Family Activities in Allentown: The Ultimate Guide for Kids
Looking for family activities in Allentown? You've come to the right place. Pennsylvania's third-largest city packs serious family-friendly punch with major theme parks, hands-on museums, splash-worthy water parks, and year-round events that keep kids engaged and parents sane.
Whether you're a local family seeking weekend adventures or visiting the Lehigh Valley with children in tow, here's everything worth doing with kids in Allentown.
What Are the Best Family Activities in Allentown PA?
Quick Answer: The top family activities in Allentown include Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom for thrill rides and water slides, Da Vinci Science Center for hands-on STEM learning, ImagiNation for imaginative role-play, Lehigh Valley IronPigs baseball at Coca-Cola Park, and dozens of well-maintained parks with playgrounds and splash pads.
TL;DR: Top Family Activities
- Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom — Theme park + water park combo (May-September)
- Da Vinci Science Center — Interactive science exhibits for all ages
- ImagiNation — Kid-sized city where children role-play 40+ careers
- Coca-Cola Park — Minor league baseball with fireworks and family promotions
- PPL Center — Events venue hosting family shows and Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey
- Allentown Rose Gardens & Cedar Creek Parkway — Beautiful parks perfect for picnics and playground time
- America On Wheels Museum — Transportation history with vintage cars and trucks kids can explore
Local Parent Tip: Summer in Allentown means splash pad season. Nearly every major park has free water features that run Memorial Day through Labor Day — pack swimsuits and towels for spontaneous water play.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom: The Main Event
Let's start with the 800-pound roller coaster in the room: Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (4000 Dorney Park Rd) is Allentown's flagship family destination and one of the best amusement parks in Pennsylvania. This isn't some rinky-dink carnival — it's a full-scale Cedar Fair park with world-class roller coasters, a complete water park, and entertainment that runs from May through October.
What Makes Dorney Park Great for Families?
The genius of Dorney Park is the dual-park setup. You get admission to both the dry rides park AND Wildwater Kingdom water park with one ticket. That means thrill-seeking tweens can chase adrenaline on Steel Force and Hydra while younger kids splash in Wave Pool or float the lazy river. Everyone's happy.
Planet Snoopy is the dedicated kids' area with over 20 age-appropriate rides themed around the Peanuts gang. Preschoolers can ride mini roller coasters, teacups, and swings without the intimidation of the big coasters looming overhead.
Wildwater Kingdom is a legitimate water park, not an afterthought. Multiple water slides (including some serious thrill slides), a wave pool, lazy river, splash pads, and dedicated toddler areas make it a full-day destination on hot summer days.
Season passes pay for themselves after just three visits if you're a local family. The park runs special events like Halloween Haunt (too scary for little ones) and The Great Pumpkin Fest (perfect for families with young kids) in the fall.
Da Vinci Science Center: Hands-On Learning
The Da Vinci Science Center consistently ranks as one of the top family attractions in the Lehigh Valley. This isn't a dusty museum where kids stare at roped-off exhibits — it's a hands-on exploration center where touching, building, and experimenting is encouraged.
Exhibits cover physics, engineering, biology, and technology through interactive displays. Kids can build structures and test them on earthquake simulators, explore how the human body works, experiment with forces and motion, and participate in live science demonstrations that often involve fire, liquid nitrogen, or things that go boom.
The Tech Studio offers robotics workshops, coding classes, and maker activities for older kids interested in STEM careers. Many programs run during school breaks and summer, giving parents educational enrichment options that don't feel like homework.
Pro Tip: Check the daily schedule for science shows and demonstrations. The presenters are engaging, and watching a staff member create a tornado or launch rockets never gets old.
ImagiNation: A Kid-Sized City
ImagiNation is an interactive learning experience designed for kids ages 3-12 where children can role-play over 40 different careers in a realistic, kid-sized community. Think of it as a miniature functioning town built specifically for children to explore professions through play.
Kids can work in a bank, run a grocery store, treat patients in a medical clinic, fight fires, construct buildings, deliver mail, host a TV show, or run a restaurant. The environments are detailed and realistic enough to spark genuine interest in how different jobs work.
For parents, it's educational entertainment that keeps kids engaged for hours. For kids, it's immersive play that feels like adventure, not learning. Win-win.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs Baseball at Coca-Cola Park
Few experiences capture summer family fun like minor league baseball, and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park deliver big-league entertainment at minor league prices. The IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, so you're watching legitimate prospects who often make MLB rosters.
But honestly? Kids don't care about prospect rankings. They care about the mascot races, between-inning games, fireworks after Friday and Saturday night games, and the fact that hot dogs and ice cream are affordable enough that parents don't flinch at the request.
Coca-Cola Park is one of the nicest minor league stadiums in the country. The sightlines are excellent, the concessions go beyond standard ballpark fare, and the lawn seating in the outfield lets kids run around without disturbing anyone.
Family promotions run throughout the season: Sunday Kids Days with postgame kids' run the bases, themed nights (Star Wars, superhero, princess), and discounted ticket packages make it incredibly affordable family entertainment.
Where Should Families Eat in Allentown?
After a day of activities, everyone's hungry. Allentown's restaurant scene includes plenty of family-friendly options that adults actually enjoy eating at — no suffering through chicken fingers at soulless chain restaurants required.
Union & Finch is the perfect neighborhood bistro with creative American comfort food that appeals to adventurous eaters and picky kids alike. The brunch is legendary, and the atmosphere is welcoming without being chaotic.
For upscale dining that still accommodates families, Grille 3501 offers an elevated menu in a setting that won't stress you out if a kid gets a little loud. The Loft section provides open-air dining when weather permits.
