For the kids · Philadelphia, United States
12 Things to Do in Philadelphia with Kids
Parks, zoos, hands-on museums and rides: the Philadelphia the kids will actually remember.
Chosen by venue type (family-oriented categories), ordered by real review volume. Updated monthly.
Penn's Landing
Park & natureFree entryPenn's Landing is a historic waterfront park situated along the Delaware River in Philadelphia's Center City East.
Read our full guide →Walnut Street Theatre
EntertainmentWalnut Street Theatre, founded in 1809, holds the title of the oldest continuously operating theater in the English-speaking world.
Read our full guide →Academy of Music
EntertainmentThe Academy of Music, located on South Broad Street in Philadelphia's City Center West, is the oldest continuously operating opera house in the United States.
Read our full guide →Merriam Theater
EntertainmentThe Merriam Theater, located on Philadelphia's vibrant Avenue of the Arts, is a historic venue that has been entertaining audiences since 1918.
Read our full guide →Forrest Theatre
EntertainmentThe Forrest Theatre, located on Walnut Street in Philadelphia's vibrant Avenue of the Arts district, is a classic Broadway-style venue that has been entertaining audiences for nearly a century.
Read our full guide →Blue Cross RiverRink
EntertainmentBlue Cross RiverRink is a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink located on the banks of the Delaware River in Philadelphia's Penn's Landing area.
Read our full guide →Lucky Strike Philadelphia
EntertainmentLucky Strike Philadelphia is a lively entertainment spot located on Chestnut Street in the heart of Center City.
Read our full guide →Chris' Jazz Cafe
EntertainmentAn intimate jazz club in Center City West featuring live music and a full bar.
Read our full guide →Wilma Theater
EntertainmentThe Wilma Theater is a cornerstone of Philadelphia's cultural scene, located on South Broad Street in the City Center West neighborhood.
Read our full guide →Cashunt Philadelphia
EntertainmentCashunt Philadelphia is an interactive, high-energy escape room experience located in the historic Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Read our full guide →PFS East Theater
EntertainmentPFS East Theater, operated by the Philadelphia Film Society, is a beloved independent cinema located on bustling South 2nd Street in the Old City neighborhood.
Read our full guide →Opera Philadelphia
EntertainmentOpera Philadelphia is a leading opera company known for its bold, contemporary productions and commitment to making opera accessible.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
We keep only child-appropriate venue types — parks, zoos, hands-on museums, theme parks — then rank them by how many families actually review them well, out of the 64 Philadelphia places we track. Refreshed monthly, with no paid placement.
Good to know
Most picks suit ages 2 to 10; a few also work for older kids and teens.
Popular museums and parks in Philadelphia are calmest right at opening or after 3pm.
Keep one indoor pick in your back pocket in case the forecast turns.
Common questions
Is Philadelphia good to visit with kids?+
Yes. Parks, boat rides and hands-on museums make it easy to break up sightseeing with things children enjoy, and every spot on this list is one families rate highly.
What can you do for free with kids in Philadelphia?+
Plenty of parks and playgrounds cost nothing. See our free things to do in Philadelphia for the full set.
How many days do you need in Philadelphia with children?+
Two to three days is enough to cover the highlights at a relaxed, kid-friendly pace.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.