Welcome back to the second installment of the Chadds Ford Summer Family Adventure Series, a collection of ideas for getting out and making the most of summer with your kids right near home.

Many of this week’s ideas come from Emma Leuschner, a familiar face in the local community. Emma is a serial volunteer, serves on multiple nonprofit boards, and brings her family-first perspective as a mom of two young boys. She works for Concord Township Parks and Recreation, so dreaming up great family outings is very much in her wheelhouse.

I asked Emma to share some of her favorite active, outdoor-leaning family adventure days. Each is paired with a great local spot for coffee or a bite to eat, rounding out the active summer days. Choose one (or two or three) of these to get out of the house and explore what the Brandywine Valley has to offer families.

Farmer and Co. + Longwood Gardens

Start the day at Farmer and Co. in Kennett Square, a beloved community gathering spot with excellent coffee, pastries, and a grab-and-go lunch menu that travels well. There’s an outdoor picnic table area, shaded by a gigantic, gorgeous old tree, making it a lovely spot to linger before you head out.

I am partial to the pumpkin chocolate chip muffin. I mean… chocolate, right? 🍫 But I also don’t drink coffee, so I can only assume that the positive reviews are well-earned.

After your snack, head to Longwood Gardens. As locals, we mostly know the drill around Longwood. Let the kids roam acres of outdoor space and seasonal features. Definitely don’t miss the treehouses; the kids will love them. If you’re feeling ambitious, stay for a fountain show that delights visitors of all ages.

Emma’s bonus tip: If the weather isn’t cooperating, pop into the greenhouse and head to the children’s section. Did you know there’s a water play area for kids? I suppose adults can probably play too, if they’re feeling up to it.

Jen’s bonus tip: Don’t try to bring sports balls into the gardens. I may or may not know from experience that little boys can’t throw a football in the big open space when you walk through the entrance gates. 🏈

Longwood requires tickets and recommends reservations. Check their website for current pricing and programming.

Spread Bagelry + Brandywine Zoo + Kids’ Playground

Stop in to place your order at Spread Bagelry in Glen Mills — bagels, spreads, and all the fixings. You’ll want to order the salted egg bagel. Seriously. 😋 We order online, so it’s ready when we arrive. Sometimes the wait on the weekends is healthy.

Pack up the bagels for a picnic, then head to the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington. The zoo is compact and manageable, ideal for families with younger kids. Admission is free for Delaware residents on certain days throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the zoo’s calendar before you go. Even if you’re coming from Pennsylvania, they occasionally offer free or reduced admission days that apply more broadly.

Let the kiddos lead as you decide which animals to visit first. Stick around for story times and children’s activities to round out the visit. Check out their events calendar for timing and more information.

If the little ones still have some energy to expend after the zoo, make a pit stop at the Kids Playground at Brandywine Park before you head home. There’s always time for a playground visit, right?

Kids playing along the creek at Newlin Grist Mill Park

Bierhaul Farmhouse + Newlin Grist Mill

For a more relaxed and slower-paced version of an active day (including some cold drinks of the adult variety), Emma suggests pairing Bierhaul Farmhouse with a visit to Newlin Grist Mill.

Bierhaul Farmhouse is a laid-back local beer garden and bottle shop in Thornton. They have loads of outdoor space. It’s perfect for summer and letting kids blow off some steam. Parents, ya know what I mean, right? 🤯 (FYI: Bierhaul has a newer location in West Chester, so make sure you’re headed to the right spot. The Farmhouse location is closer to Newlin Grist Mill and has the outdoor space, which makes this perfect for an active summer day family adventure.)

Then it’s off to Newlin Grist Mill (or maybe you stopped there first). You do you; either order works. 🫶🏻

I shared a more in-depth profile of Newlin Grist Mill a couple of weeks ago, so check that out. The mill is a true local gem: a fully restored 18th-century grist mill set on 150 acres of trails, ponds, and open meadows. It’s a wonderful place to walk, explore, fish, and let kids roam freely through a historic landscape steeped in natural conservation.

The Newlin Grist Mill staff are wonderful stewards of the property and regularly offer programs and events throughout the summer. Check their event calendar if you want to schedule around something in particular. Did you know they have a fly fishing club? I don’t know much about it, but it’s pretty intriguing! 🎣

OsoSweet Bakery + Brandywine Battlefield Park + The Pear

Are you ready for this big day? It’s a hyperlocal, hyper-awesome triple threat. Start your morning with a treat at OsoSweet Bakery. If you’ve been around here before, you know I’m a fan of the lemon blueberry scone, but you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. For something more savory, I’ve had the spinach feta empanadas, and they are also delish. 🥟

There is plenty of outdoor seating and decent shade, so stick around the Chadds Ford Barn Shops and grab one of the many tables (assuming the weather is cooperating). They have giant Checkers, too. Sneak in a game before you leave? The real question… are you gonna let the kids win? 😉

Next, toodle down Route 1 to Brandywine Battlefield Park. Walkable Chadds Ford isn’t done quite yet, so you’ll need to hop in the car. But soon enough (🤞🏻) you’ll be able to walk from OsoSweet to the Battlefield Park. Won’t that be nice?!

The battlefield offers lots of open space for kids to roam and a visitor center with exhibits about the 1777 battle. Maybe start inside to get oriented (and explore the exhibit before the little ones’ patience runs out). Then walk to the historical houses on either side of the property.

👀 Psssttt… When you walk east from the Visitors Center toward the Gideon Gilpon House, take a peek through the trees at Painters’ Folly. It’s so freakin’ close! I really hope they eventually cobble all those historic places together. It would make so much sense. But I digress…

📅 Heads up: Brandywine Battlefield Park is only open Thursday-Sunday during the summer (until they close for the winter). Be sure to check the hours before you plan your family adventure.

If you still have some energy left in the tank, cap the day with dinner at The Pear. The wonderful local restaurant has a menu that works for both the adults who’ve been shepherding kids all day and the kids who’ve earned a good meal. I often get the burger when we have dinner there, but there are lots of great items on the menu! My boys have both been and liked it.

Share your summer adventure ideas!

So that’s a wrap on the active summer days adventure ideas in and around Chadds Ford. I know there are plenty more. What do you do to make the most of what our community has to offer when you’re looking for things to do with family?

Tomorrow, we’ve got the third installment of family adventures around Chadds Ford, with a bit of an educational bent. Come back to borrow more ideas to fill your summer bucket list.