Traveling with younger children can be taxing. "How long until we eat?" "I'm tired...can you carry me?" and "This is boring...can we go somewhere else?!" are all phrases that most parents are familiar with. Making vacations fun for younger kids doesn't have to be hard, however. Many times kids are excited about learning, and being in a different environment is a chance for them to learn something new about their country, and a chance for parents to enhance their growth. Here are some fun things that younger children will enjoy when Traveling in Philadelphia.

The Constitution Center in Philadelphia is a very interesting place to visit, whether you're a kid, a teen, or an adult or parent! There is a show that takes place incrementally throughout the day that is centered around the phrase "We the People" and what it really means for the American citizens. Starting from the formation of the Declaration of Independence, the show takes you through this nation's past in an informative and unique way.

After the show, you enter an exhibit area with a lot of hands on activities that kids love to do. Anything from taking a picture in a Supreme Court Justice costume with a court in the background, to having a picture of being inaugurated for presidency. There are also voting consoles, interactive court hearings that you can choose critical points of, to many more activities that I would have to dedicate an entire hub to!

As of the time this hub is being written, there is a temporary exhibit of baseball and its glorious history. Actual memorabilia from Cooperstown is present there. However, keep in mind, it is a temporary exhibit and is subject to change.

The Please Touch Museum is a great place for kids. It is designed to give kids an interactive place to learn, play and of course touch! There are rooms and exhibits for individual viewing as well as more structured activities. There is a supermarket, where kids can shop for food and help stock shelves, a barnyard with a vegetable garden and a tractor, or several imaginative displays from popular children's book such as Where the Wild Things Are and Alice in Wonderland. If the kids get tired of chasing the white rabbit (or Mom and Dad get tired of chasing the kids!) the museum offers theater presentations complete with age appropriate music and interactive audience participation. There is also a story garden where kids can go to recharge with some table activities and listen to some popular children's stories.

A surefire way to please Sesame Street fans is to visit Sesame Palace. Located about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, this is a fun place to take children eight years old, and under. Children can meet their favorite Sesame Street characters, ride some amusement park rides in Elmo's World, and even watch a parade. The park also features a "dry" park where kids can climb Cookie Mountain, run through a Monster Maze and jump on Ernie's bed. If that's not enough the whole family can cool down in a water park complete with Sesame street themed rapids, fountains and water slides.

If you don't mind traveling a little, the New Jersey State Aquarium is located right across the Delaware River. There are plenty of interactive displays, including attractions where kids can touch live sea animals. There is also a penguin island, a seal exhibit and a rain-forest display. A 4-D theater offers various shows that are filled with action, adventure and learning. If there's time the New Jersey Children's Garden is located directly adjacent to the aquarium. This four-acre garden features a butterfly house, a dinosaur garden and a maze. To top off the fun plan on traveling to both of these locations using the Delaware River Ferry.

For maximum enjoyment while visiting these places remember that mornings are more likely to be crowded with school programs, or summer day camps, so try to visit in the afternoons. Also, remember that rainy days are likely to crowd the indoor events, so if you visit the indoor museums on nicer days they are likely to be less crowded. Finally remember that younger children will tire easy, so be sure to plan activities that include a little down time during the afternoons. With these guidelines in mind, you are on your way to making vacations fun for everyone...even the littlest members of the family!