Every parent knows the struggle of entertaining a bored child, especially in the heart of winter or spring’s rainy season when they’re more likely to be stuck pent up inside than out and about having fun. But good weather is finally upon us, and it brings with it countless opportunities for kids to release some of their patented pent up energy.
If you’re looking for some inspiration for fun activities that your child can do along the Main Line, look no further! We’ve pulled together some of the best kid-friendly activities and attractions that Philadelphia has to offer. This way, the next time you hear, “Mom, Dad, I’m bored!” you can just pick an activity from this list and be on your way.
Without further ado, here are 7 fun kid-friendly activities along the Main Line perfect for kids from preschool on up through high school.
Ready to take the next step? Come visit Friends' Central to see what we're all about!
1. Head to one of the Main Line’s amazing parks
Weather you are looking for something to do after school or in the days between camp and the end of school, you might be surprised by the Main Line’s amazing parks. Taking to one of the Main Line’s many public and private parks is a great way for kids to spend a sunny day playing sports, getting a little exercise, and enjoying the fresh air—especially after spending the whole winter stuck inside. Some of our favorite parks include:
- Appleford
- Chanticleer
- The American College Arboretum
- The Willows
- Saw Mill Park
- Walnut Lane Park
- Jenkins Arboretum
2. Have your very own tea party at A Taste of Britain
Kids love a tea party, and all it takes is a trip to A Taste of Britain to make that dream a reality. A special children’s menu of kid-friendly snacks and meals and, of course, a wide selection of teas, paired with a fun and whimsical atmosphere, makes this the perfect spot for any special occasion—whether that’s a good report card, another successful school year, or just a weekend treat.
3. Visit the Valley Forge Historical Park
Philadelphia and the surrounding area is chock full of locations that carry important historical significance, and the Valley Forge Historical Park is one of them. As the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army, Valley Forge speaks to the heart of the spirit of the American Revolution. As such, a visit to the park is a great way for families to bring history to life in ways that can be difficult to achieve through textbooks alone.
In addition to regularly-scheduled informational tours, the park offers fun and interesting events throughout the year, including bird walks, historical reenactments and themed events.
4. Take a stroll through the King of Prussia Mall
Hanging out at the mall has been a tradition among American middle schoolers and high school students for generations, and for one simple reason: It’s fun. Strolling through the mall window shopping, trying on clothes, checking out the season’s hottest new gadgets and gizmos, and sampling the food court’s many offerings is fun regardless of whether or not you actually buy anything, meaning that even kids with tight budgets can have fun without spending a lot of cash.
Luckily, Upper Merion is home to one of the largest malls in America: The King of Prussia Mall, which makes it insanely easy to get out of the house and have some fun.
5. Check out one of the area’s gorgeous Nature Trails
In the winter, it can be hard to get outside and really enjoy everything that nature has to offer, but good weather brings with it so many possibilities. Once the weather warms up and the sun makes its return known and felt, there’s no better way to show your appreciation than by exploring one of the gorgeous nature trails around the Main Line.
Some of our favorite nature trails around the Main Line are perfect for hiking, biking, bird-watching, and just otherwise enjoying nature and include:
- The Cynwyd Trail
- The Audubon Loop
- The Radnor Trail
- The Schuylkill River Trail
- The Haverford Reserve Walking Trails
- The McKaig Nature Education Center
6. Younger kids will love Lulu’s Casita
If bad weather threatens to keep you and your little ones inside all weekend, there are plenty of ways to still have fun while staying dry. A trip to Lulu’s Casita is just one such way. Geared towards infants and children aged 3 months to 5 years old, Lulu’s knows just how important play is, especially for young children first learning to explore the world. As such, the 4,000 square foot play space is verifiably filled with fun games and activities that your child will love and that you’ll feel good about.
7. Stop by the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market
If you’ve got a little foodie on your hands, a trip to the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market on a Saturday morning is sure to be a treat. Offering countless delicious goodies in the form of fruits, veggies, baked goods, cheeses, etc.—many of which can be sampled!—a trip to the market can be a great way to get younger children interested in their food and where it’s grown and spur a love of both cooking and healthy eating.
8. Winged Wonders
Winged Wonders is a program offered by Friends’ Central School which is designed to teach children of all ages about the magic of the monarch butterfly.
The event is led by butterfly enthusiast and Winged Wonders Education founder Ann Ward, who will teach children about Monarch migration and the wonders of the outdoors. Additionally, the event features a butterfly laboratory where children can see butterflies in every stage of their life cycle (egg, caterpillar, chrysalides, butterfly), learn about nectar and host plants, and even handle and feed a live butterfly. Afterwards, families are encouraged to explore our campus.
Winged Wonders will take place on Saturday, September 17 at 9 am at Friends’ Central Lower School, which is located at 228 Old Gulph Road in Wynnewood. The event is free, but registration is required.
