The Franklin Institute Might Be The Best Kid-Friendly Museum in Philly

The Franklin Institute is a museum that focuses on science education for curious learners of all ages. Named after Founding Father and inventor extraordinaire Benjamin Franklin, it’s one of the country’s oldest science museums, and one of the best places to take the kids in Philly.

The Exhibits Are Fascinating

The exhibition program at The Franklin Institute stands out amongst those across the impressive Philadelphia museum circuit. One of our favorite permanent ones is The Giant Heart, which is a walkthrough exploration of the central organ. This year, the Institute also has Vikings: Beyond The Legend, a multimedia look into the Scandinavian culture.

The Escape Rooms

In addition to the exhibitions, The Franklin Institute has a number of unique attractions that keep kids excited and entertained. One of those is the Escape Rooms. These whimsical, interactive puzzles challenge guests to use their creativity and knowledge to find their way out.

The Observatory

Another favorite attraction for children visiting The Franklin Institute is the Observatory with its stargazing rooftop. Open daily, the Observatory lets guests look at the sun through a historic Zeiss refracting telescope. There are also a number of other world-class telescopes up there for stargazing at night.

The Events

The Institute hosts a number of special recurring events, one-off shows, presentations, demonstrations, camps, and more for children and the rest of the family to enjoy. Some of these events take guests on guided explorations of exhibits on display, and others have unique themes like The Franklin Institute School of Witchcraft & Wizardry.

The Education

The Franklin Institute is one of the best places to bring your children in Philadelphia because it is a goldmine of education. From events like The Philadelphia Science Festival, to live scientific demonstrations for kids, and the exhibits, and a home to peer-reviewed scientific research and studies, it has more than enough resources for all members of the family to learn.