Family events in State College, PA

The Penn State Summer Jam (Nationals North) is a two-day youth basketball tournament hosted on the Penn State University campus in State College. Boys and girls teams are welcome, with a 3-game guarantee and games played under one roof at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre. Teams can expect pool-to-bracket play, trainer support on-site, clock management, and awards for top finishers.

Cool off with a kid-focused film at The State Theatre as part of an annual collaboration with Schlow Library. This screening features Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, where Sid, voiced by John Leguizamo, nabs a nest of dinosaur eggs and lands in trouble. Manny, voiced by Ray Romano, and Diego, voiced by Denis Leary, rally their prehistoric friends to venture into a hidden underground world to bring him back, meeting a range of creatures along the way, including hungry carnivores and Buck, a determined weasel who hunts dinosaurs. Attendees can enter a drawing for a free pair of passes to DelGrosso's Park & Laguna Splash by registering and having tickets scanned at the information table. Advance registration is encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome.

A playful, hands-on cooking class created for children ages 4 to 8 introduces kitchen basics and simple techniques for preparing tasty meals and healthy snacks that can be made again at home. No prior kitchen experience is needed, and activities are tailored to young cooks. This session features Chex mix, apple nachos, and a yogurt veggie dip. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members.

Community volunteers, local partners, The League, and KABOOM! are gathering at Autumnwood Park in Ferguson Township to build a new playground for children and families. Participants may contribute for a few hours or a full day, and every effort helps create a place where kids can play, explore, and make lasting memories. This hands-on community build brings neighbors and partners together to deliver a vibrant playspace for the neighborhood.

Celebrate the start of a new school year with a family-friendly celebration featuring complimentary school supplies while they last, a water inflatable for children, and dinner provided. This is a chance to reconnect with friends, meet new families, and make memories before classes begin. The event is open to all ages. A collection of school supplies for local children is currently underway at the Bellefonte YMCA, with items being collected including pencils, notebooks, rulers, scissors, erasers, markers, crayons, and backpacks.