Nestled along the banks of the beautiful Appoquinimink River, Middletown is a charming small town in New Castle County, Delaware. This historic city with deep roots dating back to the 17th century has plenty to offer visitors of all ages.
From scenic nature spots and farms to hands-on museums and family-friendly restaurants, Middletown has something for everyone. If you’re looking for fun activities for the whole family, here are the top 12 things to do with kids in Middletown, DE.
Explore Appoquinimink State Park
Appoquinimink State Park sprawls over 635 acres just south of Middletown, offering families ample space to enjoy the great outdoors. Spend a day hiking through hardwood forests filled with vibrant fall foliage, spotting white-tailed deer, red foxes, beavers and more than 100 species of birds. Stop at one of several wildlife observation platforms with views of the Appoquinimink River winding through wetlands and meadows.
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the picnic tables and playground near Silver Lake. Sign the kids up for educational programs like night hikes or craft making at the Nature Center. With fishing piers, boat launches, ballfields and open space for playing, Appoquinimink has something to delight everyone.
Pick Your Own Fruit at Fifer Orchards
For a fun outdoor adventure the whole family will love, head to Fifer Orchards. Wander through u-pick strawberry fields in late spring and pick juicy, ripe berries straight from the vine. As summer rolls in, switch to picking sweet cherries and peaches in the lush orchards.
In fall, don’t miss apple and pumpkin picking – hunt for the perfect jack-o-lantern pumpkin! Kids will enjoy learning about how fruit grows throughout the seasons on an orchard tour or tasting freshly-made cider doughnuts at the farm stand bakery after all that fruit picking. It’s hands-on farm fun for all ages!
Tour the Old Brick Inn
History buffs young and old will enjoy touring the Old Brick Inn Museum, an 1830s Federal-style inn that has stood in downtown Middletown for nearly two centuries. Wander through exquisitely furnished period rooms that transport you back in time and exhibit centuries of Middletown history.
View clothing and artifacts from the 17th century when Middletown was first settled, up through Victorian times. Kids can participate in hands-on educational programs like candle dipping. With such a rich history spanning nearly 400 years, the Old Brick Inn is a window into Middletown’s captivating past.
Get Active at Wiggins Mill Park
Wiggins Mill Park has something for every member of the family, making it one of the most popular parks in Middletown. Little ones will enjoy playgrounds designed for both younger tots and older kids that feature slides, swings, forts and more. Grab balls and athletic equipment from the rec center to play games on the sports fields.
Rent a paddleboat and spend a lazy afternoon drifting across Mirror Lake, a former mill race, looking for turtles, frogs, herons and other wildlife. Walk, run or bike scenic pathways that wind through peaceful woodlands and meadows alongside Noxontown Pond. With so many ways to stay active outdoors, Wiggins Mill Park promises fun for all ages.
Explore the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal
Stretching 14 miles across northern Delaware, the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal is a must-visit attraction when exploring Middletown with kids. Start off with interactive exhibits on canal history at the Chesapeake City Welcome Center. Then walk along the canal-side nature trail, crossing two lift bridges spanning the canal and spotting huge barges and ships as they transit the canal.
For unique views, cross the Summit Bridge “high level” bridge or drive along the scenic Canal Parkway with panoramic sightlines. Nearby Fort DuPont State Park offers hiking trails with canal overlooks, river access for kayaking and more history to uncover at the fort’s buildings and batteries display – making the canal area a one-stop shop for family fun.
Go Back in Time at the Air Mobility Museum
Aviation enthusiasts young and old will love the Air Mobility Museum just 5 miles outside Middletown in Dover. This museum at Dover Air Force Base is dedicated to airlift and tanker aircraft. View over 30 classic planes up-close on the tarmac and climb into the cockpit to pretend you’re the pilot.
See a hangar filled with interactive exhibits on aircraft used in wars over the past century, as well as uniforms, artifacts, photographs and models. Make sure to take a ride in the flight simulator for a thrilling virtual flying experience! Kids can even attend Aviation Adventure youth camps for hands-on STEM fun learning about aeronautics.
