Wilmington has a wide range of attractions for kids including interactive museums and historic sites, childrens theaters, sports arenas, outdoor education facilities and much more. Here are some suggestions of the best family-friendly destinations in the Brandywine Valley.

Blue Rocks Baseball - Frawley Stadium, Shipyard Drive, Wilmington, DE. The professional minor league baseball games are great for kids, with many interactive special programs, summer camps, kids club, birthday party opportunities, etc.

Brandywine Zoo - 1001 North Park Drive Wilmington, DE. The 12 acre zoo, located in beautiful Brandywine Park, is the only one in the State of Delaware. See more than 150 animals, ranging from tigers to snakes.

Delaware Children’s Museum - 550 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE. The brand new (opening April 2010) interactive museum has something for kids of every age – from toddlers to preteens, including climbing structures, educational exhibits and creativity studios.

Delaware Children’s Theatre - 1014 Delaware Avenue Wilmington DE. The theater produces stage performances for kids ages four and up in a historic theatre house. Shows are held on weekends throughout the year.

Delaware History Museum - 504 Market Street Wilmington, DE. Located in a renovated art-deco Woolworth store, the museum features interactive exhibits on Delaware history, including displays of costumes, children's toys, regional decorative arts and paintings.

Delaware Museum of Natural History - 4840 Kennett Pike, Delaware Route 52, Wilmington, DE.

The small museum has an extensive collection of sea shells, an African watering hole, a giant squid, dinosaur skeletons, and an interactive Discovery Room with hands on activities for kids.

DuPont Environmental Education Center - 1400 Delmarva Lane Wilmington, DE. Located on the edge of the 212-acre Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge that adjoins the Christina River, the Center features exhibits on water related natural and cultural history topics. The site is home to many species of amphibians, birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and native plants. Special programs are offered for school groups.

DuPont Theatre, Children’s Series - Hotel du Pont, 1007 N. Market St. Wilmington, DE. The 1,252-seat Victorian theater is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the country and presents national touring productions of Broadway shows. Regular programming includes performances for school aged kids.

Greenbank Mills and Philips Farm - 500 Greenbank Road Wilmington, DE. The living history museum offers interactive programs examining the life of millers, textile workers, wives and children who lived and worked at Greenbank Mill from 1790-1830. Tours include the gristmill restoration, the Madison Factory textile mill, the Philips House, and the 19th century farm with heritage livestock.

Hagley Museum - Route 141, Wilmington, DE. - The 235-acre site along the Brandywine River houses the original DuPont gunpowder mills, estate and gardens. The museum engages kids in its demonstrations, hands-on activities, and natural landscape while they learn about water power and life in the nineteenth century. Special programs and events are scheduled throughout the year such as the Creek Kids Family Programs, Bike and Hike, Invention Convention and Car Show. Families are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it under a shady tree or along the Brandywine River.

Herr’s Food Factory Tours - 20 Herr Drive, Nottingham, PA (about 45 minutes west of Wilmington) Take a free one hour tour and see how Herr’s potato chips and other snacks are made. Advance reservations are recommended.

Kalmar Nyckel – The Tall Ship - 1124 East 7th Street Wilmington, DE. The ship is an authentic re-creation of the historic vessel that brought the first settlers to the Delaware Valley during the 17th century. Public dockside tours, day sails and pirate events are available.

Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights - 3000 Creek Road Yorklyn, DE. The museum includes a premier collection of 14 antique Stanley Steam cars as well as other vehicles and a 1/8th size miniature live steam railroad. Visitors can ride in the steam-powered automobiles and take a tour of the Auburn Heights mansion.

New Sweden Center at the Kalmar Nyckel – Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard, 1124 East Seventh Street Wilmington, DE. The Center houses interactive history exhibits about the colonial history of the Delaware Valley with a special focus on native Americans and the New Sweden Colony.

See the Top Brandywine Attractions on Page 1
See Visiting Tips and Other Resources on Page 3