60+): $17, Children (2-12): $12, 2nd Wednesday of the Month: $10
Address: 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21223
Phone: 410-752-2490
borail.org
About B&O Railroad Museum
Calling all train enthusiasts! See the birthplace of American railroading in Baltimore, Maryland seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Located on the historic grounds of the B&O Railroad’s Mt. Clare shops, the beloved museum houses some of the world’s most important pieces of American railroading history and offers a range of events, educational programs, tours, and more for visitors of all ages.
For CNET, Geoffrey Morrison wrote, “The B&O Railroad Museum is easily one of the best railroad museums in the country, if not the world.”
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Hillwood is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
202-686-5807, hillwoodmuseum.org
About Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
The Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens pay homage to Marjorie Merriweather Post, one of the richest women of the 20th century. Known for her stellar hospitality, Post left her exquisitely maintained mansion, gardens, and collections for the public’s enjoyment at the Washington, DC-based estate.
According to their website, most guests spend about three hours enjoying all that Hillwood has to offer. Visitors can grab a copy of a printed tour, download an audio tour or explore on their own. A major benefit to grandparents who might not be as mobile, they have wheelchair-accessible paths on their grounds, the Japanese garden is the only portion that can’t be accessed by wheelchair. They hold wheelchairs in the visitor’s center for those who need them during their visit.
Enjoy a meal during your stay. Bring in your own food for a picnic or dine at the Merriweather Café. You can also purchase food for an impromptu picnic.
Many thanks to our readers who shared several of these activities as recommendations on our Facebook group: Things to do in Maryland. Please continue to share your ideas for us to investigate. Last but not least, happy adventuring!
By Lauren Burke Meyer