Things to do in Howard County

I'm often asked what one can do with small children in Howard County.  Sometimes, but the chronically malcontent, I'm told that there's nothing to do with kids in Howard County.  I am limiting myself to weekend jaunts around the county, and to things appealing to the preschool set (though older and younger will also have fun).  Here are some suggestions for things to do this weekend - excluding the many parks, playgrounds, tot lots, gyms, pools, libraries, and classes all over the county:

• B&O Railroad Museum Ellicott City Station.  A great local, small museum focused on trains and the history of the railroad and Ellicott City, which are rather intertwined.  I also spent a summer volunteering here back when Green Day was edgy.
• Howard County Conservancy.  Trails, geocatching, nature walks, animals, and similar.  It's an interesting historical site as well.
• Clark's Elioak Farm.  For the Howard County parent of a certain age, there's the bizarre experience of reliving your childhood in a disjointed manner, seeing all the old Enchanted Forest items strewn around.  There's a petting zoo, tractor rides, and the ability to purchase farm produce and some very good meat.  I also suggest the grown ups fortify themselves at Iron Bridge across the street.
• Larriland Farm.  Pick some apples, beets, broccoli, pumpkins, or flowers.  Or just go to the red barn and buy them.  Tractor rides, great fruit, and a gorgeous pond.  My nature-hating son loves Larriland - though last time he was there he gave himself a bloody nose trying to cut flowers for his crush (which is either on his 2.5 year old friend or her mother, I haven't figure out which yet).
• Bollman Truss Bridge.  There's a magic in this bridge for all, but especially for a preschooler just learning how things are put together.  This is a the last remaining all iron truss bridge.  There's a great trail that is very accessible to small children - and a great discussion about Sodor will likely ensue.  
• Robinson Nature Center.  Really frickin' cool, and shocking that this place is in a county this small.  It's pretty much our county's science center, with a planetarium, tons of activities, and nature related exhibitions.  
• Sharp's at Waterford Farm.  A fall extravaganza.  I even just wrote a post about this place.
• TLV Tree Farm.  Where the Howard clan always gets its Christmas tree.  We have yet to shed any blood here, though we have cutting open bagels.  Corn maze, animals, other fall fun.

As I say to every teenager who complains about the ennui of their painful existence, stop choosing to be bored.  There's plenty to do - just pack up the iPad, Nexus, or Kindle and take it with you.