by Adina T. Mason

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: December 05, 2008

As a parent to three children, I can assure you that taking a vacation with children is not easy by any means. As a tourist in an unfamiliar city, you may be at a loss as to what type of attractions you can frequent that will not only keep your little ones entertained, but also be interesting enough for you as well. I am a local resident with young children and I can assure you that Philadelphia and its immediate surroundings have plenty of attractions for young kids that will help make your vacation memorable for the whole family.

BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT
Before you decide to hit the kid friendly destinations, be sure to adhere to a few tips to make your day more enjoyable for the whole family.
*Make sure you pack plenty of snacks, especially if you have smaller children. Just throw some cheerios or goldfish in a bag and some bottled water.
*Try to watch for signs for tiredness. Tired kids will make for cranky kids, no matter where you are. If you see your little one getting tired, find a bench or somewhere to rest for a bit. A simple 15-minute rest break will help get you through your day.
*Be ready to buy souvenirs. All of these destinations are set up for you to exit through their gift shop and it is not easy trying to leave through a shop filled with toys. Make sure you set forth some rules with your child and let them know ahead of time that they will only get one or two toys before leaving.

SESAME PLACE
Do you have a young child who loves Elmo and his Sesame Street friends? Then head on over to Sesame place, conveniently located just about half-hour north of Philadelphia. They have fun rides perfect for the younger child and a whole area called "Elmo's World" with rides small enough for Toddlers. Make sure you take your bathing suit because there is a water park with a wave pool, slide, lazy river and much more. Just make sure you hang around till the afternoon for the "Rock Around the Block Parade" featuring all of the characters. All of the Sesame Street friends are at the park daily and are available for pictures with your child, which is sure to light up the face of any Elmo lover. Although admission is pricey, they have a "twilight ticket" where you can enter in the late afternoon for almost half the price. If you are in the Philadelphia area, then visiting Sesame Place is a must, as there is no other theme park like this in the world.

PHILLY DUCK TOUR
Children of all ages will love to ride in a vehicle amphibiously designed for land and water. This specialized

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