7 Ways To Bust Summer Boredom And Keep Your Kid Busy In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Don't let the dog days of summer get you down! We rounded up some awesome family-friendly activities happening around Philadelphia this season so you can keep the kids occupied. Pay a visit to a hands-on museum, embark on a sleuthing scavenger hunt, or learn to solder your own crafts and projects.

What are you waiting for? Mark these dates and make the most of your summer in Philadelphia.

1. Plan a visit to the Please Touch Museum. Kids can’t get enough of these hands-on, interactive exhibits that are designed to stimulate creativity. The museum has several upcoming summer exhibits that children (and adults!) of all ages can enjoy and learn from.

Where: Please Touch Museum (4231 Avenue of the Republic)

When: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

2. Get swept away at Story Time.Take a family trip to your local Barnes & Noble for a morning of interactive storytelling. Story Time takes place in the colorful and vibrant Children’s Department and is led by a trained Barnes & Noble staff storyteller. Kids of all ages are encouraged to take part in group artistic activities that accompany the story — singing, dancing and craft projects help to bring the story to life every Wednesday morning. Find a store and a story time near you. Don’t forget to pick up the books from your summer reading list while you’re there!

Find this event at a Barnes & Noble near you

3. DIY Summer Craft: Popsicle Ice Chalk. Break your child out of a summer rut without breaking the bank — or even leaving the house. Check out this easy recipe for Popsicle chalk:

Step 1: Grab a medium sized mixing bowl and combine 1 part water with 1 part Cornstarch. Stir until smooth.

Step 2: Slowly pour the mixture into popsicle molds one at a time. Disperse evenly and lightly tap the bottom of the molds on a hard surface 3-4 times.

Step 3: Add several drops of food coloring to each popsicle mold. For variety, try mixing different colors in a single pop for a vibrant ice chalk surprise.

Step 4: Place the Popsicle molds in the freezer overnight.

Step 5: Chalk it up! Remove your popsicle ice chalk from the molds then head outside and start drawing!

4. Participate in a Puzzling Adventure tour of Philadelphia's historic district. Part guided-tour, part scavenger hunt, this interactive journey is a great way to sightsee and explore the history of Philadelphia while putting your problem-solving skills to good use.

Where: Ben Franklin Parkway (1 South Penn Square)

When: Course is open and operational 7 days a week, 24 hours per day

5. Shop a book fair and support local nonprofits. Whether you’re picking up your child’s summer reading books or snagging the latest bestseller for the beach, shop a Barnes & Noble Book Fair and a portion of your business will go towards supporting students in grades K-12 in your district. Find a Book Fair near you to contribute to local fundraising efforts for nonprofits and schools in your area.

Find this event at a Barnes & Noble near you

6. Swing by Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse for an afternoon of outdoor fun. The playground is designed to facilitate unstructured “free play” and inspire creativity while developing social skills in youngsters. The Smith Playhouse boasts over 16,000 square feet of recreational space and unique toys.

Where: Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse (East Fairmount Park, 3500 Reservoir Drive)

When: Open Daily, 9 a.m. - Sunset

7. Sign up for Soldering Saturday at The Hacktory. Take part in a family-friendly, practical workshop that's a great way to learn the skill of soldering, and to create a unique craft project to take home. Kids of all ages are welcome to attend, but children under the age of 12 need to be accompanied by an adult.

Where: The Hacktory (3645 Lancaster Avenue)

When: Saturday Mornings, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Image via Unsplash; Photo by Ben White