 Autumn walk With school starting up in the fall, it’s important to keep making an effort to spend quality time with the whole family. Fortunately, fall is a great season to enjoy being together and exploring the outdoors. Cooler temperatures can be a relief from the heat of summer, but there are still plenty of days that are pleasantly warm. When those beautiful fall days hit, you’ll want to have a game plan in your back pocket so you can get straight out there and enjoy them. If you’re in or near the Front Royal area, there’s loads of classic country fall activities to explore. Don’t waste the warm weather while it’s still here! Read on to plan a Front Royal fall adventure for the whole family. Apple Picking in Front Royal  Apple picking Picking fruit is a great outdoor activity for all ages. You can enjoy some of nature’s sweetest treats while getting in some fresh air and exercise together. Near Front Royal, head to Stribling Orchard for apple picking fun. You can pick you own apples, check out the farm animals, and visit the store for more yummy local products. Find live music and favorite Front Royal vendors here on the weekends. Hartland Orchard is another great local option for apple picking. You’ll find it conveniently located near I-66. Or head a little further from the interstate to explore the apple orchards at Hollin Farms and Valley View Farm. Fall Farm Fun  Fall farm fun Fall is a great season to enjoy local farms, with many putting together extra family fun attractions. Head towards Winchester to find a few. Wayside Farm Fun has the classic fall attractions you’d expect, and some you’ve maybe never heard of. Enjoy a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin smashing, giant slides, and even giant jumping pillow. Don’t forget to pick a pumpkin before you go home. For more classic fall fun, check out High Hill Farm for a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and hayrides. The farm remains open after dark so you can enjoy a family friendly (not “haunted”) moonlit hayride too. Great Country Farms is a local farm that’s open all year round. Families can enjoy meeting the animals, exploring u-pick fields, catch and release fishing, and an exciting play area. Attend the Pumpkin Festival this fall to find a great destination for all year round. The Pumpkin Festival includes pumpkin picking, pig races, cider pressing demos, and more, as well as access to the play area. Pumpkin Baking and Carving  Pumkin Carving It wouldn’t be October without some pumpkin carving (and eating!) fun. Most fall farm adventures involve buying more pumpkins (in more unique colors and sizes!) than you may have originally intended. But once you get them home, pumpkins are the basis of some fun fall activities you can enjoy without leaving your house. Get everyone together for a pumpkin carving party. Stick with a simple jack-o-lantern face, or explore more intricate designs. Enjoy baking pumpkin flavored treats from pies to muffins and more. And don’t throw away those seeds! You can roast them for a tasty treat that’s full of health benefits.
Don’t waste the beautiful days of early fall in Front Royal. There’s so much to do outdoors as you enjoy mild temperatures for the last time in a few months. Pick (at least) one activity from this post and make a point of having seasonal fun with your kids in Front Royal this fall!  Picnic with the family Summer can be a fun time for the whole family, with kids home from school and enjoying lots of extra free time. But too much freedom can quickly turn into boredom and frayed nerves. To keep summer fun and exciting, it can be helpful to plan some structured family activities. That’s where we come in. Read on and follow our blog to find fun posts full of ideas for keeping summer fun for kids in Front Royal! Today we’re kicking it off with a summer classic: planning a picnic in the park for your kids. Affordable, fun, and easy to plan, a picnic in the park with all the family together can become a treasured memory. Read on to discover four Front Royal ingredients you won’t want to leave out to create a memorable picnic. Maybe you can aim for a weekly or monthly picnic through the summer so everyone has something to look forward to. Secret Ingredient Number 1: Picking the Perfect Park  Gertrude E. Miller Park - Front Royal/Warren County Front Royal’s park system is full of great facilities with something to interest big kids, little kids, nature lovers, young athletes in training, and everything in between. If you have a group with lots of different interests, Gertrude E. Miller Community Park is our top pick for keeping everybody happy. The large complex includes a stretch of Happy Creek for fishing, basketball and tennis courts, extensive playgrounds, and more. The adjoining Lion’s Park even includes specially designed accessible play area for children with special needs. Our other favorites include Eastham Park and Rockland Park. For a bigger adventure where you’ll have to pay a park entrance fee, try Shenandoah River State Park or Shenandoah National Park.  