Group Activities in Philadelphia The Franklin Institute

  • private
  • adults
  • indoor

The Twisted Science Scavenger Hunt at the Franklin Institute

Like a lightning rod for fun

You don’t need to be Ben Franklin to discover that the best way to explore the Franklin Institute is on this team-building scavenger hunt. You’ll follow a trail of tricky clues and answer humorous questions about the museum’s oddest and most fascinating exhibits.

Along the way, you might…

  • Walk through a giant heart
  • Decipher optical illusions
  • Uncover how the Wright brothers thwarted spies
  • Penetrate the mystery of Foucault’s pendulum
  • Discover the literally shocking reason Ben Franklin’s son lost his fingers

Those are just some of the highlights you can expect on a hunt at this massive museum known for its exciting, inventive, and interactive ways of getting people to explore all things scientific.

And don’t worry: no previous knowledge of the Founding Father or his scientific discoveries is necessary to play—or to be crowned the winner. You just need sharp eyes, comfy shoes, and excellent teamwork.

Team-building fun on a scavenger hunt in Philadelphia

On hunts for private groups, if you’re looking for an activity that makes many teams pull together, try the special Mixed Alliances Edition. Teams of three players will take turns collaborating with two or three other teams. They are competing against each other—but they must cooperate to win. Each player will interact with up to 11 other players during the hunt. It’s a great way to increase the interaction among players.

What people are saying about the Franklin Institute scavenger hunt

“Thank you for pulling the hunt together in 1.5 weeks for our group. We had SO much fun and thought it was a great team-building experience. The Hunt Hosts were very friendly, helpful, and accommodating to our needs. We arrived 15 minutes earlier than expected, and they were still able to form teams as we left the bus. I will be sure to recommend Watson Adventures in the future! Thanks again for such a memorable experience.” –An engineer in the pharmaceutical industry

Contact us to learn more about the Twisted Science Scavenger Hunt—and find more fun at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute!


  • public
  • private
  • adults
  • indoor

The Murder at the Franklin Institute Scavenger Hunt

Team building can be a dangerous game

Or at least it was for the Watson Adventures hunt host who was scheduled to lead your team-building scavenger hunt at the Franklin Institute. He was found dead at the foot of the giant Ben Franklin statue, and the only evidence that remains is the game he created for your group—and some mysterious documents we received when we tried to e-mail his sister.

Police need your help. They think that the game might contain clues that reveal the victim’s secret life. On teams, you’ll need to follow clues to visit exhibits in the museum and answer tricky questions about what you find. You must figure out how they relate to a mysterious list of code words that seem to indicate that our hunt host was in danger—and perhaps you are too.

You’ll need good teamwork and a bit of cunning to save yourselves—and maybe even the world. Are you up for the challenge? The game’s afoot!

Contact us below to learn more about how to book this scavenger hunt for a private occasion, or click on the second button to see the schedule for weekends games that anyone can join.


  • private
  • adults
  • indoor

Escape the Franklin Institute Scavenger Hunt

Oh no, you’ve been poisoned!

But don’t panic! On this brain-bending scavenger hunt, you can find the antidote and save your life. The maniacal genius behind your poisoning has packed this game with puzzles that ultimately unveil the combination to a canister containing the cure. Never mind escaping a room—can you unlock the box and escape the Franklin Institute alive?

On teams, you’ll search the museum for secrets and answer devious questions about exhibits, find our staff to solve sneaky puzzles, and finally crack the life-saving code. You don’t need to know anything about the museum or about science in general. All you need is good teamwork, sharp eyes, and comfy shoes.

This is a great game for all kinds of groups, including those with too many people for typical escape-room games. And the game appeals to everyone—if you have group members who aren’t into puzzles, they’ll still have a blast uncovering fun, fascinating secrets in the museum.


  • private
  • kids
  • indoor

The Twisted Science Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Young scientists go in search of startling secrets!

Adults and kids are partners on this wacky trek through Philadelphia’s premier science museum. You’ll need Ben Franklin’s craftiness to search out answers to tricky questions about such things as a gigantic locomotive, an Air Force jet, a mad scientist’s electric device that you spark to life, a giant heart that you have to walk through, strange space suits, a real moon rock, and even Ben’s own inventions, including something that will get you across a lake in an unusual way.

This game keeps even the pickiest participants entertained and engaged, making it a great choice for school field trips, camp excursions, birthday parties, and more.

Recommended for ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Contact us to learn more—and find more fun in Philadelphia!


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