Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
add photosThe Playground is open Tuesday- Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April, May, June September and October and from 10AM-7PM beginning the fourth Tuesday in June through August. Beginning Tuesday, June 24th-Sunday, August 31st the Playground will be open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Playhouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday- Sunday year round.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Having a birthday party at Smith is an experience your child will never forget. Since party slots fill up quickly, we suggest you call at least two months in advance of the actual date you have in mind. Birthday party reservations are taken Monday-Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. To make reservations please call (215) 765-4325.
Parties at Smith take place on Saturdays and Sundays only from either 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. You will have 30 minutes prior to your party time for set-up and 30 minutes at the conclusion of your party for clean up.
8 Reviews for Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
5
11 family found this helpful
"A Summer Must and an okay Winter option"
I never really think of Smith House as a winter fun destination because the playground that is open April through October is so awesome it makes the actual Smith House seem...well boring.
However...it was Smith House that saved the day this particular Sunday and I totally changed my opinion. Smith House is perfect for the 5 and under crowd. Each floor has differnt basic toys: trucks, dinousaurs, room full of different blocks, play kitchens, library (3rd floor), big wooden train, train set and playhouse. The basement of Smith House....to read more about what I think of the space during the winter and playground in the summer go to http://HipsterHenry.com "A Kid's Guide to Philadelphia."
http://www.hipsterhenr...
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0 families found this helpful
"Incredible!"
This place was a dream for me and my two-year-old and three-year-old girls. They have a couple of vending machines, but that's it, so bring a picnic or snacks and drinks. Also, bring sunscreen and cool clothes for a hot day. There isn't much shade in the play areas, but the equipment is fabulous. There is an area for younger kids, but my girls did fairly well in every area outside.
The inside is mainly for the younger kids.
I love about 45 minutes away, and I will go back as often as I can. It is well worth it...especially when you take a friend.
0 families found this helpful
"smith park playground"
Smith Park Playground: One of my kids favorite places to go. Ever. There's a 40-foot-long giant slide, huge playground, and a giant 24,000 square foot playhouse! The basement has been turned into a small town - complete with stop light and parking meters, where kids can ride play cars. The playhouse is for ages 5 and under. Fun fun fun and free!!
0 families found this helpful
"Nice Playground, but the Playhouse needs serious updating"
Having read so many great reviews about Smith, we were so excited to visit. As we drove to the location through Fairmount Park, our expectations were dampened. This area of the park is nothing short of scary and The House is covered in scaffolding (it is undergoing an exterior renovation). My kids didn't want to go inside but I insisted. I can see the beauty of what once was and I hope that the City and State provide funding to rehab this diamond in the rough.
That being said, the The Playground is nothing short of ingenious. It is one of a kind and worth the visit.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse in Fairmount Park has hosted an average of 1,000 children daily every summer for nearly 105 years! After its famous giant wooden slide was renovated, the playground added Swing City. This new play area features eighteen to-and-fro swings as well as three different sets that are designed for group use. A giant net climber, seesaw, and climber/spinner can entertain 200 children at a time
Inside the playhouse there are three floors of activities for preschoolers. The train on the first floor was donated by the singing group Boyz II Men, whose members played here as children. The foam-block room has been expanded, and a reading room with books, cozy corners, and a puppet stage has been added. In Smithville (on the basement level), little kids climb into the kid-size cars and “drive” on kid-size roads, with delightful details like traffic lights and parking meters.
During the summer months, there is an outside carousel for preschoolers, two swimming pools (including a wading pool for little ones), and a concession stand. Adjacent to Smith Memorial, on its property, is the only Frisbee golf course in the city.
Free and open to all ages. Smith offers a Story Time for preschoolers every second Wednesday of the month at 10:30 A.M. Each thirty-five-minute session features the reading of a special story followed by a small related activity. Story Time is open to children three to five years old (preregistration required).
Winner of several “Best of Philly” awards for birthday parties and the Giant Slide and dubbed “Best Playground for Children,” Smith’s is partially wheelchair accessible. There are restrooms in the house, and a concession stand is open seasonally. There is also plenty of free parking.
4 families found this helpful
"Great slide"
This is an amazing playground. They have an amazing slide that kids slide down on potato bags. They have indoor and outdoor play areas. Indoors, they have an amazing kids driving area.
'10, '11
2 families found this helpful
"Great Playground!"
What a gem for families in Fairmont Park. The playground is particularly wonderful. The equipment is in good condition and the historic wooden slide looks like it was recently restored and polished. I was there with a 5 and 3 year year old and they spent an hour running up the long set of steps to the top of the slide and swoosing down on gunny sacks. This charming playground also has a fun spider web climbing structure. The beautiful old trees provide a lovely setting and shade on hot summer days in Philly. The staff at Smith House were very friendly and helpful.
The play areas in the house itself was geared towards young children under 5. So if you have older children, hang out in the playground.
3 families found this helpful
"Fun for Free"
We just got back from visiting family in Philly and were delighted to be introduced to the Smith House. What a wonderful place in the heart of Fairmont Park for children. It is hard to believe that this historical mansion was created just for children over 100 years ago and continues to be free. Th Smith House is a mansion with different rooms that features pretend play areas, giant blocks and tumbling mats. The basement has a little city that kids can ride tricycles in. It was a hot day when we visited and it would have been nice to have some air-conditioning in the building.
The Smith Playground is really quite something although it is not open year round. Across a series of rolling hills are different play areas that children of any age would enjoy. The highlight for my 1 year old was sliding down the old wood slide with dad. It was very fast. He kept wanting more.
The only downside is that you need a car to get to Smith House as it is located in the middle of Fairmont Park. If you are visiting Philly and your child needs some good physical activity for FREE. Definitely make a trip to the Smith House.
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