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Home / Community  / Things To Do This Week  / 30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: August 12–18

30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: August 12–18

Need plans? We've got something great, every day!

Need plans? We’ve got something great, every day.

Go straight to: Monday      Tuesday      Wednesday       Thursday      Friday       WEEKEND

All Week

The Oval+

Wednesdays-Sundays, through August 18

Eakins Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway; also see “blocks” at Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum, and Van Colln Park

 

This colorful transformation of Eakins Oval (and beyond, hence the plus symbol) brings four weeks of fun for all ages to the Parkway, from a beer garden for grownups to storytimes for little ones, and so much more. We’ll be sharing can’t-miss events below, but you can read our preview of the whole pop-up here!

Shark Summer

Through September 2

Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ

 

Adventure Aquarium is bringing back Shark Summer—interactive programming celebrating all things shark! There will be shark shows, shark swag, shark talks, and… baby sharks! So if your kids haven’t stopped singing “Baby Shark” for the better part of a year, this is clearly the place to be if you want to live every week like it’s Shark Week.

Art Splash

Tuesdays–Sundays through September 2, 10 am—5 pm (open until 7 pm on Wednesdays)

Perelman Building, 2525 Pennsylvania Ave.

 

Philadelphia Museum of Art’s summer programming, Art Splash, brings family tours, art making, open studio time, and a kid-friendly gallery hunt. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 1—4 pm, meet artist Brian Bazemore as he leads a collaborative art activity in the studio. On Wednesday evening from 5–7 pm, enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission.

Dinosaurs Around the World

Through January 20, 2020

Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

With over a dozen life-size animatronic dinosaurs,  “Dinosaurs Around the World” invites visitors to prehistoric Earth to see how they lived and adapted to their times. Check out our preview to learn more.

Delaware River Waterfront

The Blue Cross RiverRink, Spruce Street Harbor Park, and Cherry Street Pier open full-time for the summer this weekend with skating, rides, food, and lots more family fun.

Photo Pop!

The Bourse, 111 S. Independence Mall East

Through August 24

 

Photo Pop is back with “Sweet Paradise.” Go selfie-wild with a new location, a new theme, and lots of Insta-worthy art at this temporary Philly art exhibit. Tickets available online.

‘Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes’ at the Franklin Institute

Through September 2

222 N. 20th St.

 

Franklin Institute celebrates Marvel’s 80th Anniversary with a new immersive exhibit including original sketches, costumes and props from Marvel films (including Black PantherCaptain America, and Thor), interactive experiences in life-size scenes, and lots of photo ops! Read our preview here.

‘America to Zanzibar’ at Please Touch Museum

Through September 2

4231 Avenue of the Republic

 

The Please Touch Museum welcomes a new special exhibit, “America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far,” which allows families to learn about Muslim culture around the world through interactive displays, artifacts, and more. See our preview here!

‘Creatures of Habitat’ at Philadelphia Zoo

3400 W. Girard Ave.

Through September 30

 

Creatures of Habitat: A Gazillion Piece Animal Adventure” brings 12 giant LEGO vignettes created by Sean Kenney all over the zoo. Kids will be able to use the returning Zoo Keys at “audiobooks” located at each sculpture (as well as other areas throughout the zoo) to “unlock” secrets and stories about the animals. Read all about the exhibit in our preview.

‘Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation’

Through December 31

National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.

 

 This exhibit focuses on the intellectual and political conflicts between Hamilton and his contemporaries, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Adams, and of course, Aaron Burr.

Civil War Summer at the National Constitution Center

Through August 17

National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.

 

This summer, in conjunction with the National Constitution Center’s new Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit the Center’s Main Lobby will be transformed into a Union Army encampment. Visitors will be able to try on replica Civil War soldier uniforms and examine the kinds of supplies soldiers would have had at war camps. Every Thursday and Saturday, special activities will include Meet-and-Greets with historic figures like Henry “Box” Brown, as well as Union soldiers and battlefield nurses. Visitors can also attend Town Hall programs with President Abraham Lincoln, enjoy a theatrical performance highlighting Frances E.W. Harper, and participate in interactive Military Muster activities.

Free Admission at NMAJH

Through August 31

National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall E.

 

Admission to the National Museum of American Jewish History is free through August! Free admission includes complimentary access to the Museum’s core exhibits highlighting more than 360 years of life in America told through a Jewish lens, and complimentary access to the current special exhibition, “Sara Berman’s Closet.” Reserve tickets online.

Parks on Tap: Burholme Park

August 14–18

401 Cottman Ave.

 

Our favorite family-friendly beer garden comes to the Northeast! There will be food, beer on tap, wine, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages in a festive outdoor environment featuring comfortable chairs and hammocks. The park also houses the Burholme Golf Center, a family-friendly activity center which includes mini-golf, a golf range, arcade games, and more.

Contributing Writer

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