Parks are everywhere and there are lots of fun things for you to do all the year round in and around Yardley, Newtown, Doylestown and New Hope. Here are just some of the great places you can visit:  FOR TODDLERS Art, Music and Movement Music Lessons (4 and up) Start a life long love of music at the Community Conservatory of Music, which offers introductory lessons in piano, violin, viola, cello, brass, woodwinds, percussion, flute, recorder, guitar, sitar, or Celtic harp. Kid's Music Round (infant to 4) Get into making sounds and listening to music in this excellent weekly class at Doylestown's Community Conservatory of Music. Combo Camp (3 to 5) Explore movement, make art, and feel the music at Doylestown's Community Conservatory of Music; the class devotes 30 minutes to music making, 30 minutes to creative movement and dance, and 45 minutes to art and craft. Art's First Steps (3 to 6) Get hands-on while learning about important principles of art at the James Michener Art Museum in Doylestown. Teachers are trained educators and professional artists.

Fun with Books Buck's County Library, Yardley Branch Come visit the children's section. Buck's County Library, Doylestown Branch Borrow books, tapes and videos. Buck's County Library, New Hope Branch Come and see the bright and welcoming children's area; borrow books and tapes. Newtown Library Visit the happy kid's area; borrow books and tapes, and come to the weekly pre-school story time and special events. The library often hosts bedtime story times for toddlers and pre-schools-come in your pajamas!

Parks and Playgrounds Helen Randle Park Come and play on the swings and slides at the children's playground in the park. Kid's Castle Pirates, kings, fairies, and excited toddlers who are thrilled at what they can do will love this imaginative 8-story wooden playground in Doylestown. Feed the ducks on the Delaware River Take a stroll along the river with your parents, throw crumbs to the water birds and play with stones and leaves. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Are you excited by boats? You and your family can take a ride on the Delaware Canal in a traditional mule drawn canal boat (these leave from New Hope). The Raritan Canal is wide and calm; perfect for splashing about in the shallows! Tyler State Park Take a picnic with your family or a horseback ride with mom or dad; enjoy the sun on the leaves. Ralph Stover State Park Play with leaves, pebbles and rocks; watch the rushing waters of Tohickon Creek and spot birds in the trees. Nockamixon State Park Play in the snow in winter and run around on the grass in summer; beautiful Lake Nockamixon is perfect for ice skating or paddling, depending on the time of year. Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Enjoy the cheerful colors of nature at this lovely wildflower preserve; plants, birds, and wildlife change with the seasons.

Outings New Hope and Ivyland Railroad Come for a ride on a real steam train! Don't forget to visit us again at Christmas, when Santa comes to visit; the "Polar Express" is pure magic and mystery. The Crayola Factory Color, make simple crafts, and participate in special events, like an annual gingerbread man day. Sesame Place (2 to 5) Play along with real live characters from Sesame Street at this fun park in Philadelphia. Please Touch Museum (infant to 5) Touch, smell, taste, play and learn, learn, learn at this safe, exciting, and superbly designed Philadelphia museum.

FOR KIDS Arts and Crafts James A. Michener Art Museum Children's Programs Get creative at a stimulating art class, come to an "Arty Party", or attend an interesting art appreciation class for your age group. New Hope Arts Attend a fun kid's event at the New Hope arts center. Art Classes at the Community Conservatory of Music (7 to 15) Take a sculpting class; learn to draw and paint outdoors, and more.

Dance Roxey Ballet Company Experience the magic of ballet at a company performance or learn ballet at the renowned world-class Mill Ballet School. Teachers hail from some of the nation's most eminent dance companies. You can also learn street dancing, flamenco, character composition, and other alternative dance styles.

Theatre Yardley Players Theatre Company This terrific community theater is a non-profit company; budding actors are welcome to participate and most shows are family or child orientated. County Theater Classic kid's movies-Laurel and Hardy shorts and the like-are played in this beautifully restored classic movie house from 1938, which has children's matinees every Saturday. Bucks County Playhouse Catch a great family play or musical at this professional theater, or try out for a part in an upcoming production. Community Conservatory of Music (9 to 15) Learn all aspects of acting for the stage and screen at this acclaimed Doylestown School. Children's Theater in Philadelphia From puppetry to superb drama productions for children and their families, Philadelphia and the Main Line district has plenty of theater catering to your age group.

Music Community Conservatory of Music Take workshops or lessons with encouraging teachers; learn to play the piano, violin, viola, cello, brass, woodwinds, percussion, flute, recorder, guitar, sitar, or Celtic harp; learn how to sing correctly and compose. Concordia Chamber Players Experience the tranquility and mystery of chamber music with your family, or attend a special "informance" concert in your school.

Books and Reading Buck's County Library Get homework help, check out the latest cool titles, take computer learning classes and more at the Yardley, Doylestown, and New Hope branches of the County Library. Newtown Library Join our fun Junior Book Club, come to special events and story times for your age group, and get online homework help.

History Fonthill Museum Visit a real castle from the early 20th century in Doylestown. Mercer Castle Museum Check out the exciting exhibits of things early Americans used in the days before mechanization. A wagon, whaling boat, old carriages and an antique fire engine are hung above you when you walk in, and the exhibits are interesting and well done. The Perry Mansion Museum Tour the Parry Mansion and Museum or participate in a special event celebrating early pioneer history.

Natural Science The Academy of Natural Sciences The Academy in downtown Philadelphia is one of the earth's best natural science museums. Check out fossils under a microscope, get as close as you dare to a hissing Madagascar cockroach, and crawl through a tree trunk at the Outside-In children's center.

