Best Free Activities for Kids in Philadelphia

Juan L. said:  These in-house tours of Snyder's of Hanover Factory Store offer an inside look at how these iconic pretzels are made. The tour is free and lasts 30 minutes. At the end of the tour, you get a free bag of pretzels! Kids will especially like the finished goods warehouse, where they'll get to see Snyder's of Hanover's robotics at work.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Get ready for an exciting trip! Your 30 minute tour at Hershey's begins with exploring the cocoa bean harvesting process. Then, on the simulated factory tour ride, learn about the process for making Hershey's famed chocolates. End your tour with a free sample of creamy chocolate. After your tour, visit the gift shop, bakery, and food court.

For additional fees, guests can create your own candy bar, experience the 4D Chocolate Mystery, indulge in a chocolate tasting experience and take an historic trolley ride.

Offered continuously during operating hours.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Mr. Cuba Astronomical Observatory offers the Spitz SciDome, an all-digital planetarium, lecture hall, library and computer room to provide public education and resources to learn about the universe, planets and more. They offer public viewing nights and family programs to view the stars, moon and planets, hear discussions, tour the facility and talk with astronomy experts. Mt. Cuba is educational and fun for the whole family!

Shila said:  This large man-made lake is a recreational haven for swimming, boating (3 boat launches), fishing, picnicking, hiking over 36 miles of trails, and more! No lifeguards are present.

There are even many events where your family can enjoy guided hikes, paddle boarding for beginners, geocaching, etc. Enjoy a recurring favorite, "Tower Tours," where you're treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the dam.

Shila said:  Linvilla Orchards offers pick your own produce (e.g. apples, berries, peaches, etc.) and other fun attractions like family festivals, story time, mini golf, a playground, and seasonal hayrides. Animals such as white tailed deer, calves, goats, horses, sheep, emus, peacocks, and a pot-bellied pig (to name a few) welcome you to the barnyard. You may also catch an incubator full of eggs within the Garden Center. If you're lucky, kids can witness the hatching of chicks. No charge to enter the barnyard!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Scott Arboretum is a blend of horticultural and botanical gems that feature the diversity of the Delaware Valley. Featured collections include magnolia, cherry, conifer and more. On the grounds of Swarthmore College, children will experience a view of the beauty that higher education can offer. Staff led tours are available and there are special events throughout the year such as seasonal celebrations.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Jenkins Arboretum offers a 1.2 mile walkway through a natural botanical garden setting of plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers. There is an Education Center open during peak times. The venue offers workshops, educational displays and arts and craft shows. There is a gift shop onsite.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The site of the winter encampment during the Revolutionary War is home to Washington's headquarters, a beautiful memorial chapel, soldiers' huts and much more. It's easy to spend a day enjoying miles of trails, ranger-led tours, living history experiences and a renovated Visitor Center. If you're short on time, a drive along the tour loop can be done in as little as 20 minutes.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Pennypacker Mills takes you back in time to life in the early 1900s. This historic mansion contains antiques and artifacts collected by PA Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker and reflective of the Civil and Revolutionary Wars, Native Americans and German and Dutch settlers. The restored servant area allows guests to see the kitchen, laundry, work room and bedroom to see how life has changed over the past 100 years.

The venue features events, exhibits, nature walks and workshops throughout the year. Free guided tours are available.

Vanessa M. said:  If you venture across the bridge to NJ, you will be rewarded with this wonderful historic park. Red Bank Battlefield Park was the location of a Revolutionary War battle, and kids love to check out the cannons and cannonballs that are on display. The Ann and James Whitall House is perched atop the Delaware River, and is open seasonally for tours. Families enjoy the playgrounds, picnic areas, butterfly garden, children's garden, and access to the Delaware banks. Watch the boats come through, and the airplanes come into the airport at close view. Bathrooms and Park Rangers on site.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The oldest surviving botanical garden in North America, the 45 acres of Bartram's Garden encompasses parkland, wetlands, plants, flowers, trees, meadow and historic buildings.

Family programs include Little Explorers, Homeschooler Days and Family Artists' Workshops. There are also musical performances and arts programs throughout the year. Check out Free Saturday Boating and Kayaking and other programs on the Schuylkill River.

Vanessa M. said:  Did you know the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department oversees 70+ Philly pools for families to splash, play, and swim in? Even better, admission is free! Their Swim Philly program has poured resources into several local pools for renovations, family programs, comfortable seating and umbrellas, and more. A few pools benefiting from Swim Philly include Pleasant Playground Pool, O'Connor Pool, and Lee Cultural Center Pool. Please note that a shortage in lifeguards means that some of these pools will not be opening for the season; updated information for each pool is available at the link above.

Shila said:  Smith Memorial Playground (outdoor) & Playhouse (indoor) offers a safe place for children to play. The 6.5-acre playground includes the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide & more than 50 pieces of unique, age-appropriate & accessible pieces of play equipment. The 16,000 square foot indoor Playhouse gives younger children a chance to drive the train, cook in the kitchen, ride tricycles in Smithville & much more.

Tim Ponisciak said:  Take a tour of one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in Philadelphia, Fairmount Water Works! While this national historic landmark no longer is an active source of water for the city, you can tour the facilities and learn the history of the building, its use and the city's local watershed. A short film is included as part of the tour.

Cost: Free, but donations are suggested

Juan L. said:  I know what you're thinking. And no, this is not the most conventional sledding hill, but it's iconic in Philadelphia and a blast for adventurous older kids. Each year, even when the Museum is closed, hundreds of Philadelphians flock to the museum to sled down the looming front steps that become so packed with snow that they create a safe and fun man-made hill in the heart of the city. It's really a unique experience and as long as caution is exercised, it's a safe experience. Obviously this is probably not a great choice for younger children and toddlers.