Looking for the best things to do with kids in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia and the surrounding area have so many fun things to do with kids. After growing up in the Philadelphia area, and now raising kids here, we’ve probably done them all!
No matter if you live in the area, or are visiting Philadelphia for a day or two, there will be something you and your family will enjoy.
Philadelphia is known for its history, museums and, waterfront activities on the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. And many of the below activities revolve around those.
This guide shares some of the best things to do with kids in Philadelphia so everyone can enjoy your family trip to the City of Brotherly Love.
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Awesome Museums to Visit With Kids in Philadelphia
There are so many amazing museums in Philadelphia! Many of them you can visit for free on select days or any time of year. It’s hard to visit them all, but these are some of our top picks.
1. The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia
The Academy of Natural Sciences is a wonderful natural history museum. They have a fun dinosaurs exhibit, including a huge Tyrannosaurs Rex that greets you as you enter the area. Kids can even dig for dinosaur bones! The rest of the museum has plenty of dioramas and a kids’ area.
2. The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is an interactive science museum dedicated to the scientific findings of Benjamin Franklin. Exhibits include physics, weather, space, and biology. There is also a planetarium and IMAX theater for extra fun! A classic exhibit is a walk-through heart, where you follow the blood flow through the heart and lungs!
3. The Please Touch Museum
Located in the enormous and historic Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, the Please Touch Museum is one of the best children’s museums in the US. It offers two huge floors of imaginative and interactive children’s play. Have tea with the Mad Hatter, take a ride on a carousel, or learn all about money in banks at this fun and engaging children’s museum.
4. The Independence Seaport Museum
Do your kids love learning about ships and the water? The Independence Seaport Museum is part museum and part ship exploration. It’s one of our favorite museums in Philadelphia for kids!
First, explore the museum, where kids can learn about keeping our waterways clean and safe for animals, plants, and humans. They can also learn about sailing on the big play ship. Then, outside, guests can explore the Cruiser Olympia, where you can see what life was like on a steel warship.
5. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Created by artist Isaiah Zagar and saved by the local community, the Magic Gardens is more than a museum. It is a unique space made up of beautiful tile mosaics that surround you with color. Explore the indoor galleries and outdoor sculpture garden and marvel at the unique beauty that can only be found in Philadelphia.
6. The Museum of the American Revolution
Another fantastic museum in Philadelphia that we also include in our historic weekend itinerary is the Museum of the American Revolution. It might not seem like a kid-friendly place, but they will love how interactive the museum is!
Throughout the museum, there are many hands-on exhibits where kids can touch the wood of the oldest Liberty Tree and feel a genuine Revolutionary cannon. And they’ll love the ship where they can pretend to be a privateer!
7. Museum of Illusions: Philadelphia
Not your typical museum, but it’s in the name, so why not include it? Museum of Illusions is a national chain where guests can trick friends and family with photos of them hanging from the ceiling, appearing smaller than they are in real life, and other fun illusions. It’s a silly and fun way to spend some in Philadelphia with kids!
Play Areas for Kids in Philadelphia
8. Smith Memorial Playground
The Smith Memorial Playground is a 6.5-acre play area with its famous wooden slide (grab a sac to slide down!) and various unique play structures. The 16,000-square-foot Playhouse is designed for kids five and under and offers tons of imaginative play, including an indoor town to ride a tricycle around.
9. Franklin Square
Located at 6th and Race Street, Franklin Square is a beautiful park that features a carousel and mini-golf course. Depending on the time of year, a festival may occur, such as the Chinese Lantern Festival or the Holiday Festival.
Evenings from April through January, make sure to stop by and watch the Franklin Square Fountain Show, where the fountain and lights are coordinated to music. Shows run on the half hour from noon until closing.
10. Sister Cities Park
Sister Cities Park is close to the Franklin Institute and Academy of Natural Science. Children can enjoy a children’s garden and a fountain splash pad here.The children’s garden has things for kids to climb on through, like a huge log and a pond to explore. Sister Cities is open seasonally from April-October.
