# Things to do with kids near the Franklin Institute Written 2026-10-16 by Play Day. What to do with kids at the Franklin Institute and within walking distance on the Parkway: a splash fountain, a children's library, the Rocky steps and lunch nearby. See which have changing tables and stroller access before you go. 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/the-franklin-institute-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/parkway-central-library-children-s-department-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/sister-cities-park-philadelphia) Where: 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. Tip: Pack a towel and dry clothes in warm weather. - Free entry: Yes - Restroom: Yes ### [Philadelphia Museum of Art](https://ourplayday.com/places/philadelphia-museum-of-art-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/coxe-park-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/von-colln-field-philadelphia) Where: Fairmount About ten minutes' walk north at Spring Garden Street, with a playground for kids up to 12. - Free entry: Yes - Restroom: Yes ## Where to eat Most of these are between the Parkway and Rittenhouse Square, along 18th Street and Chestnut. ### [City Tap House](https://ourplayday.com/places/city-tap-house-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/victory-brewing-company-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/continental-midtown-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/kura-revolving-sushi-bar-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/the-dandelion-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/walnut-garden-philadelphia) Where: Rittenhouse An open-air garden with picnic tables and a kids' corner, where there's a wooden jeep to climb and a slide. ### [Parc](https://ourplayday.com/places/parc-philadelphia) Where: Rittenhouse Square Frites, mac and cheese and a bread basket for the table at a busy French brasserie on Rittenhouse Square. ### [Reading Terminal Market](https://ourplayday.com/places/reading-terminal-market-philadelphia) Where: Market East A little over a mile east, an indoor food hall where everyone picks their own lunch, from stuffed pretzels to fresh donuts. - Free entry: Yes - Restroom: Yes - Wheelchair access: Yes ## In Fairmount Park Both are a short drive northwest of the Parkway. ### [Please Touch Museum](https://ourplayday.com/places/please-touch-museum-philadelphia) Where: 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](https://ourplayday.com/places/smith-memorial-playground-and-playhouse-philadelphia) Where: East Fairmount Park Free, and here since 1899, with a 40-foot wooden slide and a playhouse just for kids 5 and under. - Free entry: Yes Page: https://ourplayday.com/guides/united-states/pennsylvania/philadelphia/things-to-do-with-kids-near-the-franklin-institute