Sports and Recreation Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association From Little League to girl's softball, Newtown has a sport to enjoy for your age group. New Hope-Solebury Little League Join Little League in New Hope. Bucks County Academy of Fencing Learn the cool art of fencing and develop your agility, balance and concentration. Newtown Parks and Recreation Department There are five parks in Newtown and numerous open spaces and wilderness areas. Most parks have ball parks or courts; visit this site to find out more and for news on upcoming recreational events and activities. Doylestown Parks and Recreation Department Doylestown runs lots of recreational events and classes, including soccer, basketball, baseball and yoga, and the town's residents have lots of parks and athletic fields to choose from.

Parks Helen Randle Park Visit the children's playground at this Newtown Park. Doylestown Parks Doylestown has some great parks for kids and families, including Central Park, with a toddler playground and kid's castle, Chapman Park with its lighted ball parks, and Castle Valley Park with its beautiful woods, stream, and walking trails. Kid's Castle Come and play on this exciting 8-story wooden playground in Doylestown; pirates, kings, fairies and jungle dwellers are most welcome! Delaware River New Hope is right on the Delaware River. Aside from its natural beauty, the river brings birds and other wildlife, and residents enjoy boating, fishing and relaxing on its banks. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Talk a walk back in time along the historic Delaware towpath, or take a ride in a traditional mule drawn canal boat (these leave from New Hope). Toast marshmallows over the campfire while telling stories; the tent and trailer campsites have fire rings, picnic tables, flush toilets and showers. The Raritan Canal is wide and calm; perfect for swimming, fishing and boating, and the woods are laced with hiking trails. The annual fishing derby brings kids from all over! Tyler State Park Ride a horse or bike along over 100 miles of paved trails or go fishing, swimming or canoeing on the river. You can rent horses and canoes in the park and there are plenty of picnic areas in the woods. Ralph Stover State Park Tohickon Creek flows through this pretty 45 acre park near Doylestown; its waters run rapid in places, making for exciting white water canoeing, and slow in others, allowing for fishing and swimming. Pennsylvania State Parks, Philadelphia Area There are several lovely parks and recreation areas in the wider Philadelphia region; all within an hour or two from Yardley, Newtown, Doylestown, and New Hope. Nockamixon State Park Just 9 miles from Doylestown, Nockamixon has 5,283 acres of forest and meadow around a beautiful Lake Nockamixon. Locals enjoy boating and fishing on the lake and there is a huge swimming pool with waterslides in the park. In winter you can go ice skating and ice fishing on the lake and skiing in the park. Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Take a walk through peaceful old-timey woodlands, run around the meadows, and throw stones into Pidcock Creek. Everywhere you look you will see wildflowers, birds, and wildlife, changing with the seasons.

Out and About New Hope and Ivyland Railroad Take a trip back in time on the New Hope steam railroad! Children's birthday parties are welcome, and the railroad runs special family events, including a superbly exciting yearly "Trick or Treat" train, a "Santa Claus" train, and a magical "Polar Express" trip with cookies and hot chocolate. Special Events in New Hope From all the magic of the winter festival to the fun of the yearly car show, families have plenty of community events to look forward to. Day Trips from Doylestown There are plenty of great family outings to be had from Doylestown. Family Fun in Bucks County There are lots of enjoyable ways to spend time together as a family in Bucks County; horseback riding, picnicking, floating down the Delaware River, visiting local fairs and kid's shows and more. The Crayola Factory About 30 minutes drive away this family destination is fantastic fun, with plenty of hands on art activities for kids and their parents. The center hosts children's parties and special events as well. Philadelphia for Kids Philadelphia is about 40 miles from New Hope and Doylestown, and a little less from Newtown and Yardley. From the Philadelphia Zoo to the Arden Theatre Company, there is always plenty for children and teenagers to enjoy. Sesame Place (5 to 11) Come to Philadelphia's favorite family destination and play along with your favorite characters. Please Touch Museum (5 to 7) Go to the supermarket, enter "Alice in Wonderland", make experiments in the "Science Garden", push and pull in "Move It", and more!

Clubs Girl Scouts of Pennsylvania (5 to 17) Girl scouting increases your confidence and opportunities. Recent research showed that two-thirds of all women in "Who's Who in America" are Girl Scout graduates; 72 percent of these women say that their success is greatly due to their Scout experiences. Newtown Pack 99 Cub Scouts (5 to 10) Go on challenging and fun outings and learn outdoor and communication skills with other boys your age. Boy Scouts of America, Doylestown Chapter (11 to 18) Go camping, make friends, learn life and wilderness skills, and have fun with boys your age. Bucks County Boy Scouts There are several boy scouts chapters in Bucks County. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County See a movie, go to a museum, listen to music or make something with an adult mentor; you can talk about what's happening in your life and just have fun.

Kid Friendly Places to Eat 49 North Main This homey Labertville restaurant serves New American fare; sandwiches, seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes, and yummy desserts. Diners can eat inside, or at tables on the pretty back lawn. Marsha Brown Refined Creole Kitchen Not a utilitarian "family restaurant", but a warm and welcoming upscale dining room, Marsha Brown's in New Hope serves up hearty helpings of lovingly prepared Creole dishes; children's favorites include decadent desserts like "Chocolate Mousse Mountain" and "Granmere's Comfort Custard". Goodnoe Dairy Farm and Restaurant This fantastic family restaurant in Newtown was voted "Best of Philly" and "Best of Bucks" in 2003, and serves all homemade American favorites like pancakes, waffles, burgers, and lots and lots of ice cream desserts! Charcoal Steaks N' Things Join your family for breakfast, lunch or dinner at this riverside eatery, which has a great outdoor dining area as well as a dining room; the family menu includes fresh burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads, ribs, and superb home made crab cakes.