Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Philadelphia, PA

There will come a time when hanging out with your kid becomes impossible. Once they start in school they'll have homework, sports, dance--all kinds of activities that keep them from enjoying carefree times with you. Then, sooner than we like, they'll get to be that age when hanging out with us is LAME.

So before our kids are too busy or cool to hang out with us, we need to make sure we do all the fun stuff now. Here is my top five list of things I must do with my daughter before it's too late.

1. Have a tourist day. Philadelphia is historic--the Constitution was written here, of course, and sites like Independence Hall and Ben Franklin's house and Betsy Ross's house are all within a few blocks of each other. I think a day immersed in Philly attractions--seeing the liberty bell, touring the Hall, taking a horse carriage ride through Society Hill--would be a great deal of fun for all of us.

2. Hike up to visit Chief Ted. Far above the Wissahickon Valley there is a marble statue of an Indian Chief on Council Rock about 50 yards above the creek. This is a beautiful area to hike, and the sculpture of Chief Ted is a perfect destination.

3. Ice skate at the River Rink. The River Rink, a small rink located near the Delaware River at Penn's Landing, is one of the few outdoor rinks left. Only a few years old, this is a great place to enjoy an amazing view of the city while falling on your butt on the ice.

4. Biking the river drives. Along the Schuylkill River near the Art Museum, you'll find eight miles of picture-perfect, safe bike paths. On one side is Kelly Drive, with nicely paved and unpaved paths running along the river, and on MLK Drive there is the same, plus from April to October the road is actually closed to cars on the weekends.

5. Enjoy the Halloween Haunted House at Eastern State Penitentiary. Every fall, this historic prison is converted into the mother of all haunted houses, employing actors to scare you and your kids out of your skin. You won't find a better spooky adventure anywhere--but you might want to wait until your kids are a bit older. Too scary for little ones.