Chris Meck & Jim Graham for GrahamStudios.com
By Lauren McCutcheon
In a big city that feels small, small people feel big. A fuss-free day of the kid-centric calls for frequent breaks, comfortable footwear, and knowing which activities to save for another day, such as the Philadelphia Zoo, Adventure Aquarium, and Franklin Institute. Even without these three biggies, there's still a great day's worth of fun to be had for little people in the City of Brotherly Love.
Photo Caption: Franklin Square Playground is one of the most kid-friendly spaces in the city.
Here, at the serious-looking site of the 1876 Centennial Exhibition (a.k.a. the first World's Fair) is this least-serious of museums: the Please Touch Museum, a bright, educational mega-playground for the Gymboree set. As its name suggests, the Please Touch Museum's number one rule is opposite that of its adult-centric counterparts. Climbing, throwing, splashing, honking, jumping, riding, and playing are both permitted and encouraged. Little ones will love the waist-high water tables of River Adventure, the faux shopping at a low-shelved supermarket, the "work" of a safety-first construction zone, a magically rendered Alice in Wonderland maze, regular story times, and a mint-condition circa-1824 carousel. Philly-inspired exhibits of a once-beloved kids' TV show, Captain Noah, and the monorail from the old toy department of the historic John Wanamaker store offer a glimpse of local childhoods of yore. There's also a busy cafe for juice and pizza. The staff here is marvelous, but they are not babysitters. Guardians must accompany children at all times.
More Info: tel. 215/581-3181; www.pleasetouchmuseum.org. Admission $15 adults & children (free for children 1 & under). Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 11am-5pm. Automobile & stroller parking available.
Photo Caption: The Please Touch Museum encourages a hands-on experience.
One of William Penn's five original squares, the a 7½-acre plot known as Franklin Square dates to 1682 and has recently been reincarnated as a low-key, amusement park-like haven for families. Among the attractions: an 18-hole, Philadelphia-theme mini-golf; a slew of jungle gyms; a giant sand sculpture; a merry-go-round with seats that resemble animals; and benches where "Once Upon A Nation" performers tell entertaining historical stories and make balloon animals.
More Info: www.historicphiladelphia.org/day/franklin-square. Carousel: $2.50 adults & children (free children 2 & under). Minigolf: $8 adults, $6 children 3-12. Apr 1-Oct 31 10am-dusk. Storytelling 11am-4pm, Apr 1-Oct 31.
Photo Caption: Franklin Square dates to 1682 and has recently added child-friendly attractions, like mini-golf.
Homemade ice cream in flavors both familiar (vanilla bean, mint chip, peach) and throwback (teaberry gum, licorice) come by the scoop, in parfaits, banana splits, floats, milkshakes, and more at the old-fashioned Franklin Fountain.
More Info: tel. 215/627-1899; www.franklinfountain.com.
Photo Caption: Old-fashioned Franklin Fountain boasts several varieties of homemade ice cream.
One of the best things about exploring with kids is getting to act like a kid yourself. On the land-to-water touring vehicles of Ride the Ducks, delightfully immature behavior is practically de rigueur. Though you won't get the most erudite rundown of local history, you will see a nice bit of Old City and Society Hill, make ridiculous noises with plastic "duckbills," and giggle at the joke-cracking, oldies-blaring guides. If your child is brave enough to take the wheel once you reach the Delaware River, it'll be his or her day's highlight.
More Info: tel. 877/887-8225; www.phillyducks.com. Admission $26 adults,$24 seniors, $16 children 3-12.
Photo Caption: The amphibious Ride the Ducks vehicles provide a kid-friendly environment for touring Old City and Society Hill.
Flagmaking lore aside, the tiny Betsy Ross House seems just the right fit for pint-sized explorers, who'll marvel at the absolute compactness of life for the average Colonial family. Although Quaker seamstress Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross may not have even lived here, the house's preservers sure have made it look like she did, what with careful placement of reusable ivory tablets, pinecones to help start hearth fires, and a handy kitchen hourglass. The courtyard park separating the house from the street isn't just the burial ground for Ross and her last husband -- it's the place where you're most likely to meet "Betsy" herself, and to hear her stories.
