Why this Philly classic is always our go-to for winter break and cold days
Winter days in Philly can feel long - especially when the kids are home and the weather makes outdoor plans tricky. When I need to get my kids out of the house, moving, learning, and having fun all at the same time, the Franklin Institute is always my first choice.
@phillymomlife Replying to @Shonda❣️ yes! It was recently renovated and has tons of cool features! @The Franklin Institute #franklininstitute #thingstodoinphillywithkids #phillymoms #visitphilly #kidfriendlyphilly ♬ Lover Girl - Laufey
We were recently invited to spend a winter day exploring the museum, and even though we’ve been many times before, it truly never gets old. Every visit feels a little different - and this one reminded me exactly why I recommend it to other Philly parents over and over again.
One of the highlights of our visit was the newly renovated Body Odyssey exhibit - it’s engaging and incredibly well done. Of course, the giant heart is still a Philly kid classic, but now there’s an added interactive layer that made my kids light up.
They loved being able to sync their own heartbeats with the giant heart, which sparked so many great conversations about how our bodies work. It felt educational without feeling overwhelming - hands-on, visual, and genuinely interesting for kids.
We also caught a live heart dissection demonstration!
After Body Odyssey, we headed upstairs to explore more of the museum:
The Outer Space exhibit was a big hit — especially for my oldest who loves planets, rockets, and all things science.
The Sports exhibit gave them a chance to move their bodies, test their skills, and burn off energy (which is always a win during winter break). They love racing the Philly Phanatic!
The Franklin Institute does such a great job balancing learning with movement - something I really appreciate as a parent.
If you ask me for one must-do activity with kids in Philadelphia - especially in the winter - this is it.
Whether it’s winter break, a random cold weekend, or just a day when you need a guaranteed win, the Franklin Institute never disappoints.
Even after multiple visits over the years, the Franklin Institute continues to be one of our favorite family outings in Philly. The newly updated exhibits, classic favorites like the giant heart, and the perfect mix of learning and play make it a place we’ll keep coming back to - season after season.
If you’re looking for a winter activity that’s worth every minute, add this one to your list.
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Looking for things to do in Philadelphia with kids? Here’s our family experience at Arden Children’s Theatre watching The Stinky Cheeseman - a fun, interactive show perfect for ages 5–12.
Looking for things to do in Philadelphia with kids this spring? The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in West Fairmount Park offers family-friendly activities, cultural performances, and beautiful cherry blossoms.
Looking for free things to do in Philadelphia with kids? Play-A-Palooza at Smith Memorial Playground on April 4th is a fun family event celebrating the start of spring with music, activities, and outdoor play.
Amber Bowie
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