Best Rainy Day Fun In The Philadelphia Area
Hands On Activities
The Little Treehouse
Chestnut Hill, PA 19118
215-247-3637
www.treehouseplaycafe.com/welcome
It doesn't get much more kid-friendly than this wonderful coffee house and hands-on children's play place in Chestnut Hill. The Little Treehouse is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week with a healthy kids menu and great grub for moms and dads, too.
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 581-3181
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
Philadelphia's Please Touch Museum, now in its new home in the venerable Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, is the ultimate hands-on experience for kids of all ages. Encouraged to touch, romp and explore the museum's six interactive exhibit zones covering 38,000 square feet, this is THE place for families on rainy days. Kids will never want to leave the interactive water exhibit, River Adventures (waterproof smocks and hand dryers available), but do try to drag them out since there is so much else to see and explore. Don't miss the Big Piano, downstairs play shopping store, hospital, shoe store and more. Round out your visit with a carousel ride on the Woodside Park fully-refurbished, century old carousel. If you need to grab a meal there, rest assured the café actually has some great nutritious snack and meal options for kids and parents alike.
Franklin Institute
222 North 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.448.1200
www2.fi.edu
If you're from Philly, you surely visited the Franklin Institute as a kid and took a walk through the giant heart. Well, the Franklin still has that heart, and you can now take your own kids through (if they aren't scared of it like my 2 year old was). In addition to the heart, there are also the 12 other continuing exhibits including the Train Factory, the Air Show, Kid Science: The Island of the Elements designed for younger children (ages 5-8). Of course, there are also traveling exhibits (currently Cleopatra), and the awesome Planetarium and IMAX theatre.
Academy of Natural Sciences
19th St. & Ben Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia PA
www.ansp.org
The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia's Natural History Museum, hosts everything from butterflies to dinosaurs. For the younger kids (aged 3-8), Outside In: The Academy's Children's Museum lets children explore the wonders of the natural world through interactive hands-on discovery. Your little naturalist will also love to meet the live animals housed in the museum ranging, from a cuddly rabbit to hissing cockroaches and a legless lizard.
Color Me Mine
Various locations
www.colormemine.com
Head to a paint-your-own pottery place and let your little one have a blast getting messy painting a plate, coffee mug or other piece of ceramic of their choosing. The best part? No clean up for you! Philadelphia area locations include Wayne, Glen Mills, Montgomeryville and Newtown.
Indoor Gyms and Jump Centers
Kids need to run and jump, and if your couch cushions and beds need a break or your just have to get out of the house, head to one of these great bounce centers in the Philadelphia area.
Jumpers
Ridley Creek Plaza
5117 West Chester Pike
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 353-3377
www.funatjumpers.com
BounceU
1205 Warren Ave.
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
(856) 429-6400
www.bounceu.com
Kehler's Gymnastics and Kids Fun Factory
680 Parkway
Broomall, PA
610-359-9999
www.kidsfun.org
PNP Family Play Center
53 N Union Ave
Lansdowne, Pa 19050
(610)-626-9PNP (9767)
www.pnpfamilyplaycenter.net
Malls
Plymouth Meeting Mall
500 W. Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
www.shopplymouthmeetingmall.com
I often wish I lived closer to the new Plymouth Meeting Mall on rainy days because my toddler has a blast there whenever we go. With a beautiful, two-story, indoor carousel, a Dave and Busters, and Krazy City -- an eclectic mix of fun games, Ballocity, 9-hole mini golf, kids bowling, rides and more activities for children ages three- to 13-years old -- you can spend a whole rainy day indoors and not miss the sun.
Franklin Mills Mall
1455 Franklin Mills Cir
Philadelphia, PA 19154
(215) 613-2222
www.simon.com
Franklin Mills Mall has both Dave and Busters and the Woodward Skate Park to keep the older kids entertained while you hunt down the best bargains around.
Other Indoor Activities
GiggleBerry Fair
Routes 202 & 263
Lahaska, PA
215.794.4000
www.peddlersvillage.com/giggleberry
GiggleBerry Fair in Peddler's Village is a great indoor destination for families and kids on rainy days. Between the grand carousel, new interactive play area called Giggles Discovers!, and Giggleberry Mountain, you'll have to drag the kids out long after the rain has stopped. Attraction prices range from $1.99 per ticket for the Grand Carousel to a full access Child Activity Package for $14.99 (for kids ages 2 and up). Kids 2 and under are free with a paying adult. Check website for complete pricing details.
