Academy of Natural Sciences
Description: The Academy of Natural Sciences, a museum of natural history operating since 1812, undertakes research and public education that focus on the environment and its diverse species. Our mission is to expand knowledge of nature through discovery and to inspire stewardship of the environment. Permanent Exhibits Include: Dinosaur Hall, Outside In, Live Animal Center, Living Downstream.  Also on Permanent Exhibit: The Big Dig - The Science at the Academy exhibit - African and Asian Hall and North American Hall Dioramas - Crystals and Gems - What Eats What - Egyptian Mummies - Captain Cook's Cannon.  Please check out their web-site as they have kid friendly activities going on always!

Franklin Institute
Phone: 215-448-1200
Description: Home to more than a dozen highly interactive learning environments, including The Train Factory, KidScience, The Sports Challenge, and Bioscience, with its famous walk-through heart, and its newest permanent exhibit "The Franklin Air Show."

Please Touch Museum
Phone: 215-963-0667
Description: Please Touch Museum is a hands-on museum for children ages one to seven where adults and children can learn and explore together. The role of the museum is to ensure that the activities are educational, fun and safe. Please explore our web pages for a full calendar of performances and events and then come visit Please Touch Museum to experience all there is to do.

American Helicopter Museum
Phone 610-436-9600
Description: The Museum's growing exhibitions and collections include over 35 helicopters, autogiros and convertiplanes, eight of which are fully accessible for hands-on experiences. Among the displays are the original Pitcairn PCA-1A Autogiro which first flew over Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania in 1931,the only V-22 tilt-rotor Osprey on public exhibition as well as several experimental aircraft. The library and archives contain original photographs, documents, and manuscripts relating to the pioneers of the rotary-wing industry as well as original technical manuals for helicopter manufacture and operation.

Penn's Landing Corporation
Phone: 215-923-2801
Description: THINK RINK! The Blue Cross RiverRink at Festival Pier located at Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street will be open 7 days a week from November 26th to February 14th . The Blue Cross RiverRink ice skating season is only three months long, so don’t miss your chance to visit and experience 81 days of Philadelphia’s favorite outdoor wintertime tradition!

A few hot tidbits from our members:
One mom suggested looking into Ozzy’s Fun Center.  Ozzy's provides indoor entertainment such as laser tag, a toddler area and rock climbing to name a few. More information, directions and pricing can be found on their website.Another mom suggestedLe Petit Artist in Mount Penn  which offers paint your own pottery for a studio fee.  She states that ceramic pieces are reasonably priced. It is recommended for older children.   Please call Le Petit Artistmore information. 

Also, our area is blessed to have a variety of farmers markets that stay open year round. According to one mom, the Leesport Farmers Market is open every Wednesday.  The Fairgrounds Farmers Market (behind the Fairgrounds Mall) and the Shillington Farmers Market are open Thursday through Saturday.  The Green Dragon in Ephrata is open every Friday and Zerns in Boyertown/Gilbertsville area opens Friday afternoon and runs through Saturday. Each market is unique in its own way. Another momfamily enjoy the Hands on House located in Lancaster. She feels it is easy to get to and very affordable plus parking is easy.  According to their website write-up, their exhibits offer a treasure trove of shared educational experiences that delight parents and kids alike. “All of the exhibits at Hands-on House are custom-designed and unique to us. Our exhibits include a variety of activities appropriate for children ages 2-10 years. Each exhibit has a theme with a variety of activities to do that relate to the theme. All activities are designed for visitors to learn by doing and participating. Adults and children are encouraged to play and learn together.”