Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Philadelphia
Every summer, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This page is where we showcase the Philly area's winners for 2024. (Click here for the full list of nominees.)
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Browse through our site to find lots more, check out our packed daily calendar, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, and be sure to visit our Everything That's Free page.
2024's Top 20 ranking + category winners! Scroll down for more about each venue, with links!
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1. Philadelphia Zoo |
Arts Education: Wolf Performing Arts Center Sports Education: Philadelphia Rock Gym STEM Education: The Franklin Institute |
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1. Philadelphia Zoo
Situated on 42 acres of beautiful gardens, the Philadelphia Zoo, America's first zoo, is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered.
2. The Franklin Institute
As the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a top-five tourist destination in the City of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is one of the leading science centers in the country, and serves as both a prominent educational and cultural resource, and as an anchor of the local economy.
3. Adventure Aquarium
Adventure Aquarium is home to more than 15,000 aquatic animals exhibited throughout two million gallons of water and offers unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like up-close animal encounters, the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast, and the longest shark bridge in the world. Some of the Aquarium’s most unique residents include Anchor the great hammerhead shark, a colony of endangered African penguins, and their Nile beauties Button and Genny – the only hippos in the world to be exhibited at an aquarium. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for more than 30 years, Adventure Aquarium is held to the highest standards in animal care and exhibition.
4. Please Touch Museum
Please Touch Museum’s mission is to change a child’s life as they discover the power of learning through play. Recognized locally and nationally as one of the best children’s museums, Please Touch Museum has two floors of fun, engaging exhibits — allowing children to pursue their curiosity and explore the wonder of the world around them. For more information, please call 215-581-3181 or visit our website at www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.
5. Elmwood Park Zoo
Home to dozens of wild and endangered species that hail from all over the globe, the Elmwood Park Zoo is a top destination for families with young children. The zoo was the first in the world to become a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), and the first in the United States to offer admission to guests with pet dogs. Elmwood Park Zoo is also home to the Treetop Adventures ropes and zip line course, open to all ages.
6. Longwood Gardens
Families can experience the world of Longwood Gardens to reconnect with the beauty of nature and each other. See blooming gardens, watch fountain dance to music, and get a birds-eye view from our three amazing treehouses. From seeing exotic plants from around the world, to meeting the Drooling Dragon in our Indoor Children’s Garden, to roaming 1,100 acres of outdoor gardens, each visit to Longwood will delight young and old with discovery. Longwood Gardens is nestled in the heart of the Brandywine Valley in Kennett Square, PA.
7. Rolling Thunder Skating Rink
Rolling Thunder Skating Rink is an ALL NEW Rolling Thunder Roller Skating Center in Philadelphia, PA. We are OPEN and Ready for Family Fun! We feature Kids Birthday Parties, School Fundraisers, and Family Fun!
8. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a leading natural history museum dedicated to advancing research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science. Visitors to the Academy have the opportunity to get face-to-face with towering dinosaurs, meet live animals, and explore a tropical garden filled with live butterflies. Philadelphia’s natural history museum offers surprises for all ages, from changing interactive science exhibits to a children’s discovery center, a fossil dig, and opportunities to interact with real science experts.
9. Independence Seaport Museum
We're all about water! The Museum features interactive exhibits, a working boat shop, science lab, on-water programs and historic ships.
10. LEGOLAND Discovery Center
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, where families with children aged 3 to 10 can enjoy a world of creativity, color and building fun. It's like you’ve just jumped into the biggest box of LEGO® bricks ever!
11. Delaware River Waterfront
The Delaware River Waterfront is a vibrant destination for recreational, cultural, and leisure activities for the residents & visitors of Philadelphia. We are here to bring you information about waterfront news, events and development.
12. Sesame Place
Sesame Place is a children's theme park, located on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based on the Sesame Street television program. It includes a variety of rides, shows, and water attractions suited to young children.
13. Kids At Play
We have plenty of indoor activities for kids in the Philadelphia area. Our indoor playground and 7,000-square-foot multi-sensory facility are designed to maximize opportunities for your child’s development in a safe, clean and fun, supervised environment. Looking for a great party place in Philadelphia? Our facilities are perfect for a stress-free, hassle-free party that will keep you and the kids happy. Birthday & private event packages are available to members and non-members.
14. Sky Zone Philadelphia
Challenge yourself with our Ninja Warrior Course, Sky Climb, Sky Line, and Sky Ladder. Grab your squad and play a pick up game or Ultimate Dodgeball or Sky Hoops.
15. Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
The Morris Arboretum provides a place of respite, beauty and learning where the joy and wonder of the natural world inspire all who visit to be enthusiastic ambassadors for plants and our fundamental dependence on them.
16. 11th Hour Theatre Company (Permanently Closed)
17. The Schuylkill Center
Our mission is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature. Founded in 1965, the Schuylkill Center is one of the first urban environmental education centers in the country, with 365 acres of fields, forests, ponds, and streams in northwest Philadelphia.
18. Smith Memorial Playground
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is a non-profit organization located in Philadelphia’s East Fairmount Park. Founded in 1899, Smith welcomes visitors from more than 500 zip code areas including every zip code in Philadelphia. The mission of Smith is to provide and promote opportunities for unstructured free play for children. Smith contributes to the development of healthy children, strong families, and safe communities by maintaining a proud tradition of free family admission, partnering with community-based organizations to reach a diverse audience, and advocating for the importance of play.
19. Act II Playhouse
Act II Playhouse is committed to creating and programming theatre in a venue whose intimacy draws audiences and actors into dynamic interaction. Act II produces new, classic, and contemporary plays and musicals that reflect the highest artistic standards. Our focus is on a variety of live performances that are accessible and entertaining.
20. Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) is an immersive mixed media art environment that is completely covered with mosaics. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirror, and international folk art to chronicle his life and influences. The space is made up of two indoor galleries and a bi-level outdoor sculpture garden. As a nonprofit museum, PMG celebrates art in its many forms through community outreach, public programs, hands-on activities, exhibitions, and tours. We welcome everyone to explore the space and embrace the possibility of self-expression.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Wolf Performing Arts Center
Wolf Performing Arts Center is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through learning, experiencing, and creating theatre. We provide students an opportunity to develop their confidence, character, and creativity in a safe, accepting environment, while deepening the community's appreciation of the performing arts. Sing, act, and dance your way into our programs which include Main Stage Performances, Theatre Classes, Private Lessons, Workshops, Summer Theatre Camp, and more!
Top Sports Educator: Philadelphia Rock Gym
The Philadelphia Rock Gyms, with multiple locations in the Philadelphia area, has introduced 100,000+ kids and adults to rock climbing. Dedicated to excellence and safety, we offer indoor climbing/classes and outdoor training/expeditions. We promote team development and leadership skills through ground-based initiatives and seminars in our Teambuilding Program. Most important, we teach people of all ages, skill levels, and neurodivergences to discover the spirit of climbing---confidence, teamwork, balance, and community. Check out our youth classes, Kids Day Off, Summer and Winter Camps, Birthday Parties, and more!
Top STEM Educator: The Franklin Institute
As the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a top-five tourist destination in the City of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is one of the leading science centers in the country, and serves as both a prominent educational and cultural resource, and as an anchor of the local economy.