If seafood is on the menu, Marblehead Chowder House serves New England-style classics in a casual nautical setting. The clam chowder is legendary, and fried seafood platters are shareable enough for the whole table.
Looking for more options? Browse our complete guide to Allentown restaurants for Mexican, Italian, pizza, breakfast spots, and everything in between.
Parks, Playgrounds, and Outdoor Activities
Allentown maintains an excellent park system with well-equipped playgrounds, sports facilities, and green spaces perfect for burning off kid energy.
Cedar Creek Parkway
This linear park follows Cedar Creek through the heart of Allentown with paved walking/biking trails, multiple playgrounds, picnic pavilions, and sports fields. It's the perfect spot for a family bike ride or letting kids explore nature without leaving the city.
Allentown Rose Gardens
Malcolm W. Gross Memorial Rose Garden is more than just roses (though the 1,200+ rose bushes are stunning June through October). The surrounding parkland includes playgrounds, open fields for games, and beautiful landscaping that makes it a popular spot for family photos.
Lehigh Parkway
One of Allentown's gems, Lehigh Parkway offers extensive trails along the Little Lehigh Creek, multiple playgrounds, fishing spots, and the Jordan Creek Greenway connection. It feels like an escape to the countryside despite being fully within city limits.
Splash Pads & Water Play
Several Allentown parks feature free splash pads that operate throughout summer. Kids can cool off while parents supervise from shaded seating — no admission fees, no lifeguards to worry about, just good old-fashioned water fun.
Museums and Cultural Attractions
America On Wheels Museum
Transportation history comes alive at this museum featuring vintage cars, trucks, bicycles, and even a Mack Truck exhibit. Kids love seeing the evolution of vehicles, and many exhibits are interactive enough to keep short attention spans engaged.
Allentown Art Museum
Don't let the "art museum" label scare you off. The Allentown Art Museum runs free family art-making activities every weekend where kids can create their own masterpieces. The permanent collection includes recognizable names like Monet and Picasso, and rotating exhibits keep things fresh.
Seasonal and Weather-Dependent Activities
When the weather turns or you need indoor options, Allentown delivers:
- PPL Center hosts family-friendly events year-round: Disney on Ice, monster truck shows, circus performances, and Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey games with affordable family ticket packages.
- Allentown Farmers Market (open year-round) is Pennsylvania's oldest farmers market and a great place to let kids explore local foods, watch vendors at work, and sample treats.
- Indoor play centers scattered throughout Allentown provide climate-controlled options for rainy days and winter months when outdoor play isn't viable.
- Escape rooms designed for families offer collaborative problem-solving fun for older kids and teens.
Free and Low-Cost Family Activities
Entertainment doesn't have to break the bank. Allentown offers numerous free and affordable options:
- All city parks and playgrounds: free
- Splash pads: free
- Hiking trails and greenways: free
- Allentown Art Museum family art activities: free on weekends
- Outdoor concerts and events at parks throughout summer: free
- IronPigs baseball: tickets start around $10-15 per person
- Community pool passes: significantly cheaper than water park season passes
Budget Hack: Allentown's public library system offers free museum passes that you can reserve in advance. Check availability for Da Vinci Science Center, America On Wheels, and other area attractions — it's like getting $100+ in free admission just for having a library card.
Day Trips from Allentown
Allentown's central Lehigh Valley location puts you within easy reach of even more family activities:
Head to Bethlehem (10 minutes away) for the Crayola Experience, SteelStacks campus events, and excellent dining in the historic downtown district.
Easton (15 minutes) offers the National Canal Museum with boat rides on the Lehigh Canal, Crayola Experience, and a revitalized downtown with restaurants and shops.
The wider Lehigh Valley region includes hiking at Lehigh Gap Nature Center, skiing at Blue Mountain Resort (winter), and countless additional parks and attractions. Check out our guide to parks in the Lehigh Valley for the complete list.
Planning Your Family Visit to Allentown
When to Visit
Summer (June-August) is peak season with Dorney Park open, splash pads running, and outdoor events packed into every weekend. Expect crowds but maximum activity options.
Fall (September-October) brings perfect weather, fall festivals, and Dorney Park's Great Pumpkin Fest. Our favorite time for outdoor activities without the summer heat.
Winter shifts activity indoors: PPL Center events, museums, and indoor play centers. The holiday season brings festive events and light displays.
Spring (April-May) sees parks coming back to life, Dorney Park opening for the season, and mild temperatures perfect for hiking and playground time before the summer crowds arrive.
Where to Stay
Allentown offers family-friendly hotel options near major attractions. Look for properties near Hamilton Boulevard for easy access to Dorney Park, downtown Allentown, and the highway system that connects you to Bethlehem and Easton.
What Makes Allentown Great for Families?
Here's what we've learned living in and exploring Allentown with kids: it's big enough to have major attractions like Dorney Park and professional sports venues, but small enough that nothing feels overwhelming or impossibly crowded (outside of peak summer weekends).
The cost of family entertainment here is significantly lower than nearby Philadelphia or New York while offering comparable quality. $15 minor league baseball tickets deliver as much fun as $150 MLB tickets, and Dorney Park season passes cost less than a single-day Disney admission.
The city and county maintain excellent parks and recreation facilities with programming year-round. Sports leagues, summer camps, educational programs, and special events give local families endless options beyond just weekend activities.
And when you exhaust Allentown's offerings — which takes a while — Bethlehem and Easton are literally 10 minutes away with entirely new sets of attractions, restaurants, and adventures.
Looking for the best family-friendly restaurants, parks, and services in the Lehigh Valley? Browse our curated directory of Allentown businesses — real places vetted by local families.
