Situated on 42 acres of beautiful gardens, the Philadelphia Zoo, America's first zoo, is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered.

Adventure Aquarium is home to more than 15,000 aquatic animals exhibited throughout two million gallons of water and offers unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like up-close animal encounters, the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast, and the longest shark bridge in the world. Some of the Aquarium’s most unique residents include Anchor the great hammerhead shark, a colony of endangered African penguins, and their Nile beauties Button and Genny – the only hippos in the world to be exhibited at an aquarium. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for more than 30 years, Adventure Aquarium is held to the highest standards in animal care and exhibition.

Home to dozens of wild and endangered species that hail from all over the globe, the Elmwood Park Zoo is a top destination for families with young children. The zoo was the first in the world to become a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), and the first in the United States to offer admission to guests with pet dogs. Elmwood Park Zoo is also home to the Treetop Adventures ropes and zip line course, open to all ages.

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is a non-profit organization located in Philadelphia’s East Fairmount Park. Founded in 1899, Smith welcomes visitors from more than 500 zip code areas including every zip code in Philadelphia. The mission of Smith is to provide and promote opportunities for unstructured free play for children. Smith contributes to the development of healthy children, strong families, and safe communities by maintaining a proud tradition of free family admission, partnering with community-based organizations to reach a diverse audience, and advocating for the importance of play.

Of course, the libraries in the Philadelphia area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of the best places to take kids this year!

We are Philadelphia’s art museum. A world-renowned collection. A landmark building. A place that welcomes everyone. We bring the arts to life, inspiring visitors—through scholarly study and creative play—to discover the spirit of imagination that lies in everyone. We connect people with the arts in rich and varied ways, making the experience of the Museum surprising, lively, and always memorable. We are committed to inviting visitors to see the world—and themselves—anew through the beauty and expressive power of the arts. 

From our treehouses to our Butter House and Gardens, Tyler Arboretum has activities for families who are excited about the outdoors. With 650 protected acres of beautiful woodland, seasonally charming meadows, and a lively program of seasonal events and activities, Tyler Arboretum is a delight for nature lovers, birders, botanists, and those who want rediscover the natural world.

 Just a 30-minute drive west from Philadelphia in Delaware County, Tyler Arboretum offers seasonally changing gardens, stands of towering trees (several of which are state champions), 17 miles of hiking trails, and a selection of historic buildings dating back to the 18th century.

Diggerland USA is the ONLY construction theme & water park in the U.S. and it's in West Berlin, NJ, only 20 miles from Philadelphia! Families and their children can drive, ride and operate real construction machines engineered to be safe, clean and most of all, FUN! Enjoy over 40+ rides and attractions, a full service arcade, zip line, rock wall and more! Children over 36" can enjoy just about everything our park offers lap riding with a responsible chaperone.

Feel like cooling off? Pop over to The Water Main, water park inside Diggerland USA to enjoy soaking, splashing and sliding. Our expansive 2-acre water park offers the best in relaxation or recreation. Challenge water obstacle courses, play a game of aqua shot or just wade in Bulldozer Bay with your little one.

As the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a top-five tourist destination in the City of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is one of the leading science centers in the country, and serves as both a prominent educational and cultural resource, and as an anchor of the local economy.