30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: November 12--18

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

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

November 11, 2018

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

Go straight to: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday WEEKEND

All Week

Rothman Rink and Wintergarden Maze at Dilworth Park

Monday — Thursday, noon — 9 pm; Friday, noon — 11 pm; Saturday, 11 am — 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am — 8 pm

1 S. 15th St.

Come for the winter ambiance, stay for the fun, including the adjacent America’s Garden Capital Maze (perfect for photo ops). The heated Cabin has treats for the kids, and beer, cocktails, and more. You can even wear your skates inside!

‘Xtreme Bugs’ at Academy of Natural Sciences

Through January 21, 2019

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Nearly 20 towering animatronic bugs will come alive in this new creepy crawly exhibit! Get a bug’s-eye view of the world and learn about their intricacies and behaviors. See our preview here.

‘Vikings: Beyond the Legend’ at the Franklin Institute

Through March 3, 2019

222 North 20th Street

The Franklin Institute presents 600 unique artifacts, multimedia, hands-on elements, and more to bring the Viking Age to life. Read all about the exhibit in our preview.

‘Thomas and Friends: Explore the Rails!’ at Please Touch Museum

Through January 6, 2019

4231 Avenue of the Republic

The long-awaited Thomas and Friends exhibit arrives at Please Touch Museum with plenty of train-themed fun, photo ops, imaginative play, and valuable STEM lessons along the way! Read our full preview here.

‘Hamilton Was Here: Rising Up in Revolutionary Philadelphia’

Through March 17, 2019; 1 – 5 pm on weekdays, 10 am–5 pm on weekends

Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. Third St.

This new exhibit is highly interactive, incorporating games, group activities, dress up, thought-provoking questions, and much more to highlight Alexander Hamilton’s major accomplishments and Philadelphia connections. Read all about it 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 (that one was a bit more personal).

‘Matilda’

Through January 6, 2019

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.

Based on the beloved Roald Dahl novel, Matilda The Musical will delight with high-energy dance and catchy songs.

‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’

Through November 18

Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will make its Philadelphia debut at the Academy of Music with songs from the original film as well as a new score from the songwriters of Hairspray.

UniverSoul Circus

Through December 2

Fairmount Park at 52^nd St. and Parkside Ave.

Celebrating 25 years, this incredible circus is coming to town for the month!

‘Fabulous Fashion: From Dior’s New Look to Now’

Through March 3, 2019

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

If you have a fashion lover in your midst (or are one yourself), you’ll definitely want to catch this new exhibit that’s all about couture!

Monday

Schuylkill Center Day-off Camp: Camouflage

November 12, 8 am—3 pm

8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

No school? Kids can explore nature and sharpen their observational skills with awareness games in the field. Pre-registration required.

Play in a Day at Arden Theatre

November 12, 9 am—3 pm

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street

If your kids have off school and love to perform, Play in a Day allows kids work together to create an original play, then perform it at the end of the day. Pre-registration required.

Day-Off Camp at Philly Art Center

November 12, 9 am—3 pm

2501 Olive Street and 514 Bainbridge Street

Grouped by age, day-off camps give kids age 5 and up creative fun and skill-building, both in and out of the studios. Offered in both Queen Village and Fairmount locations. Pre-register online.

Veterans Day Festival and Free Admission at National Constitution Center

November 12, 9:30 am—5 pm

525 Arch St.

The National Constitution Center will host a family-friendly festival celebrating the men and women of the nation’s armed forces, including arts and crafts, talks and demonstrations, and more. Visit the lobby for letter writing stations, where visitors can take a moment to write messages (or draw pictures) expressing thanks to the women and men who have served in the country’s Armed Forces. At noon, visitors can get hands-on visitors and learn more about a day in the life of a Revolutionary-era soldier; and they will even have the opportunity to don replicas of military uniforms and try out equipment.

Around the Geography Lady: New Zealand

November 12, 10—11 am

Lilypad, 1234 S. Broad Street

This 45 minute class for toddlers and preschoolers includes stories, music, movement, games, crafts, and a snack. This week, learn about New Zealand.

Camouflage Art Workshop

November 12, 10:30 am—1 pm

Sue’s Art Class, 2119 Spruce St.

Create hidden pictures using pattern, traditional camo colors, shifting lines with imagery. You can even bring in a pair of canvas sneakers to paint in camo colors. Pre-register online.

Tuesday

Music Monkey Jungle Free Session at Reading Terminal Market

November 13, 10 — 10:30 am

51 N. 12th St.

Sing, dance, move, and have a rockin’ good time with Music Monkey Jungle. Admission is free and open to the public.

