Family Fun
Family
Adventure Aquarium
Ongoing: Come with your family and explore the aquarium, complete with a KidZone, shark tunnel, free live shows, and an awesome shark tunnel. Don’t miss the Dinosaurs of the Deep special exhibition featuring more than 20 monsters of the deep. It runs through July 5. Admission. 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ. 865-365-3300; www.adventureaquarium.com.
Bucks County Children’s Museum
Ongoing: A fun, interactive, and educational environment for children, parents, and schools, with exhibits that reflect Bucks County’s history and culture. Exhibits include Town Square, Factory Works, Artifact Dig, Covered Bridges, Tree House, and Hot Air Balloon Ride. Activities are planned year round. 500 Union Square, New Hope, PA. 215-693-1290; www.buckskids.org.
The Crayola Experience
Ongoing: This fun and colorful children’s attraction features interactive Crayola exhibits. 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA. 610-515-8000; www.crayolaexperience.com.
The Da Vinci Science Center
Ongoing: This regional center features two stories of science exhibits, as well as programs and special events. 3145 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA. 484-664-1002; www.davincisciencecenter.org.
Giggleberry Fair
Ongoing: Climb Giggleberry Mountain, learn at Giggles Discovers, visit The Game Room, and take a ride on the antique Grand Carousel at Giggleberry Fair. Peddler’s Village, Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, PA. 215-794-4000; www.peddlersvillage.com.
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
Ongoing: Hourly Excursions
March 21-22, 28-31; April 1-5: Easter Bunny Express
32 West Bridge Street, New Hope, PA. 215-862-2332; www.newhoperailroad.com.
Northlandz
Ongoing: Visit the home of the Great American Railway, doll museum, and art gallery. Up to 100 trains travel over 8 miles of track, 40-foot bridges span huge canyons, and cities and villages feature thousands of buildings. Admission. 495 U.S. 202, Flemington, NJ. 908-782-4022; www.northlandz.com.
Philadelphia Zoo
Ongoing: Visit the nation’s first zoo, complete with over 1,000 animals, many of them endangered or rare. 3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. 215-243-5254; www.philadelphiazoo.org.
Please Touch Museum
Ongoing: Visit the Children’s Museum of Philadelphia, where the key word is play. Families can enjoy over a dozen themed exhibits, theater, art, music, special programs, the carousel, and storytime and character appearances. Admission. 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA. 215-581-3181; www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.
Sesame Place
Ongoing: Visit the nation’s only Sesame Street theme park. There are special events throughout the park season. 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA. 866-GO-4-ELMO; www.sesameplace.com.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Through April 19: Titanoboa: Monster Snake
Through May 31: Caryn Babaian: Nature in Chalk
Admission. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA. 215-299-1000; www.ansp.org.
The Franklin Institute
Through April 12: Body Worlds: Animals Inside Out
Through September 6: The Art of the Brick
222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA. 215-448-1200; www2.fi.edu.
Shady Brook Farm
March-June: This Bucks County farm has lots in store this coming spring. They will be having gardening seminars, an annual Easter Eggstravaganza, and in June, strawberry themed events.
931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA. 215-968-1670; www.shadybrookfarm.com.
Terhune Orchards
March 21; April 7, 11: Read and Explore Programs
April 4-5: Bunny Chase
April 24: Arbor Day Celebration
May 2-3: Kite Day
May 5, 19; June 2, 16: Read and Pick Programs
May 9-10: Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend
June 21: Firefly Festival
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ. 609-924-2310; www.terhuneorchards.com.
Linvilla Orchards
March 21-22; March 28-April 4: Hayrides to Bunnyland
March 28: Family Fishing Derby
May 17: Antique Car Show and Flea Market
June 6: Strawberry Festival
June 27: Raspberry Festival
137 West Knowlton Road, Media, PA. 610-876-7116; www.linvilla.com.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County
March 22: Bowl For Kids’ Sake, Thunderbird Lanes, Warminster, PA
Advance registration. 215-343-8260; www.bbbsbc.org.
Camden Children’s Garden
March 28: Opening Day
April 4: Brunch with the Easter Bunny
April 11-12: Dino Day & Bug Bonanza Festival
April 25-26: Earth & Arbor Day Festival
May 9-10: Beautiful Butterflies, Birds, & Cinco de Mayo Festival
May 23-24: Fit and Fun Festival
June 13-14: StrawBeary Surprise! & Art in Nature Festival
Admission. 3 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ. 856-365-8733; www.camdenchildrensgarden.org.
Snipes Farm and Education Center
March 28: You Can Do It: Successful Organic Backyard Gardening
April 11: Backyard Chickens
April 18: Families Cook Together
April 25: Earth Day and Potluck Lunch at the Farm
May 2: Herb Gardening
May 16: River Roots Music and Food Truck Festival
Registration fee for classes. 890 West Bridge Street, Morrisville, PA. 215-295-1139; www.snipesfarm.org.
Black River & Western Railroad
March 28-29; April 3-4 Easter Bunny Express
John Ringo Road, Ringoes, NJ. 908-782-6622; www.blackriverrailroad.com.
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions
March 28-29; April 4: Easter Bunny Train Ride and Egg Hunt
162 South Main Street, Phillipsburg, NJ. 908-213-6300; www.nyswths.org.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
April-November: If your family loves dinosaurs, don’t miss New Jersey’s latest outdoor dinosaur exhibition. There are 31 full-size animatronic dinosaurs set against the natural setting of the New Jersey Meadowlands. Children also can enjoy games, workshops, demonstrations, and live entertainment. Admission. Laurel Hill Park, 1 Dinosaur Way, Secaucus, NJ. 855-999-9010; www.fieldstationdinosaurs.com.
Strasburg Railroad
April 3-5: Easter Bunny Train
April 18: The Great Train Robbery
June 20-28: Day Out with Thomas
301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA. 866-725-9666; www.strasburgrailroad.com.
Lehigh Valley Zoo
April 11: Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Center Grand Opening
April 25: Party for the Planet
May 16: Endangered Species Day
Admission. 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA. 610-799-4171; www.lvzoo.org.
“A” Day
April 24-26: This annual agricultural event features animal shows, fair exhibits, carnival rides, food vendors, children’s entertainment, live music, crafts, games, and much more. Delaware Valley College, 700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, PA. 800-2-DelVal; www.delval.edu.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
May 1: Opening Day
3830 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA. 610-395-3724; www.dorneypark.com.