Fireman's Hall Museum. Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

Quirky Free Museums That Kids Actually Love

Fireman's Hall Museum — Old City

If your child is fascinated by fire engines, check out this firehouse-turned-museum that showcases the history of firefighting and promotes fire prevention safety. Children can even dress up in firefighting gear and steer a fire boat!

Why kids love it: The fire truck phase is a rite of passage for most kids, so they’ll love checking out the ten antique fire trucks housed in the building (including old-fashioned hand-drawn and horse-drawn engines). 

Wagner Free Institute of Science — North Philadelphia

This free natural history museum boasts 100,000 specimens, including taxidermy animals, mounted skeletons, and fascinating fossils. Discover the remains of a Brontosaurus Excelsus or check out the bones of the first saber-tooth tiger found in America. 

Insider tip: The Wagner has a variety of scavenger hunts for kids to complete throughout the museum, as well as sketching supplies available for the artistically-minded child. 

Science History Institute — Old City

This free museum and library is dedicated to the “lesser-known and overlooked” stories from the history of science and technology. Learning not just about science’s successes but also its failures and surprises will give your child a novel perspective on experimenting and inventing. 

Fun fact: The current exhibit, “Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray,” is especially relevant to school-age children and will help them connect science to their everyday life. 

Fabric Workshop and Museum — Fashion District

A contemporary art museum and studio, FWM is all about the creation of art in new and unusual materials, displaying not only completed works of art but also samples, research, and prototypes. It’s a great way for your budding artist to learn more about the art-making process and hear from professional artists themselves. Note that although the museum is free, a $5 donation is suggested.  

Don’t miss: Keep an eye on their event calendar for family programming and workshops.

Simeone Automotive Museum — Southwest Philadelphia

This unique museum featuring rare and famous race cars is a must-see for car-loving kids, and it's free for anyone under 18. There are also some kid cars to play with for the littlest visitors.

Best time to visit: Plan your visit for one of their Demo Days if you want to see the cars in motion. These themed demonstrations feature cars from the collection as well as surprise guest cars.

Ryerss Museum and Library — Fox Chase

The eclectic museum preserves the Ryerss family’s collection of oddities and heirlooms, while the adjoining library features a children's section with books, games, and crafts. 

Fun fact: Ryerss is located in the 65-acre Burholme Park, which also has a playground, mini golf course, and picnic tables to enjoy after you explore the museum. 

Woodmere Art Museum — Chestnut Hill

Free for children (and for everyone on Sundays), this museum spotlights artists of the Delaware Valley. Kids will love exploring Woodmere’s Outdoor Wonder, aka WOW, an outdoor sculpture exhibit that integrates into Woodmere’s natural six-acre surroundings (which also include 19th century estate trees and a pollinator garden). 

Insider tip: Visit in the fall to check out the annual Straw Maze, which features zigzag spaces, tunnels, and multi-level views. 

Secret Outdoor Spaces and Natural Wonders

Glen Foerd — Northeast Philadelphia

While the mansion housing a collection of art and artifacts is worth a look, the real draw of this estate is the grounds, a stunning eighteen acres featuring a rose garden, vineyard, and rare trees and shrubs. They also have a robust schedule of family programming, like open boating days where you can try kayaking (with a $5 refundable deposit to secure your spot).

Best time to visit: Every third Thursday of the month, Glen Ford hosts an evening of family fun, with live music, lawn games, and arts and crafts.

Awbury Arboretum — Germantown

The entire 56 acres of Awbury Arboretum are free and open to the public, but our favorite spot for family-friendly fun is the The Farm at Awbury. This agricultural community hub hosts harvest festivals, features lots of hands-on learning opportunities, and is home to the Philly Goat Project.

Why kids love it: Awbury's grounds also include AdventureWoods, an enchanting playground made of natural materials. The innovative and sustainable space is perfect for open-ended play, inspiring creativity and discovery.  

