🏆 2025 Macaroni KID Family Favorite Awards: And the Winners Are…! 🎉

You Voted, Harrisburg! Meet Your Family Favorite Champions!

Every parent knows the struggle: Finding kid-friendly places, businesses, and activities that won’t leave you questioning your life choices. (Why did I think an all-you-can-eat spaghetti night was a good idea with toddlers?)

Well, worry no more, because thousands of local parents have spoken—and the results are in! 🎤

From the best indoor play spaces (because winter is eternal) to the top kid-friendly restaurants (where the mac & cheese actually gets eaten), we’re rolling out the red carpet for YOUR 2025 Macaroni KID Family Favorites!

So grab a juice box, take a seat on that couch cushion your kids definitely didn’t just jump off of, and let’s celebrate the BEST of Harrisburg & West Shore! 🎉

🏆 The Local Legends: 2025 Family Favorite Winners!

💡 Note: Votes tallied within a 2% margin of error were counted as ties—because sometimes, it's just too close to call (and we’re not about to start playground drama).

🎠 Play & Entertainment

• Best Playground: Adams Ricci Park – The holy grail of playgrounds, where kids burn energy and parents might get 45 seconds of peace.
• Best Family Membership: Paulus Farm Park – Goats, farm fun, and a perfect excuse to get the kids outside.
• Best Summer Camp: TIE – Central PA Summer Camp & Paulus Farm Park – Two places where kids are guaranteed to come home happy (and exhausted).
• Best Indoor Fun Spot: Sky Zone – Because bouncing until complete exhaustion is the goal.
• Best Place for Outdoor Fun: Lake Tobias – Exotic animals, safari rides, and an adventure-filled day!
• Best Place for Free or Cheap Fun: Simpson Library – Books, activities, and free air-conditioning.
• Best Place for a Playdate: Adventure Park – A perfect spot where kids can play and parents can catch up.
• Best Birthday Party Venue: Urban Air Adventure Park – Where kids celebrate and defy gravity.
• Best Public Pool or Splash Pad: Hampden Township Pool – The ultimate summer cool-down spot.
• Best Animal Attraction or Encounter: Lake Tobias – Because nothing says adventure like feeding a giraffe.
• Best Active Play/Bounce Place: Sky Zone – Defying gravity one bounce at a time.

🎓 Education & Activities

• Best Daycare: The Art of Play – Where learning meets creativity (and parents get a breather).
• Best Preschool: Camp Hill United Methodist Preschool (CHUM) – Teaching little learners and keeping the glue sticks out of their hair.
• Best STEM Activity or Experience: Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts – Hands-on learning at its finest.
• Best Dance Studio: The Studio – Where tiny dancers twirl their way into our hearts.
• Best Art Studio/Lessons: Create-a-Palooza – Messy, creative fun that doesn’t happen on your dining table.
• Best Music Lessons: Music Together of the Susquehanna Valley – Helping parents pretend they can carry a tune.
• Best Gymnastics Center: ASAP - Artistic Sports Academy Plus – Where kids flip, tumble, and somehow still have energy.
• Best Swim Lessons: Harrisburg Area YMCA – Because not dog-paddling is an important life skill.
• Best Ninja, Parkour, or Martial Arts Studio: Dexterity Depot – Where kids channel their inner ninja warriors.

🏥 Family Resources

• Best Family or Pediatric Dentist: Advanced Pediatric Dentistry – Keeping tiny teeth shiny and tantrum-free (well, almost).
• Best Pediatric Primary Care Provider: JDC Pediatrics – Trusted by parents and adored by tiny patients.
• Best OB/GYN: Partners in Women's Health – Helping moms-to-be every step of the way.
• Best Pediatric Therapy Provider: IU 13 – Supporting local kids with top-tier care.
• Best Real Estate Agent: April Paese with Joy Daniels – Helping families find their forever home.

