Thanksgiving in Philly with 6 & 4 yr old
Nov 23rd, 2003, 10:38 AM
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Thanksgiving in Philly with 6 & 4 yr old
I am new to the Fort Washington area and have family with 6 yr old twins and 4 year old braving the drive from Maine for the holiday- I need suggestions for places to take them, hikes, museums, projects- Very well behaved children but want to keep them entertained.
Nov 23rd, 2003, 11:18 AM
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Hi, the first things that come to mind are the Franklin Institute and the Please Touch Museum. If your children have seen Rocky a fun thing to do is to climb the art museum steps and cheer just like he did! Fairmount Park is also a nice place to burn off energy. Valley Forge is also a great place for a hike. Have a nice Thanksgiving!
Nov 23rd, 2003, 12:42 PM
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The Childventure Museum is really close to you - it's small and doesn't have all the bells and whisles that the Please Touch has - but it's probably less than 10 mins. from you! I really liked taking my kids there when they were younger.
Valley Green is a wonderful place to walk. That's about a 10 min. drive. There's a path that follows the Wissahickon Creek for 5 miles and traffic only crosses the path once. You feel deep in the woods and the park is on the edge of the City of Phila. Lots of hiking here. If you can get a map, hike up to the Indian statue.
In Fort Washington, check out the large wooden playground at the New Horizons Montessori School. It's open to the public certain hours after school and on the weekends. The hours are posted outside, and if you live in Ft. Washington, this might be right near your backyard.
k.
Valley Green is a wonderful place to walk. That's about a 10 min. drive. There's a path that follows the Wissahickon Creek for 5 miles and traffic only crosses the path once. You feel deep in the woods and the park is on the edge of the City of Phila. Lots of hiking here. If you can get a map, hike up to the Indian statue.
In Fort Washington, check out the large wooden playground at the New Horizons Montessori School. It's open to the public certain hours after school and on the weekends. The hours are posted outside, and if you live in Ft. Washington, this might be right near your backyard.
k.
Nov 23rd, 2003, 01:27 PM
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Thank you fellow fodorites! The other thing I looked into today was in chestnut hill- color me mine- where they can paint a piece of pottery to bring home with them. The 6 yr old twins just started kindergarten so that would maybe be fun for them as well.
Nov 23rd, 2003, 07:27 PM
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All great suggestions so far. I also would add to the list the Academy of Natural Sciences. The Franklin Institute is great. They also have an IMAX theater and now there is a flight exhibition going on as well.
Nov 24th, 2003, 09:09 AM
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Try this website: www.gophila.org, and click on "Philly Favs" at the right and also "Family Friendly" at the top. You will find a lot of up-to-date information on what is going on T-day weekend.
I think downtown Ambler has a pottery /paint your own type of store, which is closer than Chestnut Hill. At the Phila Zoo (beware -- it is big, hence a long day), there is the Zoo Balloon which takes you up high in the sky, and you can get great views of the city. There is also the Aquarium in across the river in NJ -- that is a good indoor activity.
I think downtown Ambler has a pottery /paint your own type of store, which is closer than Chestnut Hill. At the Phila Zoo (beware -- it is big, hence a long day), there is the Zoo Balloon which takes you up high in the sky, and you can get great views of the city. There is also the Aquarium in across the river in NJ -- that is a good indoor activity.
Nov 24th, 2003, 10:33 AM
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There is a dinosaur museum (or the like) in Haddonfield (NJ). I don't remember the name of it but I'm sure you could track it down through google.
There's also a Dave & Busters somewhere in the Cherry Hill area. That's always good to keep in mind if the weather isn't cooperative.
There's also a Dave & Busters somewhere in the Cherry Hill area. That's always good to keep in mind if the weather isn't cooperative.
Nov 24th, 2003, 12:05 PM
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If you decide to go across the river to the NJ Aquarium, be sure to visit the Battleship NJ. It's huge!
Also agree with the Franklin Institute. Maybe the Liberty Bell would be good, but might be too much for the 4-year old.
The only Dave and Busters I know is in Philly. It's a great place for kids! Lots of arcade games and prizes. Food and drinks, too. Go with money!
Also agree with the Franklin Institute. Maybe the Liberty Bell would be good, but might be too much for the 4-year old.
The only Dave and Busters I know is in Philly. It's a great place for kids! Lots of arcade games and prizes. Food and drinks, too. Go with money!
Nov 25th, 2003, 03:31 AM
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A couple of thoughts:
Having a 4 1/2 year old, I have learned that kids that age sometimes only need a short activity of an hour or two to have been amused for the day.
Movies - "The Cat in the Hat", "Brother Bear", "ELF".
Play areas - Places like the jellybean jungle, discovery zone, and dare i even say "chuckie cheeses" are really great breaks for an hour or two. They can run around and work off some energy.
If the weather is not too cold try the Philly "Duck". This is the boat/bus that tours the historical parts of the city and then goes into the Delaware River. It leaves from right near the liberty bell and independence hall. We took our 4 year old a few weeks ago and he liked it. Everyone gets a big yellow duck whistle called a quacker. For the record a 4 year olds reactions to the liberty bell was "the liberty bell, who cares about the liberty bell". This was of course said very very loudly 5 feet from the bell.
My son's all time favorite is the zoo, it is also a lot of outdoor time but there are buildings and exhibits that are indoors. The other recommendations for the please touch museum and franklin institute are good as well.
Having a 4 1/2 year old, I have learned that kids that age sometimes only need a short activity of an hour or two to have been amused for the day.
Movies - "The Cat in the Hat", "Brother Bear", "ELF".
Play areas - Places like the jellybean jungle, discovery zone, and dare i even say "chuckie cheeses" are really great breaks for an hour or two. They can run around and work off some energy.
If the weather is not too cold try the Philly "Duck". This is the boat/bus that tours the historical parts of the city and then goes into the Delaware River. It leaves from right near the liberty bell and independence hall. We took our 4 year old a few weeks ago and he liked it. Everyone gets a big yellow duck whistle called a quacker. For the record a 4 year olds reactions to the liberty bell was "the liberty bell, who cares about the liberty bell". This was of course said very very loudly 5 feet from the bell.
My son's all time favorite is the zoo, it is also a lot of outdoor time but there are buildings and exhibits that are indoors. The other recommendations for the please touch museum and franklin institute are good as well.
Nov 25th, 2003, 05:37 AM
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Consider going to Chadds Ford for the Brandywine River Museum's miniature train display. It's a large room filled with a labyrinth of toy trains. Always a hit with kids. And the parents can take a look at the Wyeth paintings in the museum.
Insider's hint: Go to Hank's Diner across Route 1 for breakfast. You might see one of the Wyeths there.
Insider's hint: Go to Hank's Diner across Route 1 for breakfast. You might see one of the Wyeths there.
