Summer Bucket List for Philadelphia Families

Shila said:  This is a local coffee shop serving teas, espresso, pastries and kid-oriented specials like milkshakes, colorful-sprinkled sundaes, and hot chocolates. In addition, another room hosts a cat lounge! Feel free to cuddle, pet, play or just cozy up with purring pals on the couches while you read a book or just relax. This is a great idea for kids (or anyone) who love to interact with cats!

Kids must be at least 5 years old (and kids under 14 will need an adult). You can make reservations online, or drop in. Check out the Kitty Cafe's family movie nights, too!

Philadelphia, PA

Vanessa M. said:  As fresh, local produce reaches its peak during the summer months, Headhouse Farmers Markets makes a great place for family fun this summer. Headhouse Farmers Market is the largest farmers market in the city. With over 40 vendors , there is lots to see as vendors offer everything from just picked produce to locally prepared foods and artisanal items such as gourmet ice cream, soups, baked goods, and wine. The Lankenau Medical Center offers free health screenings at the market in the summer months.

Philadelphia, PA

Open Year Round

Sundays, 10am-1pm

Vanessa M. said:  Spruce Street Harbor Park is a unique gathering space that comes alive in the summer months. The park is filled with colorful hammocks, floating gardens, beautiful lights, refreshing beer gardens, and food from popular Philly restaurants. The boardwalk boasts swings, hammocks, bocce courts, ping pong, shuffleboard, arcade games, and hammock lounges for a relaxing time together. Click here for hammock reservations.

Philadelphia, PA

Open May-September

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Independence Seaport Museum features family fun on the Delaware River! Paddle Penn's Landing enables your family to paddle along the Delaware River adjacent to Penn's Landing on a swan, dragon, rowboat, pirate ship or kayak. They also feature Kayak excursions on select days along the Delaware and to explore the Philadelphia area. Life jackets are provided.

Ages: 6+ (Paddle Penn's Landing) and 15+ (Kayak excursions)

Cost: $8/per person for 30 minutes (Paddle Penn's Landing) and starts at $35/per person (Kayak excursion)

Philadelphia, PA

May - September

Juan L. said:  Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, down on the riverfront, is a must for every Philly family. It sports Philadelphia's only outdoor skating rink, mini-golf, games, rides and concessions.

The boardwalk has a 60 ft. Ferris wheel, a carousel, and many boardwalk games making it feel like a closer and more family-friendly Jersey Shore boardwalk. The crab shack and ice cream store are can't miss for concessions.

Cost: Activity costs range from $2-$10/person

Philadelphia, PA

Memorial Day-Labor Day

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The 4 acres of the Camden Children's Garden was designed for parents and children. It offers horticulture for education, imaginative play and creativity. Special features include the Storybook Garden, Fitness Garden, Butterfly House, Dinosaur Garden, Maze, Splash Pad and more.

There are rides, shows, hands-on activities for toddlers, youth empowerment programs for teens and Scout programs. Special events are held throughout the year too.

Camden, NJ

Open April-December

Shila said:  Adventure Aquarium offers several behind the scenes or up close and personal opportunities for awesome animal encounters, including penguins, sea turtles and hippos.

Camden, NJ

Tim Ponisciak said:  Dorney Park has been around since the 1800s. The park has a lot of great roller coasters, including Steel Force, one of the longest roller coasters in the US. There are also a lot of great kids rides, including a child-sized train, a carousel, a ferris wheel, and much more! If your kids are into Charlie Brown, this is a great park to go to, as Charlie, Snoopy, Woodstock and a lot of other members of the gang are at the park, along with Peanuts themed rides!

Allentown, PA

Dorney Park May-October

Wildwater Kingdom Memorial Day-Labor Day

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Lehigh Valley Ironpigs is the Minor League Baseball team in Allentown, PA. They offer discount membership plan tickets, group rates, birthday parties, promotions including fireworks, fan clubs, and give-away days. The team gives back to the community through recreational and educational programs for area youth. The ballpark offers various concessions, gift shops and special events. Get out and enjoy some Summer Baseball with the Ironpigs!

Cost: Single ticket prices start at $8

Allentown, PA

April-October

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This epic spot in Doylestown is one of the best playgrounds near Philadelphia, and is worth a drive to check out! The centerpiece is a multi-level wooden castle that kids love to explore, but there's plenty of modern equipment, too. You'll find a zipline, electronic game station, and play structure that's inclusive of all abilities.

Doylestown, PA

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  If you are a fan of better tasting organic blueberries, then make an appointment to pick your own blueberries over at upscale DiMeo U-Pick Blueberry Farms, where you'll find only organic heirloom blueberries that taste even better than they sound. It is a great birthday party venue during the blueberry picking season, and parents can bring a picnic basket along with their berry basket to enjoy a date night along the beautiful Hammonton Creek. Also great for rustic family photo shoots where you can bring your own photographer and book the farm venue location.

Hammonton, NJ

Blueberry picking

Erin P. said:  Head up the shore for a day, a weekend, or even longer! Ocean City, NJ is an iconic summer beach town. Enjoy the beautiful ocean as well as the restaurants, shops and activities that make this a bustling boardwalk. You won't want to leave!

Ocean City, NJ

Vanessa M. said:  As they say at Sesame Place, "Go before they grow!" Sesame Place offers the best family fun with rides for all ages, your favorite Sesame Street characters (including character dining), water rides, shows, parades, and more. Sesame Place even offers a "Sunny Day Guarantee," so if it rains continuously for one hour or more during your visit, guests can receive a ticket to return at a later date!

Cost: Click here for ticket & pass information.

Langhorne, PA

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Crayola Experience is a Museum as well as a Factory Tour. Guests of all ages can discover how crayons are made in a live theater show as well as uncover interesting crayon facts. They will learn the history and science of Crayola products as well during this fun and interactive hands-on tour.

Guests can visit 28 hands-on attractions including melting crayon wax to make a keepsake, creating a 4D adventure and make a drip art creation.

Easton, PA

Tim Ponisciak said:  If you have little baseball fans in your family, but don't want to spend a fortune on food and parking, check out some double A minor league baseball with the Thunder, just a short drive from Philadelphia. Arm & Hammer Park is a beauty of a minor league park, right along the Delaware River. The park is about 20 years old but still feels new. There are some great promos and events, like Pork Roll Fridays, Super Value Tuesdays and Fireworks Spectacular. Kids can join Boomer's Kids Club for more fun and prizes!

Cost: Single tickets starting at $11

Trenton, NJ

April-October