Things to Do with Kids in Mercer County

Playgrounds, farms, fairs, and family-friendly fun - a parent's guide to keeping the kids entertained around the county.

Mercer County is one of those places where kids can still be kids. There are creeks to splash in, fairs to wander, and enough ice cream shops to get you through every summer evening. Whether you're filling a rainy Saturday or planning a full day outdoors, here are some of the best things to do with children across the county.

Hit the Lake at Shenango River Lake

The Army Corps of Engineers recreation area near Clark is a goldmine for family outings. Pack a cooler and claim a picnic table, then let the kids run the trails or toss a line off the fishing pier. The shallow swimming area at the beach is supervised in the summer months, and the playgrounds nearby keep little ones busy while you catch your breath. Boat rentals are available at North Star Marina if you want to get out on the water.

Explore Buhl Park in Hermitage

Buhl Park is 305 acres of free, open-to-the-public green space - and it's genuinely one of the best municipal parks in western Pennsylvania. There's a public pool, a splash pad, tennis courts, walking trails, and a stocked fishing lake. In the winter, the Buhl Park Performing Arts Center hosts family shows, and the sledding hill gets plenty of use. In the summer, the Tuesday evening concert series on the lawn is a local tradition. Bring a blanket and snacks.

Buhl Farm Park

Hermitage • 305 acres, free, with a pool, splash pad & trails

Feed the Deer at Pymatuning Deer Park

If your kids love animals, Pymatuning Deer Park out in Jamestown is hard to beat. You can hand-feed the deer and see a range of other animals up close, which is the kind of thing little ones end up talking about for days. It is an easy, walkable outing, and it pairs naturally with a day spent out around the Pymatuning area. Bring a few dollars for feed and a camera.

Pymatuning Deer Park

Jamestown • Hand-feed the deer and meet the animals

Visit Wendell August Forge in Grove City

This is one of those hidden gems that surprises both kids and adults. Wendell August Forge is the oldest and largest forge in America still making hand-hammered metalware. Kids can watch craftsmen shape aluminum and bronze right on the production floor - it's loud, it's fascinating, and it's free. There's also a gift shop with ornaments and keepsakes that make great souvenirs. Combine it with a trip to the Grove City Premium Outlets down the road for a full day.

Wendell August Forge

Grove City • Watch artisans hand-forge metal

Catch a Movie at Shenango Valley Cinemas

When you need an afternoon out of the sun, a movie is an easy win with kids, and you do not have to drive to a bigger city for it. Shenango Valley Cinemas in Hermitage shows first-run films close to home, which makes for a simple, low-pressure outing. The popcorn is half the fun. Check the showtimes ahead for the matinees, which tend to be the easiest with the younger ones.

Shenango Valley Cinemas

Hermitage • First-run movies close to home

Pick Your Own at Local Farms

Mercer County's agricultural roots mean there are plenty of you-pick farms throughout the growing season. Strawberries come first in June, followed by blueberries, and then the apple orchards fire up in September. Several farms in the Sandy Lake and Stoneboro areas offer seasonal activities like hayrides, corn mazes, and petting zoos in the fall. Keep an eye on local Facebook groups for farm stand updates - that's where most of these places post their hours.

The Great Stoneboro Fair

If your visit lines up with Labor Day weekend, do not miss the Great Stoneboro Fair. It's been running for over 150 years and it's everything a county fair should be: livestock shows, tractor pulls, carnival rides, demolition derbies, and more fried food than any one family should reasonably consume. One admission price covers everything including grandstand events and parking, which is a rarity these days. The kids will talk about it for weeks.

Knock Down Some Pins

Bowling is a reliable backup when the weather turns, and the county has a few good lanes. Bowl-O-Drome in Grove City is a longtime local spot that is easy with kids, and the bumpers mean nobody really strikes out. It is an affordable way to burn off some energy on a gray afternoon. Weekends can get busy with leagues, so a quick call ahead is worth it.

Bowl-O-Drome

Grove City • Family bowling, bumpers for the little ones

Rainy Day Options

When the weather doesn't cooperate, head to the Hermitage commercial corridor along East State Street for bowling, roller skating, or a movie. The Avenue of 444 Flags in Hermitage (a tribute to the Iran hostage crisis) is worth a quick stop even in the rain - it's a piece of local history you won't find anywhere else. For younger children, several churches and community centers around the county host indoor play groups and story hours. The Mercer County Library branches in Greenville, Sharon, and Grove City are especially good about programming for kids.

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In This Guide

1.Hit the Lake at Shenango River Lake
2.Explore Buhl Park in Hermitage
3.Feed the Deer at Pymatuning Deer Park
4.Visit Wendell August Forge in Grove City
5.Catch a Movie at Shenango Valley Cinemas
6.Pick Your Own at Local Farms
7.The Great Stoneboro Fair
8.Knock Down Some Pins
9.Rainy Day Options

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