by Elizabeth Kelly

Created on: April 19, 2008   Last Updated: April 27, 2009

In our everyday lives, we're so busy working, cooking and driving that we don't have enough time to just relax and play with our kids. A vacation is a chance to be with our children without the other obligations. A trip to Philadelphia can mean a vacation that is decidedly family friendly, giving you the opportunity to relax, enjoy and just have fun with your children. Following these tips can ensure that your trip is stress-free and fun for everyone.

1) Include the children in the planning.

Kids will be much more enthusiastic about a destination if they feel like they chose it themselves. Give them the opportunity to make choices by offering them options: Philadelphia Zoo or Adventure Aquarium? Of course they'll have fun at either place, but they'll feel important making the choice. You can extend them the same courtesy when it comes to choosing restaurants and food. Narrow it down to choices that are acceptable to you by price and location, then make the options sound relevant to your child: Italian or Chinese? Or you could ask: "Should we eat at the restaurant that looks like it's from the fifties (River City Diner) or a place with dogs on the wall (White Dog Cafe)?" Make the choices seem fun for your kids, then after going there, praise them for their excellent choices.

Consider buying your children their own travel guides. Zchock's Journey Around Philadelphia From A to Z is appropriate for elementary school-aged children, and the illustrations and information will get them excited ahead of time. Reading books with a Philadelphia theme is also a way to get them prepared in advance, and knowing facts about a site makes children feel important. It's also a good way to "sneak" in some education. For the very small, Good Night Philadelphia is a board book with pictures of popular sites, and for older readers, Ben and Me by Robert Lawson is a story from the point of view of Benjamin Franklin's mouse that chapter book readers will enjoy.

2) Make getting around fun on its own.

Once you're there, don't forget that little feet get tired faster and more easily. Some attractions might seem like a short walk to you, but for children it's like a hike. Look for the purple minibuses made especially for tourists. An all-day pass is only $3 for unlimited rides, and the buses make loops from Logan's Circle to Center City and Penn's Landing, covering all of the most popular sites. Kids can have fun helping you spot the purple vehicles (maybe you can tell little ones they're "Barney

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