guides

FREE & Affordable York County Summer Activities

By Sarah Frane Macaroni Kid South York April 23, 2024

1.York County Library Summer Read Club and Go York Program! 

Every Summer the York County Libraries hold a free Summer Reading Club and Go York Hiking Program for children, teens, and Adults! It's a wonderful program with great prizes, fun hands-on activities, and events. All you need is to register online or at your local library. Each Library has a different schedule of events and programs so be sure to check our event calendar often. 


2.Tennis For Kids 

Tennis For Kids offers a free tennis camp, to children ages 7-16. Tennis For Kids operates at 22 locations in York and Adams Counties. 


3. Wacky Wednesday at Magic Elm Skateland

Join us every  Wednesday, June -August for Wacky Wednesdays. Bring the special item listed for each date during the 1-3:30 Matinee or the 6:30-9 pm evening skate and get a FREE admission! Skate rentals are  available for $3 if you need skates but you may bring your own.(1 item= free 1 admission)

Special Item List:

June 12th Highlighter/Sharpie Day--Bring in a NEW 2 pack of Highlighters OR Sharpies.

June 19th Ziploc Sandwich Baggie Day--Bring in 1 NEW box of Ziploc Sandwich size baggies, per skater.

June 26th Liquid Anti-Bacterial HAND SOAP Day--Bring in 1 NEW bottle of liquid anti-bacterial hand soap, per skater.

July 3rd Forever Stamp Day--Bring in 4 NEW Forever Stamps, per skater.

July 10th Dawn Dish Soap Day--Bring in 1 NEW bottle of Dawn Dish Soap, per skater.

July 17th Kleenex Tissue Box Day--Bring in 1 NEW box of Kleenex Tissues, per skater.

July 24th Toilet Paper Day-- Bring in 1 NEW 4 pack of Angel Soft Toilet Paper, per skater.

July 31st Paper Towel Day-- Bring in 2 NEW rolls of Paper Towels, per skater

August 7th Liquid Anti-Bacterial HAND SOAP Day--Bring in 1 NEW bottle of liquid anti-bacterial hand soap, per skater.

August 14th Forever Stamp Day--Bring in 4 NEW Forever Stamps, per skater.

August 21st Scotch Tape Day--Bring in a NEW 2 pack of Scotch Tape, per skater.


4.R/C Hanover 16 Summer Movies  

Join us for our $1 movies! All shows playing at 10 am

  • 6/25 & 26 – Despicable Me + Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
  • 7/2 & 3 – Kung Fu Panda
  • 7/9 & 10 – Shrek
  • 7/16 & 17 – Trolls Band Together + Shrek 2
  • 7/23 & 24 – How to Train Your Dragon
  • 7/30 & 31 – Migration + Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Open caption and sensory-friendly showings will be available for all movies.



5.R/C Queensgate Movies 13 & IMAX

Join us for our $1 movies! All shows playing at 10 am

  • 6/25 & 26 – Despicable Me + Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
  • 7/2 & 3 – Kung Fu Panda
  • 7/9 & 10 – Shrek
  • 7/16 & 17 – Trolls Band Together + Shrek 2
  • 7/23 & 24 – How to Train Your Dragon
  • 7/30 & 31 – Migration + Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Open caption and sensory-friendly showings will be available for all movies.


6. Friday Night Flicks at York Township Park 

Friday Night Flicks are back again this summer at the York Township Park!  All Flicks begin at dusk

Flicks start as early as 8:45pm (depending on sunset). Movies are exactly the same as shown in theaters, so please remember that when reviewing the ratings. Attendance is at your own risk. 

June 14   Barbie

June 21 Migration

June 28 Freedom Fireworks and Friday Night Flick

July 12 The Super Mario Bros. Movie

July 19 PAW PAtrol: The Mighty Movie

July 26 Wonka 


7.APPELL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS FREE SUMMER FILM SERIES

Films start at 10 am 

July 10HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

July 17 THE LAND BEFORE TIME

July 24 KUNG FU PANDA

July 31 DREAMWORKS SHREK

August 7 DESPICABLE ME


8. Red Lion Splash Pad

The Red Lion's Splash Pad located in Fairmount Park  Splash pad may be closed at any time due to weather, maintenance or other operational concerns. Click the link above for updated hours. 

Typically Opened  June 1  - Labor Day 

Typical Daily Operational Hours: 

Monday through Friday: 12pm - 7pm

Saturday & Sunday:  9am - 8pm. 


9.Codorus Pool and Splash Pad

The swimming pool and sprayground sit on a bluff overlooking Lake Marburg.

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. The pool has a ramp for people with disabilities.

The Codorus State Park Pool will be opening weekends only May 27th - June 10th.

Beginning June 10th the pool will be open 7-days/week through Aug. 20th when it returns to weekends only until Labor Day. The pool closes for the season at 7pm on Labor Day, September 4th. 

 Pool hours are 11am-7pm.

*All dates subject to Lifeguard Staffing*

. A fee is charged for pool use. Season passes are available at the park office any day of the week 8am-4pm.

The pool is very popular and reaches capacity on holidays and many weekends. Mid-week swimming is often less crowded.

A seasonal snack bar has hot and cold foods and beverages.


10.Penn Park Splash Pad 

Penn Park’s splash pad is normally open daily from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm throughout the summer, weather permitting. The pad has fountains which spray water up from the ground, creating an outdoor play area.


11.Kids Bowl Free!

Sign your kids up for KIDS BOWL FREE and get 2 free games every day all summer long!(there is a shoe rental fee) Program runs May -Aug


12.Kids Skate Free

Sign your kids up for Kids Skate Free to enjoy 2 free weekly skate sessions every week all year round!