Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s beautiful Fairmount Park, the Please Touch Museum is a magical, interactive wonderland designed to inspire children’s imaginations and curiosity. True to its name, the museum encourages kids to touch, explore, and engage with exhibits that are all about play, discovery, and hands-on learning. Since its opening in 1976, the Please Touch Museum has been a beloved destination for families, offering a unique blend of education, creativity, and fun.
This guide will explore everything that makes the Please Touch Museum a one-of-a-kind experience, from its rich history to its diverse exhibits, special events, and insider tips for making the most of your visit. Whether you’re a local family or a visitor from afar, the Please Touch Museum is a must-visit destination for young children and their families.
The History of the Please Touch Museum
Origins and Founding Vision
The Please Touch Museum was founded in 1976 by Portia Sperr, a former schoolteacher who believed that children learn best through hands-on, interactive experiences. At the time, many museums were “look but don’t touch” institutions, which didn’t appeal to young children. Sperr envisioned a space where kids could freely explore, play, and learn at their own pace. The museum began in a small space at the Academy of Natural Sciences but quickly grew in popularity due to its innovative approach to education.
Over the years, the Please Touch Museum expanded both in size and scope. In 2008, the museum relocated to its current home in Memorial Hall, a historic building that was originally constructed for the 1876 Centennial Exposition, the first official World’s Fair in the United States. The move to Memorial Hall allowed the museum to dramatically increase its exhibit space and offer even more interactive experiences for children.
A Mission of Learning Through Play
The Please Touch Museum’s mission is simple yet profound: to foster learning through play. The museum’s exhibits are designed to encourage children to touch, manipulate, and experiment with the world around them, helping to develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The museum serves children ages seven and under, though older kids and even adults often find the exhibits equally engaging. Whether it’s role-playing in a miniature supermarket, building structures in the Imagination Playground, or exploring the wonders of water in River Adventures, the Please Touch Museum offers endless opportunities for kids to learn through play.
Exploring the Exhibits: A Journey Through Play
One of the most exciting aspects of the Please Touch Museum is the wide variety of exhibits designed to spark children’s imaginations. These exhibits span multiple themes and encourage children to explore different aspects of the world around them, from the natural environment to everyday life in the city. Each exhibit is designed with young children in mind, providing an immersive experience that is both fun and educational.
Let’s take a tour through some of the museum’s most popular exhibits.
Fairytale Garden
The Fairytale Garden is a magical space where children can step into the pages of their favorite fairytales. This enchanted exhibit is perfect for younger visitors who love storytelling and imaginative play. Kids can dress up as their favorite fairytale characters, act out scenes from beloved stories, and explore a beautifully designed garden filled with hidden surprises.
The exhibit fosters creativity and literacy by encouraging children to engage in narrative play, helping to develop language skills and an appreciation for storytelling. Whether they’re pretending to be a brave knight, a magical fairy, or a wise old wizard, kids are sure to be swept away by the wonder of the Fairytale Garden.
River Adventures
River Adventures is an exhibit that combines fun with a hands-on science lesson about the properties of water. This exhibit features a large interactive water table where children can experiment with water currents, build dams, and launch boats. They’ll learn about the movement of water and how it affects the environment while getting the chance to splash around and play.
River Adventures also introduces basic concepts of physics, such as buoyancy and gravity, in a playful and accessible way. It’s a perfect exhibit for children who love water play, and parents can rest easy knowing that the exhibit is designed with safety in mind.
Imagination Playground
One of the museum’s most beloved exhibits, the Imagination Playground, is a construction-themed area where children can build, create, and problem-solve using large foam blocks and other materials. This exhibit encourages open-ended play, meaning there’s no right or wrong way to engage with it—kids can let their imaginations run wild as they construct bridges, towers, and other structures.
Imagination Playground is designed to foster spatial awareness, teamwork, and critical thinking. It’s also a great place for kids to burn off some energy, as they can physically manipulate the blocks and collaborate with other children to build their creations. The exhibit promotes physical activity and social interaction, making it a favorite spot for both kids and parents.
City Capers
City Capers is an interactive miniature city where children can explore different aspects of urban life through imaginative play. The exhibit includes a pint-sized supermarket, a construction zone, and a medical center where kids can role-play as shopkeepers, doctors, builders, and more. This is a fantastic exhibit for children who love to pretend and act out real-life scenarios.
In the supermarket, children can “shop” for groceries, scan items at the checkout, and even restock the shelves. In the medical center, they can use play stethoscopes, bandages, and other medical tools to care for “patients.” City Capers is a great way for kids to learn about community roles, cooperation, and responsibility in a fun and engaging environment.
Wonderland
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic tale Alice in Wonderland, the Wonderland exhibit is a whimsical space where children can explore the topsy-turvy world of Alice and her friends. The exhibit features life-sized teacups, oversized mushrooms, and a maze of mirrors that invite children to engage in imaginative play and problem-solving.
Wonderland is filled with optical illusions and surprises around every corner, making it a fun and visually stimulating experience for children of all ages. It encourages curiosity, creativity, and exploration, as kids navigate through this fanciful environment.
