The Best Philadelphia Attractions for Kids

Philadelphia is a wonderful city to visit and live, full of history as the birthplace of our nation. But if you have younger children, they may not be ready to experience all of the historical sites. Thankfully, Philadelphia is a diverse city with something for everyone, and a family vacation to Philadelphia is something all ages will enjoy.

There are many family attractions in Philadelphia, including the oldest natural history museum and zoo in the country. Whether your kids love animals, marine life, dinosaurs, science or creative play, Philadelphia has it all. These Philadelphia attractions for families and kids are perfect as a day trip or part of a longer family vacation. Either way, your kids won't be bored, and you'll all have fun exploring together.

The Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo is America's oldest zoo, officially opening its gates in 1874. Today, the zoo houses over 1,300 rare endangered animals, and over one million people visit each year. It's a wonderful destination for families, with attractions and activities to keep you busy the entire day.

Your admission includes visits to all of the animals, including the Rare Animal Conservation Center, two-story Primate Reserve, and Big Cat Falls, where you wind through trails to see lions, tigers, leopards, and pumas. Some of the attractions are indoors, so even on poor weather days, there's a lot to do. For small children, the Treehouse and Children's Zoo are great options where kids can get up-close and personal with tamer wildlife and explore things on a smaller scale.

If you want to go all-out, or purchase a deluxe membership, the zoo offers a lot of fun extras that our family enjoys. The Zoo Balloon is a tethered hot air balloon that takes you 400 feet in the air. This is not for those afraid of heights (though you are "caged in"), but you can get amazing photos and views of all of Philadelphia. You can also ride on an animal train or carousel, swan boats in the center lake, real horses, or even on the back of a camel.

It takes all day to see the zoo, so plan to come early. Our family enjoys packing a lunch and eating at one of the many picnic areas located throughout the grounds. But there are several counter service food options as well. Also check the calendar of events to see if any extra activities are happening during your visit.

This is one of America's best zoos, so it's well worth the visit. Our family has been coming for years, and my kids never tire of all there is to see and do. They've also learned a lot about wildlife, nature, and conservation, which is a huge bonus.

The Adventure Aquarium
The Adventure Aquarium technically isn't in Philadelphia, but just over the river in Camden, NJ. But this newly renovated aquarium houses hundreds of species of marine life. Not only can you walk around and view all of the beautiful fish and other sea creatures, you can participate in all sorts of exciting attractions as well.

Kids will have fun touching sharks, lobster, horseshoe crabs, and more. They can also explore in Gill's Clubhouse, which is a fun, interactive zone for kids. And there's even a 4D theater with an adventure movie featuring Dora and Diego. There are even non-sea creatures, such as exotic African birds and rainforest creatures like a boa constrictor.

Outside the aquarium is the Camden Children's Garden, which is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and is only $3.50 with your aquarium admission. This beautiful garden has flowers and plants everywhere, with lots of paths to walk on and places for kids to play and explore. It's fun to explore the garden in the morning, enjoy a lunch, and then visit the aquarium for the rest of the day.

The Academy of Natural Sciences
The Academy of Natural Sciences is the oldest natural history museum in America, and still one of the best. There are lots of places for kids to explore, and a visit here will give your family an entire day of educational fun.

One of the highlights of the museum Dinosaur Hall, which houses a 42-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. Over 30 prehistoric skeletons can be found here, as well as models of a dinosaur egg and footprint that kids can sit in to see how they measure up. There's also a place to dig for bones and a green screen where your whole family can pretend to walk amongst the dinosaurs.

Another favorite area for young kids is "Outside In," which is especially geared towards children ages 3 to 8. Here, the outdoors have been brought inside so kids can explore different habitats, including the forest, a pond, and the ocean. Parents can take a break while their children crawl through a giant log, touch a real meteorite, pan for shark teeth, read a book on the cabin porch, or interact with live animals.

There are many more exhibits in this wonderful museum, but a must-see is definitely the "Butterflies!" exhibit. This display costs an extra $2 a person, but the money is completely worth it. Guests enter a special climate-controlled room which is filled with plants and flowers that provide homes for hundreds of butterflies. Gorgeous specimens in bright colors flutter around for you to see up close. One may even land on you! There are also special habitats which house caterpillars and chrysalises which are waiting to become butterflies. Not only is this exhibit very educational, it is an incredible opportunity to get up-close to some of natures' most beautiful creatures.

The Please Touch Museum
Unlike most museums where children are encouraged to look but not touch, The Please Touch Museum is a space that's centered around interactive play. The purpose of this museum is for children to learn through creative play, especially those ages 7 and under. If your children enjoy exploration and hands-on activities, then this children's museum is the perfect place to let their imaginations run wild.

The museum is organized into six interactive exhibit zones. "City Capers" mimics a real Philadelphia neighborhood, and children can have fun exploring this indoor urban environment, complete with a supermarket. "Roadside Attractions" centers around the fun and science of transportation, as kids can pretend to ride in and repair vehicles. And in "Flight Fancy," children can explore the wonders of flying and space.

If your kids enjoy more outdoor themes, "River Adventures" will take them on a journey down a river as they learn about science, nature, and weather. "Wonderland" is a whimsical, fairytale-like place, based on the outlandish places in Alice and Wonderland. This area also houses the "Fairytale Garden" toddler area, which is perfect for little ones to explore.

There's even more to see at this wonderful museum, and your family will have a great time seeing Philadelphia from a child's point of view. Your kids will definitely have a ball learning at this interactive museum, perfect for children who are hands-on.

For more, visit:
A Day Trip For Families in Philadelphia, PA
Visit the Franklin Institute and Dine on Philly Cheesesteaks
Day Trips for Families in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
The Brooklyn Children's Museum: Outstanding Creative Play for Kids