Yes, we are a website that promotes people, places and things in the Lehigh Valley, PA. But let's get realistic, you won't always stay in this area...so we decided to find stuff that is fun to do, slightly outside of the Lehigh Valley.
Megan, from Two Frugal Mommas took a trip to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia this past week. And this is what she had to say... As a mother to three little ones, I am always looking for places to take my children where they can enjoy play in a creative, safe, learning atmosphere. But, with two of my children being fifteen months old and the other, four and a half, it is often difficult to find somewhere that interests both age groups.
In late January, my family and I were invited to spend the day at the Please Touch Museum, in Philadelphia. Immediately upon our arrival, my three children were in awe. At over 38,000 square feet, the museum was filled with bright colors and welcoming sounds as well as a very warm and friendly staff. While the almost-completely-full parking lot was intimidating, this was no indication of how the museum looked inside as there was plenty of room for my children to explore and not a visible crowd in sight.
The Please Touch Museum is vastly different from any other museum we have visited in the past. Within the first few minutes, it was clear that this museum truly “gets” the magic, wonder, and fun of being a child! One of our favorite exhibits, City Capers, is complete with a mini McDonald’s restaurant, ShopRite supermarket, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) medical center.
There were many moments of pure joy watching my children in this exhibit, including witnessing my older daughter, complete with white coat and stethoscope, place her doll through the mini X-ray and MRI machines (not functional radiology equipment, of course, but very real to children!) pretending to be “Dr. P” and for once, recognizing that these were items that help children, rather than hurt them. I also couldn’t help but smile watching my twins clearly enjoying running around the supermarket placing items into their carts and giggling as their older sister tallied their orders in the checkout line. All three later convened in the adjacent child-sized kitchen to share “lunch”….ADORABLE! 
For parents of toddlers, you will be happy to know that there are designated exhibits where little ones can safely play without the worry of the older children accidentally knocking them over. In one, the children can pick carrots in the garden! As we made our way through the museum, every exhibit seemed even better than the one before. From a mini-Septa bus and water play area to an incredibly detailed Alice in Wonderland exhibit (complete with a scented Rose Garden, a Tea Party and Hall of Mirrors and Doors), I was impressed at how in a matter of just a few hours, my children could dream so big and be anyone their little hearts desired to be. Just when we thought we had seen it all, we encountered a magnificent carousel in an indoor glass pavilion on the east side of the museum. Riding the carousel with my children brought back fond memories of riding carousels with my parents as a child, and I was thrilled to be able to experience that with my children.
The Please Touch Museum also features a reasonably-priced café which offers a wide variety of foods including those that are gluten, nut, dairy and egg free. In addition, they also host birthday parties!
If you are in the Philadelphia area or are looking for a fun and exciting place to take your children, visit the Please Touch Museum. I am sure that your children, like mine, will be overjoyed!
(Many thanks to the Please Touch Museum and Lehigh Valley Family Fun for this opportunity! In the spirit of full disclosure, I received tickets in exchange for a review of the Please Touch Museum; however, all opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.)
Thank you Megan for this awesome blog about your adventure to the Please Touch Museum! Please check out Megan and Two Frugal Mommas by visitng their website.
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