Summer vacation sounds magical until the kids start announcing they’re bored by the third day. Luckily, families don’t need to plan an expensive getaway to make the season feel memorable. Delaware County is packed with family-friendly attractions that can turn any ordinary afternoon into a full adventure.
From indoor playgrounds and bowling lanes to orchards, axe throwing, and classic mini golf, these seven Delco destinations can help save summer vacation.
Linvilla Orchards, Media
Linvilla Orchards has been a Delaware County institution since 1914, and more than a century later, it still earns its reputation as one of the region’s most beloved family destinations.
Spread across 300 acres, families can spend the day visiting barnyard animals, enjoying train and pony rides, exploring the playground, or stopping by the farm market for fresh treats. This summer, families can also have fun fishing and picking strawberries, peonies, asparagus, and more.
For parents who need a moment to breathe, there is a beer garden on-site. It is the kind of place that rewards a long, unhurried visit.
Marple Sports Arena, Broomall
For families with active kids, Marple Sports Arena is Delaware County’s premier indoor sports facility, running year-round leagues for roller hockey, flag football, basketball, and soccer.
Families looking for drop-in fun can join a public skating session or send the kids straight to Marple Mountain, a freshly renovated five-level jungle gym with three slides that the venue itself describes as “born from the fires of Mount Doom.”
The 2024 renovation kept this Delco legend feeling current, making it a strong pick for families who have not visited in a while.
Oasis Family Fun Center, Glen Mills
Oasis Family Fun Center is built for rainy days, heat waves, and long summer afternoons.
The all-indoor attraction packs in a soft playground, Ballocity arena, laser maze, flash pads, mini bowling, and more than 70 arcade games.
What sets Oasis apart from similar venues is its continued investment in new experiences. The addition of the Valo Arena, a cutting-edge interactive gaming system, signals that this is not a place content to coast on what it already has.
With so much under one roof, it gives families an easy way to fill hours without anyone running out of things to do.
Bowlero Boothwyn, Boothwyn
Bowlero Boothwyn puts a modern spin on a classic family outing, combining 32 bowling lanes, arcade games, food, and group-friendly spaces that work for kids of all ages.
Families planning to visit more than once this summer should know about the Summer Season Pass, which includes two free games of bowling daily through Sept. 1 For a family that bowls even a handful of times before Labor Day, that kind of value changes the math considerably.
Younger kids can bowl while older ones hit the arcade, and everyone reconvenes over food without anyone feeling shortchanged.
Putt-Putt Fun Center, Clifton Heights
Putt-Putt Fun Center has been a Clifton Heights fixture since 1971, and it shows in the best possible way.
There are four beautifully maintained 18-hole miniature golf courses, ranging in difficulty, that are as well-kept today as they have ever been.
For families who want to stretch the value even further, their daily specials like Super Saturday and All You Can Play Days turn a casual outing into a genuine afternoon.
Beyond golf, the arcade offers games and prizes, and the Jump Shot trampoline basketball area gives kids another way to compete.
It’s especially appealing for a relaxed summer evening when everyone wants to get out of the house without overcomplicating the plan.
Jumpers Family Fun Zone, Newtown Square
Jumpers Family Fun Zone is designed specifically for children from 18 months through age ten, with countless attractions to enjoy.
The indoor play space features bounce houses, obstacle courses, a giant safari slide, and a dedicated little ones area that keeps the youngest visitors happily occupied.
One practical note: Jumpers is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and Saturday hours end at 1:30 PM, so plan accordingly.
For parents of younger kids looking for a reliable, well-maintained indoor escape during summer break, this spot is certainly worth a visit.
Delco Axe House, Broomall
Delco Axe House is community-driven and locally owned, which already sets it apart from the chain entertainment options that dominate most lists.
The Broomall venue offers supervised axe throwing with certified coaches, private parties, and group events in a controlled indoor setting. For families looking to take things up a notch, the Wreck It Room adds a smash experience to the mix, another way to burn off energy and walk out with a story to tell.
Participants must be at least 13, but this is genuinely a together activity. Adults throw alongside teens rather than watching from the sidelines, which makes it feel less like a drop-off and more like a real shared experience.
For families with older kids looking for something that does not feel like the usual options, this is the one to try.
Summer memories don’t require a resort, a theme park, or a flight. They just require knowing where to look, and in Delaware County, that part is easy.
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