Whether your kids are drawn to planets and stars or trains and cars, these STEM-focused experiences in PA fuel imaginations and inspire the next generation of innovators.  Make learning an unforgettable weekend family adventure. Photo Credit: The Franklin Institute Media Room

1. Da Vinci Science Center 

Allentown 

Step into 67,000 square feet of pure wonder at Allentown’s new Da Vinci Science Center. Kids can join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy inside their brand-new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse exhibit and help plan a surprise birthday party for Pluto, or immerse themselves in Curiosity Hall, where they will step inside giant visuals on a 54-foot screen. This is the place where young inventors and dreamers let their imaginations soar. 

Exterior of the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center Building with columns and stairs out front on a sunny day.
Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center | Credit: Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center Media Room

2. Punxsutawney Weather Discover Center

Punxsutawney

In the town that plays home to the world-famous furry forecaster Punxsutawney Phil, the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center is a place where kids get to become the real weather experts! A destination that dives into the science and folklore of weather prediction, at Punxsutawney Weather Center, kids can explore hands-on exhibits about tornados, thunderstorms, and the water cycle.  

 

3. expERIEnce Children's Museum

Erie 

Designed for kids up to age 13, the expERIEence Children's Museum in downtown Erie is a world-class exhibit focused on STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art and math. From the outdoor nature classroom with water pumps and a dedicated digging area, to the Tinkering Tank complete with a pitch screen to launch their own inventions, kids will unearth a world of fun.  

Families walking around displays and a Giant Heart at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia
The Franklin Institute | Credit: The Franklin Institute Media Room

4. The Franklin Institute 

Philadelphia 

Located just down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from The Philadelphia Art Museum, science feels larger than life at The Franklin Institute. Kids can take the immersive Body Odyssey journey where they crawl through the newly renovated, iconic giant human heart and explore how its inner workings interact. Then, experience the captivating liquid nitrogen demonstrations and mystery dissections that make this one of the most celebrated and hands-on science museums in the country. Outside of their permanent STEM exhibitions, keep close to their website for upcoming iconic and immersive rotating exhibitions both the kids and adults will enjoy. 

 

5. Discovery Space  

State College 

A gem in central PA, Discovery Space opened in 2011 with a mission to combine playful exhibits with real STEM learning. With more than 45 exhibits related to a scientific or mathematical concept, kids get lost in the creativity, curiosity, and imagination of the world around them. Specifically, at the Marine Life Center, which brings a piece of the ocean to State College, children are thrilled to see sea stars and hermit crabs, along with their newest resident, a baby stingray.  

Kids lying on their backs in a classroom pointing up at the ceiling
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh | Credit: Children's Museum of PGH Media Room

6. Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh 

Pittsburgh 

A spot where art and invention collide, the award-winning Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh was designed to spark curiosity with different colors, levels, patterns, and textures. The Kindness Gallery, one of the museum’s permanent exhibits, echoes the learnings of local icon Fred Rogers, allowing children to explore different forms of communication methods to send kind messages. The Garage Exhibit, on the other hand, is a two-story space packed with hands-on components that roll, spin, bounce, and fly for kids to explore building unique structures. 

 

7. The Lancaster Science Factory 

Lancaster 

With over 75 interactive exhibits aimed for kids in Pre-K through 8th grade, The Lancaster Science Factory is the perfect place to explore launching rockets, designing robots, or experimenting in the water labs. In addition to the exhibits, the Science Factory also offers workshops and activities like 3D printing, science-themed art, and other educational programs. 

Two trolley cars on tracks
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

8. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum  

Washington 

Located just 45 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, visitors can take a ride into the past at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Kids of all ages will enjoy the four-mile round trip on the trolley track, and revel in the excitement of the self-guided tour of the Trolley Display Building featuring 54 different cars that bring the Trolley Era to life. 

 

9. Please Touch Museum 

Philadelphia 

With two full floors of fun, Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum is a sensory wonderland where engaging experiences are designed for children to explore through touch and imagination. From the 3,650 square foot Food & Family exhibit featuring a shopping market, home and industrial kitchen, to the glimmering carousel built in 1908, the Please Touch Museum is a renowned and award-winning spot for children to grow, learn, and roam free. 

Ready to learn more about kid-friendly fun in PA? Head to Visit PA’s blog to read about seasonal family fun, classic favorites, and more. Find even more things to do as you browse our full calendar of events for happenings across the Commonwealth.