Top Spring Break Family Fun Picks

Spring break is here and that means time off with your kiddos. Great, right? But, what are you going to do after all the books are read, videogames are played and movies are watched and it's only the first day of break? Time to venture out to one of these wonderful Philly area attractions to enjoy some quality family fun time! Or enroll your kids in one of these great day camps for a week full of fun and learning, too. - Jennifer Oxenford

Adventure Aquarium has opened it newest attraction called KidZone which is Adventure Aquarium's largest renovation since it first opened its doors in 2005. Located on the second floor in Zone C, KidZone features an array of new interactive activities, games and exhibits, as well as cool new kids' characters, and of course, an impressive collection of new and returning animals and touch species. Open daily from 10am – 5pm. Tickets are $23.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages 2-12, and children under 2 are free.

Springtime Scavenger Hunt

Children visiting the Betsy Ross House in Historic Philadelphia can help one of Betsy's daughters get well again by taking on the role of a colonial doctor searching Betsy's house for ingredients needed for an 18th century home cough remedy. Open 10am – 5pm. Springtime Scavenger Hunt runs March 31st through April 15th. Free.

The Philadelphia Zoo's newest exhibit is open just in time for spring break 2012 - The Trail of the Lorax, a 3-dimensional interactive experience that shares the true story of an animal in peril, the endangered orangutan. Grab your 3D glasses and follow the trail of clues left by The Lorax himself to help you on this journey of conservation and saving wildlife. End your quest at the Lorax Loft, a fantastical play and learning environment featuring the Orangutangle, a climbing structure sure to delight little explorers. Free with Zoo Admission.

Philly's own Franklin Institute is hosting several spring break camps between March 31st through April 15th, 2012. Different science themes are offered by Franklin Institute educators including Liquid Air Show, Fascinating Fossils, Solar Observatory, and many more. Free with museum admission. Check in at the Atrium Information Desk upon arrival for a copy of the Daily Program for exact times and schedules.

Spring Break – Freedom of Expression

The National Constitution Center invites you and your family to celebrate the First Amendment this spring break with special programming running Monday April 2nd through Sunday April 15th. Enjoy live performances, songwriting workshops, and much more just a few steps away from their popular new exhibit, From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen. The celebration aims to teach children and their families about how freedom of expression has permitted artists like Bruce Springsteen the ability to effect social change through their words and music. All Spring Break events are free with museum admission. Museum is open Monday – Friday 9:30amm – 5pm, Saturday from 9:30am – 6pm and Sunday from 12-5pm. Adults $14.50, children ages 4-12 $8.00, under 3 are free. (From Asbury Park to the Promised Land Exhibit is extra.)

Academy Spring Explorers Camp

The Academy of Natural Sciences is offering its Explorers Camp this spring break to keep little ones entertained and active. This fun and educational day camp geared for ages 5-12 will include a teacher-naturalist presentation, exhibit exploration, games, crafts and other interactive activities. Day camps can be reserved individually or for the week. Hours 9am – 4pm. Topics include: Awesome Animals on 4/6, Wild Science on 4/5, Dynamite Dinos on 4/4 and 4/9, Buggin' Out on 4/2 and 4/10, and Wonderful Water on 4/3. $55 per camper per day for members. $60 per camper per day for non-members. Discounts for multiple days. Before and after care also available. Call to reserve your child's spot.

Spring Break Movement Camp

It's a Spring Movement Camp with instructor Sara Trindade at Philly InMovement running April 2nd through April 6th from 9am – 3:30pm. Activities include gymnastics, rock climbing, yoga, slacklining, fitness, dance and more. Plus kids will get to enjoy a daily art activity at Queen Village Art Center to keep them in touch with their artistic side, too. $270 for the week.

Spring Break Camp

Spring Break Camp at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education runs April 2nd through April 6th and features a week's worth of fun and learning around the theme of how humans, animals and nature defy gravity. Kids will build airplanes, hot air balloons, and paper rockets. Plus enjoy special visits from wildlife ambassadors with a glimpse of how raptors, owls and vultures soar hundreds of feet above ground. And kids will get to defy gravity themselves with rock climbing and more. Camp hours run 8am – 3pm. $55 a day for non-members. $45 a day for members. Extended hours available for additional fee. Call to register.

Spring Break at IKEA Conshocken

IKEA hosts special kid-friendly fun this spring break with activities to keep 'em busy such as balloon art, tattoos and face painting. On Tuesday April 3rd kids eat free from 11am – 3:30pm. Check the website for full details and times. Free.

Jennifer Oxenford is a mother of two and the founder of phillyfun4kids www.phillyfun4kids.com your place to find free and mostly free things to do with your kids in and around this great city of motherly love. You can also follow phillyfun4kids on twitter at twitter/phillyfun4kids.