Play and Learn Across the City!
The Play Place is a citywide experience that celebrates Philadelphia as the first Playful Learning City in the world!
Launch Pad at Sister Cities Park
18th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Start your Playful Learning journey at the Launch Pad! This immersive, hands-on hub connects visitors to Philly-born “firsts” and inventions made by kids. The Launch Pad is where ideas take off!
Rendering by FIFTEEN Architecture + Design
Follow the Fun!
Visit all 10 Play Places and experience the culture, history, and pride that make Philadelphia a true "city of neighborhoods."
The Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Ave
Meet the Critter Creator at the entry plaza . This Playful Learning puzzle represents Sharswood, a neighborhood in North Philadelphia that loves nature and animals. This interactive game encourages children to create a unique “critter” and use their imagination to tell a story about it.
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Design by Masters Group Design.
The Parkway Path
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Enjoy two playful pop ups along the Parkway. The first, in front of the Rodin Museum, comes from the Sharswood neighborhood and invites children to create their own rules of the road. The second, bordering the T-ball field (between the 2300 block and the Parkway), draws inspiration from multiple neighborhoods. The colorful silhouettes invite the community to move to the groove!
Traffic spinner design by WRT. Silhouettes by Kristin Lilley and Masters Group Design
The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th St
Explore constellations, moon phases, and solar energy along the fences of the Franklin Institute. These Playful Learning murals come from North Star Playground and Garden in West Philadelphia’s East Parkside neighborhood. Learn how yoga poses correspond to moon phases and how many push-ups power a lightbulb!
Design by Drexel University Playful Learning By Design Students
Shakespeare Park
200 N. 19th St
Have a seat and flex your storytelling skills at Shakespeare Park! Inspired by the many Playful Learning literacy installations in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, these interactive tabletops encourage children and families to choose characters, settings, and themes before constructing a unique story.
Design by Masters Group Design
Love Park
1501 JFK Blvd
Celebrate love for your community and others at Love Park with the story wheels. This installation is inspired by the Johnson House in Germantown. As a stop on the Underground Railroad, the Johnson House represents communities showing love for each other. Spin the wheels and tell your own story of love and caring!
Spinner design by WRT and Masters Group Design
Dilworth Park
1 South 15th St
The revolving door is a Philadelphia invention that inspired this installation. It directs visitors to the Launch Pad, located at Sister Cities Park. See the sites of the other Play Places in Center City and plan your journey!
Reading Terminal Market
1136 Arch St
As you explore the diversity of cultures and rich array of foods at Reading Terminal Market, find the interactive tabletops! Inspired by the melting pot of cultures in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, like those at Stenton Family Manor and at Woodstock Family Center, these installations offer fun activities while you eat and enjoy the Market.
Design by Kristin Lilley
Franklin Square
Coming Soon!
200 N. 6th St
Located in the playground space, this version of Lotería celebrates the culture of Franklin Square and its Chinatown neighborhood. Inspired by a similar installation about Latine culture in South Philadelphia, this installation highlights iconic images from both Franklin Square and Chinese culture for children and families.
National Constitution Center
Coming Soon!
525 Arch St
The Playful Learning elements featured here draw inspiration from North Central Philadelphia where a graphic novel comes to life! Like visitors to the Constitution Center, North Central residents tap into their unique civic superpowers and celebrate local heroes as they bring their neighborhood’s story to life.
Design by KSS
Elfreth’s Alley
Coming Soon!
Between Front St & 2nd St, below Race St
Elfreth’s Alley is known for celebrating the contributions of working-class professions, like bakers and silversmiths. Similar achievements are honored at the Logan Nook of Discovery of North Philadelphia, which inspired this installation. Learn more about the history of this historic street and its residents—past and current!
Design by Tiny WPA
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