The Rocket Room
For budding astronauts and space enthusiasts, the Rocket Room is an out-of-this-world exhibit where children can learn about space travel, planets, and rockets. In this exhibit, kids can pretend to be astronauts, build their own rockets, and even “launch” them into the air using air power. The Rocket Room introduces basic concepts of physics and engineering in a way that is both accessible and fun for young learners.
Children will love the opportunity to engage in hands-on experimentation and creative problem-solving as they design and launch their rockets. It’s an exciting way to inspire interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts at an early age.
Centennial Exploration
The Centennial Exploration exhibit pays tribute to the rich history of Memorial Hall and the 1876 Centennial Exposition. This exhibit is a fascinating blend of history and play, allowing children and families to learn about Philadelphia’s past while engaging in hands-on activities.
The exhibit features scale models of buildings from the Centennial Exposition, as well as interactive stations where kids can explore the technology and innovations of the time. It’s a wonderful way to introduce children to history in a way that is engaging and interactive, helping them to connect with the city’s heritage.
Healthy Me
The Healthy Me exhibit is all about promoting health, wellness, and fitness in a fun and interactive way. In this exhibit, children can learn about healthy eating, exercise, and self-care through a series of engaging activities. They can test their agility on an obstacle course, explore the food pyramid, and even learn about the human body in a way that’s accessible to young minds.
Healthy Me encourages kids to think about their bodies and the importance of taking care of themselves, making it both a fun and educational experience for families.
Special Programs and Events at the Please Touch Museum
In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Please Touch Museum offers a variety of special programs and events throughout the year, making every visit unique. These programs are designed to enhance the museum experience and provide even more opportunities for learning and play.
Storytimes and Performances
The Please Touch Museum regularly hosts storytimes and performances that are perfect for young children. These events often feature classic children’s books, puppetry, and interactive elements that engage kids in the story. Storytimes are a great way to encourage a love of reading and literacy from an early age, while performances add an extra layer of magic to the museum experience.
Art Workshops
The museum also offers art workshops where children can explore their creativity through painting, sculpting, and other artistic activities. These workshops are designed to allow children to express themselves in a variety of mediums, providing a safe and supportive space for them to experiment with art.
The art workshops often tie into the museum’s rotating exhibits or seasonal themes, making each one a unique experience. It’s a wonderful way to inspire a love for the arts and encourage children to think creatively.
Music and Movement Classes
For kids who love to move, the museum offers music and movement classes that combine dance, rhythm, and physical activity. These classes are designed to promote coordination, rhythm, and self-expression, and are especially popular with toddlers and preschool-aged children.
The music and movement classes provide a fun way for children to burn off some energy while learning about rhythm, movement, and music in a playful environment.
Seasonal Events
Throughout the year, the Please Touch Museum hosts a variety of seasonal events that add an extra layer of fun to the museum experience. Popular events include Halloween celebrations, Winter Wonderland activities during the holidays, and summer camps that provide extended learning and play opportunities.
These events often feature special performances, themed activities, and opportunities for families to engage with the exhibits in new and exciting ways. Seasonal events are a great way to experience the museum in a different light and make special memories with your children.
Planning Your Visit: Tips for Families
To make the most of your visit to the Please Touch Museum, here are some helpful tips for families:
- Buy Tickets Online in Advance: The museum can get busy, especially on weekends and holidays. Purchasing tickets online in advance can save time and help you avoid long lines.
- Arrive Early: The museum opens at 9 a.m., and arriving early allows you to enjoy the exhibits before they become crowded. It’s also a great time for toddlers, as the museum is quieter in the morning.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: The Please Touch Museum is large, and you’ll likely be on your feet for several hours. Wearing comfortable shoes will ensure that both kids and adults can explore without discomfort.
- Pack Snacks or Plan for Lunch: The museum has a café that offers kid-friendly meals, but you’re also welcome to bring your own snacks. There’s a designated area for eating, making it easy to take a break and refuel before heading back to the exhibits.
- Check the Daily Schedule: Be sure to check the daily schedule for storytimes, performances, and special programs. These events are often highlights for young children and can add an extra layer of fun to your visit.
- Bring a Change of Clothes: Exhibits like River Adventures can get a little wet, so it’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes for younger children, just in case they get splashed.
- Visit the Carousel: Don’t forget to stop by the museum’s beautiful Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel, a historic carousel that dates back to 1924. Rides are a small additional fee, but they’re well worth it for the experience and nostalgia.
Conclusion
The Please Touch Museum is far more than just a museum—it’s a place where children can explore, play, and learn in an environment that is designed just for them. With its wide range of interactive exhibits, hands-on learning experiences, and special events, the museum offers a world of possibilities for young children and their families.
From the imaginative Fairytale Garden to the playful City Capers, the museum’s exhibits encourage children to engage with their surroundings and discover new ways to learn through play. With a mission to inspire curiosity and creativity, the Please Touch Museum is a destination that families will want to visit again and again. Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, the Please Touch Museum is sure to leave a lasting impression on both children and parents alike.
