Animal Rides

Sometimes the simplest attractions are the biggest hits with the youngest kids. Animal Rides at Franklin Mills Mall in Northeast Philadelphia is exactly that — a collection of classic coin-operated ride-ons featuring animals, vehicles, and characters that light up, rock, and play music for small children who think this is literally the greatest thing they have ever seen.

For parents of toddlers and preschoolers, this kind of stop is genuinely useful. You're probably at Franklin Mills for other reasons — shopping, visiting Star Park Indoor Playground, or grabbing food — and Animal Rides becomes a natural bonus round that costs a few dollars and earns enormous excitement from the 1-6 crowd.

The rides are scaled appropriately for small children, and the motion is gentle enough for even timid toddlers. Kids can pick their favorite animal or vehicle, hop on with a little parental help, and enjoy a minute or two of music and movement that feels, to a two-year-old, like an absolute thrill. The trade-off is the inevitable 'one more, one more' negotiation when the ride stops — pack a snack for the transition.

With only 16 reviews on Google but a solid 4.5-star rating, Animal Rides is a quiet neighborhood favorite rather than a viral destination. Northeast Philly families know it's there, and it earns consistent appreciation precisely because it does exactly what it promises: delivers low-cost, simple joy for the youngest kids in the family.

Best combined with other Franklin Mills Mall activities for a full outing rather than a standalone destination.