A full family day in Philadelphia does not have to cost $200. The city has a legitimate collection of free parks, free museums, and low-cost paid options that can build an excellent day for under $50. Here's exactly what to hit.
Completely Free
These cost $0 in admission. Bring your own food and you've got a zero-cost outing.
Von Colln Playground is one of the best-located free spots in the city — sitting right next to the Philadelphia Museum of Art with a 5.0 Google rating, an athletic field for bigger kids, and Kelly Drive trail access for a bonus bike ride or walk. Park in the Art Museum lots, which are often free on weekends.
Wagner Free Institute of Science earns a 4.8 rating and charges $0. It's a real natural history museum from the Victorian era — specimens, fossils, scientific instruments — preserved almost exactly as it was built. Kids who are into science history find it genuinely fascinating. Plan 1–1.5 hours.
Kids Castle Central Park: Free outdoor play space with a 4.8 rating. Bring snacks and water. One of those playgrounds that's too good to be free.
Anna C. Verna Playground: Free, 4.8 stars, 45 minutes–1.5 hours. Bring your own food.
Awbury Arboretum: Free admission, 4.7 rating, 1–2 hours of walking trails and open green space. Pack a picnic — this is a full free afternoon.
Children's Playground at FDR Park: Free, 4.7 stars. No concessions at the playground itself — bring food. FDR Park as a whole has paddle boats and bike rentals for $10–20/hour if you want to add something.
Fitzpatrick Playground: Free, 4.7 stars, Northeast Philadelphia. Bring your own snacks.
Sister Cities Park: Free entry, 4.7 stars, Center City. There's a splash pad in summer and great open space year-round. The adjacent cafe sells coffee and snacks — optional.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum: Free, 4.8 stars, 1–2 hours. Pack a picnic.
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens: Free, 4.8 stars, 1–2 hours. Another great picnic spot.
James G. Kaskey Memorial Park: Free, 4.8 stars, on the Penn campus. A peaceful pocket park for 30–60 minutes.
East Fairmount Park: Free, 4.6 stars, 1–3 hours. Over 1,800 acres of trails, fields, and open space. Pack a full picnic.
Champions Park Playground: Free, 4.6 stars. Bring your own food and drinks.
Herron Playground: $0 admission, 4.6 stars. Bring snacks.
Smith Playground: Free (donations accepted), 4.4 stars. Has an indoor playhouse with structured play sessions — especially good in bad weather.
Starr Garden Playground: $0 admission, 4.4 stars. Center City — use public transit since parking is tough.
Wissinoming Park: Free, 4.3 stars. Pack a picnic for a complete outdoor outing.
Free day total: $0 admission + whatever you pack
Low-Cost Paid Options (Under $60 for a Family of 4)
These are affordable enough that you won't wince at the receipt.
Reading Science Center: $30–50 for the family. 4.9 rating. No food on site — eat before or bring snacks. This is the best value science experience in the Philly region.
Little City Activity Center: $30–50 for two adults and two young children. 4.8 stars. Arrive at 8:30am on weekends for the best experience before it gets crowded.
Pottstown Children's Discovery Center: $30–50 for the family. 4.8 stars. Community pricing makes this one of the most affordable children's museums anywhere near Philadelphia.
Star Park Indoor Playground – Franklin Mall: $40–60 for two adults and two kids ($10–15/child). 4.9 stars. Punch cards and membership options are worth it if you're local.
Kids Kastle: $40–60 for two adults and two kids. 4.8 stars. Adults are often free or reduced.
DreamLand Adventure: $50–70 for a family of four. 4.8 stars. Look for sibling discounts.
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens: $50–60. Admission runs $10–12/adult, $5/child. 4.6 stars. Check the website for free community days.
Morris Arboretum & Gardens: $50–65. Children under 3 free. 4.8 stars. No on-site restaurant — pack lunch.
expERIEnce Children's Museum: $40–60 for the family. 4.7 stars. Community pricing in Erie makes this surprisingly affordable if you're doing a day trip.
Jumpers Family Fun Zone: $55–80 for the family. 4.7 stars. Bring your own drinks to avoid concession costs.
Franklin Square: $30–60 total depending on activities. 4.6 stars. The playground is free; mini golf is $10–12/person, carousel is a few dollars per ride. You control the spend.
Build a Great Day for Under $50
Option 1 – Outdoor Day ($0): Von Colln Playground (free) + Kelly Drive walk (free) + picnic lunch you packed ($10–15 at a grocery store before you go)
Option 2 – Museum + Park ($35–45): Wagner Free Institute of Science (free) + Awbury Arboretum (free) + food from a local spot ($25–35)
Option 3 – Indoor + Play ($45–55): Reading Science Center ($30–50) + Starr Garden Playground (free) + packed snacks
The free arboretums and parks in Philadelphia are genuinely good — don't skip them just because they're free. Von Colln Playground, Awbury Arboretum, and East Fairmount Park would all be worth $10–15/person if they charged. They don't.
Partially Free: Worth a Small Spend
The Lands at Hillside Farms: Farm entry is free or low cost; ice cream and dairy products are the main purchase. Total budget $20–40 for the family. 4.8 stars, 1–2 hours. Limited stroller access on farm terrain but worth it for kids who've never been on a working dairy farm. A farm visit + ice cream stop runs under $20 for most families.
PHS Meadowbrook Farm: Grounds are often free for general visits; special events may have admission fees. Budget $0–20. 4.7 stars, 1–2 hours. A beautiful working farm in the Philadelphia suburbs.
FDR Park: Park entry is free. Paddle boats and bike rentals run $10–20/hour. You set the budget. 4.5 stars, 1–3 hours. The playground is completely free; add rentals only if kids want them.
Franklin Square: Playground is completely free. Mini golf runs $10–12/person if you add it; the carousel is a few dollars per ride. A family can spend $0 at Franklin Square or $30–60 depending on which activities they add. 4.6 stars.
Museum Memberships That Unlock Free Entry
If you have a home museum membership, check before paying full price at Philadelphia's paid museums. Several operate under reciprocal membership agreements:
- ACM (Association of Children's Museums): May cover children's museums including Little City Activity Center, expERIEnce Children's Museum, Pottstown Children's Discovery Center
- ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers): May cover Reading Science Center, Da Vinci Science Center, and similar science venues
- AZA: Covers the Philadelphia Zoo for members of accredited zoos elsewhere
Philly Zoo alone is $90–120 for a family. If your home zoo is AZA-accredited and includes reciprocal admission, you walk in free.
Where to Eat Cheap
Bringing your own food is the single biggest budget lever on a Philly family day. The free outdoor parks — East Fairmount Park, Awbury Arboretum, Jenkins Arboretum — have no concessions and beautiful picnic spots. Pack a cooler for outdoor days and you'll trim $25–40 from your daily spend without sacrificing anything.
For quick and affordable on-the-go food near indoor venues: South Street has inexpensive local options near Magic Gardens. Franklin Mills Mall has food court options near Star Park. The Reading Terminal Market near Center City has affordable, excellent local food — get there by 10:30am before it gets crowded.