Take a weekend to focus on kids’ interests. Just a few hours away, Pennsylvania has three entertaining options that’ll have the children in awe, and you, learning something for yourself. – By Lynn Norusis
Franklin Institute
2 hours 30 minutes from Fairfax
Named after one of the nation’s great inventors, The Franklin Institute is an amusement park of science. The museum hosts interactive exhibits that will have children secretly learning as they crawl through the two-story model of the human heart, explore parts of the human brain, spark creativity with electricity exhibits and so much more (air and space exhibits, sports challenges, a physics loft and observatory). The Institute also has a National Geographic photo exhibit of 50 images that bring the viewer into the depths of the ocean. But catch it soon, the exhibit closes December 5.
Sesame Place
(open select weekends in November and December)
33 minutes from The Franklin Institute
Anyone who grew up watching “Sesame Street” will appreciate Sesame Place, a one-of-a-kind theme park based upon the popular television series. The park offers guests the chance to hang out with Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and the whole gang during the Neighborhood Street Party and reach great heights by climbing in Big Bird’s Court. November 22 through December 31, join the characters for a Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade and enjoy visits with Santa and holiday shows, including the “Imagination Movers” Reindeer Party November 22 and 23.
Crayola Factory
1 hour 20 minutes from Sesame Place
They are part of your child’s everyday life, and now they can be engrossed in the colors that set their imagination free. The Crayola Factory is 60,000 square feet of color, science and technology that got an overhaul in 2013. Children can explore 25 attractions that bring their artwork to life through green-screen interactives, in-the-dark doodling, melted crayon creations and they are encouraged to color on the walls. Learn how crayons are made and make customized markers and crayons.
(November 2014)