45 Ways to Beat the Heat in Philly: Heat Wave Indoor Activities and Outdoor Cool Fun

It's hot! As Philly gets clobbered with yet another a heat wave, this weather is enough to turn even the sweetest kids into total grumps. And while staying in and enjoying your A/C has its perks, sometimes you just need to get out of the house. Fortunately, no matter the weather, there are amazing places to romp and play in the city and the suburbs that can help you keep cool and beat the heat. If you're looking for the best activities to beat the heat in Philadelphia, keep reading! 

Check out our events calendar, and our list of family-friendly museums and the best indoor play spaces in the Philadelphia area for even more fun, inside and out!

Get a day pass to a water park like Kalahari. Photo courtesy of Kalahari Resort

1. Day Trip to a Water Park

Pack your swimsuits and head to one of these awesome nearby outdoor water parks, or try an indoor water park to really escape that sun. 

Make a splash among the skyscrapers at Dilworth Park. Photo courtesy of Center City District

2. Make a Splash at One of the Best Splash Pads in Philadelphia

Get soaked at a local splash park or spray ground, most of which are free!

3. Take a Swim

Jump into one of Philly's many public pools, visit a nearby lake, or use the heat wave as an excuse to enroll the kiddos in swim lessons.

Hot summer days are the best excuse for a frozen treat. Photo courtesy of John's Water Ice

4. Go for Ice Cream

Snack on some cool treats from the the best ice cream shops around Philadelphia. 

5. Or Stick with Wooder Ice

Team Rita's or John's? Which local water ice makes your heart melt?

6. Get Underground

Consider exploring a cool local cave or cavern, where it's always cooler than the heat outside.

The Jersey Shore is always a good option for beaches, boardwalks, and family fun. Photo courtesy of Wildwoods

7. Head Down the Shore

Take a trip to the Jersey shore. Nothing beats the ocean spray and beach breeze.

8. Hit the Lake

Take the family canoeing or kayaking for a lazy cruise, or perhaps play a friendly game of tip the boat if you really need to cool off.

9. Visit the Dinos at Academy of Natural Sciences

Stay cool while discovering dinosaurs at the Academy of Natural Sciences.

10. Take a Factory Tour

From chocolate, to chips, to crayons, get the lowdown on how things are made on a factory tour.

11. Visit the Please Touch Museum

You'll love the A/C while kids seven and under will love the Please Touch Museum's carousel, mini market, and the Wild Kratts Creature Power exhibit (through September 1, 2024).

Find Nemo at Adventure Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

12. Go Wild at Adventure Aquarium

Find your favorite sea creatures in Camden while staying cool at the Adventure Aquarium.  

13. Jump into a Trampoline Park

If the kids are already bouncing off the walls, head to one of the many trampoline parks in the region.

14. Escape Room

Escape the heat in one of these family-friendly escape rooms.

15. Go Bowling

You may work up a sweat but at least these bowling spots are air-conditioned!

16. Indoor Batting Cage

Enjoy the fun of baseball without sweltering at the ballpark at these indoor batting cages.

17. Visit the Library

Visit your local Free Library to browse the shelves or enjoy programs, activities, and story times.

18. Wander an Art Museum

From the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Art Kids programs, to browsing the galleries of the Barnes Foundation or another museum in the area, there's so many options for creative and curious kids.

19. Learn More about the World at Franklin Institute

Hike through a heart, show off in the sports zone, spark curiosity about electricity, or pop into the planetarium at the Franklin Institute.

Let off some steam at an indoor play space like Giggleberry Fair. Photo courtesy of the play pace

20. Check Out Giggleberry Fair

Visit Bucks County and let the kids loose in Giggleberry Fair, located in quaint Peddler's Village.

21. Have Fun in an Indoor Play Spaces

Check out a local play space where young kids can play indoors while you meet up with other overheated parents.

22. Grab Roller Skates

Head inside and grab some wheels to skate around in the AC at one of these great roller skating rinks!

23. Relax at Spruce Street Harbor Park

Swing in hammocks in the shade while enjoying a frozen treat at Spruce Street Harbor Park.

24. See a Show 

Check out a live kid-friendly performance at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, including Newsies, The Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland and much, much more!

Get excited about history at the Museum of the American Revolution. Photo courtesy of the museum

25. Learn History at Museum of the American Revolution

Step back in time, but this time with air conditioning, at the Museum of the American Revolution.

26. Take Up Axe Throwing

Big kids ages 10 and up can try their hands at axe throwing. Bury the Hatchet has several locations to choose from in the Philly area.

27. Paint Pottery

From Mud Room Studio in Ardmore, to Create Me Pottery in Huntingdon Valley, to Busy Bees in Springfield, and various Color Me Mine locations, there's lots of creative options.

28. Take a Train Ride

New Hope Railroad and Colebrookdale Railroad are popular steam engine options. Only first class cars have A/C, but you can roll down the windows in coach and enjoy the breeze.

29. Build Something New at Legoland Discovery Center

An interactive LEGO brick world plus an indoor playground and even a theme park ride make Legoland every kid's play paradise.

Cool off in the Color Room at Philly's Museum of Illusion in Old City. Photo by Jody Mercier

30. Trick Your Eyes at Museum of Illusions

Fool your eyes at the mesmerizing and highly Instagrammable Museum of Illusions.

31. Chill Out at Craft Hall

A brewery and restaurant with a pirate ship playground and an arcade inside - need we say more? Craft Hall in NoLibs is the perfect place for Philly families to ride out the heat.

32. Dine Out

There's tons of kid-friendly restaurants to satisfy Philly foodie families. 

Beat the heat with playtime at Smith Memorial Playhouse. Photo courtesy of the venue

33. Play Hard at Smith Playhouse

The 16,000 square foot playhouse is free and one of Philly's most beloved play spaces. Brave the heat for a ride down the giant century-old wooden slide, or check out the indoor playhouse.

34. Have a Movie Night

Enjoy a movie from the comfort of your car at one of these drive-in movie spots, head to the theaters, or have a family movie night at home. 

35. Scramble for Indoor Rock Climbing

Ascend in an air conditioned, indoor climbing gym.

36. Experience Crayola

Bring that box of crayons to life at Crayola Experience in Easton.

37. Take in Reading Terminal Market

Reading Terminal Market is a very Philly solution to a heat wave. Grab some ice cream and enjoy the vibe while exiting the heat.

38. Cruise the Independence Seaport Museum

Discover Philly's river history, pretend to be a pirate, or take a paddle boat for a spin on the Delaware at the Independence Seaport Museum.

39. Head to the Mall

Cool down in the play areas at King of Prussia Mall and Plymouth Meeting Mall.

40. Hit the Arcade

Spend the day playing pinball, Pac-Man and more at one of Philadelphia's arcades and indoor family fun centers.

41. Become a Scientist

Brave the heat at one of Philadelphia's awesome nature centers or visit one of the area's cool science centers.

42. Head Down to the First State

Hop in the car and pay a visit to Wilmington, Delaware, which has lots of fun museums and and other indoor activities to explore, just a short drive from Philadelphia.

43. Visit the Poconos

There's lots to see and do in the Pocono region, from indoor resorts to hiking, biking and more.

44. Drop in on a Music Class

Check out one of the many local music schools and classes specifically geared toward younger kids. Who knows - you might have the next rock star on your hands!

45. Get Crafty

Browse our crafts, science projects, and boredom busters for ways to keep cool in the comfort of your home. 

Originally published in 2018. Updated for 2024 by Hillary Moses Mohaupt.