Family Adventures, County by County: A Kid-Friendly Guide to the Philly Suburbs
From parks to kayaking to musical events that spark curiosity, things to do in the suburbs when you have the kids in tow.
Kid-friendly in the Philly suburbs: A tasty peek inside the Herr’s Snack Factory / Photograph by Fine Line Photography
From gardens to kayaking to tours to spark their curiosity, a county-by-county look at kid-friendly things to do in the Philly suburbs.
Delco
If we had to guess, your kids are cheesesteak fans, and there are lots of places in Delco to get these iconic sandwiches. But the Ridley Park outpost of Best of Philly-winning Delco Steaks sports a mini golf course, which, if we also had to guess, is the world’s only Delco-themed mini golf. For retro-cheap burgers and milkshakes, it’s off to Zac’s, which has multiple locations in the county. On a rainy day, it’s all about unlimited arcade-game fun at Game On State in Media, where you can introduce your little ones to the ancient game known as pinball and show off your Dance Dance Revolution skills, or channel your inner Lebowski at old-school bowling alley Wynnewood Lanes in Ardmore, where we’ve attended more than a few fabulous birthday parties. By the time the hottest days of summer get here, you can cool off inside Havertown’s year-round indoor ice-skating rink the Skatium. We promise not to laugh when you land on your butt — but your offspring might.
Bucks
One of the most unique things you can do with children in the mid-Atlantic region is make music at Upper Black Eddy’s Ringing Rocks Park. Inside the 123-acre park is a field of boulders. Strike them gently with a hammer and they ring, many rocks at different pitches. A family of four can pull off Mozart, or at least something that sounds remotely akin to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Bonus: The highest waterfall in Bucks, aptly named High Falls, is a short hike away. Speaking of water, no summertime visit to Bucks is complete without a leisurely tubing trip down the Delaware River courtesy of Bucks County River Country in Point Pleasant. (They also have canoes, kayaks, and rafts. Don’t forget the sunscreen!) The younger set will enjoy the wooden playground paradise that is Doylestown’s Kids Castle. When was the last time you saw a movie for just five bucks? You can do just that thanks to the monthly family Saturday 10 a.m. matinees at the circa-1938 County Theater, also in Doylestown. If they’ve never seen Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on the big screen, June 28th offers that opportunity. And for something sweet, any of the 11 ice cream parlors — from old-school to newfangled — along the Bucks County Ice Cream Trail will do the trick.
Kid-friendly in the Philly suburbs: Making music at Ringing Rocks / Photograph via Visit Bucks County
Montco
You’re stuck in traffic on 76, watching the Schuylkill River flow gently by. Your mind wanders, and for a moment you think about the cool, calm water instead of the RAV4 that keeps honking behind you. What if, you say, I were on the water instead of next to the water? Turn around, head to Port Providence Paddle, and grab a canoe or kayak. We recommend the Valley Forge trip, a six-mile journey that ends just past Valley Forge National Historical Park. Kids of all ages are welcome, but maybe grab a tandem for the youngest in your bunch. If your crew is less kayak and more kitsch, try the American Treasure Tour Museum in Oaks. Nickelodeons, circus sideshow art, a castle made out of nearly 400,000 popsicle sticks — if you leave without finding something odd that you’ll remember forever, head back inside and try again. Sometimes there’s nothing better at the end of a long day of sightseeing with the kids than simply … sitting down. Okay, there’s one thing better: if there’s music, and maybe a drink, involved. Montco is full of free outdoor summer concert series for just that purpose. If you’re farther north, try the Green Lane Park Summer Concert Series; more central, the summer carillon series at Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge; to the south, Narberth’s Music in the Park.
Chesco
Birds. Paper airplanes. A football heading toward a beloved family heirloom even though you expressly said not to throw balls in the house. What do kids love more than almost anything? Things that can fly. Scratch that itch at the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester. From tiny handmade choppers to the massive tiltrotor Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, there’s something for every aerophile. (Check out their summer camps too.) After you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Nottingham for the Herr’s Snack Factory tour. Get an up-close peek at how the 80-year-old company makes those potato chips so damned tasty, and be sure to pick up a fresh bag in the gift shop on your way out. In a county known for its rolling hills and natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Chester County Parks and Recreation’s offerings run the outdoors gamut. From history hikes to mansion tours, there’s something for every interest. We’re partial to Chesco’s Family + Archery programs, which take place at Hibernia County Park, Springton Manor Farm, and Nottingham County Park. Park rangers lead this 8-and-up activity, but spots fill quickly, so sign up online.
>> Click here to return to The Philadelphian’s Guide to Exploring the Suburbs
Published as “Family Matters” in the June 2025 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
