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Things for kids to do in Philadelphia


(Click on each listing for more information)

Philadelphia Zoo Entrance illustration
            Philadelphia Zoo Entrance from On the Loose in Philadelphia by Sage Stossel

The Philadelphia Zoo
The first Zoo in the United States, famous for its architecture as well as its animals. Ride a camel, pedal a swan boat, or soar in the Zoo's giant balloon.

Franklin Square
One of Philadelphia's five historic squares laid out by William Penn. In recent years Franklin Square has been transformed into a destination for families and children, with a miniature golf course, a carousel, playgrounds, and SquareBurger, a popular restaurant.

Independence Hall
Where the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and later created the Constitution.

The Liberty Bell
View the famous cracked bell, watch a movie about its history, and browse related exhibits.

The Betsy Ross House
Home of the woman popularly believed to have sewed the first American flag. Visitors can take self-guided tours and meet Betsy Ross.

Franklin Court
A complex of museums and exhibits at the site of Benjamin Franklin's home, featuring a "ghost structure" outlining his former home, a new museum dedicated to his life and accomplishments, a working reproduction of an 18th-century printing office, and more.

The Liberty 360 3-D Show
A 15-minute movie offering a history of America's symbols of freedom, narrated by Benjamin Franklin in a panoramic 3-D theater.

The National Constitution Center
Historical exhibits, shows, performances, interactive displays, an original copy of the Constitution, and more.

The Please Touch Museum
A children's museum with interactive exhibits geared toward children age seven and under.

The Franklin Institute
One of the nation's top science museums, featuring a giant walk-through heart, a planetarium, an IMAX theater, a rain garden, exhibits on space, electricity, sports, and more.

Drexel University's Science Museum
Best known for its popular Dinosaur Hall, with its giant T-Rex skeleton, the museum also features mummies, butterflies, fossils, live animals, and more.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art
Housed in a grand building overlooking the city (reached by a set of steps made famous by Rocky), the art museum is the country's third-largest, and offers an array of programs and tours for children and families.

The Independence Seaport Museum
A museum dedicated to Philadelphia's maritime history, with exhibits about boats, and tours of the nation's oldest floating steel warship and a World War II submarine.

Elfreth's Alley
The oldest residential street in America, with quaint lanterns, flower boxes, cobblestones, and historic architecture.

Firemen's Hall Museum
A restored firehouse, showcasing the history of firefighting in Philadelphia, with vintage fire engines, memorabilia, and more.

Reading Terminal Market
The nation's oldest farmer's market. An indoor space with food stands of all types, including an Amish section, and Bassetts, America's oldest ice cream company.

Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
A six-acre playground located in Fairmount Park, featuring a giant wooden slide, a giant see-saw, and a playhouse with a tumbling room, indoor tricycles, and more.

Sister Cities Park
Splash in the water or float a miniature sailboat, wander the discovery garden, play in the imagination playground, or eat at the café. Located on Logan Square.

Adventure Aquarium
Located just across the Delaware River, in Camden, New Jersey, the aquarium features a large shark exhibit, a hippo exhibit, and more.