I’m always on the lookout for fun things to do with my kids, and Paulus’ Farm Park near Harrisburg is one of our favorites to check out.
Paulus’ Farm Park is a year-round outdoor play and farm experience for kids that can be found in the Cumberland County community of Mechanicsburg. It’s about 20 minutes from downtown Harrisburg and near the intersection of Route 15 and the PA Turnpike, making it an easy spot to visit in this part of the state.
(Note: Don’t confuse this spot with Mt. Airy Orchards in Dillsburg which was once known as Paulus Mount Airy Orchards. I embarrassingly did for many years, but they are two different places.)
My family and I have visited Paulus’ several times over the years, typically in the fall when they have a few more activities than normal, but this is definitely a place that can be enjoyed throughout the year as there really is a lot to do here.
As soon as you enter the farm park, you’ll immediately see the farm animals that are kept in this space. These include Highland cows, Pygmy goats, bunnies, turkeys, and more. You can even pick up a big of feed (for an extra cost) to feed the animals during your visit, which was something that my kids quite enjoyed doing.
While the animals are the initial highlight when walking in, if your family is like mine, you’ll spend most of your time at the various play areas scattered throughout the property. These include a giant sandbox, large hay bales and tubes (to climb on, under, and through), as well as a dirt diner where you can expect your kids to get quite dirty, so come prepared for that.
What I loved about these play spaces was that they aren’t as polished as what you’ll find in a typical local park, so they invite more creative play and inventive fun.
During the fall, Paulus’ Farm Park also features some additional autumn themed activities including a corn maze, tractor rides, and pumpkin picking. These come with a tiny up-charge over the rest of the year of $1 per person, but they really do add a lot of fun to the park, and its my family’s favorite time to visit.
It’s worth noting that throughout the year, more activities are open on weekends than on weekdays, so plan accordingly.
Another can’t-miss highlight is the ice cream stand. The stand has windows both inside the farm park and outside, so you don’t have to pay admission to get a tasty treat. It really is quite delicious ice cream.
They also offer homemade food here, so you can get a meal while playing, though I never have so I can’t speak to the quality of the food.
Outside of the Farm Park, Paulus’ also has a year-round produce stand where you can purchase fruits and vegitables from the farm, as well as some locally-created food products.
Definitely make sure to save time to check it out during your visit.
The only real downside to Paulus’ Farm Park is that its definitely geared toward younger visitors. Older kids who aren’t into feeding the farm animals or inventive play might get bored here.
Something to keep in mind, but definitely not a reason to stay away, especially if your group includes younger kids. That’s because, in my opinion, Paulus’ Farm Park is definitely one of the most fun spots in the Harrisburg area for family’s with young kids.
Looking for even more to do in the area? Check out the Army Heritage Center, Tiny Town, and the Children of Gettysburg 1863 Museum.
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