Top Science Museums in Philly for Kids

Franklin Institute—Center City

This must-visit science museum in the heart of the city features something for everyone, including a giant heart, planetarium, live science demos, and interactive exhibits about electricity, trains and other machines, and outer space—not to mention big blockbuster exhibitions. It can be overwhelming for some visitors, which is why the museum offers sensory alert maps and other support for visitors with sensory differences. Kids under three get in free.

Academy of Natural Sciences—Center City

At the oldest natural history museum in the country, kids can learn about the Delaware River, food chains, insects, and more, plus get a peek behind the scenes at the science being conducted at the Academy. No visit is complete without a trip to Outside In, an interactive exhibit where kids can meet animals, view specimens under a microscope, and use their imaginations to pretend they're birds or the scientists who study them. And it’s impossible to miss the skeletons in Dinosaur Hall, where visitors can learn about more than 30 species of these extinct wonders. Kids under age two get in free.

Museum of Illusions—Old City

Fool your eyes and bend your brain at this interactive museum devoted to the science of optics. From playing with perspective in the Tilted Room, to snapping a hilarious photo in the Beuchet Chair, each engaging exhibit offers educational information about how our minds and visual systems work together—and how illusions mess with them. Tickets are free for children ages four and younger.

Mutter Museum—Center City

The Mutter offers a fascinating look at the history of medicine and biology, including a special exhibition about the 1918 flu pandemic and its effect on Philadelphians. Kids under five get in free, but the museum is most suitable for older children (strollers are not permitted, and the exhibits include preserved human organs). Note that the Mutter Museum and the Penn Museum offer a Dual Admission Ticket to visit both museums at a reduced rate. The Dual Admission Ticket must be purchased in-person at either location.

Penn Museum—University City

Home to more than a million archaeological artifacts, the Penn Museum lets visitors globetrot through galleries from Etruscan Italy to Ancient Egypt. The museum's signature Cartifacts event, Fridays through Sundays, offers visitors of all ages the chance to explore the collections up close, learning from museum experts. And on select Saturdays, "Up Late with the Sphinx" lets children ages 6-12 explore the museum after hours with activities like flashlight tours and make-and-take workshops. Tickets are free for kids ages five and under.

Wagner Free Science Institute—North Philadelphia

Steps from Temple University’s campus, the Wagner has been providing free science education programs to the public for more than a century. Minerals, fossils, and more (including the first American saber-toothed tiger!) are on display in a 19th-century style, while programming and special events bring the museum’s collection into the present day. On the first Saturday of the month, the museum offers family-friendly activities like special presentations, themed tours, scavenger hunts, and sketching supplies. The Wagner is free for all ages to visit.

Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Science Museums

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education—Northwest Philadelphia

With more than 365 acres of fields, forests, ponds, and streams, the Schuylkill Center encourages exploration and stewardship of the natural environment. Guided hikes on Saturdays are open to all ages, and the Discovery Center interactive children’s exhibit allows visitors to explore what they'll find on the trails. Kids can test their knowledge about nature while learning about honeybees, trees, and different bird calls. The Schuylkill Center is free for all ages to visit.

Science History Institute—Old City

This museum in the heart of Old City is always free. Reopening in March 2025 after extensive renovation, the Science History Institute bridges past and present-day science. The new permanent exhibition explores the history and science behind a collection of more than 20 minerals found in various environments—from the depths of volcanoes to outer space. Don't miss the weekly Saturday family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science.