Family &
Kids.

1. Franklin Institute: The One That’s Actually Worth the Money

Best for: Ages 4-14 | Time needed: 3-4 hours | Cost: Check the attraction’s official visitor page before going

The Franklin Institute earns its reputation: kids genuinely don’t want to leave, and parents don’t feel ripped off afterward. In a city where a family outing can end in expensive disappointment, that matters.

What makes it work:

The Giant Heart is the signature experience—a two-story walkable heart that pulses with an actual human heartbeat sound. It’s been there for decades, and it’s still the thing kids remember years later. But the Institute has stayed relevant by keeping exhibits hands-on and interactive. The Brain exhibit, the physics playground, the sports zone where kids test their reaction time—it’s designed around the idea that kids learn by doing, not by reading plaques.

The planetarium and IMAX add extra value if you’re planning to spend most of the day there. Three to four hours goes quickly here, and underbudgeting the time is the common regret.

The honest cons:

Weekday mornings are a mess. School groups and summer camps flood the place before 2pm, which means crowding, pushing and long lines at the popular exhibits. A Sunday afternoon is a completely different experience.

Garage parking fills fast on weekends, and the museum cafeteria is overpriced (like every museum cafeteria). Check the attraction’s official visitor page before going.

Admission is not cheap. But here’s the thing: it actually delivers. This isn’t one of those attractions where you’re paying for the name and getting a mediocre experience. The Franklin Institute does what it promises.

The Hometress take:

We clean homes all over Philadelphia, and the families who’ve been to the Franklin Institute talk about it differently than other attractions. They’re not just checking it off a list—they’re genuinely excited to take visiting relatives there, or they’re planning to go back for the new exhibits. That tells us something. If you’re going to spend real money on one thing with kids in Philadelphia, this is where it should go. Just go on a weekday afternoon or weekend morning, bring snacks, and plan to stay for a few hours. It’s one of the few things in this city that actually lives up to the hype.

2. Smith Memorial Playground: The Free Option That Beats Half the Paid Ones

Best for: Ages 1-9 | Time needed: 2-3 hours | Cost: Free, with a suggested donation

Every city has playgrounds. Philadelphia has Smith Memorial Playground, and it’s genuinely in a different category. The centerpiece is a 44-foot wooden slide that’s been there since 1905—you ride down on burlap potato sacks, and yes, adults absolutely do it too. It is the kind of thing that has to be tried once before it makes sense.

What makes it different:

It’s not just a slide (though that would honestly be enough). There are three floors of indoor play space—dress-up areas, building blocks, a whole room that’s just filled with cardboard boxes because apparently kids lose their minds over that. The outdoor area has climbing structures, swings, and that glorious slide that kids will go down 47 times in a row.

The fact that it’s completely free is remarkable. Smith Memorial asks only for a suggested donation, and you’re getting the kind of experience parents pay admission for at other places. The facilities are clean, the bathrooms are well-maintained, and the staff is genuinely friendly. For a free public facility, that’s not a given.

The honest cons:

The indoor basement area is small and dim. If you’re showing up on a rainy day expecting the indoor space to carry the whole experience, you’ll be disappointed. This is really an outdoor-first playground that happens to have an indoor component for when kids need a break from the elements.

Street parking can be competitive on nice weekend days. You might end up walking a few blocks.

The age range tilts younger. Once kids hit 9-10, the novelty wears off pretty quickly. This is peak fun for the toddler-to-early-elementary crowd.

The Hometress take:

We clean homes in neighborhoods all over Philadelphia, including plenty near Smith Memorial in Fairmount Park. The families who go there regularly—and they do go regularly—talk about it the way people talk about a neighborhood secret they’re almost hesitant to share. It’s authentic Philadelphia: no corporate branding, no overpriced gift shop, just a well-maintained playground that’s been making kids happy for over a century.

