Things to do with kids near the Franklin Institute
Written October 2026
The Franklin Institute is on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the wide boulevard of museums and fountains that runs from City Hall up to the Rocky steps.
Most of what's around it is free and a short walk from the museum's door. Lunch is a few blocks south, around 18th Street.
The museum
The Franklin Institute
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
You walk through the Giant Heart, which is now the middle of a whole exhibit on the body. Train kids head for the Baldwin 60000, a real locomotive parked in a gallery of its own.
Sir Isaac's Loft is chain reactions, falling objects and optical illusions to play with, and there's a two-story space exhibit, the planetarium and live science shows through the day.
- Free entry
- No
- Restroom
- Yes
- Changing table
- Yes
- Wheelchair access
- Yes
On the Parkway
Everything here is a flat walk along the Parkway, easy with a stroller.
Children's Department, Parkway Central Library
Logan Square
A block north of the museum, with its own door on 20th Street straight into the Children's Department. There are storytimes with playtime after, a preschool corner with furniture sized for toddlers, and more kids' books than anywhere else in the region. It's all indoors, so it covers a wet morning too.
- Free entry
- Yes
- Restroom
- Yes
- Changing table
- Yes
Sister Cities Park
Logan Square
Two blocks east, on the corner of Logan Square. The Children's Discovery Garden has a wading pond and a little nature playground, and the Earth Fountain next to it is a splash fountain from spring into fall. The café sells snacks and coffee.
Pack a towel and dry clothes in warm weather.
- Free entry
- Yes
- Restroom
- Yes
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Fairmount
At the top of the Parkway, a bit under a mile from the Franklin Institute. Kids run up the steps, and the Rocky statue at the bottom costs nothing to visit.
Inside, everyone 18 and under gets in free (they still need a ticket), and there's a family café on the second floor. You can borrow a stroller at coat check.
- Restroom
- Yes
- Changing table
- Yes
- Wheelchair access
- Yes
Playgrounds
Coxe Park
Logan Square
On Cherry Street, a few minutes south of the museum: a small neighborhood park with a playground built for 2- to 5-year-olds.
- Free entry
- Yes
Von Colln Field
Fairmount
About ten minutes' walk north at Spring Garden Street, with a playground for kids up to 12.
- Restroom
- Yes
- Water play
- Yes
Where to eat
Most of these are between the Parkway and Rittenhouse Square, along 18th Street and Chestnut.
City Tap House
Logan Square
The closest sit-down lunch, at 18th and Arch. Crayons come to the table and the kids' menu is mac and cheese, soft pretzels and cheese pizza.
- Kids' menu
- Yes
Victory Brewing Company
Logan Square
Burgers and pretzels in a big brewpub on the Parkway itself, a block from Sister Cities Park. Lots of families come in during the day, and the kitchen will make something plain for a picky eater.
Continental Midtown
Rittenhouse
Shareable plates on two floors, and some of the seats are swings, which is all most kids need to hear.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Rittenhouse
Sushi rides past on a conveyor belt, made without wasabi, with crispy chicken and edamame for the ones who won't try fish. Enough empty plates and you get a turn at a capsule-toy prize game.
- Kids' menu
- No
The Dandelion
Rittenhouse
An English pub with fish and chips, shepherd's pie and fireplaces in the dining rooms, and an activity sheet for kids.
Walnut Garden
Rittenhouse
An open-air garden with picnic tables and a kids' corner, where there's a wooden jeep to climb and a slide.
Parc
Rittenhouse Square
Frites, mac and cheese and a bread basket for the table at a busy French brasserie on Rittenhouse Square.
Reading Terminal Market
Market East
A little over a mile east, an indoor food hall where everyone picks their own lunch, from stuffed pretzels to fresh donuts.
- Wheelchair access
- Yes
In Fairmount Park
Both are a short drive northwest of the Parkway.
Please Touch Museum
West Fairmount Park
A play museum for kids 7 and under, inside a grand old exhibition hall. Driving the city bus is the big hit.
- Free entry
- No
- Restroom
- Yes
- Changing table
- Yes
- Wheelchair access
- Yes
Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
East Fairmount Park
Free, and here since 1899, with a 40-foot wooden slide and a playhouse just for kids 5 and under.
- Swings
- Yes
- Picnic tables
- Yes
- Ages
- All ages
More in Philadelphia
The best playgrounds in PhiladelphiaPhoto credits
The Franklin Institute: Michael Barera (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Parkway Central Library Children's Department: Sebastiandoe5 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Philadelphia Museum of Art: Dough4872 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Please Touch Museum: Davidt8 (Public domain) · Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse: Davidt8 (Public domain)