Philadelphia is one American city where history comes alive in a way the whole family can enjoy. From cobblestone streets to modern adventures, when you visit Philadelphia you’ll find fun and educational opportunities around every corner! Here are our favorite kid friendly activities in Philadelphia. Don’t miss any of them!

Philadelphia is one place I always wanted to visit. I’m a history junkie and really love seeing historically relevant sites. I was pretty darn thrilled when a great, great friend moved to Philly several years ago. That gave me a justifiable excuse to visit (as well as a free place to stay) and I packed up my four kids for two different road trips to the area. We had a great time during each visit.

Imagine walking the same streets where Benjamin Franklin flew his famous kite and the Founding Fathers debated independence! Founded in 1682 by William Penn, Philadelphia epitomizes America’s birth story. Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed, where the first American flag was sewn, and where the Liberty Bell first rang out for freedom.

But what makes Philly truly special for families isn’t just its history—it’s how the city brings that history to life. Kids can step into Independence Hall and stand in the exact spot where the United States was born, dress up in colonial clothing at historic houses, or join interactive exhibits where they can vote like the Founding Fathers.

Between the hands-on museums, street performers in period costumes, and history-themed treats (anyone for a Thomas Jefferson-inspired ice cream?), Philadelphia turns what could be a boring history lesson into an exciting adventure that kids will actually want to be part of!

Here are some things we LOVED doing, all kid friendly activities in Philadelphia.

Independence Hall

What visit to Philadelphia is complete without seeing the birth place of the United States? Independence Hall is part of the US National Park System and is a free visit.

Take a guided tour to see the original US constitution, the exact rooms where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed. Park Rangers bring history to life with engaging stories, and kids can see the actual chair George Washington sat in.

Tickets are free, but entrance to Independence Hall is by timed entry ticket only from March through December. No tickets are necessary in January and February. You can reserve tickets in advance for a small fee $1.50 per ticket). Learn more about tickets to Independence Hall here.

Pro tip: Get your free tickets early in the day, especially during peak season.

Don’t let the thrilled look on my kids’ faces fool you for a minute. They did enjoy visiting Constitution Center and Independence Hall. They also loved earning the Junior Ranger Badge from the National Park Service that we MADE them do. 😀 If you’re heading to Philly with your kids, I recommend finding all the cheesy photo ops you can and forcing them to post. Very amusing for parents…

The Liberty Bell Center

Get up close to America’s famous cracked bell in the Liberty Bell Center. Kids are amazed to learn that the original bell was ordered from England and cracked on its first ring. Local metalworkers melted down that bell and cast a new one which also cracked after 90 years of hard use.

The interactive exhibits at the Liberty Bell Center explain how this bell became a symbol of freedom for people around the world, and the photo opportunities are unbeatable.

Make sure you also stop in the Independence Visitor’s Center with your kids and let them touch and feel exhibits.

That’s also where you can get the Junior Ranger booklets for your kids! My kids really enjoyed the dress up. Independence Hall, the Visitor’s Center, and the Liberty Bell are very close to each other. You’ll walk from once to the next.

United States Mint

Another one of our favorite kid friendly activities in Philadelphia is taking a free tour of the US Mint! Also located very close to Independence Hall, this 45 minute self guided tour will show you how the US Treasury makes coins! It’s not quite as sexy as learning about making millions of dollars worth of bills, but we enjoyed our time there a lot!

Our kids loved seeing the massive machines in action and learning fun facts (did you know it takes less than a second to make a penny?).

Tours run Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but the doors close at 4:15 pm. The Mint is located at 151 N. Independence Mall East (on 5th Street between Arch Street and Race Street). Learn more at the US Mint website.

Betsy Ross House

A quick walk from Independence Hall, you’ll find the Betsy Ross House where you can meet Betsy Ross, America’s most famous seamstress.

In this charming colonial home, kids can chat with a Betsy Ross re-enactor, learn how flags were made in the 1700s, and even try their hand at colonial crafts. The tiny, winding staircases and period furnishings make children feel like they’ve traveled back in time.

We really enjoyed this tour because historical actors are so real and believable. I had to convince my youngest daughter that it wasn’t actually Betsy Ross. Unlike the activities I’ve mention thus far, there is a fee to tour the Betsy Ross House – $10 for adults and $8 for kids. Totally worth it, in my opinion.

