Just Kidding

Keep your children entertained at these family-friendly spots

By Jane Carlton

You’ve heard about the history and idyllic towns of this area, but Montgomery County isn’t just for adults. Kids of all ages will discover plenty of fun and excitement at these familyfriendly attractions, leaving parents all smiles, too.

Just Monkeying Around

Visit the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown to explore and learn more about the animal kingdom. Boasting more than 100 species from around the world, the zoo’s exhibits include some unusual finds, such as the red panda, two-toed sloth and dyeing poison dart frog. Make a one-of-a-kind connection when you and your family personally feed giraffes and bison or get up close and learn more about the animals on unique encounters, like playtime with an alligator, training a black vulture, painting with a hedgehog and more! All that excitement is sure to work up an appetite, and you’ll find plenty of food options for everyone—and even some alcoholic slushies for the grown-ups.

Also at Elmwood Park Zoo, get ready for thrills at Treetop Adventures, where kids ages four and up can reach great heights! This is Pennsylvania’s only ropes course with ziplines extending over animal enclosures, so you’ll get a monkey’s-eye view of the exhibits along with a dose of adrenaline on more than 50 challenge courses. Be sure to check online to make a reservation and review the guidelines and seasonal hours.

Shopping Spree

With more than 450 stores and numerous restaurants, the King of Prussia Mall will keep your kids entertained for hours. Your teens and tweens will love finding new styles at stores including Abercrombie Fitch, Madewell, American agle, .Crew, Anthropologie and more, while you may find something special for yourself at ucci, ouis uitton, Cartier or other luxury stores. Meet back up with the whole family for a decadent dessert at The Cheesecake Factory, then work together to unravel a mystery at The scape ame.

Build Your Own Fun

et your kids’ imagination run wild at LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Plymouth Meeting. illed as the ultimate indoor O playground, this place is not just for building. Catch a 4 movie, take an interactive train ride and visit M N AN , a cityscape made entirely of O. The family that builds together stays together, and the millions of O bricks here will keep your kids entertained all day.

Reach New Heights

Active kids can literally climb the walls at Reach Climbing & Fitness in ridgeport. With 58-foot walls, this state-of-the-art facility is for everyone from novice to lifetime climbers. Reach offers climbing, bouldering, belaying and ninja classes for youth. ery young children can spend time on the child-sized bouldering play structure with slides.

More Indoor Fun

Catch a showing of your favorite hit film at Movie Tavern in Collegeville, where you can even order your dinner and drinks right from your seat. Or, if you’d rather feel like you’re a superhero, head to ing of Prussia to fly through the air at iFLY Indoor Skydiving. The helpful instructors will teach you everything you need to know to have a thrilling flight!

Outdoor Family Exploits

Get your family fun on track at Colebrookdale Railroad in oyertown, where you can ride on restored trains from 100 years ago. ach excursion takes you on a scenic two-hour tour through the verdant landscape, and you won’t want to miss the special themed trains, like the Haunted History and Santa Claus trains. f your family is a bit more competitive, place some friendly wagers and try to out-play each other along a mini golf course like Tee’s Golf Center in Conshohocken or Waltz Golf Farm in Limerick. ids of all ages will have a blast in Montgomery County. From animals to rock-climbing walls, ziplines to O, there is no shortage of family fun waiting for you here.