ALL HANDS-ON GETTYSBURG FUN

As seen in the 2026 Destination Gettysburg Getaway Guide

History here isn’t just something you read on a plaque. It’s something you climb, touch, taste, explore, and play. Gettysburg and Adams County are packed with hands-on experiences that invite kids (and curious grown-ups) to step into the story, get a little messy, and make memories along the way. From orchards and museums to nature trails and living history, these adventures turn learning into action and curiosity into discovery.

Hands-On History & Museums

Interactive experiences where kids can step directly into the past.

• Sit in the seat of a real WWII vehicle at World War II American Experience Museum, or try on WWII gear during World War II Weekend at Eisenhower National Historic Site
• Feel what it was like to live through the battle or take on a fun yet challenging scavenger hunt at Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum
• Become a Junior Ranger through the National Park Service
• Crawl through a real Witness Tree that stood during the battle at Gettysburg Heritage Center Museum
• Pack a knapsack like a soldier, find a place to hide during the battle, and stand at the podium to deliver the Gettysburg Address at Children of Gettysburg 1863
• Travel back in time and join one of the National Park’s Reading Adventure Clubs
• Learn from a Civil War re-enactor during a living history weekend at Daniel Lady Farm
• Climb to the top of the cupola overlook at Seminary Ridge Museum and see what soldiers faced on the first day of the battle

Farm, Orchard & Nature Adventures

Outdoor experiences that connect kids with agriculture and the natural world.

• Pick apples in a local orchard (or try peaches, blueberries, strawberries, and pumpkins too)
• Collect sap from a maple tree at Strawberry Hill Nature Experience’s annual Maple Fest
• Run through a corn maze at Fields of Adventure, or explore one made of evergreen trees at Boyer Nurseries

Play, Putt & Active Fun

Just-for-fun activities that keep kids moving and smiling.

• Putt like a pro at Lincoln Links or Granite Hill Adventure Golf

Seasonal Traditions & Special Events

Hands-on experiences tied to holidays and annual celebrations.

• Roll an Easter egg across President Eisenhower’s lawn, then decorate it at Eisenhower National Historic Site’s annual Easter Egg Roll
• Light up some sparklers on the Fourth of July and celebrate summer in Gettysburg

Find even more hands-on things to do with kids at DestinationGettysburg.com, and start planning a Gettysburg adventure where learning, play, and discovery go hand in hand.

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