What ages is this event appropriate for?

The program is designed for young children and their caregivers; check the booking page or contact the operator via the reservation link for specific age guidance.

How long is each session?

Each booked session includes access to the Imaginative Play area for a two-hour period; story times occur at set times and may overlap with sessions.

Yes — a themed dry cereal snack is included with the session; additional café refreshments are available for purchase.

Can my child buy books at the event?

Yes — parents can add Book Fair Bucks to their reservation so children can make supervised purchases at the book fair.

Do I need to stay with my child?

Caregivers are expected to supervise children while on site; staff are present to facilitate activities but not to replace direct supervision.

Is the venue accessible or sensory-friendly?

The event is described as sensory-friendly in format; for specific accessibility needs, use the provided reservation link to contact the operator directly.

Father's Day Read & Play at Home & Harvest: Storytime, Crafts & Imaginative Play in Altoona

Home & Harvest’s How to Surprise a Dad week turns a simple storytime into a full afternoon of small-scale theater: picture a semi-circle of young listeners, a reader holding up pages of How to Surprise a Dad, the hush that follows a shared laugh, then the eruption of imaginative play. Located at Home & Harvest, 142 E. Pitt Street Bedford, PA 15522, and serving families in the Altoona area, this event bundles story, snacks, hands-on craft, and play into a single, two-hour session designed for caregivers and children to celebrate Father’s Day together.

Each ticket includes a reading of How to Surprise a Dad, a play session in the Imaginative Play area, a themed craft to take home, a coordinating snack, and a prize-box pick. Sessions run throughout the day—typical story times occur at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.—so families can pick a rhythm that fits naps and schedules. Café refreshments are available for purchase, and parents can add Book Fair Bucks to a reservation to give kids a supervised chance to shop the store’s collection, a practical way to teach decision-making and money skills.

What makes this small, indoor experience stand out in the Altoona/Bedford region is its focus on multi-sensory, child-led play. The Imaginative Play area is not just a backdrop; it’s an engine for storytelling, letting characters from the book reappear as props, costumes, and loose parts. The craft doubles as a keepsake surprise for a dad or special person, and the included snack ties into the week’s story for a tactile, memorable lesson on association and routine.

Practical parents will appreciate the flexible entry, sensory-friendly approach, and the safety of a staffed play space where adults can supervise and relax. It’s a low-impact half-day outing that doubles as a meaningful holiday activity: children leave with a handcrafted gift, a new book or bucks to choose one, and a memory anchored in reading and play. For visitors in town for Father’s Day or locals looking to celebrate a family figure, this program at Home & Harvest offers a compact, thoughtfully produced way to turn a story into an event worth remembering. Book through the operator’s online reservation link to reserve a session.

Staff typically welcomes families upon arrival and the venue’s layout encourages caregivers to mingle while children play; quiet corners allow older caregivers to read or relax. The event makes a practical gift-giving workshop: crafts become wrapped surprises and prize-box selections add a celebratory moment. Because sessions are short and repeated across the day, it’s easy to combine this outing with other local stops in Altoona or Bedford for a full holiday itinerary. Advance booking is strongly recommended.

About Home & Harvest

Home & Harvest is a family-focused play cafe and creative workshop venue located in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The venue hosts a wide range of experiences including birthday party rentals at The Freckled Duckling, open play sessions, seasonal book fairs, and hands-on classes such as soap making, candle making, embroidery, and pottery-friendly paint & sip events. Home & Harvest operates a play cafe space designed for imaginative play with life-like installations—a miniature barn, a veterinary office, and a coffee shop—so children can develop motor and social skills in a safe environment.

The business offers age-inclusive programming from toddler-focused mornings like Little Lambs & Lattes to all-ages craft nights and family workshops. Each experience lists clear details and options; several classes include instructor-led instruction, materials, and the ability to create take-home items such as soap loaves, ceramics, bouquets, and chunky-knit blankets. Refreshments are available onsite for events such as the Make Your Own Bouquet Bar and paint nights. Home & Harvest also provides private timeslots, sponsorship opportunities for community organizations, and customizable party packages with optional design services and extended hours. The venue emphasizes sensory-friendly scheduling for events like book fairs and storytimes, making gatherings more accessible. Parents and caregivers can reserve sessions online for workshops including Advanced Soap Making, Beginner Soap Making, Candle-Making, and cooking classes. By combining a play-forward environment with hands-on craft programming and event hosting, Home & Harvest serves families in Central Pennsylvania seeking creative, community-oriented experiences. Booking information, schedules, and accessibility details are available on the Home & Harvest event pages today.