Searching for some family-friendly fun in Philadelphia? You are in luck; Philadelphia is packed with museums, history lessons and plenty of fun for both you and your kids. Watch history come to life while your children enjoy everything that this charming city has to offer. You may be surprised to find out just how many of Philadelphia's attractions will make your child's time there both engaging and educational.
Philadelphia has plenty of museums that are sure to keep your child entertained. The Please Touch Museum encourages your little ones to touch anything they can get their hands on throughout the entire museum. Navigate the maze in Wonderland, play pretend in City Capers or splash around in Waterway Play. Or visit the Franklin Institute Science Museum that encourages kids to explore a weather station, walk through a giant model of the human heart and interact with each of the exhibits while they learn. While you are there, don't miss the IMAX or America's second-oldest planetarium. Treat your kids to a real archaeological dig at the Academy of Natural Sciences where they can find their own fossils in Dinosaur Hall. The museum also features a butterfly exhibit as well as a live animal center. Plan a family day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art so you can enjoy a gallery tour, performances and art projects aimed especially at a younger audience.
Get your tickets early for Independence National Historic Park, a historic landmark that spans several Philadelphia blocks and is home to a number of historic buildings. See the Liberty Bell or visit Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Book for your kids at the visitor's center so your kids can enjoy activities relating to each attraction and even get a Junior Ranger badge by the end of the day. If you want to ride to the historic attractions with ease, hop aboard Philadelphia's Ride the Ducks to visit 20 sights all over Philadelphia, including Betsy Ross' house, the Vietnam War Memorial and The Mint.
The kids will love Franklin Square, one of five original squares in Philadelphia. Franklin Square boasts a carousel, mini golf and a playground that is widely regarded as one of the best in Philadelphia. Solve a mystery with Colonial Kids Quest, a kid-friendly whodunit that departs from the Independence Living History Center. Your children will be the detectives as they search for a missing copy of the Declaration of Independence. Enjoy the outdoors at SMITH, the kids' play place in the park. With more than 6 acres devoted to 50 pieces of playground equipment that is appropriate for all ages, SMITH has been entertaining children for more than a century. Slide down the giant wooden slide or marvel at the 24,000-square-foot playhouse.