If you’re planning a day in Philly with younger kids and want to save money without sacrificing quality, here’s the move: morning at Smith Playground (free), lunch at Reading Terminal Market, then one paid afternoon attraction if you want it. You’ve saved real money and your kids will have just as much fun—maybe more—than if you’d paid for two expensive museums. That’s the kind of value that matters to families actually living in Philadelphia, not just visiting.

3. Please Touch Museum: Expensive, Inconvenient, and Still Worth It (If Your Kids Are the Right Age)

Best for: Ages 2-6 | Time needed: 2-3 hours | Cost: Check the attraction’s official visitor page before going

The Please Touch Museum is one of the most consistently recommended family outings in Philadelphia, with one standing caveat: make sure your kids are young enough. Because this museum has a very specific sweet spot, and if you miss it, you’ve paid full admission for an outing your 8-year-old will tolerate for about an hour.

Why it works for the right age:

It’s designed entirely around the idea that young kids learn by touching, playing, and exploring—not by looking at things behind glass. The Alice in Wonderland maze is consistently mentioned as the highlight, along with the mini grocery store where kids can “shop” with tiny carts, and the water play area that requires a change of clothes.

The genius of Please Touch is that it removes all the “don’t touch that” anxiety of regular museums. Everything is meant to be touched. Kids can actually play. For parents of toddlers and preschoolers who are used to spending museum visits saying “no, we can’t climb on that,” it’s genuinely liberating.

Parents consistently mention having trouble getting kids to leave, which is basically the highest compliment a children’s museum can receive. The 30-minute warning before closing is a common struggle.

The frustrating parts:

It’s expensive, and parking is an extra charge. And unlike the Franklin Institute or the Zoo, there’s nothing else around it—it’s in Fairmount Park, somewhat isolated, which makes it harder to combine with other activities unless you have a car.

The age range is narrow: by age 7-8, most kids are ready to move on. So you’re paying full admission for something your kid might age out of in a couple years.

On rainy days and weekends, it gets absolutely packed. If you have a kid who gets overwhelmed by noise and crowds, this might not be the right fit.

The Hometress take:

If you’re local and your kids are in that 2-6 age range, the family membership pays for itself in two visits. It’s the kind of place where you can show up for 90 minutes on a random Wednesday just to burn energy, which is huge for parents of young kids in winter.

But for visitors? You need to be strategic. If your kids are 2-6 and you have a full morning to commit, yes, it’s worth it despite the cost and the location. If your kids are outside that age range or you only have an hour, your money is better spent elsewhere. Philadelphia has plenty of cheaper or free options that work across more age ranges.

The Please Touch Museum does one thing extremely well: it makes young kids deliriously happy. If that’s your demographic, the price and inconvenience are worth it. If it’s not, the Franklin Institute or Smith Memorial Playground will serve you better. That’s not a criticism—it’s just knowing what you’re getting.

The Age-Appropriate Breakdown (Because This Actually Matters)

For Babies and Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Please Touch Museum is specifically designed for this age group, and it shows. The entire museum is built around the idea that kids this age learn by touching, climbing, and playing—not by staring at exhibits behind glass. The Alice in Wonderland maze, mini grocery store, and water play area are the highlights. Parents consistently mention having trouble getting kids to leave, which is basically the highest compliment a children’s museum can get.

The reality check: It’s a paid-admission museum with a paid parking lot, and it’s located in Fairmount Park, which means there’s not much else around to combine it with. But if you have a 2-5 year old, this is where you should spend your money. Older kids will be bored in 90 minutes.

Smith Memorial Playground is the free alternative that locals use constantly. The giant wooden slide (where you ride down on burlap sacks) is the main attraction, but there’s also three floors of indoor play space with dress-up areas, building blocks, and a whole room of cardboard boxes. Yes, really. Kids go crazy for it. It’s free, with a suggested donation, and unlike Please Touch Museum, adults love the slide too.