Visit Smith’s Family Fun Center
No matter the weather, Smith’s Family Fun Center promises entertainment for kids of any age. Speed down twisting water slides like the Python Plummet, brave the waves in the wave pool, or simply relax in the lazy river.
Play a round of mini golf on two creative courses with fun themes. Zip around the go kart tracks and try your skills at the video and arcade games. Visit on a Friday night for laser tag matches after 6pm. With options from splash pads for toddlers to thrilling rides for teens, as well as casual dining at Mr. D’s Beach Grill, Smith’s appeals to all members of the family.
Learn at the Middletown Historical Society
Gain unique insight into Middletown’s fascinating history at the Middletown Historical Society complex. Their museum occupies a former Methodist church built in 1878, allowing visitors to admire this impressive example of Gothic revival architecture while also viewing exhibits.
Displays interpret various aspects of Middletown life over the years, such as Native American culture, early settlement, the Civil War period, family life and much more. The Historical Society also operates the Appoquinimink Friends Meetinghouse next door, built in 1785 for Quaker meetings and still used for annual community events. Don’t miss this treasure trove of local history!
Shop Downtown on Main Street
For some family-friendly retail therapy, spend an afternoon browsing shops and restaurants along downtown Middletown’s Main Street. Pop into Hunter’s Store, a family-owned hardware store since 1889, for old-timey toys, housewares and nostalgic candy. Find artisan gifts at Whirled Piece Gallery, crafted by local Delaware artisans.
Let the kids pick toys at Kidding Around while parents admire kitchenware and home décor next door at Crumpets. Grab a bite at classic diners like Archie’s Lake Forest or Evergrain Bakery, or sit-down Mexican and Italian eateries. With boutiques, bakeries, antique stores and more lining Main Street, families will love shopping local in downtown Middletown.
Enjoy a Show at Clear Space Theatre
Delaware’s popular Clear Space Theatre offers professionally staged musicals in an intimate black box theater, perfect for family-oriented entertainment. Children’s theater productions like Disney’s Moana Jr. cater to younger audiences while regular Broadway musicals give teens a professionally staged show.
Talented performers and musicians bring dazzling costumes, songs and dancing to the sleek modern theater with good sightlines that makes kids feel immersed in every scene. Reasonable ticket prices also make Clear Space productions an appealing choice for family fun night.
Have a Ball at X-Spot Recreation
X-Spot Recreation Center features more than 60,000 square feet of indoor family recreation space spanning everything from roller skating to bowling and laser tag. Kids can zoom down slides, explore multi-level play structures and try their climbing skills on rock walls at the expansive indoor playground. Bowl a strike on fashionable bowling lanes equipped with bumpers for little ones.
Skate the oval rink under a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system. Challenge your family to games of laser tag and mini golf on creative courses with black lights. With opportunities for kids to jump, run and play while parents relax in lounge areas, X-Spot offers hours of entertainment.
Grab a Sweet Treat on The Middletown Ice Cream Trail
No trip to Middletown would be complete without sampling locally-made ice cream, with two creameries and a chocolate shop offering temptations throughout downtown Middletown. Woodside Farm Creamery crafts small-batch ice creams, frozen custards and vegan options on their family dairy farm using their own fresh milk and cream.
Flavors like salty caramel, mint chocolate cookie and cotton candy change seasonally so there’s always something new to try. Less than 2 miles away in downtown Middletown, Sweet Lucy’s handcrafts their own waffle cones and bowls to serve Hawaiian shaved ice, milkshakes and sundaes using high-quality ingredients. Finally, indulge chocolate cravings at partly Sunny with artisan confections made on-site. With options for the whole family, Middletown’s Ice Cream Trail promises tasty fun!
Conclusion
From scenic nature spots and u-pick farms to hands-on history and family play centers, Middletown truly offers nonstop family fun to delight kids of all ages.
The area’s rich history and natural landscapes combine to create the perfect playground. Whether you want to pick ripe cherries at orchards, drift through wetland parks paddling a kayak, take flight in vintage aircraft cockpits, or simply share an ice cream cone downtown, you’ll make wonderful memories exploring Middletown as a family.
With such a huge variety of activities, Middletown makes the perfect destination for your next family getaway.