Free Holiday Activity: Kids' Culinary Craft in York

Via http://photos.pennlive.com/patriot-news/2013/07/central_market_york.html

Families are invited to make a gingerbread house craft at YorKitchen downtown in Central Market.  YorKitchen is offering a free Kids' Culinary Craft, presented by Heritage Hills on Saturday, December 21, 2013 from 10am-2pm (while supplies last).    

YorKitchen and Central Market are located in Downtown York, PA.  YorKitchen can be found at 37 West Clarke Ave. York, Pennsylvania 17401.

Click here for more Christmas and Winter activities and events in York

Free Activitiy: Kids' Culinary Craft in York

Via http://photos.pennlive.com/patriot-news/2013/07/central_market_york.html

Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, the kids are invited to make a turkey pin craft at YorKitchen downtown in Central Market.  YorKitchen is offering a free Kids' Culinary Craft, presented by Heritage Hills on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 10am-2pm (while supplies last).    
YorKitchen and Central Market are located in Downtown York, PA.  YorKitchen can be found at 37 West Clarke Ave. York, Pennsylvania 17401.

A Birthday Party for Dr. Seuss at Martin Library

It's time to celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss' birthday this Saturday, March 2, from 10-11am at Martin Library in York.  There will be stories, snacks and even a visit from the Cat in the Hat! 
If you live closer to the Arthur Hufnagel Public Library in Glen Rock you can visit from 9:30-11:30 for Dr. Seuss and Donuts.  There will be as many Dr. Seuss books as you and the kids can read!   
Both of these York Libraries events are free and no registration is required. 

BOP Plaza Palooza: Art

Every Sunday from October 14, 2012-November 11, 2012 families are invited to BOP's Plaza Palooza at the Sovereign Bank Stadium in downtown York, PA.  Each week there will be a different theme with related activities and some activities will be there every time.  The cost is $4 per person but there are some easy things to do to reduce the cost.  The October 21 BOP event is FREE thanks to a sponsor.

Regular weekly activities include:
-The Imagination Playground
-Ice Skating
-The Neos
-The Revolution Bounce House
-Bricks for Kids (Lego activities)

Art
On Sunday October 21, 2012 from 12-4pm you can visit the Sovereign Bank Stadium for BOP's 2nd Plaza Palooza event: Art
Activities include:
-Weekly activities
- FREE admission
-Barbie Smith, face painter, ARTiFACES.com
-Help create a sculpture of the city of York (using boxes and recyclables)
-Sports-shaped sand art
-Caricature art Mel Conrad
-Painting and art demos
-Interactive poetry activities
-Create furniture art to be auctioned off at the Children's Aid Society's event at the stadium
-York Arts art education activity
-Spin art
-Sea playground inflatable playground for kids
-Sidewalk painting
-Inflatable ski ball
-Mt. Zion United Church of Christ will host a game table and a craft table

BOP Plaza Palooza: Let's Get Movin'

Every Sunday from October 14, 2012-November 11, 2012 families are invited to BOP's Plaza Palooza at the Sovereign Bank Stadium in downtown York, PA.  Each week there will be a different theme with related activities and some activities will be there every time.  The cost is $4 per person but there are some easy things to do to reduce the cost.  The October 21 BOP event is FREE thanks to a sponsor.

Regular weekly activities include:
-The Imagination Playground
-Ice Skating
-The Neos
-The Revolution Bounce House
-Bricks for Kids (Lego activities)


Let's Get Movin'
On Sunday October 14, 2012 from 12-4pm you can visit the Sovereign Bank Stadium for BOP's first Plaza Palooza of 2012: Let's Get Movin'! 
Activities include:
-Weekly activities
- $1 off admission for children wearing their little league jersey
-Rock wall 
-Inflatable Twister
-Sports-shaped sand art
-Bike decoration station
-Relay races
-Football clinic with Ron Johnson
-Baseball clinic with York Revolution OR Keith Wentz
-Bike safety lessons
-Temple guard
-Kid yoga
-Water safety station
-Gymnastics or cheerleading instruction and demo
-Irish Dancers
-Family First Health

Terrific Two Story Time at Martin Library

Terrific Two Story Time at Martin Library is designed especially for 2 year old children and is held on Monday May 14, 2012 from 10:30-11:15am.  Kids and their adult can enjoy stories, games, finger play, songs and crafts. 

Born to Read Story Time at Martin Library

Toddlers age 12-23 months and their adult are invited to Born to Read Story Time at Martin Library in York on Monday, May 14, 2012 from 9:30-10am.  Drop in for stories, songs, games and finger play; no registration necessary.

