This list is not complete, I am updating it daily. Please make sure you check back for more places. If you know of something I haven't mentioned, I'd love your input, Leave a comment.Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. This is a great place for hands on fun, learning and discovery. They have events all year round to coincide with seasons and holidays. I like that they have a section for toddlers. You can let your small one roam around and explore and know that the displays are geared toward their age. They also have a little area for crawlers in the toddler area. So, if you 2 small ones it is a great way to keep an eye on both. Admission is free for kids under 12 months. You have to pay for every adult and child (over the age of 1) but if you go and like it a yearly pass is only $99 (plus tax). This includes two adults and all the children in your household. This will pay for itself. Purchase the next level membership and your pass will get you into Discovery Museums around the country! (For kids 10 and under)
Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia, Pa. Just like the Garden State Museum this museum encourages imaginative play and educational development. Let your little one stock up on groceries in The SuperMarket, play crochet with the Queen of Hearts in Alice's adventures in Wonderland, and take the wheel of a real Septa Bus in Move It. This museum is part of the Discovery Museum's reciprocal program so if you live in South Jersey or Philadelphia, you can visit both museums at no charge. Nice!
Franklin Institute. Philadelphia, Pa. Walk through the human heart or watch as your child stare in awe at the Train display. The Franklin institute will introduce your child to the world of science and beyond. Basic admission (without IMAX) is $14.25 per adult, children 4-11, $11.50 and children 4 and under are free. A year pass should definitely pay for itself with the basic family membership running at just $85 for the year for 2 adults and any 4 children. Not Bad!
Independence Seaport Museum, Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, Pa. Perfect for the little boat enthusiast in you life. From small crafts to large ships, explore the history, science and art behind the beauty of these water bound vessels. Admission to the museum is just $9 for adults and $6 for children 3-12. Tip: Admission on Sundays from 10am to noon is free. Not Bad! Take your boating experience a step further, for Saturdays through March from 6:30pm to 10:30 am, join the Seaport Museum for s Submarine Slumber, sleeping in the galleries nest to the boat, enjoy snacks, activities, scavenger hunts and live performances.
Philadelphia Museum of Art. Philadelphia, Pa. I love the museum and thought it would be a while until I could share that experience with my kids. But to my surprise I had no idea they had so many programs geared toward children, including preschoolers. Join the museum in introducing your preschooler to Early Bird Read and Look Classes and Tours for Tots (ages 3-5) and Family gallery tours (ages 6-10). You can also sign your child up fro Art Classes during the week day and weekend, classes run for a 9 week session and run around $150 depending on the days you sign up. Check their website for more information.
The Academy of Natural Science. Philadelphia, Pa. *This also comes reader recommended.* And frankly, I can't believe I forgot this one, considering I was just thinking about getting a membership! This is a great place for families and kids who love science. Introduce your little ones to the world of Dinosaurs, butterflies and everything in between. Along with visiting the museum, you can join in on the fun by taking advantage of the many activities the museum offers for your science enthusiast by participating in A Safari Overnight, Wild Weekends, Auditorium Shows, birthday parties and Tiny Tots Explorers classes, just to name a few. Admission is free for kids under 3, $8 for ages 3-12, and $10 for 12 and older. Purchase a museum membership for just $70 for the year for 2 adults and all children under the age of 18 and you receive not only free admission, but discounts to all the workshops, programs and birthday parties.
