As a mom, I know that learning and having fun are equally important for children. So, why not combine them when looking for something to do on the weekend? In this blog, you’ll find some of the most fun and educational things to do in Wilmington, DE, for kids.
Educational and Imaginative Things to Do in Wilmington, DE
Enchanted Woods in Winterthur Estate
First on my list of things to do in Wilmington, DE, with kids is the Enchanted Woods. While the Winterthur Estate has been open for quite some time, few visitors ever brought their children to the garden. So, in the late 1990s, the staff set out to create a magical fairy-tale space for children to explore. Thus, Enchanted Woods came to life on a three-acre plot of the Winterthur Estate. The garden encourages imaginative play and creativity.
In this natural garden for children, the Enchanted Woods features:
- Majestic Oak Trees
- Climbing spaces
- Faerie Cottage
- Giant Bird’s Nest
- Tulip Tree House
- Small tree stumps
- Mushrooms of the Forbidden Fairy Ring
- Green Man
- Story Stones
- Acorn Tea Room
- And much more.
The Enchanted Woods also strays from popular children’s stories, so kids are free to use their full imaginations and always leave the garden as a timeless place.
The Winterthur Estate is located at 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware 19735. During the Spring, Summer, and Fall, the estate is closed on Monday but otherwise open 10 AM to 5 PM. During Yuletide, the estate is available seven days weekly from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Delaware Children’s Museum
Next on my list of things to do in Wilmington, DE, with kids is the Delaware Children’s Museum. The Delaware Children’s Museum has been a place for children to play while learning since 2010. Through various exhibits, they have opened up the world for kids in Delaware to explore science, math, and technology. It is also a safe place for families to experience new possibilities and learn as a unit. The museum has something for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents.
Exhibits at the Delaware Children’s Museum include:
- ECOnnect
- Training Wheels
- Tree Pavilion
- Structures
- Stratosphere
- S.T.E.M. Room
- Bank On It
- Studio D
- Rotating Fun
- DCM Earth Balloon
The Delaware Children’s Museum also makes a wonderful place for birthdays, summer camps, and school field trips.
Visit the Delaware Children’s Museum at 550 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Families can find free parking directly across the street. Admission is $12, and children under a year are free.
Hagley Museum
The last on my list of things to do in Wilmington, DE, with kids is the Hagley Museum. The Hagley Museum opened in 1957 along the banks of Brandywine in Wilmington. The museum sits on 235 acres of land and is the site of the gunpowder works. The museum strives to inspire visitors through investigation and exploration. They host real-life examples of the early American industry rather than just seeing photographs. These include the original E.I DuPont power yards from 1802, the family’s ancestral home and gardens, restored mills, and a worker’s community.
Power Yards
Families can see original structures from the DuPont black powder manufacturing process, including:
- Nineteenth-century machinery
- Waterwheels and turbines
- Line shafts
- Sixteen-ton roll mill
- Stone quarry
- Black powder explosion demonstrations
- Coal-fired steam engine
- Brandywine River
DuPont Homes and Gardens
Families can also explore the Georgian-style DuPont Homes and Gardens, which can be found on the bank of the Brandywine River. It has original furniture, artwork, and family items from 1799 when they left France. The complex includes the company’s first office, the E. I. DuPont Garden, a barn, the family home, and the Crowninsheild Garden.
The Crowninsheild Garden isn’t open to the public, but families can view it from the Eleutherian Mills Terrace. The garden was built in the 1920s when the DuPont family wanted to recreate the Roman architecture they saw on their travels.
Workers’ Hill
Finally, families can visit the Workers’ Hill Community, where characters from the Hagley story come to life, including members of the DuPont family. The community features the original power yard gates, the John Gibbons House, The Workers’ Garden, and the Brandwine Manufacturers’ Sunday School. The Workers’ Hill is also an excellent place for families to walk along a scenic shaded path and rest at the picnic pavilion.
The Hagley Museum is located at 200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. It is open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm, and the last admission is at 4 pm. At the time of this blog being written, admission for adults is $15, seniors (62+) and students are $12, and children 6-14 are $8. VIP tours are also available for families.
Things to do in Wilmington, DE
Your family’s adventures will never end with various educational and fun things to do in Wilmington, DE. So check out these fantastic historical and academic locations and keep exploring.
If you want more Delaware content, click on the links below.
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