Local Gettysburg Activities for Children of All Ages

There are a multitude of family-friendly activities near Battlefield Bed and Breakfast. Use this free travel guide to plan family vacations & weekend getaways in historic Gettysburg, PA.

Gettysburg National Military Park

With 30 miles of roads and 6000 acres, you will find plenty of space to hike and explore with your children. Devil’s Den is a favorite, but please watch your children on the rocks.

The National Park Visitor Center is designed with all ages in mind. If you are bringing young children, here are some approaches that can capture the imaginations of young visitors Read More...

Make up stories about the exhibits. Young children may not grasp the big picture, but they can enjoy making up stories of their own about what is going on. You might even enjoy writing a family storybook about Gettysburg.

Have a treasure hunt. Look through the museum for Civil War symbols like a musket, an American flag, a cavalry saddle, a drum, a sword, and a cannon.

History comes to life. If your children are studying American History, they will love seeing the artifacts first-hand. The museum has hours worth of displays and exhibits. The movie and the Cyclorama Painting are worth the entrance fee.

Family-Friendly Battlefield Tours

There are several different ways to tour the Gettysburg Battlefield with kids.

You can reserve a tour with a Licensed Battlefield Guide by calling the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides. Licensed Battlefield Guides ride in your personal motor vehicle and give you a tour of the Battlefield. Tours can be set to a standard two hours or additional hours can be added to extend the length of the tour beyond two hours. You can also tell a Guide whether there is a specific area of interest that you would prefer them to focus the tour on. Read More...

Listen to dramatic narration as you cruise through the most famous parts of the battlefield. The B&B sells copies of the award-winning audio tour “The Gettysburg Story.” Use the code to download content into the app on your phone or play the CDs in your car, choosing either the 2, 2.5, or 3-hour versions of the tour.

Pick up a free copy of the Gettysburg Auto Tour map at the National Military Park Visitor’s Center. The Auto Tour brochure is also available online. With this guide, you can drive from place to place at your own pace in your personal motor vehicle and learn the story of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Ride a double-decker bus. Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours takes you and your family through the battlefield with a licensed battlefield guide. If you prefer a climate-controlled environment, they also have enclosed coaches available.

History Experiences

LIVING HISTORY ENCAMPMENTS

Each year, the American Civil War Museum, General Lee’s Headquarters, the Gettysburg Heritage Center and the Gettysburg National Military Park host Living History Encampments. The National Park has living history programs available at several sites throughout the tourist season. Programs at the American Civil War Museum

JUNIOR RANGERS PROGRAM

Pick up a Junior Rangers packet at the National Park Visitor Center. Children who complete three activities can earn a certificate. Read More...

JOIN THE ARMY

Children enlist in the army and learn something about what it meant to be a soldier in the Civil War in this one-hour program at the Museum and Visitor Center. For ages 7-12. Sign up at the information desk (Limited to 25 participants). Daily at 11:00 A.M. from mid-June through mid-August.

Local Fun

LAND OF LITTLE HORSES
Your children will love the miniature horses and lively terriers. An indoor arena houses the performances. Visit the barns to view the tiny horses. Watch pig races. Enjoy hands-on activities and events. More information

THE SHRIVER HOUSE MUSEUM
Show your children how people lived in 1863 at this restored townhome in the center of Gettysburg. More information

THE GETTYSBURG HERITAGE CENTER
Utilizing artifacts, historical documents, interactive displays, and 3-D productions, visitors will gain a better understanding of the events that took place in the town before, during and after the battle. Find out how the people reacted to the invasion of the town – freeze, flee or fight? Hear accounts of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in a time when their home was in turmoil. More information

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TOURS
Deb McCauslin loves to share the history of the Underground Railroad and the Quaker community in the Gettysburg area. Call ahead for tours. Recommended for older children. More information

NATIONAL APPLE MUSEUM
Learn all about apples and apple-growing. Adams County is the biggest apple producer in the USA outside of Washington State. More information

MINIATURE GOLF
Granite Hill Campground Adventure Golf (open to the public)
Lincoln Links (Opening Spring 2025)

Horseback Riding, Cycling, Carriage Rides & Segway Tours

You can bring your own horse and ride the National Park trails, or you can join one of the horse tours that are offered in the warmer seasons. There is a minimum age limit for horseback riding, usually around 10 years old. Carriage Rides are offered in warmer weather. Some will take you around historic downtown Gettysburg and others will go on a battlefield tour.