Looking for fresh air, free events, and something — anything — to get your kids off screens and into the sunshine this spring? You're in luck. Dauphin County Parks & Recreation is basically Mother Nature’s activity planner this season, and they’ve packed the calendar with festivals, art installations, and outdoor adventures for every age and attention span.
Whether you’ve got a toddler who thinks sticks are magical, a homeschooler who wants to pet a salamander, or a teen who might crack a smile if there’s a food truck involved — these events are for you.
Here are some of the can't-miss highlights for spring 2025:
1. StoryWalk®: Doe’s Dandelions
April 2 – September 7, 2025
Detweiler Park & Lykens Glen Park
Once upon a springtime, a deer wandered through a field of dandelions — and your kids can follow right along, thanks to this outdoor storytime-meets-nature-hike experience. Pages from Doe’s Dandelions by Laura Renauld are posted along a stroller-friendly trail, making this the perfect low-key outing for early readers and wildflower chasers. Sponsored in partnership with Penn State Health, it’s sweet, screen-free, and surprisingly peaceful — even with siblings in tow.
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2. Art In The Wild: "Pathways"
April 6 – September 30, 2025
Wildwood Park, Harrisburg
Calling all stick-loving children and Pinterest moms: this annual outdoor art exhibit is back with a new twist. The 2025 theme, "Pathways," turns Wildwood Park into an immersive art trail of natural materials transformed into stunning (and sometimes strange) sculptures. Think: giant horses made of twigs, tree-hugging installations, and the kind of art your preschooler may try to recreate in your backyard. Free, open daily, and perfect for the “look but don’t touch” lesson in parenting.
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3. Wetlands Festival
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Wildwood Park, Harrisburg
It’s the 25th anniversary of this beloved spring celebration — and yes, there will be live animals. (Just go ahead and block off the whole day.) Enjoy guided walks, nature exhibits, kid-friendly crafts, music, food trucks, and enough environmental education to make you feel like Attenborough-lite. Bonus: There’s shuttle service from HACC if parking fills up, which it will, because this event is that good. Rain or shine. Mud boots optional but recommended.
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4. Garden Faire
Sunday, May 4, 2025 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Fort Hunter Park, Harrisburg
Where else can you find Victorian dancing, a seed swap, a maypole, and a bonsai exhibit all in the same place? Nowhere. This free spring celebration is equal parts family-friendly festival and historical throwback. Browse the blooming plants, shop from local makers, and let the kids roam between croquet, crafts, and garden chats. Macaroni KID Harrisburg & West Shore PA is proud to sponsor the Children’s Corner, so expect hands-on activities, joyful chaos, and plenty of mulch underfoot.
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But wait, there’s way more where that came from...
From homeschool days at Fort Hunter to woodpecker-themed discovery hikes, disc golf demos, and preschool nature playdates, Dauphin County Parks & Rec has your spring schedule covered.
Explore all the family-friendly spring events happening at Wildwood, Detweiler, Fort Hunter, and beyond in the full calendar below. Most are free or low-cost, and all are guaranteed to come with fresh air and fewer meltdowns than the grocery store.
Click on each event for details — and don’t forget to save your favorites!
When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!
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