Parks around Front Royal for picnics Secret Ingredient Number 2: Packing Fantastic Food without Stress The food you bring is a key ingredient to your picnic, and it’s fun to pack something special so everyone can enjoy the treat. If you’re making your own at home, check here to find some fun ideas kids will enjoy. Choosing a simple recipe that kids can help assemble can add to the fun for everyone. To give your meal a special touch, why not stop for some fun, local food, at Manor Line Market, or grab a treat from Down Home Comfort Bakery to enjoy after your food. For a special treat and a totally stress free picnic, head to Blue Wing Frog, where they’ll take care of providing delicious, picnic-appropriate food and packing it all up for you.  Down Home Comfort Bakery - Front Royal, VA Secret Ingredient Number 3: The Activities While free play time at the playground is a hit with most younger age groups, planning some organized activities for your picnic can be a fun way to make sure everyone has a good time and burns some energy. Older kids will enjoy competing in disc golf at Sherando Park or Rockland Park. Tennis is another great option for a smaller group of older kids. Find courts available at Chimney Field Park and Gertrude E. Miller Community Park). If you get a group together and end up with more kids than court space, why not get everyone involved with a fun tournament? An organized softball or baseball game can be another great way for a larger group of friends to make some memories together.  Disc Golf For a less competitive atmosphere, a nature scavenger hunt can be fun and educational! Or try out geocaching for an adventure where everyone can be on the same team. Secret Ingredient Number 4: The Ice Cream on the Way Home  Spelunker's Frozen Custard With a hot, tired, and happy crew ready to go home, stopping for an ice cream on the way can be the perfect ending to a fun outing. Front Royal has loads of friendly ice cream joints, and the ice cream is delicious all over town! For a downtown treat on Main Street, stop by C & C Frozen Treats. Try out Spelunkers for their legendary frozen custard, or stop at The Apple House for delicious soft serve and more, right before getting on I-66. Use Front Royal’s secret ingredients to plan fun summer picnics that will stave off boredom and keep kids outdoors and having a great time. Make it a day with friends, or a chance for just your family to spend time together. Either way, you’re in for a treat and a family tradition that will make this summer one to remember!  With the COVID-19 crisis, many kids have suddenly found themselves doing school from home for the first time. If your family is in this situation, enrolling the kids in some programming outside the home is a great way to help them make this tough adjustment. You’ll find several great youth programs in Front Royal, ranging from fine arts to swing dancing! Whether you’re looking for ways to help your children navigate COVID-19, or simply hoping to help them develop new skills and interests, Front Royal has something for you. Your children can develop new skills and make some new friends at the same time! Here’s our list of all the things kids can do in Front Royal!  Jig 'n' Jive Dance Studio 1. Bust a move in Front Royal! Have some dancers tapping their toes at home? Jig n Jive is a dance studio in Front Royal that offers dance classes in a variety of styles, including Irish, swing, and flamenco. With program offerings for ages 2-99, there’s something for every member of the family here!  Get creative with Explore Art & Clay 2. Get Artsy in Front Royal! For kids seeking a chance to develop artistic talent, there are two great options in Front Royal. The Studio on Main Street offers weekly art classes for ages 5-12. All abilities welcome! Budding sculptors should check out the regular Kids Clay Camps at Explore Art and Clay.  Battlegrounds Fitness - climbing wall for kids (small and big)! 3. Get Fit in Front Royal! Getting up and moving around is especially important for growing young bodies. If school has been unexpectedly cancelled, you’ll want to make sure that your kids still get a chance to run around and use their energy (for your own sanity as well as theirs!). If you’re looking for a kids’ fitness program in the Front Royal area, Battlegrounds Fitness is a great place to start. This CrossFit gym provides kids with a fun introduction to fitness that will keep them coming back for more. They have a super winter camp this is packed with exciting fun and fitness, perfect for children ages 5 - 12 to enjoy their winter break and to stay active and fit! Get your kids moving their climbing wall, obstacle course, fit and fun activities, and more! It will fill up fast, so don't miss out - sign up today!  World MMA Self Defense Martial arts are another great fitness option for kids. It’s a two-for-one deal: they get a great work out while learning how to defend themselves. Check out Front Royal’s World MMA Self Defense for children’s martial arts classes.  Youth Sports 4. Become a Team Player in Front Royal! If your child is wants to play a team sport, they should have a chance to get involved in Front Royal. You’ll find a variety of youth sports leagues going on in town. Check this page to see the range of sports available and get started. COVID policies vary by sport, so you’ll need to contact the organizers of each sport for fully updated information.  Your kids can flourish in Front Royal! With a wide variety of exciting youth programming options, you should be able to find something to match their interests. Don’t wait to check out these fantastic local opportunities. Many offer one-off sessions, so you can make sure the program is a good fit before committing. There’s really nothing to lose by giving it a try!
