Philadelphia’s most playful museum just hit the half-century mark! The Please Touch Museum, the beloved children’s museum at historic Memorial Hall, kicked off its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration this October — and the party is just getting started.
Fifty years ago, in 1976, the museum opened its doors as the first in the nation created specifically for children ages seven and younger. The idea was simple and joyful: kids learn best when they are encouraged to touch, explore, experiment, and follow their curiosity. Generations of families later, that spirit is going strong.
The celebration began with a sold-out free Birthday Weekend (October 3–4), filled with live performances, party games, hands-on activities, and a museum-wide singalong. Coming up: the Imagination Ball gala on October 22 honors the museum’s founder, and a brand-new permanent exhibit, Character Quest, opens in February 2027.
The museum is also inviting everyone to share favorite memories, photos, and stories for a community archive of 50 years of play. Happy birthday, Please Touch Museum — here’s to the next 50 years of learning through play!
Photo: Grace Rodriguez / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