29th Annual York Saint Patrick's Day Parade

On Saturday March 17, 2012 the 29th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade in York, PA will kick off at 1pm at the intersection of Market and Penn Streets, heading East.  The parade ends on Market Street between Queen and Duke Streets.  

Many restaurants, food vendors and shops will be participating in the festivities, with specials, discounts and/or extended hours with activities starting as early as 8am.   View a full list of activities here. (in PDF format).
-At Martin Library, dancers from the McGinley School of Irish Dance will perform from 11:30am-12pm.  
-Central Market will have live music and dancing at 9am and 9pm.  Children may make Irish Potato Candy at 10am at Rojahn Performance Kitchen.  Ni Riain School of Irish Dance dancers will be performing on and off between 11am-12pm.   
-Continental Square (George and Market Streets) will offer many activities including free caricature drawings for kids from 11:15am-1:15pm, large coloring table for kids, live music and dancing beginning at 12 noon and Saint Patrick's Day novelties will be sold.
-Live music and free blood pressure screenings will be available at Noon on Cherry Lane. 
-Dancing by the McGinley School of Irish Dance at 12 noon at the York Emporium.


The non-profit volunteer organization celebrates Saint Patrick's Day in York and also promotes the Celtic arts and heritage throughout the year.  Visit their website at http://www.yorksaintpatricksdayparade.org/index.html for more information or to support the cause.  There are many events in York scheduled throughout the year that benefit the organization. 

2010 Saint Patrick's Day Photos by The Susquehanna Photograph
2009 and 2010 York Saint Patrick's Day Photos on Flickr. 


Will you be attending the 2012 Saint Patrick's Day Parade in York?

New Years Eve in York 2011-2012

Looking for a last minute family-friendly hangout for New Year celebrations?  Martin Library is having a family night tonight at the library, on the corner of Market and Queen Streets downtown.  This event just started: at 6:45pm until 10:45pm tonight.  Just Dance, Tic Tac Toe and games for all ages.  After the festivities you can head to the square for live music until the rose drop and fireworks at midnight. 

If you are heading downtown let us know how you like the changes!  Do you go somewhere else to ring in the new year?  Please share!!  We are staying in this year- tired and sickness are reigning this house. 

Central Market Pumpkinpalooza

The Pumpkinpalooza at Central Market in York will be held on Saturday October 29, 2011 from 10am-2pm.  Kids are invited to dress up in costume and trick-or-treat with their families throughout Central Market. 
In addition, there will be pumpkin art creations by local artists at 10am, Martin Library will hold storytime in the upstairs mezzanine at Market at noon and more.  Bring your decorated or carved pumpkin when you arrive to help decorate the market!    

Central Market is located in downtown York, PA at
34 W Philadelphia Street York, PA

Police Gaming Program at the Martin Library

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 from 4PM-7PM Martin Memorial Library in downtown York, PA will be having a Police Gaming Program. This will be held in the Family Place inside the library and is sponsored by the York City Police Department and everyone is invited to play video games, use laptops and have a snack.


For more information you can contact the Martin Library Children's Desk at 717-846-5300 x242

Martin Library is located at:
159 East Market Street
York, PA 17401


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Find more library events in York on York, PA Families.

Mommy (or Daddy) & Me: Collage at YorkArts

On Saturday May 21, 2011 from 9AM-10:30AM kids ages 3-6 can visit YorkArts (accompanied by 1 adult) to experiment with a wide variety of age-appropriate media and techniques with experienced instructors.  Supplies are included and classes are limited to 8 children (+8 adults). 
The Mommy (or Daddy) and Me: Collage class is $20 for 1 child and 1 adult. 

YorkArts is located at
10 North Beaver Street
York, PA 17401

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For other YorkArts events click here.
For other Art events in York click here.

Distant Activities on York, PA Families

Gotcha.  ;D
Don't waste your gas!  Donate to a local cause instead and see your money go back into the community...plus your family might discover a new favorite that is only minutes away!

A Children's Museum in York's Future?


Keep watching York, PA Families: New things coming to York soon!! 

Police Gaming Program at the Martin Library

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 (that's today!) from 4PM-7PM Martin Memorial Library in downtown York, PA will be having a Police Gaming Program. This will be held in the Family Place inside the library and is sponsored by the York City Police Department and everyone is invited to play video games, use laptops and have a snack.


For more information you can contact the Martin Library Children's Desk at 717-846-5300 x242

Martin Library is located at:
159 East Market Street
York, PA 17401


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Find more library events in York on York, PA Families.

2011 York Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Click here to view info for the 2012 York Saint Patrick's Day Parade!

