Looking for some fun activities for your children to enjoy? Good news! There’s no shortage of them right here in our Berks backyard. Check out this list to get you started.
A is for Acting – Yocum Institute for the Arts in West Lawn is home to a wonderful Theater Department. Semester-long classes are available for students interested in musical theater, improv, playwriting and more. yocuminstitute.org/theater
B is for Baseball – Head to FirstEnergy Stadium, home to the Reading Fightins for baseball game fun and so much more, including great concessions, fireworks nights and musical entertainment. fightins.com
C is for Camp – There are so many options here in Berks! From fashion and science to horse care and art, you name it, and there’s probably a camp for it. See our Summer Camp Guide this month on page 31.
D is for Dog – Have a pet lover on your hands? Volunteer to walk a dog available for adoption at Humane Pennsylvania or help make toys for those waiting for their forever family at the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. Note: At Humane Pennsylvania, an adult must accompany youngsters 14-17 for direct animal handling. At ARL, volunteers must be at least 18 years old to handle animals directly. berksarl.org/volunteer | humanepa.org/volunteer-options
E is for Environment – Berks Nature’s The Nature Place at Angelica Creek Park in Reading hosts family environmental hikes, a Nature Play Zone, wetland trails, demonstration gardens and so much more. berksnature.org
F is for Festivals & Fairs – From the Kutztown Folk Festival and Kutztown Fair to the Oley Fair, Reading Fair, Governor Mifflin Community Days and so much more, there’s no shortage of fun to be found across Berks.
G is for GoggleWorks – Reading’s GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, once home to a goggle-making factory, now hosts artist studios, galleries, various arts classes and workshops, independent films, special events like Pumpkin Palooza and so much more. goggleworks.org
H is for Hiking – Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton is THE place to be for raptor spotting. The Autumn Migration Hawk Count is the longest running raptor migration count in the world. Visit and you just may see hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures. The count starts in mid-August. hawkmountain.org
I is for Ice Cream – There is no shortage of fun spots to get the cool treat in Berks. Among them is the cool-shaped The Cone in Wernersville and the 50s-inspired Scoupe DeVille in Birdsboro. FB @TheIceCreamConeWernersville | scoupedeville.com
J is for Jazz – Have a music afficionado on your hands? Berks Arts hosts great events, many free, during its summer Bandshell Concert Series in Reading’s City Park and across the county each spring with its famous Berks Jazz Fest. berksarts.org
K is for Karate. Build confidence, learn discipline, get exercise, meet friends and so much more with martial arts programs for targeted age groups at Wyomissing ATA Martial Arts or another program near you. atakarateprogram.com
L is for Learning – Dive into some automotive history with a visit to the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles. Better yet? Children age 15 and younger are admitted free. boyertownmuseum.org
M is for Making – Get hands-on and try your hand at making a ceramic treasure they can keep for themselves or gift to a loved one at The Art Room in West Reading. theartroomwestreading.com
N is for Nonprofits – There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities in Berks. A great place to start would be by reaching out to VOiCEup Berks or the United Way of Berks County. voiceupberks.org | uwberks.org
O is for Orchard – Pick-your-own strawberries and other fruits, enjoy fun themed festivals, sit in for story time and so much more at Weaver’s Orchard in Morgantown. weaversorchard.com
P is for Petting Zoo – Looking for a way to get hands-on with some farm animals? Visit the Oley Turnpike Dairy’s petting zoo featuring sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas and more. oleyturnpikedairy.com
Q is for Quiet Spaces – The Berks County Library System features lots of local branch libraries offering books, summer reading programs and year-round programming for kids of all ages. Find your local library online and see what’s on the calendar. berkslibraries.org
R is for Reading Royals. You’re never too young or old to root on your local hockey team. Check out the game schedule online and see if there’s a fun promotional night that might appeal to you. The season runs from February to April, typically. royalshockey.com
S is for Skate Park. – For beginners and more advanced inline skaters, skateboarders, stunt bikers and the like, there’s no place quite like the Stonecliffe Action Park in Reading. The area includes quarter pipes, rails, ramps and more. co.berks.pa.us/dept/parks/pages/stonecliffeactionpark.aspx
T is for Tot Lots. – Check in with your local recreation board to find one near you so your little one can swing, teeter-totter, enjoy activities and meet other little ones for some fun, too. co.berks.pa.us/Dept/Parks/Pages/default.aspx
U is for Underground. – Crystal Cave in Kutztown is the perfect cool place to cool off on a hot day. Its milky white formations have thrilled visitors for more than 145 years. The cave temperature is 54 degrees, making it a fun way to escape the heat. crystalcavepa.com
V is for Vacation. – Berks is within driving distance to so many family fun spots offering a wide array of activities. Consider Jim Thorpe, Philadelphia, Baltimore, NYC, Cape May and even nearby Lancaster County.
W is for Weiser Homestead. – Conrad Weiser Homestead, that is. For local history buffs, a visit is a must with exhibits housed in three separate buildings. Special events are held throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons. conradweiserhomestead.org
X is for X Marks the Spot. – Scavenger Hunts have become popular since the pandemic started, and probably won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. The Berks History Center has taken on one in the form of a Road Ramble, and the Animal Rescue League of Berks County holds one as a fundraiser too. But you can create your own at any time!
Y is for Yoga. Exercise can be fun, relaxing and a family affair. Book a Family Private Yoga Session at Double Sunrise Yoga in West Reading and practice strength, balance and flexibility. doublesunriseyoga.com
Z is for Zipline. – Head to the South Mountain YMCA Camps in Wernersville and enjoy a climb up the tower, followed by a ride down the 300-food zip line. smymca.org/rock-wall-climbing-zip-lining