Pro tip from parents who actually go here: The indoor basement area is small and can feel dingy. The real magic is outside. Don’t show up on a rainy day expecting the indoor space to carry the whole experience.

For Early Elementary (4-8 Years)

The Franklin Institute is the unanimous winner across every parent forum we checked.

The Giant Heart (where you walk through a two-story heart while hearing an actual heartbeat) and the Brain exhibit are consistently mentioned as highlights.

It’s hands-on, it’s educational without feeling like school, and kids genuinely don’t want to leave.

Costs: Budget 3-4 hours. Garage parking fills fast on weekends. Check the attraction’s official visitor page before going.

The insider move: Come on a weekday afternoon (after 2pm) when the school groups have cleared out. Afternoon visits are completely different.

Franklin Square offers the perfect combination of affordability and location. The Philly-themed mini golf, classic carousel, and central Old City location make it easy to combine with a trip to see the Liberty Bell. The fountain shows are a draw, and the restrooms are surprisingly clean—which matters more than you’d think after a full day out with kids.

Bonus: The square is free to enter. You only pay for activities, so it’s a good spot to burn energy without committing to an expensive attraction.

For Tweens and Teens (9+)

This is where Please Touch Museum becomes pointless and you need activities with more edge.

Otherworld (in Northeast Philly) is the newer attraction that gets strong reviews from parents with older kids. It’s an immersive art installation with puzzles and a secret-escape-room vibe throughout, which is about as good as it gets with this age group.

The Mütter Museum hits the sweet spot for “morbid but educational.” Medical oddities, preserved specimens, and the kind of stuff that makes teens simultaneously say “gross” and “that’s actually really cool.” Not appropriate for younger kids, perfect for the older ones.

Eastern State Penitentiary works well during daytime visits (the nighttime “Terror Behind the Walls” Halloween attraction is a whole different thing). The audio tour is excellent, and the eerie abandoned-prison atmosphere appeals to the older kids who are getting bored with traditional museums.

Reality check: If your 11-year-old has “been there, done that” with the typical Philly tourist stuff, head to South Street for the alternative vibe—Atomic City Comics (which is way more than just comics), the goth/Halloween shop Dreamerie, and then walk to Magic Gardens for the mosaic art installation.

The Free and Nearly-Free Options (That Are Actually Good)

Smith Memorial Playground – Free. That 44-foot wooden slide is worth the trip alone.

Wissahickon Valley Park – about 1,800 acres and more than 50 miles of trails, creek access, and Devil’s Pool swimming spot (locals know it, tourists don’t). Pack a picnic. Parking can be hit-or-miss on weekends.

Sister Cities Park fountain (summer) – Free spray park in Center City. Your kids get soaked, you sit in the shade. Bring a change of clothes.

Free Library story times – Multiple locations, multiple times per week. The main library on the Parkway has the most programming, but neighborhood branches have good options too.

Spruce Street Harbor Park (seasonal) – Hammocks, boardwalk, river views, and a generally chill vibe. The surrounding area has food options and it’s a nice place to kill a few hours in good weather.

The Food Situation (Because Hungry Kids Are Miserable Kids)

Reading Terminal Market is the solution to the “everyone wants something different” problem. It’s a covered market with dozens of food vendors—from Amish baked goods to Vietnamese food to cheesesteaks. Kids can graze, parents can actually eat something good, and nobody pays museum-cafeteria prices for a disappointing meal.

Pro tip: Beiler’s donuts sell out by mid-afternoon. Get there early if you want them.

For a sit-down option with activities, Craft Hall (by the Delaware waterfront) has a playground where kids can run around while adults have a beer. It works as a low-stress option with kids in tow.

The Philly cheesesteak question: Yes, you should try one. No, don’t go to Pat’s or Geno’s—they’re tourist traps. Locals recommend Jim’s, Ishkabibble’s, or Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies (at Reading Terminal). The kids will probably like them, and you’ll actually understand what the hype is about.

