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(Clockwise from bottom left) Big Cat Falls at the Philadelphia Zoo; the Carousel at Please Touch Museum®; and playing at Smith Playground. (Photos by B. Krist, courtesy of Please Touch Museum® and by R. Kennedy)

Happy Thanksgiving! For our final Giving Thanks post, we’re reflecting on Philadelphia, the kids’ play place. Many of the uwishunu staff grew up in the Philadelphia region, and our childhoods were spent touring Independence Hall, climbing through the Franklin Institute’s Giant Heart exhibit and going to Phillies games at the Vet. Now, as adults, we’re so happy to represent this city we grew up in. Thanks for everything, Philly!

Dear Pint-Size Philly Lovers,

This is the perfect place for kids. With big playgrounds, colorful carousels and fun activities, you won’t even mind hanging out with your brother all day.

1. Boys and girls love sliding down Smith Memorial Playground’s Giant Wooden Slide. The legendary 10-foot-high, 13-foot-wide and 39-foot-long masterpiece — now all spiffed up after a multi-million dollar restoration — has been entertaining kids for more than 100 years.

2. Carousels are making a comeback. Riders of all ages go ’round and ’round at Franklin Square, Peddler’s Village, Please Touch Museum^®, Philadelphia Zoo and Sesame Place.

3. In its new restored Memorial Hall location, Please Touch Museum^® features 38,000 square feet of hands-on fun in six themed areas.

(From left) Fall fun at Franklin Square; and going for a ride at Sesame Place. (Photos by G. Widman and R. Kennedy)

4. Dream Travel named Franklin Square on its list of “The Best Playgrounds in the United States” in 2008.

5. Sesame Place is the only attraction in the nation based on the popular PBS children’s show.

6. Not only is the Philadelphia Zoo the nation’s first, it was also the first American zoo to open a special area just for young animal lovers. At the Children’s Zoo, kids get up close and personal (safely, of course) with dozens of small animals.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]