Front Royal may be small, but it certainly isn’t boring! If you’re looking for a “just for fun” outing, there are plenty of to choose from! We’ve rounded up our eleven great ideas for entertainment in Front Royal. If a family fun day is in your future, you don’t want to scroll past this post. Front Royal has classic favorites like bowling and roller skating and new trends like axe throwing and rock climbing, as well as a totally unique Dinosaur Land! You’ll find there’s something for everyone! 1. Get Your Wheels On For roller skating fun, look no further than Mac’s Roller Rink. It’s a classic indoor roller skating rink, offering open skate times, events, and private parties.  Mac's Roller Rink 2. Scale a Rock Wall Battlegrounds Fitness is a great new addition to Front Royal’s entertainment and fitness sector. The CrossFit gym includes a rock wall, which is accessible to members and to guests with day passes. You’ll build your muscles, balance, and coordination while having so much fun you’ll forget that you’re exercising! Battlegrounds Fitness is also a great option for a birthday party that will leave your kids (or you!) fitter and stronger.  Rock Climbing Wall 3. Go to the Movies You can watch a movie at Royal Cinemas on Front Royal’s historic main street. The theater shows all the latest releases. Popcorn and candy available!  Royal Cinemas, Front Royal 4. Explore an Arcade Across the street from Royal Cinemas, you’ll find another classic attraction. Fireball Arcade is a retro arcade with pinball and all your favorite video games. For a two-in-one outing, plan some arcade time before or after your movie showing.  Fireball Arcade, Front Royal 5. Go Beyond the Caverns at Skyline Caverns Most visitors come to Skyline Caverns to take a tour of the fascinating caves. But don’t forget, there are other attractions here too! Visit the mirror maze for a fun family challenge. Or bring kids for a ride on the miniature train. You can make the caverns a part of your visit, or save them for another day.  Skyline Caverns, Front Royal 6. Challenge Your Kids to Bowling Fun family competition. . . and hopefully some spares and strikes . . . are in your future at the Royal Family Bowling Center! This classic bowling venue has everything you’d expect. Including the pizza!  7. Throw an Axe For another kind of target practice, check out Shenandoah Valley Axe Throwing Co. Haven’t you always had a secret urge to hurl an axe against a wooden target? This activity is recommended for ages 12 and up, although younger children are allowed at parents’ discretion.  SVAXECO 8. Paint (or crochet!) a Masterpiece Visit The Studio in downtown Front Royal for art instruction and workshops. Check out their schedule of events here. You’ll find crochet and sewing options as well as painting.  The Studio - A Place for Learning, Front Royal 9. Get Into All Things Pottery If you’re more of a sculptor than a painter, check out Front Royal’s Explore Art and Clay. You’ll find options to paint your own pottery, enjoy a clay workshop, or use a potter’s wheel.  Explore Art & Clay, Front Royal 10. Let the River Take You on an Adventure If your family is itching to get outside, the Shenandoah River will provide fun, exercise, and scenic beauty. Front Royal Outdoors and Skyline Canoe Company are two local outfitters that offer various river trips. For more Front Royal river trip options go here.  Shenandoah River 11. Travel to the Age of Dinosaurs Dinosaur Land is a roadside attraction that has been delighting visitors to the Front Royal area for sixty years! The open-air attraction boasts over forty life size dinosaur models in a park-like setting. Bring your imagination, and enjoy a walk into prehistory! You’ll find tons of great photo opportunities, and maybe even learn something new about dinosaurs.  Dinosaur Land If you’re planning a special occasion celebration, a vacation, or just a day of fun in the Front Royal area, there are plenty of entertainment options that the whole family will love! Use this list to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun that the Front Royal area has to offer!
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February 2023
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