What ages is the program for?

The sessions are aimed at preschool and early-elementary children; caregivers should attend with toddlers and young kids.

How long is each session?

Each reservation grants access to a two-hour imaginative play session with scheduled story readings throughout the day.

Check in at the meeting point: 142 E. Pitt Street Bedford, PA 15522; arrive 5–10 minutes early to settle in.

A dry cereal snack tied to the week’s book is provided; cafe refreshments are available for purchase separately.

Can children buy books?

Yes—parents can add Book Fair Bucks to reservations to allow children to shop a curated selection during their session.

Is the event sensory friendly?

Yes—the program is designed to be sensory friendly and allows children to participate at their own pace instead of a formal class structure.

Read & Play: The Big Cheese Storytime & Imaginative Play in Altoona | Workshop | Events

Read & Play - The Big Cheese is a weeklong themed story-and-play series staged in the Altoona/Bedford region of Pennsylvania. Sessions meet at 142 E. Pitt Street Bedford, PA 15522 and invite children and caregivers to two hours of guided imaginative play centered on a single, silly book. Intentionally informal and sensory-friendly, the program blends a lively story reading with a craft to take home, a themed snack, a special prize pick, and access to the venue’s Imaginative Play area.

Inside the play area, familiar props and child-sized stations act as the scene’s key features: a reading nook, craft table, dramatic-play kitchen, and small climbing and building zones that spark cooperative play. While this isn’t a wilderness outing, the location sits a short drive from the Allegheny Plateau and Appalachian foothills, where oak and maple woodlands shape local outdoor culture—making the event a practical indoor complement to park days and trail afternoons. The program also supports early literacy through optional Book Fair Bucks, where children practice simple decision-making and money skills at a curated mini bookstore.

What makes Read & Play stand out is its focus on playful confidence and kindness. Facilitators turn a single story into a mini-lesson on sharing, voice, and bravado—then hand the reins back to kids during open play. Parents appreciate the predictable schedule (story times at regular two-hour session windows throughout the day), the sensory-friendly environment that lets children participate at their own pace, and the small take-home craft that extends learning beyond the room.

Practical details matter: the week runs May 24–30 with readings scattered across multiple session times; a dry cereal snack keyed to the week’s book is provided; additional cafe refreshments are available for purchase. The meeting point at 142 E. Pitt Street Bedford, PA 15522 places the activity right on a small-town Main Street, within easy reach of local parks and family-friendly trailheads for those who want to pair an indoor morning with an outdoor afternoon.

This experience is a tidy, joy-focused stop for families traveling through Altoona and Bedford counties. It’s affordable, low-stress, and built for repeat visits: kids come for the giggles, parents leave with a new book idea, and the locale benefits from an activity that keeps families engaged in both indoor play and the region’s broader outdoor life.

Arrive 5–10 minutes early to check in and settle children into the play stations; sessions begin promptly to keep story times on schedule. While the program is aimed at preschool and early-elementary ages, siblings are welcome when space allows—check availability when booking. Reservations are required through provided booking link, and parents should pack any necessary comfort items. This gentle, structured play session is ideal as mid-morning or early-afternoon activity.

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.