Reading Terminal Market

The historic Reading Terminal Market has been feeding Philly since 1893. Kids can sample local treats like soft pretzels and whoopie pies, watch cheese being made, and marvel at the Amish vendors who still do things the old-fashioned way. The diverse food options (provided by more than 75 small, family-owned businesses) mean even picky eaters will find something they love.

What a great place to grab a bite to eat! Reading Terminal Market is one of the largest and oldest public markets in the US. Not only do they have tons of fabulous food, but they also have an indoor farmer’s market and lots of locally made products. I did some of my Christmas shopping here when we visited.

The market is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm, except the Pennsylvania Dutch merchants who are closed on Sundays. You’ll find it near Macy’s at 51 North 12th Street. Be sure to keep a close eye on your kids. It’s a pretty crowded place.

Wanamaker Organ

If you’re into music, make sure to stop at Macy’s Center in downtown Philly.My kids really enjoyed wandering around this enormous Macy’s store and seeing the world’s largest playing organ – Wanamaker Organ. Kids are mesmerized by the organ’s 28,750 pipes and the impressive console with six keyboards.

I highly recommend visiting when the organ is playing – Monday through Saturday at noon and 5:30 pm. If you happen to go during Christmas time, the Christmas Light Show is absolutely amazing. Learn more here!

Independence Seaport Museum

More kid friendly activities in Philadelphia that the entire family will enjoy include visiting the Seaport Museum! This fun and educational museum features many interactive exhibits about the history of boating in Philadelphia and beyond. The kids had fun climbing in and out of boats, sailing small electric boats inside, and also watching master boat makers build boats! It’s also near the downtown area, so pretty close by if you’re visiting downtown Philly.

But our favorite part of the trip was climbing aboard the Becuna submarine and seeing how sailors lived underwater during WW2. Touring the Olympia to learn how sailors lived before WW1 was even more amazing.

The Olympia was launched in 1892 and  is the oldest steel warship still afloat in the world. It was really neat comparing officer quarters to those of enlisted personnel. I highly recommend a visit to the Seaport Museum if you have time! Very fun and education.

Battleship New Jersey

Battleship New Jersey was my son’s favorite activity in all of Philly. Though we had a great time everywhere we went, he loved this the most. This floating museum is not in in Pennsylvania at all. Instead, it’s on the Camden Waterfront in New Jersey, directly across the Delaware River from Penn’s Landing Philadelphia.

Battleship New Jersey saw action in WW2, Vietnam, and the Korean War and was decommissioned in 1991. As America’s most decorated battleship, it lets families climb into gun turrets, peek through periscopes, and see how sailors lived at sea.

Our kids loved this visit and it’s totally kid friendly! We climbed ladders, sat in the captain’s chair, learned about the weapons it used. It was a great day full of history lessons and another place in the Philly area you and your kids will really enjoy.

In all, Philadelphia is just full of amazing kid friendly activities that both kids and grownups will enjoy. So many rich history lessons and fun hands on learning activities! I highly recommend that you take a trip to the City of Brotherly Love in your lifetime. I hope we get to go back because there are more places I’d love to visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Philly with Kids

What’s the best time of year to visit Philadelphia with kids?

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are ideal for families. The weather is mild, perfect for walking between attractions, and you’ll avoid the summer crowds and humidity. Plus, spring brings beautiful cherry blossoms to Franklin Square, while fall offers festive events like the Philadelphia Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo. Summer can be fun but expect crowds and heat, while winter can be chilly but magical during the holiday season.

How many days should stay in Philly?

Answer: A minimum of 3 days is recommended to experience the main family-friendly attractions without feeling rushed. An ideal visit would be 4-5 days, allowing time for both major historical sites and fun spaces like the Please Touch Museum or Philadelphia Zoo, plus downtime for kids to recharge.

Is Philadelphia walkable with children?

Yes, particularly in the historic district! Most major attractions are within a 15-minute walk of each other. For little legs, consider breaking up the day with the PHLASH Downtown Loop (a visitor-friendly bus service) or hop-on-hop-off tours. Many streets are stroller-friendly, though some historic areas have cobblestones which might making pushing strollers tricky.

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