Family Guide
Howard — Family Guide
Kids activities, outdoor adventures, schools, library programs, seasonal family fun, and everything families need in Howard, Texas.
👨👩👧 Family Guide — Howard
Paddleboats, Cobblestones & Live Music — Family Fun in Howard County
Howard County gives families room to roam between two major cities — paddleboats and picnics at Centennial Park, rock skipping and tree climbing at Patapsco Valley State Park, and milkshakes at the EC Diner after a walk down Ellicott City's cobblestone streets. Add live theater, indoor go-kart racing, and free lakefront concerts, and it's a county built for year-round family exploring.
⭐ Top Family Activities
🚣
Centennial Park
Paddleboats, picnic spots, and trails around the lake — Howard County's central family recreation hub.
🌳
Patapsco Valley State Park
A nature-immersion state park where rock skipping and tree climbing are part of the fun.
🎭
Toby's Dinner Theatre
Live, family-friendly theater performances paired with dinner.
🏎️
K1 Speed
High-speed indoor go-kart racing for an energetic rainy-day outing.
🍦
Historic Ellicott City
Cobblestone streets lined with ice cream shops and quirky stores, easy to explore on foot with kids.
🎶
Columbia's Lakefront Stage
Free live music by the lake in the heart of Columbia's planned downtown.
🌳 Outdoor Family Fun
🍦 Family Food & Treats
🏫 Schools & Library
🗓️ Family Fun by Season
Spring 🌸
Spring festivals kick off the outdoor season across the county's parks and historic towns.
Summer ☀️
Free concerts at Columbia's Lakefront Stage and full days of paddleboating at Centennial Park define summer.
Fall 🍂
The Howard County Fair and fall farm days bring the harvest season to families across the county.
Winter ❄️
Holiday events and a full family theater season at Toby's Dinner Theatre keep winter busy.
🗺️ Plan Your Family Visit
Source: Maryland Mountain Side — Official Allegany County Tourism