🛍️ Shopping & Services

• Best Children's Consignment Store: 🏆 Once Upon a Child – Where parents find deals and justify buying more adorable tiny outfits.
• Best Children's Consignment Event: 🏆 4 the Kids – The sale parents never miss.
• Best Farmers Market or Pick-Your-Own Farm: 🏆 Paulus Market – Fresh produce, family fun, and a reason to pretend we eat more vegetables.
• Best Maternity/Newborn Photographer: 🏆 Little Lion Photography – Capturing those tiny toes and sleepy smiles perfectly.
• Best Family Photographer: 🏆 TIE – Kate McCord & Olya Bik – Because time flies, but great photos last forever.
• Best Kids Cuts: 🏆 Sharky's Cuts for Kids – Making haircuts almost fun.

🍽️ Food & Drink

• Best Family-Friendly Restaurant: 🏆 Chick-fil-A – Speed, consistency, and a play area—every parent’s dream.
• Best Bakery: 🏆 Pennsylvania Bakery – Cakes, cookies, and carbs worth celebrating.
• Best Coffee Shop: 🏆 Cracked Pot – Keeping parents functional one cup at a time.
• Best Ice Cream or Sweet Treat: 🏆 3B Ice Cream – Sweet victory.
• Best Pizza: 🏆 JoJo’s – Because pizza night is sacred.

🎉 Special Awards

🏆 The MVPs: Businesses with the Highest Overall Votes!

These businesses racked up the most votes across all categories, proving they are absolute parent favorites!

• 🥇 Paulus Farm Park – The ultimate family-friendly farm experience where kids can play, learn, and probably beg to take a goat home. 🐐
• 🥈 Lake Tobias – Safari rides, wild animals, and an adventure-packed day—parents and kids agree, it’s a must-visit! 🦒
• 🥉 Whitaker Center – Where science, creativity, and hands-on fun collide for an out-of-this-world experience. 🛰️
• 🏅 Adventure Park – The playground dreams are made of—and probably where you’ll end up every weekend.
• 🏅 State Museum of PA –  A perfect blend of history, dinosaurs, and hands-on discovery (plus, it’s indoors—score!).

🥇 The Most Nominated Businesses!

These businesses were nominated in the most categories, proving they’re the Swiss Army knives of family fun!

• 🏆 Paulus Farm Park – From farm animals to summer camps, this place does it all! 🌾
• 🏆 My Gym Mechanicsburg – Play, parties, fitness, and fun—this gym is basically magic. 🏋️‍♂️
• 🏆 Jubilee Cake Studio –  Whether it’s birthdays, camps, or creative playdates, this is THE spot for sweet fun. 🎂
• 🏆 Whitaker Center –  Because science + fun = parenting win. ⚛️
• 🏆 State Museum of PA – A little bit of history, a little bit of science, and a whole lot of learning fun! 🏛️

🎉 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 🎉

This award goes to brand-new businesses that burst onto the scene and made a BIG impact on local families. Our committee had the tough job of narrowing it down to five incredible businesses that create childhood memories and prioritize experiential learning—aka, places where kids have so much fun, they might actually forget to ask for a snack. (Okay, maybe not.)

• 🎖 Valhallan Esports Training – Where gaming meets skill-building, teamwork, and competitive esports action! 🕹️
• 🎖 USA Ninja Challenge - Camp Hill – Turning energetic kids into agile ninjas (and giving parents a chance to drink coffee in peace)! 🏆
• 🎖 Imaginary Friends Puppet Theater – Bringing puppets, storytelling, and creativity to life in the most magical way! 🧵✨
• 🎖 The Mini Mansions at Jubilee Cake Studio – Because what’s cooler than your own miniature town? 🏡
• 🎖 Urban Air Adventure Park – Taking indoor adventure to new heights with trampolines, climbing walls, and high-flying fun! 🏅

💡 What Now? 3 Ways to Celebrate the Winners!

📢 Shout them out! Tag them on social media and spread the love!
⭐ Leave a glowing review! Help your favorites shine even brighter!
📍 Go visit them! Remind them why they’re awesome!

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Macaroni KID Family Favorite Awards! Your dedication to creating family-friendly experiences in Harrisburg & West Shore has truly made a positive impact on our community.

To our readers, we encourage you to explore these fantastic businesses, share your experiences, and continue supporting local establishments that make our area a wonderful place to raise a family.

Thank you for participating in this year's awards, and here's to another year of family fun and cherished memories!

When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!