http://www.parentography.com/parentographers/show/1170 Kid friendly reviews, recommendations and advice - for families on the go en-us First, the place has moved - it's now at 2040 Springdale Rd STE 100 Cherry Hill NJ. Wonderful children's museum. Had so many great things for our son to do, from a castle to a pretend ice hockey arena to the more usual construction and farm locations. There's a small outdoor play area too with climbing sculptures. They change exhibits quite frequently too I hear so it never gets 'boring'. They have a small 'cafe' for lunch - hot dogs, pizza but also salads and sandwiches, and you can also bring your own (though the eating area is small). Only downsides are the parking (can be challenging) and that like lots of Jersey getting there involves a slight amount of convoluted driving. Worth it! xf14ae Sun, 06 Jan 2008 03:58:14 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/888 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/888 This place is really neat - great walking trails, big barn with local animals you can see, fun programs. Excellent place for a birthday party as well. Highly recommend! xf14ae Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:31:34 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/886 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/886 This place is much smaller than other moonbounces in the area - has one large slide, one kiddie inflatable. It's also a bit more expensive than the other moonbounces, who charge the same rates for a full day as these guys do for an hour. It does have a Velcro Wall and a Climbing Wall, both of which are tons of fun for older (but not teen) kids and adults :). There's also a small game room that spits out tickets that you turn in for prizes. The birthday room is completely separate from the jumping and game area, which is nice for privacy and quiet. Expect this to last maybe an hour to hour and a half before your child is bored. xf14ae Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:20:37 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/885 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/885 The University campus is open, has lots of big palm trees, Saguaro, and scuptures and such for kids to see. The Fels Planetarium is a fun activity, at night they operate a telescope, and they also do planetarium shows. You can visit the Arizona Football and Basketball stadiums, both of which are quite impressive; as well as the museums and student art exhibits. We had a fun day there. Parking is inexpensive, as is admission to the Fels, and food is cheap and plentiful in the Student Union (amazing how similar College Students' and kindergarteners' tastes are...). xf14ae Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:13:51 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/882 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/882 NOTE: There are two Monuments - EAST and WEST. Both are equally stunning. Want to get up close and personal with these magnificent cactus, who only grow in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and Mexico? Then head to one of these, where they are protected and grow large and strong. You'll see lots of native wildlife (quail, woodpeckers, roadrunners, and maybe even a Javelina), have some nice walking and driving trails. xf14ae Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:10:48 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/881 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/881 This is a good hiking trail for both inexperienced (lower part of trail) and more experienced (upper part) hikers. The trail is well groomed and marked. Kids will have fun climbing on rocks and such. The views are very good as well. No facilities - bring your own water, hat and such. Good for elementary through teenagers, not appropriate for baby strollers or those not walking well. xf14ae Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:59:26 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/880 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/880 This is a nicely laid out native garden park, amazing to see how many different plants live in the desert and how they're cultivated. There's some decent walking trails too and a small but pretty well done children's garden too. I would say this park is good for toddlers and for pre-teens or teens who are interested in nature, as well as adults. There's a nice tea room restaurant, and multiple gift shops. xf14ae Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:46:14 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/879 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/879 What a great place to go hiking as a family. There are easy and more challenging hikes, and best of all there's a shuttle along the major routes so when you're tired, you can just shuttle back ($3 adults, $2 kids I think). We did 4 miles, which didn't seem like much, saw a dam in the Sabino river and went through part of Bear Canyon as well. Great fun! xf14ae Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:35:35 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/878 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/878 Don't let the name of the place fool you - this is a zoo, and it's really well done, very natural and flowing, highlighting the native species of the Sonora Desert. We saw the Raptor show there, which was fantastic. They release the birds from far away so they fly into the location, my son got buzzed by a Raven - unforgettable! We went on a cooler day, which was great b/c most of the animals were up and about instead of sleeping. Hummingbird house and Aviary are highlights, as is the Coati and the Bighorn Sheep exhibit. xf14ae Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:24:58 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/877 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/877 Our 5 YO son had a great time here. It's smaller than some other Children's Museums we've been to but has a lot of hands on exhibits for kids - from ocean reefs to an almost life size "Operation" game to the classic fire engine and police motorcycle exhibit. Only slight disappointment was the Dinosaur room - not quite interactive enough for him though he loved that the Dinosaurs moved. Highly recommend, especially on the rare rainy day. xf14ae Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:20:16 -0800 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/876 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/876 OK this place is big - as in Busch Gardens Six Flags caliber Amusement Park Big. Tons of roller coasters. Good sized water park inside the grounds (included in admission) that can be loads of fun for the whole family. Tons of other