Review of Please Touch Children's Museum, Philadelphia PA

I'm mother to a 3-year-old and an infant and I'm always looking for places where we can spend quality family time. As a parent of young children I've found many museums are not geared towards the infant, toddler and preschool crowd. At this museum, I never have to utter the phrase, please don't touch that. The Please Touch Children's Museum has met our family's needs for a fun museum where we can play together!

Located in beautiful Fairmount Park in Philadelphia the Please Touch Museum is housed in beautiful Memorial Hall (a historic building left over from the Centennial Fair many years ago). The museums address is: Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park. 4231 Avenue of the Republic. Philadelphia, PA 19131. It is open from 9 to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sundays it is open from 11am to 5pm. The museum charges one price for both children and adults. It is a $15 admission fee. The only exception being children one and under are free. You can find coupons to save $1.50 on up to four admissions in your local entertainment book. There is a $5.00 free to park in the parking lot. You can find a good deal of free parking close by in the Fairmount Park area if you are trying to save some money.

The $15 admission fee is absolutely worth it! From the moment you walk into the building a look up at the magnificent ceiling of Memorial Hall, you will know you are in an awesome place. Upon first entering the museum, you will be greeted by a Statue of Liberty made of recycled materials and old toys. It is a really neat site to see! On the first floor there is a water play area with little streams filled with boats and rubber ducks. This museum really has thought of everything as there are smocks and hand dryers to keep children dry while playing. The museum also has a transportation section featuring all things automotive. A favorite of my daughters is the Septa bus that she can pretend to drive. There is also a science area where kids can play with air, in addition to a whole music area where children can make their own music. Lastly there is a special art room where they offer multiple projects and activities for children to do.

On the basement floor level there is a whole city area with a McDonalds, Shoe Store, Hospital and Supermarket. My daughter loves pushing the perfectly miniature shopping cart and loading up with all of the pretend foods. Another great area on the basement floor is the construction zone where kids can build with blocks. In addition to these exhibits there is a neat Alice in Wonderland maze area and a theater where they put on daily puppet shows. I've found their theater productions a great way to introduce live theater and puppet shows to my young daughter since it is geared to young children. There is even a centennial exhibit featuring blocks and wooden trains.

Not only does the museum have excellent, entertaining exhibits, but they also have outstanding staff. The staff is so friendly and helpful. They know just how the engage the children in play and make the museum run smoothly. The offer such great activities with the daily admission like special character visits (Clifford, Angelina Ballerina, etc), and story times in their museum store reading area.

The museum also has two special areas for children under the age of three. They are safe places geared towards babies and toddlers which special age appropriate playthings and activities. The staff does a nice job of keeping this area only open to children under three.

Another very special thing about the museum is their carousal. It was from historic Woodside Park in Philadelphia and has been completely restored. It is awe inspiring and adults will love to ride it too with its beautiful animals, music and artwork. There is a two dollar ticket fee to ride it. An adult can ride for free with a child.

Lastly the museum offers excellent bathroom facilities with mini toilets and sinks, in additional to regular sized facilities throughout the museum. There are family bathrooms, changing stations and plenty of benches to nurse a baby. The cafeteria features a variety of reasonably priced food and offers healthy options too. There are plenty of places to eat if you decide to pack your own lunch and you are allowed to bring your own food and drink into the museum.

The museum also sells memberships and I have found this to be an excellent option for our family. We go often on the weekends throughout the winter time and on hot summer days. It's a place we find ourselves coming back to time and time again. It's brought our family tons of fun and lots of memories. We feel at home at the Please Touch Museum of Philadelphia. It's a place where both my children and I can be kids! For more information you can visit: http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org