Planning a vacation for a family can be quite a different task than planning for adults. Particularly in large cities, there can be an overwhelming number of options, but a significant task to figure out what your kids would be interested in and what is age appropriate. We have taken some of the work out of this with our handy guide below, spanning several different interests and generations for family-friendly activities to do in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia’s Family-Friendly Adventures
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Legoland Discovery
If you’ve never been to a Legoland park, just know ahead of time that everything is fantastic! LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Philadelphia is a smaller park with some rides but more of a focus on building. This indoor playground is best for ages 3 to 12, with interactive rides, a LEGO 4D theater and hands-on time with real Master Builders. Younger children will enjoy the soft play areas, an “earthquake shake” station, the Imagination Express and the opportunity to meet characters, while older visitors can view a LEGO miniland of the city, attend LEGO Ninjago training camp or creative workshops, and build and race cars on a racetrack. Ordering tickets online in advance is highly recommended to guarantee admission on busier days. Ticket options include add-ons for LEGO collectibles, VIP photo opportunities and access to an exclusive Virtual Reality experience.
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute of Philadelphia is designed to be enjoyed by all ages, from youngsters to those who are simply young at heart. The focus here is on interactive science, spanning topics from how science affects our daily lives and bodies to our role in the solar system, flora and fauna, famous scientists and even special effects technology. Kids can ride on a train to experience force, learn about the heart from a larger-than-life model and interact with electricity while learning about Benjamin Franklin. The Holt and Miller Observatory has functional telescopes to view the sun and other celestial objects safely. At the same time, Sir Isaac’s Loft allows students to play with and learn about physics from simple machines. Depending on your energy level, your family can spend a couple of hours here up to an entire day exploring all of the scientific concepts and activities at FISM.
Adventure Aquarium
Perched on the banks of the Delaware River, Adventure Aquarium is filled with fascinating aquatic animals and unique attractions to learn about them. Consistently rated as one of the best aquariums in the United States, they are known for their engaging exhibits. AA is home to one of the largest collections of sharks, which can be viewed from a beautiful glass tunnel or from above via Shark Bridge. Visitors can get up close and personal with the smallest fish and Little Blue penguins to hippos, octopus and massive stingrays. Be sure to check online before you visit to schedule behind-the-scenes encounters or special events, like their seasonal Shark Tooth Summer activities.
Crayola Experience
Creativity and imagination come to life at Crayola Experience in Easton, Pennsylvania. Make the quick 90-minute drive if your kids are into colorful and creative activities. Stations are available for crafting and painting in the Activities Studio, including making your own stickers or creating a coloring page from a photo booth. The Adventure Lab offers an immersive tablet-guided experience, while others offer pre-recorded videos exploring the science behind color and Crayola products. Photo opportunities are available in the form of character meet-and-greets and unique Crayola items on display, including Big Blue, a 1,500-pound crayon. Get out excess energy before the ride home with multiple indoor play areas and interactive exhibits with Rainbow Rain and interactive flooring. Visitors head home with many finished products to remember the experience, including custom coloring sheets, psychedelic drip art and modeling clay characters. Skip the line options are also available.
SeaQuest Woodbridge
Over the river and down the turnpike is SeaQuest Woodbridge, New Jersey. This animal haven operates a bit differently than a typical zoo or aquarium, with more emphasis on animal encounters and interactions than other places are able to offer. Despite the name, several of the animals here aren’t strictly water-bound, including turtles, snakes, lizards and birds. Visitors will wind their way through a pathway of animal enclosures and displays interspersed with stations to touch, feed or learn from a staff member about the creatures. You and your family can get up close and personal with otters and sloths, get a ticklish fish-kiss pedicure or even snorkel with stingrays. Some activities are an add-on to your general admission ticket, and spaces fill up fast, so visitors are encouraged to book online.