rides, food, games, a few shows including a cute Sea Lion show. Food is expensive - $7.75 for a 1/4 lb hot dog, chips and a soda. About what you'd expect. Our only negative was some of the size restrictions -my son is 5 YO and 43". Some of the rides he wanted to go on (bumper cars, swings) he was not tall enough for and some of the rides he was tall enough for he declared to be 'for babies'. Because of that, and the challenge of keeping track of him in a large crowded park I think we'll hold off on going again until he's a little older and taller. xf14ae Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:35:52 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/793 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/793 Japanese steakhouse - your 4+ year old will be fascinated by the display cooking (warning: Fire) and the antics of the chefs. We go here when we've got out of town guests and they want to go to dinner. Food is good and it's a lot of fun. Check places like ValPak as they usually have a buy one get one 1/2 off coupon running. xf14ae Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:17:28 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/792 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/792 It's a kid-focused mock 50s diner - complete with two trains circling along the ceiling. Milkshakes, hamburgers, french fries, sitting in red vinyl upholestered booths. No reservations, this place can get packed at mealtimes - if you go at 5:30 expect to wait for a table. xf14ae Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:11:47 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/791 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/791 Great for the train-lover of any age! The train rides through pretty farmland and woods (very big deer), they do special events trains as well (Holiday, Halloween, etc.). The town of New Hope surrounds the station, so you can easily walk to restaurants, shops and the Delaware River bank (a few blocks away). Parking is at the station or on the streets (congested). xf14ae Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:05:42 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/790 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/790 This is not nearly as cheesy as you'd think - you really do feel like you're walking around in an olde village. There's shows - the comic shows and mud show are big hits with kids - and jousting and a life size chess game. Bring your own food or eat there - tons of options but not cheap. Open summer - fall, they do discount for you coming in costume. xf14ae Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:10:10 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/785 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/785 This replaced the tours of the actual chocolate factory - you get in a little car and they take you through how chocolate is made, with singing cows and such. Short ride - maybe 15 minutes - and interesting for kids. At the end you're let off in the shopping area. Mmm...nothing like freshly made chocolate, and there's a movie as well. Not a bad first stop in Hershey, it's adjacent to the Park, Hotel Hershey and the stadium. xf14ae Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:05:19 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/784 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/784 Has been around for a long time - I remember going there as a kid. Great place for the under 10 set. Rides are all for small kids, it's shady and there's lots to do. Theme is storybooks - Old Mother Hubbard, Old Woman who Lives in a Shoe, Gingerbread House. Great for when you don't want to go on the beach. You can bring your own food or you can buy from their small restaurant (pizza, hot dogs, etc.) It's shady and open, plenty of room to run. Don't miss it when you're down the Shore. xf14ae Mon, 30 Jul 2007 03:52:46 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/778 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/778 Can be insane on Saturdays when there are a lot of birthdays but it's a good place to go when it's raining or cold. They have a 'fun factory' - big climbing structure (think McDonalds PlayPlace on steriods). Lots of climbing and running and a ball pit and ropes and such. Closed on Sundays and they're cash/checks only. xf14ae Mon, 30 Jul 2007 03:47:37 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/777 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/777 We went there on a rainy summer Sunday - has the Marple Mountain, a pretty big climbing maze with slides and ropes and such (think McDonald's PlayPlace on steroids). Cost was pretty reasonable. They also have two hockey rinks, a rock climbing wall and an arcade (contained in a room so temptation is minimized). No outside food, snack bar was pretty robust in it's offerings - very little healthy though. All in all, not a bad place on a rainy Sunday for the kid who likes to run and climb and slide. xf14ae Mon, 30 Jul 2007 03:41:20 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/776 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/776 The nation's oldest tuition-free (as in free) art school, Fleisher offers great workshops and classes for children and adults - some free, some low cost. Younger kids will love clay sculpture and painting classes especially. Take a class, then explore the nearby Italian Market or the pocket parks in the neighborhood. xf14ae Sun, 29 Jul 2007 05:40:04 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/775 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/775 MUST make reservations to see this exhibit, and it is not a traditional museum. This is the estate home of Dr. Albert Barnes, physician and art collector. One of the premier impressionistic collections, it is not displayed 'traditionally'. The story of the collector and collection is quite colorful - snubbed by the Art world, Dr. Barnes kept his collection private and in trust - with instructions to bar the 'art world' from the collection they once turned their backs on. They have art classes for adults and teens. If you have a teen who loves art, this is a great place to see it. xf14ae Sun, 29 Jul 2007 05:34:53 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/774 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/774 Your kids will be fascinated by the Calder mobile in the main hall and all the varied exhibits - from Egypt to Middle Ages to Modern Art. Sundays are "pay what you want" admission. xf14ae Sun, 29 Jul 2007 05:27:08 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/773 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/773 OK If your kid loves dinosaurs, you've got to take them here - has dinosaur skeletons, 'digging for