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“Mom, there’s nothing to do!” If your youngsters have mumbled those words lately, perhaps it’s time to get out! Don’t fret, Philadelphia has a lot to offer to the entire family and young children. With over 322,000 kids ages 14 and younger in the Philadelphia area, there’s plenty to do.

These are just a few of the fun teen-friendly activities that Philadelphia has to offer. Read this article for some ideas.

Family friendly things to do in Philadelphia

If you are searching for fun outdoor activities in the city of Brotherly Love, here are some great ideas of cheap and even free activities and fun things you can do with the whole family.

Visiting The Please Touch Museum Is One Of The Best Things

The name says it all! The Please Touch Museum is one of Philadelphia’s best spots for children. It is an enriching children’s museum full of interactive exhibits. Your children will be able to create art in the kids creations area, “shop” in the kid-friendly supermarket, explore an interactive Alice’s wonderland, and much more. They also offer entertaining children’s plays. A trip to the Please Touch Museum would be a fun outing for all.

See the Animals at the Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo is America’s first zoo and is one of the highlights of Philadelphia. It is home to more than 1300 animals. Your teens will enjoy seeing giraffes, hippos, zebras, snakes, birds, and many other land and aquatic animals. The zoo even offers rides such as “Swan Boats” where you can paddle around a lake. They also provide some educational shows. If you live in Philly, or will be visiting there soon, this is a spot you can’t miss!

Participate in Sports/Classes at a Recreation Center

Philadelphia has numerous recreation centers to meet your child’s needs for exercise and socialization. Your youngster can enroll in fun classes such as dance, ceramics, and sewing. Or, he or she can play sports such as basketball, dodgeball, and lacrosse. Your taxes help support these centers – take advantage of them! There are dozens of recreation centers in Philadelphia – search the site today to find one in your area.

Tour the United States Mint

If your child has ever asked where money comes from, or even if they haven’t, this is a terrific outing. It is free and educational. The United States Mint is available for tours (self-guided) Monday through Friday from 9 -3. Your youngsters will be able to see coins being made. In addition you can view exhibits that teach about the history of American money. This is an activity you can’t miss in Philadelphia. It is highly recommended for school age children.

Paint Pottery at the Expressive Hand

If you’ve got a little artist on your hands, or just a child that loves to be creative and express him/herself, then an outing to The Expressive Hand would be a great trip. It is a paint-your-own pottery studio. Children will enjoy painting items such as plates, bowls, cups, mugs, ornaments and more. They’ll have a nice memento to cherish or to give as a gift. (It makes a fabulous present for the grandparents!) They also offer day camps and kid’s classes. The Expressive Hand is a wonderful resource for children in Philadelphia.

Ride the Ducks

This is a big tourist activity in Philadelphia, but it’s something all locals should do at least once. It’s a fun sightseeing tour of the city aboard a “duck” – a vehicle that is both a boat and van. Children (and parents too) will enjoy learning random facts of the city.

You’ll have a chance to see hot spots such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross’ House, Ben Franklin’s grave and more. It’s a unique way to become familiar with the city of Brotherly Love. Your youngsters will be educated on the city’s history and it’s role in song, sports and film. Kids will receive a souvenir duck whistle for some added fun, although parents might want to confiscate it or use earplugs. This is an activity all families can’t miss in Philadelphia.

Visit The Crayola Factory – It Can Be A Fun Activity For A Teen

If your teen has ever colored, then this museum would be a terrific outing. Although it is not an actual manufacturing plant. children will learn how crayons and markers are made. They will also have a chance to visit fun Crayola-themed exhibits. One neat great place is the “super sculptures” exhibit where little hands can mold together artwork using Model Magic clay.

A visit to the Crayola Factory would be a very memorable experience for your little one. It is located outside of Philadelphia in Easton, but it is worth the drive.

Enjoy a Play at Philadelphia Children’s Theater

A family night to a children’s play would be an entertaining event for everyone. The Philadelphia Children’s theater has an excellent reputation for providing quality kid-friendly entertainment. Check out their website to learn more about their productions. In addition, if you child is feeling dramatic, you can enroll him/her in one of their enriching workshops. This children’s theater is a great resource for children and young teens in Philadelphia.

Take a Yoga Class at Yoga Child

This is definitely something a little different, but will be an enriching experience for your teen as he can learn something about the human body. Yoga Child, a Yoga studio in Philadelphia, offers a variety of classes and camps for children and families. Your child will receive health benefits and participate in non-competitive entertainment. And, when their small town cousins ask what they did over the summer, they will have an impressive answer. It was voted Best of Philly in 2005. This is definitely a unique resource for Philadelphia families.

Independence National Historical Park Is One Of The Top Things To See

Independence National Historical Park is a national historic landmark located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that preserves and commemorates significant landmarks associated with the founding of the United States and the American Revolution by the founding fathers. The park is home to iconic sites such as Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted.

The Liberty Bell Center showcases the famous cracked Liberty Bell, symbolizing American independence. Other notable sites include the reconstructed Declaration House, Congress Hall, Franklin Court honoring Benjamin Franklin, and Old City Hall. The park attracts millions of visitors annually who come to learn about American history and experience the birthplace of the nation. Managed by the National Park Service, Independence National Historical Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Philadelphia Museum Of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a renowned art museum located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is one of the largest and most important art museums in the United States. The museum’s collection spans over 2,000 years of artistic creation, with more than 240,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, prints, drawings, and photographs. It encompasses diverse artistic styles and cultures from around the world.

It is housed in a grand neoclassical building situated on a hill overlooking Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The building itself is an iconic landmark and is nicknamed the “Parthenon on the Parkway” due to its architectural resemblance to the ancient Greek Parthenon.

The museum has a self-guided tour and features an impressive array of artworks, including masterpieces by renowned artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, and Marcel Duchamp. Notable highlights include Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers,” Picasso’s “Three Musicians,” and Rodin’s “The Thinker.” Sometimes there are free admission days if you decide to visit.

Stop by the Franklin (Science Museum) for a great time and other special events

The Franklin, formerly known as the Franklin Institute Science Museum, is the perfect place to take the older kids in Philadelphia. It offers a variety of educational, special exhibitions and fun exhibits. Some include a giant heart, which teaches children about the anatomy of the heart, the “train factory” which will allow children to be an engineer, and “Space Command”, which will expose your child to telescopes and space discovery.

For an extra fee, you can enjoy an IMAX film – an amazing theater experience. In addition, the museum offers fun summer camps, “camp ins” and more. You will not be disapointed in a visit to Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute Science Museum!

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