Delaware Children's Museum

The Delaware Children's Museum sits on Wilmington's Riverfront district and is about 30 minutes from Philadelphia, making it an accessible and underrated day trip option for Philly families. With nearly 1,900 Google reviews and a 4.6 rating, it's clearly doing something right.

The museum's signature exhibit for young kids is the Construction Zone — an area where children can operate scaled-down cranes, haul materials with wheelbarrows, and build with oversized foam blocks in ways that feel genuinely active rather than passive. The water play area is another favorite with toddlers: multiple water tables and channels where kids can redirect streams and experiment with flow. Fair warning: this area will get your kids wet.

Pack a change of clothes.

The science exhibits include a DNA double helix climbing structure that kids ages 4-9 climb through with enthusiasm. Role-play areas — a mock grocery, health clinic, and community spaces — keep younger children occupied. The overall scale is right for a 2-3 hour visit with most families.

Admission is approximately $13-15 per person. A family of 4 should budget $55-75 including admission and parking ($5-10 in the Riverfront garages). The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday — open Wednesday through Sunday. Check their website for current hours and any holiday variations.

The Riverfront location is a bonus: the waterfront walkway is free and lovely, and there are restaurants directly adjacent for lunch. Combining the museum with a Riverfront walk and a meal makes for a full, satisfying day trip.