The Homestead Family Activities

There's much to do at the resort, whether for free or for an extra charge. At check-in kids receive a Homestead Activity & Coloring book that highlights such fun experiences as fishing in the pond, playing tennis, bowling, golfing, ice skating and skiing.

Hiking
Resting on 400 acres, the Homestead provides a number of hiking trails.

Washington Room
This wood-paneled sitting area featuring wicker furniture provides a comfy place to lounge with the family. Chess tables, checkers, resort memorabilia keep families "busy" and relaxing in the sunlight streaming in from the large windows was one of our favorite (and free) resort activities.

Pools & Springs
In the warmer months, the resort opens its outdoor pool. During chiller months and winter, an indoor pool becomes the place to splash. While the outdoor pool also features a kiddie pool, there's no indoor kiddie pool.

From June through October, families can soak together from 12 to 2 p.m. in the historic Jefferson Pools down the road in Warm Springs.

Movies
Enjoy free nightly movies, typically held at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in the theater that was built in 1923.

Allegheny Activities Center
Located in the hotel's shopping corridor, you can pick up complimentary badminton, bocce, shuffleboard and croquet equipment to play on the expansive lawn.

Depending upon the season, you can also book off-road driving tours, archery lessons, canoeing outings, falconry experiences, mountain biking expeditions, horseback riding and rounds of golf on the resort's three courses.

Golf
The resort features three golf courses. In 2010, the resort established junior tees on the Lower Cascades Course and kids clubs are available for rental.

Spa
Kids aren't left out of the spa either. With the Coming of Age package, mothers and daughters build bonds with manicures, pedicures and mini-facials. Purchase the Fancy Feet package, and your child younger than 12 can soak her toes in a chocolate milk bath before getting her toenails polished. When a parent is present, spa enthusiasts ages 13 to 16, can try facials or massages.

Ice Skating
In winter the Homestead shines as well. Although relatively small, an outdoor ice skating rink on the resort's back lawn lures kids. Warm up with hot chocolate or by the fire pit.

Skiing
Given enough snow, the Homestead also offers cross-country skiing and guided snowmobile tours. While the 45-acre ski are won't generate any thrills for your teens accustomed to black diamond runs, the Bunny School for ages 5 to 11 might be just the right size for younger ones wanting to take up the sport but intimidated by big ski schools and big mountains.

Kids Club
The resort's year-round supervised children's program operates Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thoughtfully, the program mixes indoor and outdoor activities that make use of the Homestead's resources. Along with creating crafts, ages 3 (potty-trained) through 12 visit the stables go on nature walks, cook with the chef, bowl and fish in the resort's pond.

The Kids Club facility is located down the hill from the main building in a row of former cottages. The colorful, multi-room structure has areas for arts and crafts, meals, games and video watching. With enough children registered, counselors divide the kids into groups for 3 to 7 year olds and 8 to 12 year olds. Kids also romp on the nearby climbing equipment. Kids may be signed up for full day or half-day programs with or without lunch.

On Saturdays, Kid's Night Out from 6:30 to 10 p.m. lets children bowl, create crafts and watch movies while parents get some adult time. You can register kids to eat dinner with the group or to arrive after eating dinner. A Friday evening Kid's Night Out program operates during June through August.

Vibz
The former teen facility has been turned into a family activity center. We found it small, uninviting and relatively expensive (each person pays an hourly rate) for air hockey or Wii games. Vibz is located across the lawn from the Kids Club.