Philadelphia Homeschool Field Trip: American Revolution Walking Tour (Ages 5–12)
This tour runs daily at 11:00 AM (except Tuesdays) and sells out regularly. Reserve your spots now.
Bring your homeschool curriculum to life in the city where American independence was born. Step Into Philly Tours offers the only guided walking tour of Old City Philadelphia designed specifically for children ages 5 through 12 — a living classroom covering the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers, and colonial Philadelphia life.
Led by an accredited historian whose guiding career has earned hundreds of five-star reviews, this 1.5-hour walking tour walks past Ben Franklin's grave, the Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley, Historic Christ Church, Franklin Court, Carpenters' Hall, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell. It is our most popular tour and frequently sells out. Advance booking is strongly recommended.
What Your Students Will Experience
Your students will walk the same streets as the founders of the United States, guided by a historian who knows these stories from the ground up. Each stop connects directly to the history they’re studying:
- Betsy Ross House — Colonial Philadelphia life, the birth of the American flag, and the role of ordinary citizens in the Revolution.
- Elfreth's Alley — America's oldest continuously inhabited residential street. A vivid window into everyday colonial life that textbooks rarely capture.
- Franklin Court — Benjamin Franklin: printer, civic leader, inventor, diplomat, Founding Father. The site of Franklin's Philadelphia home and a centerpiece of the founding documents story.
- Independence Hall — Where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution was drafted. The most important building in American democracy.
- Liberty Bell — The enduring symbol of American liberty and independence.
Want the complete list of stops? See the full Kids tour page.
Homeschool Curriculum Connections
This tour maps well to standard American history and social studies units covering the colonial period and the founding of the United States. Pennsylvania homeschool families are required to cover social studies at the elementary level — this tour reinforces those studies in the most direct way possible: by walking the ground where history happened.
2026 — America’s 250th Anniversary
If your students are studying the founding era this year, there is no better time to walk the streets of Old City Philadelphia. The National Park Service has published Teaching the 250th with Historic Places — free curriculum resources tied to the semiquincentennial — which align directly with the sites this tour visits.
The tour assembles outside the National Constitution Center.
The National Park Service (Independence National Historical Park) offers free lesson plans and primary source materials tied to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the founding documents, which is ideal for pre- or post-visit study.
Parents consistently tell us this tour reinforces their students’ studies of:
- The American Revolution (1775–1783): Causes, key figures, and turning points
- The Founding Fathers: Franklin, Washington, Hamilton, Adams, and their roles in the new republic
- The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution: Where these documents were debated and signed
- Colonial Philadelphia life: How ordinary people lived, worked, and experienced the revolution
- Civic institutions: The founding of Congress, the Supreme Court, and American government
- American symbols: The Liberty Bell and the American flag
Tour Details
| Time | 11:00 AM daily (except Tuesdays) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1.5 hours |
| Meeting Point | Arch Street and 6th Street. We meet OUTSIDE on the corner where Arch Street intersects with 6th Street close to the National Constitution Center. |
| Ages | Designed for children 5–12. Children must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Group Size | Maximum 16 participants |
| Price | $20 per person (adults and children) · Infants (0–4) free · Homeschool discount: use code HOMESCHOOL when booking direct to save 20% |
| Availability | This tour frequently sells out — book in advance |
For homeschool co-ops and private groups: We can arrange private tours for co-ops and larger groups. Email us or call 610-704-4550 to discuss availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour appropriate for homeschool students studying the American Revolution?
Yes. The tour visits the outside of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, Elfreth's Alley, and Franklin Court. These sites are central to most American Revolution and colonial Philadelphia curriculum units. Parents tell us it maps well to studies of the Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and everyday colonial life. Our guide holds a Master of Arts in Public History and is an accredited guide through the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides.
What free curriculum resources connect to this tour?
The National Park Service (Independence National Historical Park) provides free downloadable lesson plans and primary source materials tied to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the founding documents. The tour assembles outside the National Constitution Center, and the National Park Service materials are the closest curriculum match for this age range.
What ages is the Historic Philly for Kids tour designed for?
The tour is designed for children ages 5 through 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour runs at a pace comfortable for young children and lasts 1.5 hours.
Which historic sites does the tour visit?
The tour visits sites in Old City Philadelphia including the Betsy Ross House, Elfreth's Alley (America's oldest residential street), Franklin Court, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell, among others. See the full Kids tour page for the complete stop list.
How far in advance should I book?
This is our most popular tour and it frequently sells out, especially on weekends and during school breaks. We recommend booking as soon as your dates are confirmed.
Can homeschool co-ops or private groups book the tour?
Yes. We accommodate private groups and can arrange custom departure times for co-ops. Maximum group size is 16 participants. Contact us at tours@stepintophilly.com or 610-704-4550.
Where do we meet?
Arch Street and 6th Street. We meet OUTSIDE on the corner where Arch Street intersects with 6th Street close to the National Constitution Center.
This tour runs daily at 11:00 AM (except Tuesdays) and sells out regularly. Reserve your spots now.