Let's Play: Rainy Day Solutions

It's great to get outside during the Summer, but we know not every day is ideal for outdoor fun. Some days are just too hot, especially if you don't have a pool to escape too, and some days are just plain rainy. So, what do you do when the kids start going stir crazy and you're ready to pull your hair out? Get out and try our favorite indoor fun choices:

The Little Treehouse Play Cafe $
8524 Germantown Avenue
Chestnut Hill, PA 19118
Open 8:30am-7:00pm Mon through Fri
215.247.3637
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Price: $7.50 per child, 1/2 price for each additional child



The Little Treehouse is a wonderful indoor play space with plenty of engaging toys for children to play with, such as a play kitchen, row boat see-saw, doll house, dress up silks, books, blocks, trains, and much more. We also love that the toys are all made of natural materials such as wood and that they clean with only natural cleaning products. And if your child won't leave without one of the toys, you can buy it from the selection on the back wall.

This is a perfect stop for crawlers, especially. The floor is made of foam, so there is no worry about hard falls. And the biggest play structure in the room is still small enough for a baby to enjoy. If you need to nurse, pull up a big, comfy pillow on the floor.

There is a bathroom with changing table, and tables and chairs for eating, reading, etc. You can drink filtered water or hot tea at no cost or pay for a cup of coffee or bottled water or juice. For now, you can bring your own food; in the near future, they will have a snack bar to purchase from, so outside snacks will be prohibited.

Meet other moms and let your children make new friends. This is a close knit community and a nice break from being home with the same old toys.

Once you pay, you can come back any time that day. Or, you can purchase a 10-visit card for $55. Story hours and art lessons are scheduled for an additional cost. The Little Treehouse also hosts parties.





Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
33rd and Oxford Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday- Sunday year round
215.765.4325
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Price: Donation only.

Besides having a great outdoor play ground, Smith Memorial Playhouse is a great in door space to go. They have three floors of fun for all. The floor at the entrance has a full sized wooden train for your little ones to "ride" on, a reading corner with books and a rocking chair, tumbling blocks, a kid-sized wooden house. Head upstairs for even more toys, such as dinosaurs, a furnished doll house, baby toys, and cars. And, finally, visit the basement for a ride on a tricycle or in a car around the city streets, complete with parking meters, a gas station, flashing traffic lights, and traffic signs.
There is no air conditioning, so it can get very hot in the Summer, but it's a great place to go to get out of the cold or rain. Also, they do not allow food or drink inside the play house. So, come with full tummies and plan to run outside if you or your little one gets thirsty.



Please Touch Museum $
210 N. 21^st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Open Sunday-Thursday, 9 am–4:30 pm
Friday-Saturday, 9 am–5 pm
215.963.0667
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Children and Adults: $10.95 Children under the age of One: Free

Kids will be occupied for hours building a house, races boats down a river, having tea with the Mad Hatter, picking vegetables from the garden, and shopping at the grocery store.


It is best to go on week days; the museum can get very busy. You can bring your stroller in, but you will have to take it downstairs to leave it when you enter. So, bring a carrier for small ones.



Franklin Institute $
222 North 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
open 9:30AM - 5:00PM - Sunday through Saturday
Imax Theater open Sunday through Saturday - 10:00am - 6:00pm
Friday and Saturday - 10:00 - 9:00pm
215.448.1200
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Price: Adults $14.25, Children 4 and up $11.50, Children under 4 Free


This museum is a great place to spend a day -- or several days! There is so much to see, it may take you a few trips to make it to everything. Besides amazing traveling exhibits, there are many permanent sections of the museum that your kids will love.
Make sure to ride the real steam engine and visit the KidScience section to let the them play with boats in a river and even climb to the top of a lighthouse.

Your older ones will love seeing a real astronaut's space suit, touching a meteorite, and looking up at the stars in the planetarium.

For an extra cost, you can watch one of their featured films on the amazing IMAX screen.



Plymouth Meeting Mall
500 W. Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
open Monday through Saturday 10am – 9:30pm Sunday 11am – 6pm
610.825.9351
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Yes, it's a mall. But, more importantly, it is a mall with a beautiful carousel and an enchanting fountain! Just the kind of distractions you need for your little ones. Start out at the food court entrance to eat or enjoy a ride (or 10) on the carousel and then head down to your left to the other end of the mall where you will find a huge, lit fountain.

The carousel is an amazing, two-story structure complete with rocking benches for moms with babies and spinning teacups for your older, adventurous kids. At $2.00 a ride, it's a great deal for the smiles it will put on your kids' faces. We just wish you good luck getting them off of it.

And the light and water show of the fountain will entertain your little ones and give you a break. They love to watch the water slowly rising up,up, almost to the ceiling! And they'll want to make a wish, of course, so bring your pennies!