We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive, grandchild-friendly environment at Willow Valley Communities so we believe your grandchildren will love it here, but it’s up to you to decide. We’ve compiled a list of several things to do with your grandchildren while they’re staying with you at Willow Valley Communities.

A Grandchild-Friendly Senior Living Community

In creating our vibrant and innovative senior living community, we kept your family in mind. While some who move to a senior living community have the apprehension that their grandchildren will say “Aw, do we have to come?” when prompted to visit their grandparents, our residents don’t have that worry. As Thomas and Frances Wright, residents since 2017, put it, “Between the pools, the vintage arcade, the bowling alleys and the restaurants, they are dying to come visit us.”

Read on to discover the activities and amenities in which you and your grandchildren can share in together at and around Willow Valley Communities.

Camp Willow

Camp Willow, our annual week-long summer camp for kids 7 -12, involves children in a multitude of activities, excursions, and learning experiences. This camp, specifically created to foster intergenerational fun, programs joint activities for both kids and grandparents and some for just kids, to give the grandparents a bit of down time before dinner.

Willow Valley Communities’ Team Members and residents help to run the camp; with 100+ clubs and organizations, club members provide a variety of sessions in varying interests. Throughout the week, children and grandparents engage in activities like woodworking, photography, song writing, hiking, and trips to regional activities, such as the Baltimore Aquarium. Campers also spend time in the art studios completing crafts and art projects.

Pools

We have not only one, but several pools throughout the 210-acre campus for your grandchildren to enjoy. At the Cultural Center, children can enjoy the full-sized lap pool. At the Clubhouse, the zero-entry outdoor pool is open for the summer. If you live in the North community, you don’t even have to travel outside; grandkids can join their grandparents for a swim in North’s indoor pool. In addition to Willow Valley Communities’ swimming pools, grandchildren that are 16 years and older are welcome to use the Cultural Center’s Fitness Center for $5 per visit.

The Clubhouse

Our Clubhouse was built with intergenerational fun in mind. Packed with two great restaurants, bowling, an arcade, a pool, and more, it’s a great place to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Challenge your grandkids to beat your high score on one of our vintage pinball machines, or have them try their hand at skee-ball. Introduce them to Zoltar, the timeless fortune teller in a box, or the dot-eating world of Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-man.

The Clubhouse 6-lane bowling alley comes with shoes and balls – you just need to bring the excitement! The Clubhouse Café adds to the fun, with classic American fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries to munch on while knocking down some bowling pins. Treat your grandkids to hand-dipped ice cream and novelty candy after your day of fun at The Clubhouse.

During the summer months, teenage grandchildren ages 14+ can practice their forehands, backhands, and serves on the Har-Tru tennis courts next to the pool.

Fishing

Our stocked ponds are a great place to build lasting memories with grandchildren. On both the Manor and the Lakes campus, the ponds are stocked with fish to catch and a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy. Our resident Fishing Club can also give you advice on the best places to fish with your grandchildren around the area.

Lancaster County

While Lancaster County is ranked as one of the Top Three Places to Retire by U.S. News and World Report, it’s also a great place to visit. Should you and your grandchildren want to get off of Willow Valley Communities’ campus, Lancaster County offers a variety of different activities for children to enjoy.

Tiny Town – An indoor hands-on play experience for children, Tiny Town simulates a real town with small storefronts such as a hospital, salon, garage, and many more to for children to role play in and to stimulate creativity.

Turkey Hill Experience – The Turkey Hill Experience features interactive exhibits allowing you to learn about dairy culture, the story of Turkey Hill Dairy, and how the company’s ice cream and iced tea flavors are selected and created.

Dutch Wonderland – With over 35 fun-filled rides and attractions, water play area, and live entertainment, Dutch Wonderland offers a host of fun things to see and do throughout summer and into the fall and winter months.

Strasburg Railroad – Enjoy a fun and exciting ride through the countryside on the oldest continuously operating railroad in the western hemisphere. The Strasburg Railroad offers themed rides, such as “Day Out with Thomas” and murder mystery dinners while chugging through scenic Lancaster County.

Go N’ Bananas Family Fun Center – An indoor amusement park, Go N’ Bananas is a great place to keep small and big kids entertained! It houses activities like bumper cars, ropes courses, laser tag, mini-bowling, an arcade, and more. The best part, chaperones are free!

Hands-On House – The Hands-On House is made up of interactive activities for kids 2-10 to foster childhood learning. Like Tiny Town, children can role play and learn more about the world around them and “growing-up skills” through the exhibits and museum offered by the Hands-On House.

Barnstormers – The Barnstormers, Lancaster’s baseball team, holds games during the regular baseball season and offers visitors a great game and good, old-fashioned American fun. On the off season, be sure to check out the Christmas Spirit Light Show and other seasonal events.

Lancaster Science Factory – A hands-on, interactive learning center, the Lancaster Science Factory welcomes children between the ages of 4 and 14 to learn the principles of science and the application of it in engineering and technology through 65+ exhibits and workstations.

The North Museum – Since 1953, the North Museum of Nature and Science has been Lancaster’s place to discover science, nature, and history that includes engaging rooms and exhibits including a live animal room, dinosaur gallery, planetarium, and more.

A Grandchild-Friendly Senior Living Community in Lancaster, PA

From summer camps on our 210-acre campus, to inter-generational amenities at The Clubhouse, to the vibrantly diverse surrounding Lancaster County, Willow Valley Communities offers boundless opportunities to spend time with your grandchildren. 

If you’d like more information about our grandkid-friendly senior living community, or more ideas for things to do with your grandchildren when they visit, give us a call or fill out a contact form. Our sales counselors look forward to answering your questions.