No matter how much you prepare in advance, talking to your kids about moving is difficult. One way to build excitement during the “hey kids, we’re moving” conversation is to research and discuss a list of fun things to do in your new hometown. If you’re moving to Philadelphia, you’ll find tons of great kid-friendly activities to help introduce your family to the city. Here are just a few of the many exciting things to do in Philadelphia with kids.
Philadelphia Zoo
Zoos are always a popular kid attraction, and Philadelphia’s tops the list of local family-friendly activities. America’s first zoo is home to over 1,300 animals, kept in both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Located just two miles from downtown, the Philadelphia Zoo is the perfect place to bring your family for a day trip into the city. Highlights include a gorilla treeway suspended 12 feet in the air, the big cat house where lions and tigers roar, and a pond filled with slipping and sliding otters.
Please Touch Museum
Situated in Fairmount Park, the ultra-kid friendly Please Touch Museum encourages visitors to use all of their senses to explore, learn, and have fun. Many exhibits carry a Philadelphia theme, such as the City Capers play area that incorporates some of the places you’ll find in the city’s neighborhoods. In Roadside Adventures, kids can pretend to drive a SEPTA bus. You’ll also find a supermarket shopping area where kids can pick out their own items and run through a kid-operated checkout.
Franklin Institute
For older kids, the Franklin Institute is a great place to explore and learn about science. Walk through a giant heart or climb through a two-story sized model of the brain’s neural network. While at the museum, stop by the rotunda and snap a picture of your kids in front of the 20-foot high statue of Benjamin Franklin. The Franklin Institute also welcomes special exhibits, like the current Art of the Brick that features Lego sculptures.
Academy of Natural Science
The official description of the Academy of Natural Sciences states that it’s a “museum dedicated to advancing research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science.” But ask any Philadelphian and they’ll tell you it’s also the place to view a breathtaking, life-sized dinosaur exhibit. Outside In, an interactive play area on the top floor of the museum is another favorite spot which offers kids the chance to get up close and personal with live animals.
Sesame Place
Sesame Place, a popular amusement and water park, sits just outside the Northeast section of Philadelphia, in Langhorne. Rides range from low-tech playground activities to an older kids’ roller coaster. The popular Sesame Street characters are available for photo ops and they also march in a daily parade.
Adventure Aquarium
Hop on the River Link Ferry at Penn’s Landing and ride across the Delaware river to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey. Kids will love seeing Button and Genny, the famous hippos, in both above and below-water viewing areas. You can also tour the Ocean Realm area and view 850 species of aquatic life. Outside, encounter penguins, and watch them swim and play on their very own island.
Moving with kids can be a difficult transition, but it also provides opportunity for family bonding and the sharing of new experiences together as you learn about your new hometown. If you’re in the midst of a busy home search, don’t forget to take a break now and then and explore some of the fun things to do in Philadelphia with kids.
Image Source: Flickr/Pat & Keri
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