11. Dilworth Park at City Hall
Dilworth Park at City Hall is very popular with kids in the summertime, thanks to a big splash pad and fountain area.
However, in the winter, they offer activities like ice skating and roller skating in the spring. And at Christmas, the park is filled with vendors, amusement rides, and a light show at City Hall.
Get Outside With Kids in Philadelphia
12. The Philadelphia Zoo
America’s first zoo houses over 1300 animals on its 42-acre property. With activities like the Zoo Balloon and the Treehouse, kids are sure to have a great time at the Philadelphia Zoo. Zoo360 Animal Trails allows visitors to see various animals walking overhead and around the property. And don’t forget the new petting area! Kids can play with other kids. Goat kids that is!
13. Spruce Street Harbor Park
Does swinging on a hammock while enjoying a cool breeze from Delaware sound enticing? Then you’ll love Spruce Street Harbor Park! This pop-up park is open May-September and has many fun activities for adults and kids alike. Enjoy some of the treats and delicious foods from the many food trucks. Play some of the lawn games. Or swing next to the water. It’s an easy breezy time at the Spruce Street Harbor Park!
14. Paddle Penn’s Landing
One of the best ways to spend time outside in Philadelphia with kids is by getting on the water. The Independence Seaport Museum offers paddle boat, kayak, and rowboat rentals. You can see Ben Franklin Bridge and other Philadelphia sites while working up an appetite.
15. Wissahickon Valley Park
Hiking might not be the first thing you think of when you think of Philadelphia, but believe it or not, Philadelphia has some incredible trails within the city limits. Located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wissahickon Valley Park is one of our favorite places to hike near Philadelphia. Its unique features include remnants of old mills, statues, and even a cave!
16. Zipline and Adventure Courses
Philadelphia has several fun zipline and adventure courses in the surrounding area. There is even one in the city itself! Treetop Quest, located in Fairmount Park, has courses for kids as young as six to enjoy (and even more for adults!). They are open seasonally, so visit their website for the most up-to-date information.
17. Visit a Garden
Did you know that Philadelphia is America’s Garden Capital? There are more than 30 gardens in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. One of our favorites is in Philadelphia itself.
The Morris Arboretum and Gardens is the perfect garden in Philadelphia for kids. Located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of the city, it features fun activities like “Out on a Limb,” where kids can walk on nets high in the trees.
And their railroad display is enormous! Kids will love watching Thomas the Tank Engine move around on more than 1000 feet of track.
Experience History With Kids
18. Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States of America! Kids will love visiting the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Across the street, the Liberty Bell is displayed in a small museum dedicated to the famous icon. There are so many other fun things to do near Independence Hall. You can read about more of the historical locations in Philadelphia to visit with kids over a weekend here.
19. Betsy Ross’ House
Betsy Ross’s house is located on Arch Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets and is a fun visit for kids. They’ll learn about Betsy’s contribution to American history, including some of her more dangerous work. And kids will love the play kitchen in the basement!
20. The Benjamin Franklin Museum
The Benjamin Franklin Museum. is located within Franklin Court (Market Street between 3rd and 4th Streets).
This small museum, run by the National Park Service, highlights Benjamin Franklin’s life, including his move from Boston to Philadelphia, inventions, and contributions as a Founding Father. There are many interactive exhibits that kids will find enjoyable, including playing the glass armonica.
Where to Stay in Philadelphia With Kids
There are some great family-friendly hotels in Philadelphia. Of course, you’ll want to stay close to some of the attractions on this list. In the Old City Neighborhood, we recommend the Kimpton and the Marriott Old City.
Our personal favorite is Element Philadelphia Downtown. With its large rooms, kitchenettes, and FREE breakfast, it the perfect family hotel. Plus its location makes it easy to get to all of the fun things to do with kids in Philadelphia!
There is Even More Fun in Philadelphia
Whether you live in the area or are visiting Philadelphia for one day, there is plenty to do in the City of Brotherly Love.
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