fossils', and up on the 3rd floor a cool touchable exhibit with a beach/boat, chalk and slate, small animals volunteers let you touch (bunnies, etc.) and such. The dioramas are a little corny (my sister calls this the 'dead zoo') but the Butterfly Exhibit (extra fee) is so worth it - really neat. #1 if you've got a dino-lover though, it's what they're known best for. xf14ae Sun, 29 Jul 2007 05:19:55 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/772 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/772 The Franklin Institute is an institution in Philly - from the famed walk through heart to the train that moves to the (now modified) Rube Goldberg-esque pinball machine to the Giant Pendulum. Newer are the IMAX dome (very cool) and the bike you can ride across the atrium (also cool - no skirts or flip-flops though!). Go at least once, great for school age to teenager crowds. Bring your own lunch - restaurant is expensive and not really that good. xf14ae Sun, 29 Jul 2007 05:14:47 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/771 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/771 It's great fun - wonderful for the toddler through the elementary school child. Where the Wild Things Are, Alice in Wonderland, Storytime, the "Store", Moving, City Bus, and the infant's 'children's garden' are all hugely popular. Can be mobbed on weekend afternoons especially when it's cold or rainy so go early. Only vending machines but there is a small area for you to bring your own lunch and eat. My son loves the "touch" museum. Admission free for Military. :) xf14ae Sun, 29 Jul 2007 05:11:22 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/770 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/770 This place is seriously fun - great aquariums, fun to see the penguins outdoors, all around a great time. Sponge Bob ride is better for the over 6 set but it's fun (short though!) Go early on weekends as it gets crowded fast! Also, recommend you pack a lunch as the cafeteria is expensive. Pair this with a trip to the Camden Children's Garden (next door) and the Battleship New Jersey (short walk or shuttle ride) for a guaranteed 'good sleep' night. Get the membership if you're local - pays for itself in 2 visits. xf14ae Sun, 29 Jul 2007 05:02:14 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/769 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/769 What a great place to spend the day! Weekends in the summer are crowded so go early. New Tiger and Lion exhibit is great, as is the Primate house and the indoor Treehouse (great place to go on a cloudy or rainy zoo day!) There are extra small fee items like riding the train or going on a swan boat or panning for gems. All are reasonable. Petting zoo is also a big hit with the kids. Memberships are worth it - we go 5-6 times a year! xf14ae Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:59:00 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/768 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/768 Have been both to the summer Dutch Wonderland and their Winter Wonderland. Park is great for smaller kids - thrill rides appropriate, lots of small kid rides. Nice balance for the younger set. Hold on to your wallets though b/c you go through the gift shop to get in and out of there. xf14ae Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:58:51 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/766 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/766 Took the holiday train and we had a great time. Train station was crowded but not chaotic. Santa was a little fast and the pictures weren't good but the kids had a great time. Did the train museum (across the street) as well and that was neat. Good for train-lovers of all ages. xf14ae Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:56:13 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/765 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/765 What a great place to roam outdoors! The train gardens (spring, fall, and holiday) are a huge hit, as are the sculptures, the mill, the fields and the TREES! Bring your own lunch or lunch in the cafe, some great activities including jazz and stuff-your-own-scarecrow. Great way to spend a day outdoors with the family. xf14ae Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:47:05 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/764 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/764 Has a huge climbing structure and indoor mini-golf. Does allow you to bring food and has a decent snack bar. Does have a very prominent arcade area so expect to be pestered for tokens to play the games. Clean and bright and open, not a bad way to spend the day. xf14ae Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:41:55 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/763 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/763 Good place to go on a rainy or cold day. Only allows kids up to (including) age 8, most are younger. You can't bring in your own food which is kind of a bummer as their snack bar isn't the healthiest though it's reasonable. Kids love jumping on all the moonbounces though - hours of fun and a great way to get out their energy! This location is not as bright as the one in West Chester but it is fully contained - no worry that my kid is going to slip out a door unnoticed. xf14ae Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:35:47 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/762 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/762 Good place to go on a rainy or cold day. Only allows kids up to (including) age 8, most are younger. You can't bring in your own food which is kind of a bummer as their snack bar isn't the healthiest though it's reasonable. Kids love jumping on all the moonbounces though - hours of fun and a great way to get out their energy! This location is bright and roomy and fully contained - no worry that my kid is going to slip out a door unnoticed. xf14ae Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:33:21 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/761 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/761 Great place to take the family for an afternoon of fun, especially in the fall. Enclosed large play area, farm animals, hayrides, farmers market (pies are outstanding) and pick-your-own-fruit activities. Halloween is their busiest time, but anytime is great for getting the kids outdoors! Picnic area so you can bring your own lunch. Small fees for activities - hayrides, $1 donation for play area. To go and walk around is free though! xf14ae Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:28:47 -0700 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/760 http://www.parentography.com/reviews/show/760