If you have kids who are fascinated by science and technology, then taking a trip on the Turnpike to have an adventure at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a must. Named in honor of America’s first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest (founded in 1824!) and premier centers of science education and development. This family-friendly Institute is full of surprises and will wow even a non-sciencey kid—you can race against pro athletes in the SportsZone, explore a brand new $8.5 million Wondrous Space exhibit, or you can walk through a “beating” human heart at the new Body Odyssey exhibit. We recently spent an afternoon exploring it and had a blast learning about health, physics, and tech. Scroll down for more details on our visit, and if you decide to make it a day trip, explore other places to visit in Philadelphia with kids. (feature photo credit: NJ MOM)
From pulleys to sports skills
With interactive exhibits emphasizing physics, chemistry, and technology across three floors, we started our visit at Sir Issac’s Loft, a playground of experimentation featuring falling objects, chain reactions, and optical illusions that bring Newton’s laws to life. There are a bunch of pulleys, prisms, and pendulums to try. We experimented with chain reactions, and the kids tested their strength by lifting their body weight with pulleys. Then, we visited the SportsZone, an interactive exhibit that explores how sports connect the science of the human body, the laws of motion, and technical innovation. My son is a baseball player, and he loves throwing a pitch and watching the playback at high speed to analyze it. The kids also tested their balance on the surfboard simulator and then raced a pro athlete (you can choose from a gold medal winner, an Eagles running back, or the Philly Phanatic baseball mascot) in their race simulator.
Out of this world learning
After spending time in the permanent exhibits, we headed to the newer Wondrous Space. The neon colors, interactive displays, and unique sounds made us feel like we had entered another world. We were able to touch a genuine meteorite that fell to Earth over 50,000 years ago, design and launch a rocket, and explore a Mars Rover. There were interactive space-themed activities, such as the gravity well, where we spun colored marbles that created a light path as they fell. We were also part of a computer-generated solar system, with the planets and stars orbiting us, allowing us to experiment with mass, gravity, and orbits. But the kids’ favorite part was creating their own spacesuit– they used a touchscreen to pick everything from the colors to the space destination they wanted to visit in outer space.
More to explore
As we made our way through the Franklin Institute, we arrived at Your Brain. Within the city street exhibit, we explored optical illusions and tried to discern the truth from the distorted images. But the best part was the 18-foot-tall neural climb in the exhibit. The climb was in a darkened room with mood lighting that gave the space a fun vibe (Bonus: this is the perfect place for mom and dad to rest while the kids climb and play). There’s also the Hamilton Collections Gallery featuring the Baldwin 60000 steam locomotive that you can climb aboard and learn all about the machinery. Also, in the gallery sit rare artifacts, including early film projectors and designs by the Wright Brothers.
The heart of the Franklin Institute
For over fifty years, The Giant Heart has been the Franklin Institute’s most famous exhibit, and it’s now the central part of the renovated Body Odyssey exhibit after a tune-up. The kids enjoyed this cardiovascular journey, where they could hear a real human heartbeat while exploring the heart’s chambers. They climbed through the heart independently and explored the 8-foot arteries while we walked around the exhibit. Afterward, we checked out the rest of the interactive and immersive Body Odyssey section, which featured exhibits ranging from gut health to our senses and perception. After the heart, we visited the Franklin Air Show, where the kids could create paper airplanes and whirligigs to see how they would fly. They could even sit in a 1948 T-33 Jet, put on wings, and feel the force flying in a wind tunnel. Look out for the new Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition, which will open on February 14, 2026, and it includes fan favorites like Jaws, The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™.
A starry night at any time of day
We decided to take a little break, and the planetarium seemed like the perfect place to relax and enjoy a show. The Fels Planetarium features a 60-foot-diameter dome that lets us look up at the night sky without weather or pollution interfering. Current shows include Encounters in the Milky Way, The Sky Tonight, and Celestial Sights. You can also visit the Holt & Miller Observatory, a 10” Carl Zeiss Refracting Telescope, one of the most significant historical artifacts in their collection—it allows you to safely view the sun and take in picture-perfect city views.
FAQs
How long is a typical visit to The Franklin Institute?
The Franklin Institute takes about 2-3 hours to explore, and it can take longer if you visit their special exhibits, the planetarium, or attend one of their events.
When is the museum open?
The Institute is open daily from 9:30 AM – 5 PM (they recommend visiting later in the afternoon to avoid weekday school crowds).
How much are tickets?
Tickets are valid only on the day of purchase. Prices are $29 for adults, $23 for kids (ages 3-12), and $25 for teens (ages 13-17). Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition with Museum pricing is an additional fee and is scaled to your desired visit date. A parking garage is connected to the museum and costs $25 per day.
Is it easy to get around The Franklin Institute with a stroller?
Strollers are allowed in the museum; however, large toddler carriers, double-sided strollers, and jogging strollers are not permitted in the special exhibition galleries due to space constraints. Strollers are not available to rent or borrow.
Are there options for babies and children with special needs?
An Infant Feeding Area is located on the first floor near the gold elevators for nursing mothers. If you need storage, there are lockers for small bags, backpacks, and coats. A Sensory Guide is available to assist anyone with sensory processing needs and to help them know what to expect at each exhibit.
Visit The Franklin Institute on their website, Facebook, and Instagram for more information.
Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
