If you are anything like me, you are almost always antsy to get out of the house with your little ones. It can be difficult to find new and fun places to bring your kids, especially as the seasons change. If you’re like me, you enjoy a curated list of ideas to choose from. To help, I have made just that! Check out our 10 favorite things to do in Philadelphia with kids!
Before heading to your place of choice, be sure to to check if you need timed tickets or reservations, and check each places current guidelines.
1. Franklin Square Park
As one of Philadelphia’s first five squares, Franklin Square Park is a fun and historic place to take your kids. The park is centered around a 100 year old fountain, and is a playtime dream come true for littles. The park features a Philadelphia themed mini golf course, a playground, and a working carousel. On select days, you can even order some delicious food from SquareBurger!
2. Sesame Place
Located just north of Philadelphia, Sesame Place is a quick escape from the mundane. Because the park is themed with characters our kids know and love, they are entertained the whole day! Sesame Place is ideal for kids under 10. The varied activities offered throughout the park create a fun and unique day for your littles! Interactions with characters, water play, live shows, parades, and rides are all offered daily at the park.
3. Treetop Quest
If you are looking for a challenging adventure, look no further than Treetop Quest Philly. Ages 4 and up are invited to explore the self guided rope and zip-line courses in the trees of Fairmount Park. Each ticket purchased allows for 2.5 hours of exploration! Because the courses are off the ground, younger explorers will need a grown-up to supervise. Treetop Quest closes for the winter, but when open, there is no need to bring your own equipment or have previous training–they take care of that for you! As of this writing, tickets must be purchased in advance and waivers filled out online.
4. Spruce Street Harbor Park
If hanging out and relaxing with a craft beer in hand is more your speed, then head to Spruce Street Harbor Park. Located along the Delaware River Waterfront, this unique park features hammocks, bars for the parents, and carnival style games for the kids. You can take in the fresh air on a floating barge or reserve your own river-side lounge for a more private experience.
5. Philadelphia Zoo
America’s first zoo is always a great choice for a day out with kids in Philadelphia! The zoo homes nearly 1,300 animals, including rare and endangered species. My kids’ favorite part of the zoo is seeing the animals walking above in the Zoo360 trail–a see-through system of animal exploration trails! Because the zoo has so many extra attractions, such as a carousel, bird feeding, and a scavenger hunt, you are bound to find something your kids will love while seeing the beautiful animals!
6. Please Touch Museum
Since I grew up just 10 minutes outside of Philadelphia, the Please Touch Museum is a staple for us and our kids! I absolutely loved going there when I was young, and now I love taking my own littles to play! Throughout the museum are 18 permanent exhibits and a featured exhibit for young kids to learn and explore. Every exhibit is made to be kid-friendly and allows for children to interact with and use their imagination in them.
7. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
An immersive mixed media gallery space, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens are a fun way for children to explore. The gardens feature both an outdoor and indoor experience and is dedicated to not only showcasing the beautiful artwork, but also creating an inspiring and uplifting community feel. Scavenger hunts can be provided for children to help them feel more immersed in the experience. And, on the second Sunday of every month, family friendly crafts are provided free with admission!
8. Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
Accessible and fun, the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse is designed for children aged 12 and under. Situated on 6 and a half acres of land, the playground features a giant wooden slide, more than 50 pieces of unique equipment, and an indoor playhouse. Several times throughout the year, the playground hosts annual events for its guests. Because of the playground’s mission to offer free admission to families, they rely on donations to support and upkeep the grounds, so if you will be going multiple times in a year, and would like free or discounted access to the annual events, consider becoming a member!
9. Riverlink Ferry
In the warmer months, you can take the Riverlink Ferry for a quick 15 minute ride across the Delaware River to new Jersey. This ferry is great for a break from a bike ride, since you can bring your bikes with you onboard, or just as a way to cross the river to other attractions. Have your pup with you? No problem! Leased dogs are welcome aboard the ferry. Be sure to prepare with kids though, because there is no restroom available onboard.
10. Adventure Aquarium
Because New Jersey is so close to Philadelphia, I decided to include my favorite attraction there! After riding the ferry, you can easily access plenty of attractions along the river in New Jersey, and my personal favorite is the Adventure Aquarium! Thanks to the varied exhibits throughout the aquarium, there is fun to be had for people of all ages. As a person named Genevieve, my daughter particularly loves seeing the hippos–one of which has the same name!
Things to do in Philadelphia with Kids
From meeting on Sesame Street to making friends with the fish at the Adventure Aquarium, there is so much fun to be had in and around Philadelphia. But, with so many things to do in Philadelphia with kids, it can be difficult to narrow down where to go! I hope that this list can help you in your search, and I am certain that there is something for everyone on here. My family and I love each attraction listed above. I would love to hear your experiences as well! If you go or if you have another awesome attraction for kids in Philadelphia, then leave a comment below!
Want even more ideas? Check out this article from Redfin that I was featured in! 22 Things to Do in Philadelphia, PA | Redfin
A day in the city with your family is a great way to create beautiful family memories, so why not have these times documented? If you’d like to chat about a family photography in Philadelphia, reach out to see how I can help!
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