Every year, millions of people flock to Ohio to enjoy the gentler way of life offered in the Amish countryside and take part in the quaint pastoral activities on offer here.
Amish country activities aren’t all centered around cultural discoveries, shopping, and awesome food; there are plenty of things to do with children here, too.
Read on to explore the best place to spend time with your family in Ohio’s Amish Country.
1. Amish Country Riding Stables
Outdoor activities for kids are always best for burning off excess energy, and Amish Country Riding Stables won’t disappoint. The stables occupy the same property as Guggisberg Swiss Inn and the award-winning Doughty Glen winery, so you can enjoy a wine tasting while admiring the views over the valley and the duck pond while your children explore the gardens.
The main event here is a guided 40-minute trail ride in the Amish countryside. The rides cater to small groups of riders on well-trained, calm horses.
Inexperienced riders are welcome to join in the fun, but this activity is only suited to children over the age of eight, and riders under 18 must have a parent accompany them. Trail rides aren’t a winter activity, and Amish Country Riding Stables only offers rides between May and October every year.
2. Amish Country Theater
Amish Country Theater is one of the best-known family-friendly places near Berlin. The 600-seat auditorium has state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and video equipment and puts on a range of comedic shows suited to the whole family.
The program is constantly changing and features interactive-themed shows, musical tributes, and variety shows. Kids love the ventriloquist act by farmed performer Ken Groves, the comedian Lynyrd’s country bumpkin skit, and the Amish comedy trio, Fannie Mae and ‘the Beachy’s’
Family-friendly parodies and songs are the order of the day at the Amish Country Theater and are guaranteed to get a giggle out of audiences of all ages.
3. The Farm at Walnut Creek
Amish Country is famed for its lovely rural setting, and the Farm at Walnut Creek helps you make the most of it. This unique animal showcase offers kids a chance to meet regular farm animals alongside more exotic species.
The farm is home to over 500 animals hailing from six continents. You can view and feed the animals from your car or a horse-drawn buggy during a guided tour.
The tours are very informative and led by local Amish guides who live and work on the farm. Daily farming activities include plowing, planting, and harvesting activities, which the children can view depending on the time of year you visit.
They can also learn more about surviving off the grid by visiting some of the farmhouses onsite, where residents take part in traditional quilting, canning, and baking. The onsite farm stand offers fresh produce for sale along with a selection of handcrafts.
Every year, visitors can enjoy a wonderful fall festival with a pumpkin slingshot, a tower of hay, and a giant ‘corn pit’.
The farm is closed to the public from November to March and on Sundays.
4. Country Acres Mini Golf
If you go there for the golf, you can look forward to enjoying two beautifully designed and challenging 18-hole mini golf courses. The well-designed courses have some difficult obstacles, including a geyser and running streams, so they’re good for the whole family to enjoy.
You can also buy ice cream and soft drinks onsite. A great place to spend an afternoon with the whole family!
5. Holmes County Open-Air Art Museum
The Holmes Country Open Air Museum is located on the grounds of The Inn at Honey Run in Millersburg. It offers the perfect blend of art and nature, providing a healthy outdoor activity for kids and adults alike.
You can pick up a map of the 1.5-mile trail at the inn reception, which highlights all the installations you’ll see on the trail.
You’ll come across large boulders along the way featuring haiku poetry in English and Japanese. While this can be fun for children, they’re most enthralled by the more dramatic displays, like the totem pole with its ‘funny faces’.
The trail is hilly in places, so if you’re traveling with young children, it’s best to bring a baby carrier or hiking pack along.
6. Main Street Fudge and Popcorn Company
Whether you prefer sweet or savory treats, you’ll find much to love at this quaint store along Main Street in Sugarcreek.
This is the kind of Amish Country shopping kids can enjoy wholeheartedly as they browse among the shelves overflowing with confections and row upon row of flavored popcorn.
You can enjoy these treats in-store or take them with you down the road to see the world’s largest cuckoo clock, in the center of Swiss Village. Every half hour, a cuckoo bird pops out, accompanied by a band playing polka music and a dancing couple.
7. The Age of Steam Roundhouse
This huge museum is dedicated to showcasing the golden ear of the railroad. It’s packed with amazing examples of locomotives, railroad cars, machinery, and tools.
It’s also an active roundhouse where specialists work tirelessly to restore relics of this bygone era. The group and family tours are the best way to make the most of a visit to this interesting site.
These informational outings include an expert-guided tour of the roundhouse and the Steam to Victory tour, which highlights the role of trains in World War II.
Make the Most of the Things to Do in Amish Country, Ohio
The last thing you want to do on your vacation is to spend hours on the road with boisterous children. So, if you’re planning on visiting Amish Country with your family, Amish Country Lodging’s selection of cabins, treehouses, and hotels is a good choice for you.
Our accommodation options are perfectly located close to all the best things to do in Amish Country, Ohio, providing the perfect base for a fun-filled vacation. Browse our blog for tips on planning your Berlin, OH, getaway, and book your accommodation now.