Visiting the Museum of the American Revolution with Kids: Our Philadelphia Field Trip
If you’re planning a family trip to Philadelphia, the Museum of the American Revolution is a great place to learn about America’s fight for independence.
We recently visited the museum with our two kids, ages 7 and 10, as part of a homeschool field trip to historic Philadelphia.
Between the interactive exhibits, kid-friendly audio tours, scavenger hunt, and hands-on play area, there was plenty to keep the kids entertained while learning about American history.
And one of the most memorable parts of our visit was seeing George Washington’s actual headquarters tent from the Revolutionary War!
If you’re wondering whether the Museum of the American Revolution is worth visiting with kids, here’s what we thought of our experience, what there is to see, and a few tips for planning your visit.
What Is the Museum of the American Revolution?
Located in Philadelphia’s historic Old City neighborhood, the Museum of the American Revolution tells the story of America’s fight for independence.
But the museum covers much more than just battles and famous historical figures.
Through historical artifacts, interactive exhibits, recreated scenes, and films, visitors can learn about the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, the people involved, and the challenges faced by the new nation.
What I appreciate about the museum is that it tells the story from different perspectives.
Along with famous figures like George Washington, visitors learn about the experiences of women, Native Americans, enslaved and free African Americans, and ordinary people whose lives were affected by the Revolution.
For kids studying American history, it’s a great opportunity to see the things they’ve learned about come to life.
What to See at the Museum of the American Revolution with Kids
George Washington’s Headquarters Tent
One of the most incredible things at the Museum of the American Revolution is George Washington’s original headquarters tent.
And yes, it’s the real thing, not a replica!
During the Revolutionary War, Washington and the Continental Army were constantly on the move. Rather than having a permanent headquarters, Washington used this tent as a place to sleep, work, and conduct military business while traveling with his troops.
The tent is displayed in a special theater experience called Washington’s War Tent.
Visitors watch a short film about the tent’s history, how it was used during the war, and how it survived all these years.
At the end of the presentation, the original tent is dramatically revealed.
It’s amazing to think that something made from fabric has survived for nearly 250 years!
This was one of the most memorable parts of our museum visit.
There’s something really special about seeing an actual object that George Washington used during the Revolutionary War instead of just reading about him in a history book.
My tip: Don’t miss this presentation! Check the showtimes when you arrive so you can plan your visit around it.
Exploring the Revolutionary War Galleries
The museum’s main galleries walk visitors through the events leading up to the Revolution, the war itself, and the founding of the United States.
Throughout the galleries, you’ll find historical artifacts, immersive scenes, videos, and interactive exhibits that help tell the story.
Kids can learn about what life was like for soldiers, how people decided which side to support, and what the fight for independence meant to different communities.
The museum also explores parts of the Revolutionary War that aren’t always covered in elementary history lessons, including naval warfare and the experiences of people who didn’t support independence.
I think one of the benefits of visiting history museums with kids is that they don’t have to remember every date or detail to learn something.
Sometimes seeing a historical object or experiencing a recreated scene is enough to spark their curiosity and help them make connections to what they’ve already learned.
The History Explorers Audio Tour for Kids
We decided to purchase audio tours for both of our kids, and I’m so glad we did!
The museum offers a special children’s version called the History Explorers Audio Tour, which is designed for kids ages 7–12.
It cost us an additional $5 per child, and both my 7-year-old and 10-year-old really enjoyed it.
The tour uses storytelling, sound effects, and historical characters to help kids learn about the American Revolution as they explore the galleries.
I thought this was a great option because the kids could listen to information designed specifically for their age group rather than relying on us to read and explain every display.
It also gave them a little more independence while exploring the museum.
If you’re visiting with elementary-aged kids, I definitely recommend considering the children’s audio tour. For us, it was worth the extra $5 per child!
The Museum’s Scavenger Hunt
Another thing my kids really enjoyed was the museum’s scavenger hunt!
Instead of simply walking through the galleries and looking at exhibits, they had specific things to search for along the way.
I love scavenger hunts during field trips because they encourage kids to slow down, pay attention, and really look at what’s around them.
It also gives them something to work toward while exploring.
And the best part? After completing the scavenger hunt, both kids received a little prize: a button pin!
It was a simple reward, but such a fun way to finish the activity. Plus, they got a small souvenir to remember their visit.
If you’re visiting with kids, be sure to ask about the scavenger hunt when you arrive. The activities and prizes may change, but it’s definitely worth checking.
Revolution Place: A Hands-On Play Area for Kids
One of my kids’ favorite parts of the museum was Revolution Place, a hands-on discovery center located on the first floor.
This area is designed especially for children ages 5–12, and my kids, ages 7 and 10, absolutely loved it!
Revolution Place recreates different parts of life in Philadelphia during the 1700s, giving kids a chance to explore history through imaginative play.
There was a recreated tavern, a dining area with pretend food, and historical clothing the kids could dress up in.
They could pretend to live and work during the Revolutionary War while exploring what everyday life might have been like.
The museum’s recreation of the Three Tun Tavern was especially interesting because taverns weren’t just places to eat and drink back then. They were also gathering places where people exchanged news and discussed important events.
There was also a craft table toward the back of the play area, giving the kids another opportunity to get creative.
I really loved that this area encouraged imaginative play rather than just reading about history.
After exploring the galleries, listening to their audio tours, and learning about the Revolutionary War, it was nice for the kids to have a space where they could just play.
If you’re visiting with elementary-aged children, don’t skip Revolution Place! It was definitely a highlight of our visit.