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum — Southwest Philadelphia

Enjoy a family hike at Pennsylvania’s largest freshwater tidal marsh. Many of its ten miles of trails are perfect for kids (and even stroller-friendly!). Their free family programming includes interactive story times, nature walks (spot birds, butterflies, and even bats), family fishing (equipment provided), and even archery (for kids ages 8+).  

Insider tip: Bring a pair of binoculars (you can borrow a pair from the Free Library of Philadelphia) to spot endangered turtles and bald eagles. 

Rail Park — Callowhill

Less traveled than more popular urban green spaces like the Schuylkill River Walk, the unique Rail Park is hiding in plain sight — right above your head! Set atop an abandoned rail line that’s been converted into an elevated park, it boasts walking paths, landscaping, bench swings, and of course breathtaking views. In late September they host a fantastic family-friendly block party.

Fun fact: The current park is just phase one of a project to rehabilitate three miles of abandoned rail lines in the area. Development will start soon on phase two, the Viaduct Greenway, running from Vine Street to Fairmount Avenue and connecting multiple neighborhoods with a transportation trail and elevated park space. 

Children's Discovery Garden. Photo courtesy Center City District

Children’s Discovery Garden at Sister Cities Park — Logan Square

A literal hidden oasis tucked away right off of the parkway, this mini “water park” allows young children to explore nature in an urban setting and is inspired by Philadelphia's Wissahickon Valley. It features a shallow wading pond, push-button water jets, a play net, a twig nest, and a meandering stream perfect for sailing toy boats down. 

Best for ages: Though children of all ages can enjoy getting wet here, it is ideal for kids under 5 due to the size of the park and wading pool.

Valley Forge National Historical Park — Montgomery County

The history buff in your family will love exploring this park, the site of the 1777-1778 winter encampment of the Continental Army. Bring history to life by checking out Washington’s headquarters, reconstructed log cabins, and the always-popular cannons. 

Fun fact: As a National Park, Valley Forge is a part of the Junior Ranger program, where children 7+ can become Junior Rangers by completing activities at the park. Stop by the visitor center to pick up an activity booklet, and receive a Junior Ranger badge when you’re finished. 

Ringing Rocks County Park — Bucks County

Discover the magic of nature with a day trip to this unique climbing park, where you'll find a vast field of boulders that emit a bell-like sound when struck. Learn about the science behind this fascinating phenomenon and don’t forget to bring a hammer and good supportive shoes. 

Best for ages: Four and up. The park is definitely not stroller-friendly and even a baby carrier is risky. Toddlers may have trouble navigating the rocks.

The Discovery Center — Strawberry Mansion

A partnership between the Audubon Society and the Philadelphia Outward Bound School, this wildlife refuge features a variety of educational programming. Study the water in the Strawberry Mansion Reservoir or grab a pair of binoculars from the visitor center to do some birdwatching. On Discovery Days, Outward Bound School opens its (metaphorical) doors to the community, letting kids try ziplining, ropes courses, and more, at no cost.

Best for ages: While children of all ages can enjoy exploring nature at the Discovery Center, Discovery Days are only for children 8+. 

Secret Art and Off-The-Radar History to Explore 

Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Steps — Historic District

Tired of the typical tourist traps when visiting Philly’s Historic District? Settle into one of Once Upon a Nation’s eight Storytelling Benches to hear a uniformed storyteller share a free 3-5 minute rarely-heard story from history. 

Insider tip: Ask your storyteller for a storytelling flag and get a star for each bench your kid visits. If they visit all eight benches, they’ll get a certificate and a special surprise at Franklin Square (spoiler alert: it's a carousel ride!).

Mural Arts — Various Locations

Philadelphia is known as the “mural capital of the world,” providing lots of opportunity for exploring art hidden in plain sight, right in your neighborhood! Follow Mural Arts’ self-guided tour along Mural Mile in Center City, check out the “A Love Letter For You” series along the Market Street Corridor in West Philly, or pick and choose your favorites among the vast collection.

Insider tip: Some of our favorite pieces include We The Youth (Keith Haring’s only remaining intact and in place public mural), Electric Street (an illuminated neon mural in South Philly), and Common Threads (which features contemporary young people imitating historical figures).