On Saturday March 12, 2011 the 28th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade in York, PA will kick off at 1pm at the intersection of Market and Penn Streets.  The parade ends on Market Street between Queen and Duke Streets.  Various local dancing companies and musicians will be performing throughout the fair route starting at 10:30AM.  Many restaurants, food vendors and shops will be participating in the festivities, with specials, discounts and/or extended hours.  A full list of activities and events can be found HERE (in PDF format).

The non-profit volunteer organization celebrates Saint Patrick's Day in York and also promotes the Celtic arts and heritage throughout the year.  Visit their website at http://www.yorksaintpatricksdayparade.org/index.html for more information or to support the cause.  There are many events in York scheduled throughout the year that benefit the organization. 

2010 Saint Patrick's Day Photos by The Susquehanna Photograph
2009 and 2010 York Saint Patrick's Day Photos on Flickr.

A Children's Museum in York's Future?

I always write about fun and affordable activities for families in York.  You will rarely see an activity or event outside of York County.  Why?  Because I believe that families shouldn't have to drive far away for a fun day.  I believe that they can save money by staying local.  Lastly, I think that supporting MY community is important for me, for my children and for York's future!  It's downright painful to think about going to Harrisburg, paying for gas, parking and then spending around $20 PER PERSON on a museum (there are 6 people in my family!).  Or spending tons of time and gas money driving to DC for their free museums. 

It would be absolutely wonderful to wake up, get the kids ready and drive FIVE minutes to the Children's Museum of York!  And guess what?  It's in our future!         



Help make York, PA a better place for our kids. Support projects like this that keep the money at home.
You can check out more information and ways to support this project:
Children's Museum of York Homepage
YorIT Challenge. Children's Museum of York has a submission in the YorIT challenge to get up to $20,000 for their project.
LIKE Children's Museum of York on Facebook



This is Children's Museum of York's video submission for the YorkIT project.

HALLO-SCREAM! at YorkArts

Join YorkArts for Hallo-Scream on Saturday October 30th from 9-11a.m..  Students will learn the history of Halloween and will learn about Edvard Munch’s painting The Scream and then create their own version. Students will use oil pastel and colored pencil to create their own masterpiece.
This class is for ages 7 and up and costs $20.
To register visit: http://www.creativeyork.com/catalogs/CreativeYork_Fall10.pdf
Registration is required prior to the event.

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Mommy (or Daddy) and Me Painting at YorkArts

Bring your child to YorkArts (10 N. Beaver St. York) on Saturday, October 9 from 9:00-10:30a.m. and share the experience of this introduction to art class. Children (accompanied by their parents/
guardians) will experiment with a wide variety of age-appropriate media and techniques. These active fun classes will be taught by their experienced, enthusiastic instructors. 

This art class is for ages 3-6 and costs $20 for 2 people.

Class is limited to 8 children
and 8 adults. *Parents and guardians will need to fully assist their
children. If you have multiple children, please consider bringing
a “helper”.
To register visit: http://www.creativeyork.com/catalogs/CreativeYork_Fall10.pdf
Registration is required prior to the event.

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First Friday: Family Edition

I was wrong!  I had posted that the last First Friday was in August but fear not...there's one tomorrow, Friday September 3, 2010!!
Visit downtown York on Friday from 4-9p.m. (free meter parking starts at 5) for some great family fun.   
On Beaver Street you can find the Steven Courtney Band (kid-friendly band),  Bouncehouse, free caricatures at Sweet Melissa's Dream and the 2nd annual Hootenanny at JustBrenda Studio.  
Also, there will be a free Zumba class (on the street) with Body Rhythms Life Fitness and live entertainment on Cherry Lane by Big Break Entertainment.    

Other activities:
Keo Asian Restaurant & Sushi is offering $1.99 meals from the kids menu with the purchase of an adult meal.



Lets hope this heat clears up and the (real) last First Friday will be wonderful!  

Yorkfest Fine Arts Festival

On Saturday August 28 from 10-5 and Sunday August 29 from 10-4 Downtown York, PA will be having their annual Yorkfest Fine Arts Festival.  

In addition to more than 100 art vendors there will be a Children Festival with hands-on art and entertainment both days on North Beaver St. (first block) and a free jazz concert Saturday evening starting at 6pm at The Capitol.  Performers include The Mike Barton Quartet, Dave Wilson, Phil Markowitz, Tony Marino and Butch Reed.

We went last year and the kids had a lot of fun even though we never made it to the children area.  The kids think there is something so fantastic about being able to run down the streets of York!  We hope to be there again this year.