And the best part? It’s included with regular museum admission!
Is the Museum of the American Revolution Good for Kids?
Absolutely! My kids were 7 and 10 when we visited, and they both enjoyed the experience.
Although the museum is primarily a history museum, there were several things that made it especially engaging for them.
Between the kid-friendly audio tours, scavenger hunt, interactive exhibits, and Revolution Place, there was a nice balance of learning and fun.
I especially liked that they could explore some of the exhibits more independently with their audio tours.
Of course, every child is different.
Younger children may not understand all the historical information, and that’s okay! They can still enjoy looking at the exhibits, searching for objects, and participating in hands-on activities.
Older elementary-aged children and middle schoolers will likely be able to make more connections to what they’ve learned in school.
My advice: Take advantage of the activities designed specifically for kids, and don’t feel like you need to read every single display.
For our family, the combination of the audio tour, scavenger hunt, and play area worked really well.
Tips for Visiting the Museum of the American Revolution with Kids
Eat Before You Visit
If you’re visiting with kids, I recommend making sure everyone has something to eat before heading into the museum.
The museum does have an on-site café called Cross Keys Café, which serves sandwiches, salads, pastries, and drinks.
However, the café’s hours are more limited than the museum’s, and purchasing food for the whole family can add to the cost of your visit.
You can bring snacks and enjoy them in the museum’s designated first-floor rotunda area, or eat a packed lunch outside on the museum’s plaza.
Full meals aren’t allowed in the rotunda, and food isn’t permitted inside the galleries or Revolution Place.
If you’re planning to spend a couple of hours exploring, having everyone fed beforehand will help you enjoy your visit without hungry kids asking when it’s time to eat!
Allow Enough Time
The museum recommends allowing approximately two hours to explore.
However, if you’re visiting with kids and plan to do the audio tour, scavenger hunt, and Revolution Place, I’d allow some extra time.
You don’t want to feel rushed, especially if your kids are enjoying an activity.
Don’t Skip the Children’s Audio Tour
If your kids are between 7 and 12 years old, consider purchasing the History Explorers Audio Tour.
Both of my kids enjoyed it, and I thought the additional $5 per child was worth it.
Visit Revolution Place
Make time for the first-floor discovery center.
It’s a great place for kids to enjoy imaginative play and take a break from the more traditional museum galleries.
Check Your Local Library for Museum Passes
Before purchasing admission tickets, check whether your local library offers free or discounted museum passes.
We were able to use a museum pass from our local library, which helped make our field trip more affordable.
Not every library participates, and reservation requirements vary, so be sure to check ahead of time.
Plan Around Washington’s Tent Presentation
The Washington’s War Tent presentation is one of the museum’s most important experiences.
Check the presentation schedule when you arrive so you don’t accidentally miss it while exploring the galleries.
Museum of the American Revolution: Location, Hours, and Admission
Address: 101 South Third Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Museum hours: Generally open daily from 10 AM–5 PM, with closures on certain holidays.
Admission: Ticket prices vary by age, and children ages 5 and under receive free admission. The museum also offers family ticket packages and certain discounts.
Children’s audio tour: $5 per child at the time of our visit.
Revolution Place: Included with regular museum admission.
For current admission prices, hours, and special programs, visit the Museum of the American Revolution’s official website.
Make It a Philadelphia History Field Trip
If you’re visiting Philadelphia to learn about American history, I highly recommend combining the museum with a walking tour through Old City.
During our trip, we also explored several important historic landmarks, including:
- Benjamin Franklin’s grave
- The Betsy Ross House
- Elfreth’s Alley
- A historic printing press
- Benjamin Franklin’s former home site
- Carpenters’ Hall
- Independence Hall
- The Liberty Bell area
Walking through the streets where important events in American history took place, followed by visiting a museum filled with actual Revolutionary War artifacts, made for a wonderful hands-on history lesson.
You can read more about the historic sites we explored in our Historic Philadelphia Walking Tour with Kids post.
Continue Learning After Your Visit
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is being able to build on experiences like these after we get home.
A field trip doesn’t have to end when you leave the museum!
Here are a few simple ways to continue learning about the Revolutionary War:
- Have your kids choose one person they learned about and research their life.
- Create a timeline of important events during the Revolutionary War.
- Compare the experiences of Continental Army soldiers with British soldiers.
- Discuss why different groups of people had different opinions about independence.
- Ask your kids which exhibit they found most interesting and why.
Younger children can draw a picture of their favorite exhibit, while older children can write a short reflection about something new they learned.
You can also use our Philadelphia Revolutionary History Field Trip Printable to help your kids reflect on what they saw and learned during their trip.
Sometimes the best learning happens when kids start asking their own questions!
Final Thoughts: Is the Museum of the American Revolution Worth Visiting?
If you’re planning a family trip to historic Philadelphia, I definitely recommend adding the Museum of the American Revolution to your itinerary.
It’s a wonderful way to explore the history behind many of the famous landmarks you’ll see throughout the city.
For our family, seeing George Washington’s original headquarters tent was one of the most memorable parts of the experience.
And while I enjoyed seeing the historical artifacts and learning about the Revolutionary War, my kids especially loved the children’s audio tour, scavenger hunt, and Revolution Place.
I appreciated that the museum offered a variety of ways for kids to learn, from listening and exploring to dressing up and playing pretend.
Whether you’re homeschooling, supplementing what your kids are learning in school, or simply looking for an educational family outing, the Museum of the American Revolution is definitely worth a visit!