More Info: tel. 215/686-1252; www.betsyrosshouse.org. Free admission.
Photo Caption: The Betsy Ross House recreates the life of a traditional Colonial family.
Older kids appreciate important sights like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, but littler ones may get more out of Harmony Lane, a simple green plot at Fourth and Walnut streets where "Once Upon a Nation's" characters engage smallfries in tricky Colonial games like graces and quoits.
More Info: Free admission. Memorial Day to Labor Day 11am-4pm.
Photo Caption: Harmony Lane's "Once Upon a Nation" uses games to keep younger kids engaged.
Thought the Duck Boats were too mild-mannered? Then join Lights of Liberty, a flashy afterdark tour of Independence Park, narrated by celebrities who speak via surround sound technology into your headset while rifles crackle, cannons burst, and the Philadelphia Orchestra plays, and you, charged with adrenaline, walk past flamboyantly lit historic buildings, amid smoke machines simulating mist and exploded gunpowder.
During the light show's hiatus in the summer of 2011 the interactive experience moves indoors to Liberty 360. The show mixes 3D images and a circular, 360-degree screen for an immersive presentation of the city's history.
More Info: tel. 877/462-1776; www.historicphiladelphia.org/day/liberty_360. Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm and Sun. 11am-5pm; $7 for adults, $6 seniors and children 12 & under.
Photo Caption: Lights of Liberty is a nighttime tour of Independence Park.
In a big city that feels small, small people feel big. A fuss-free day of the kid-centric calls for frequent breaks, comfortable footwear, and knowing which activities to save for another day, such as the Philadelphia Zoo, Adventure Aquarium, and Franklin Institute. Even without these three biggies, there's still a great day's worth of fun to be had for little people in the City of Brotherly Love.
Photo Caption: Franklin Square Playground is one of the most kid-friendly spaces in the city.
More Info: tel. 215/581-3181; www.pleasetouchmuseum.org. Admission $15 adults & children (free for children 1 & under). Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 11am-5pm. Automobile & stroller parking available.
Photo Caption: The Please Touch Museum encourages a hands-on experience.
More Info: www.historicphiladelphia.org/day/franklin-square. Carousel: $2.50 adults & children (free children 2 & under). Minigolf: $8 adults, $6 children 3-12. Apr 1-Oct 31 10am-dusk. Storytelling 11am-4pm, Apr 1-Oct 31.
Photo Caption: Franklin Square dates to 1682 and has recently added child-friendly attractions, like mini-golf.
More Info: tel. 215/627-1899; www.franklinfountain.com.
Photo Caption: Old-fashioned Franklin Fountain boasts several varieties of homemade ice cream.
More Info: tel. 877/887-8225; www.phillyducks.com. Admission $26 adults,$24 seniors, $16 children 3-12.
Photo Caption: The amphibious Ride the Ducks vehicles provide a kid-friendly environment for touring Old City and Society Hill.
More Info: tel. 215/686-1252; www.betsyrosshouse.org. Free admission.
Photo Caption: The Betsy Ross House recreates the life of a traditional Colonial family.
More Info: Free admission. Memorial Day to Labor Day 11am-4pm.
Photo Caption: Harmony Lane's "Once Upon a Nation" uses games to keep younger kids engaged.
During the light show's hiatus in the summer of 2011 the interactive experience moves indoors to Liberty 360. The show mixes 3D images and a circular, 360-degree screen for an immersive presentation of the city's history.
More Info: tel. 877/462-1776; www.historicphiladelphia.org/day/liberty_360. Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm and Sun. 11am-5pm; $7 for adults, $6 seniors and children 12 & under.
Photo Caption: Lights of Liberty is a nighttime tour of Independence Park.