Public Mosaic Works — South Street

While you may have heard of Philly’s quirkiest offbeat tourist spot, the Philadelphia Magic Gardens, did you know that the artist behind them, Isaiah Zagar, also created public mosaic pieces scattered nearby that can be viewed for free? Take a self-guided tour along South Street and the surrounding area to spot these funky mosaic murals.

Bonus visit: While you’re in the area, kids will get a kick out of seeing the giant ant sculptures and zipper that grace the facade of a former punk rock clothing store at 407 South Street.

Museum Without Walls — Various Locations

Have you ever noticed the many public art sculptures along the parkway and beyond, and wondered what the story was behind them? This free self-guided audio tour will give your kids the lowdown on Philly’s most famous sculptures as well as many lesser-known pieces, from City Hall to Fairmount Park.

Don't miss: Some of our favorite sculptures for kids are Deinonychus (the dinosaurs in front of The Academy of Natural Sciences), Billy (a goat in Rittenhouse Square), and Pavilion in the Trees (a treehouse-inspired wooden structure in Fairmount Park).

The Fountain Street Steps — Manayunk

The Fountain Street Steps, which connect the Schuylkill River Trail to Manayunk’s main street, are a stunning tribute to the artistic elements of nature. This public art project, titled Water Under the Bridge, features mosaic paneling on the stairs that evoke a surreal cascading waterfall, as well as seascape murals on the surrounding walls underneath the bridge.

Why kids love it: Kids will feel like they’re walking on water as they climb the steps, while the murals on the tunnel create a fun underwater experience. 

Cherry Street Pier. Photo courtesy Canva

Cherry Street Pier — Delaware River Waterfront

Prefer to watch artists at work more than seeing the finished product? Take your aspiring artist to the Cherry Street Pier to get a peek into the art-making process. Artists-in-residence work out of repurposed shipping containers with large windows that allow the public to observe how art is made. Studio hours vary by artist.

Best time to visit: First Fridays at Cherry Street pier are a fun family-friendly event with free crafts available. 

Bok Building — South Philadelphia

Another great place to see artists and craftspeople at work is the Bok Building, a former vocational high school that has been repurposed into a community-oriented makerspace. Try a weekly free tour on Wednesday evenings or just roam the unique building yourself. Keep an eye out for Open Studio events, where families can freely explore the workspaces of glass blowers, jewelers, guitar makers, and more.

Fun fact: For those with very young children, Beehive at Bok hosts a free New Baby Group, a great way to build community and provide mutual support during the baby stage. Parents (and their babies) are welcome at Beehive Upstairs in the Bok Building every Wednesday and Friday morning. 

The Clay Studio — South Kensington 

Are your kids ready to make their own art after seeing all the wonderful art in Philly? The Clay Studio is a hidden gem that offers free events for adults and children to try their hand at creating cool works of art out of clay. Check out their weekly community workshops or their monthly Hands On Clay series (and don’t forget to come back 2-3 weeks later to pick up the finished product!).

Best for ages: Children must be 4+ to participate in the community workshops (and all children must have an adult present).

Frequently Asked Questions About Secret Spots in Philly for Kids

Q: Are these spots truly free?

A: Yes, every attraction listed here is 100% free admission for kids, and the majority are free for everyone! We’ve noted the few cases where there is a cost for adults or a small donation is suggested. Some places may have food or goods available for sale.

Q: Is parking available?

A: Parking varies by location. Generally the attractions in the suburbs and outskirts of the city have free parking lots, while the more central spots rely on street parking and are best accessed by public transit.

Q: What else can I do when I’m visiting a place on this list?

A: You can make a day out of just one of these spots by pairing it with a stop at a nearby playground or splash pad, and grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many great family-friendly restaurants in Philly, including places where kids eat for free!

Q: Where can I find other free things to do in Philly?

Check out our ultimate guide to all the free family fun that Philly has to offer, including museums, attractions, and more. You can also filter our events calendar to find free upcoming events for kids.