The Parking Reality (Let’s Just Address It Now)

Parking in Philadelphia is consistently annoying. Here’s what parents actually do:

• Franklin Institute: The garage fills fast. Some parents park near the Art Museum and walk 10 minutes.
• Zoo: Paid lot, or take the G trolley from Center City and skip the hassle entirely.
• Please Touch Museum: A dedicated paid lot, which is rare for Philly.
• Smith Playground: Street parking, but you might walk a few blocks on busy days.
• Franklin Square: Street parking or nearby lots. It’s downtown, so expect to hunt or pay.

The SEPTA Philly PHLASH bus hits most of the major family attractions and eliminates the parking problem entirely. It runs seasonally, and if you’re planning to hit multiple spots in one day, it’s worth considering.

The Philadelphia Zoo: An Honest Assessment

The Philadelphia Zoo gets mixed reviews, so let’s be clear about what you’re getting.

The good: It’s America’s first zoo, the Zoo360 overhead trails (where big cats and primates walk above you in mesh tunnels) are legitimately cool, and when the animals are active, it’s a solid experience.

The frustrating parts: Admission and parking both feel expensive when some exhibits are under construction and popular animals (like the polar bears) are no longer there. Parents who’ve been to other major zoos frequently compare it unfavorably on value.

Bottom line: If you’ve never been, it’s worth going once. If you’re locals, the annual membership pays for itself in two visits. Go early in the morning when animals are most active, check the attraction’s official visitor page before going, and set expectations accordingly.

Budget Reality Check

Let’s be honest: a day out with kids in Philadelphia can get expensive fast. A family of four can spend a lot just on museum admission, before food or parking. Here’s how locals make it work:

Strategy 1: Mix free and paid Morning at Smith Playground (free) → lunch at Reading Terminal Market → afternoon at Franklin Institute. You get a full day without paying for two museums.

Strategy 2: Memberships if you’re local

• Please Touch Museum: the annual family membership pays for itself in two visits
• Zoo: Similar math—if you’ll go twice, get the membership
• Franklin Institute: Same deal

Strategy 3: Free museum days

• Art Museum: pay-what-you-wish hours; check the attraction’s official visitor page before going
• Barnes Foundation: periodic free days; check the attraction’s official visitor page before going
• Many neighborhood libraries have museum pass programs

Seasonal Considerations

Summer: Spruce Street Harbor Park, Sister Cities Park fountain, Smith Playground outdoor slide. Everything’s better before 10am because Philadelphia gets humid and gross by afternoon.

Winter: Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square. Indoor options like Please Touch and Franklin Institute become essential. The Christmas Village near City Hall is worth a walk-through.

Spring/Fall: Perfect weather for Wissahickon Valley Park, Fairmount Park, and the Zoo when it’s not too hot for the animals to hide.

Day Trip Options (If You Have a Car)

Sesame Place (about an hour away) – Water park and theme park for younger kids. Expensive but popular.

Longwood Gardens (45 minutes) – Gorgeous gardens, greenhouses, and seasonal events. Not specifically a “kids’ attraction” but families enjoy it, especially the Christmas lights display.

Lancaster/Amish Country (1.5 hours) – Farm visits, buggy rides, and a completely different pace. Good for a full-day trip.

What We Tell Families Who Are New to Philadelphia

We clean homes in neighborhoods all over the city—from young families in Fishtown to multigenerational households in Southwest Philly—and the pattern we see is that the best Philadelphia experiences with kids aren’t about hitting every tourist attraction. It’s about knowing which ones are actually worth your time and money, going at the right time of day, and mixing free outdoor stuff with a couple of really good paid attractions.

Franklin Institute is worth the money. Smith Playground is the free hero. Reading Terminal Market solves the food problem. Don’t drag teens to Please Touch Museum or toddlers to Independence Hall. And for the love of all that’s holy, don’t try to find street parking near the Franklin Institute on a Saturday at noon.