Geography Lady at The Bagel Place

November 13, 11 am—noon

404 Queen Street

Kids ages 1-4 will learn about the world with pictures, maps, stories, games, music, movement, crafts, and more.

Rhythm Babies at Head House Books

November 13, noon—12:45 pm

619 S. Second Street

This music readiness class for little ones (beginning at age 4 months) includes singing, drum circles, storytime, props, bubbles, and much more.

Kids’ Cooking Class at Queen Memorial Library

November 13, 4 pm

1201 South 23rd Street

Healthy Cooking class for school-aged children, taught by serv-safe certified cooking instructor Keisha Prosser. Learn about food safety, prepare a full meal, and then help eat what you’ve created! For additional information, call the librarian at 215-685-1899.

Family Night Slime and Pizza

November 13, 6:30–7:45 pm

SplashLab Arts, 3510 Scotts Lane

Enjoy family access to the studio at night. Call to make a reservation by 3pm Tuesday afternoon, and indicate whether you want dinner delivered for your family. Then show up and have fun getting messy!

Night Skies in the Observatory

November 13, 7—10 pm

Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia

Join Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts for planetarium shows, a live presentation on astronomy or space science, hands-on astronomy activities, and continuous telescopic observing all evening (weather permitting). There’s also a cash bar for the grownups! The program is staffed with knowledgeable observers, and free star maps are provided.

Wednesday

Open Climb at Cecil B. Moore Library

November 14, 10:30 am

2320 Cecil B. Moore Avenue

Kids age 3-5 can check out the new playspace at the library, featuring a miniature rockwall.

Stroller Tour at Philadelphia Museum of Art

November 14, 11 am—noon

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Enjoy an art-filled morning out with your baby in tow at this monthly stroller tour.

Bilingual Storytime at PlayArts

November 14, 3 pm

1241 N. Front Street

Melissa from Mi Casita will visit PlayArts for an all-ages Spanish adventure.

Family Fort Night

November 14, 4 pm

Richmond Library, 2987 Almond Street

Build a cozy blanket fort with friends and family then gather around and read! Blankets and other supplies will be provided.

Gaming Garage at South Philadelphia Library

November 14, 4 pm

1700 S. Broad St.

Get hands on with the Nintendo Switch, or construct cool toys with Nintendo Labo kits.

Thursday

Drop-in Play and Storytime at Philly Art Center

November 15, 10:30—11:45 am

2501 Olive Street and 514 Bainbridge Street

For babies ages 0-2. Walkers enjoy sensory stations, while floor-bound babies enjoy age appropriate manipulative play. Storytime is at 11 am. No need to sign up, just drop-in for $5 at the door.

Philly Community Baby Music at Little Moon + Arrow

November 15, 10:30—11:15 am

729 S. Fourth St.

Little ones can explore music with beautiful melodies, bubbles, and fun props.

Thursday Tots: Little Lenape

November 15, 1—2 pm

Wissahickon Environmental Center (Tree House), 300 West Northwestern Avenue

Nature exploration and learning for kids age 3-5 and a caregiver. Pre-register online.

Free Guitar Lessons for Children

November 15, 3 pm

Walnut Street West Library, 201 S. 40th St.

The Penn Music Department will be helping teach kids age 6-12 how to play the guitar.

Say Thank You with Elephant and Piggie

November 15, 4 pm

Whitman Library, 200 Snyder Avenue

What are you thankful for? Come for for an all-ages storytime featuring The Thank You Book by Mo Willems, followed by Elephant and Piggie activities and giveaways.

T-Rex Tea Party

November 15, 4:30 pm

Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd Street

Storytime with the book How to be a T. Rex by Ryan North, followed by dino-crafts and a snack with herbal tea. For children ages 11 and under and their families.

Franklin Square Holiday Festival Opening Night

November 15, 4:30—8 pm

200 N. Sixth St.

Kickoff the holiday season at Franklin Square with the first Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show, rides on the Lightning Bolt Holiday Express, sweet treats, a beer garden, and more. Musicians from The Philly POPS will be there to entertain the crowd as well.

Friday

Bourse Bonanza

November 16

The Bourse, 111 S. Independence Mall East

This all-day event celebrating the opening of the fabulous new Bourse Food Hall will feature live entertainment—including hourly pop-up performances including Mummers, mascots, Ben Franklin, and more—and giveaways! Read all about the new food hall coming to Old City in our preview!

Day-Off Camp at Philly Art Center

November 116, 9 am—3 pm

2501 Olive Street and 514 Bainbridge Street

Grouped by age, day-off camps give kids age 5 and up creative fun and skill-building, both in and out of the studios. Offered in both Queen Village and Fairmount locations. Pre-register online.

Baby Bird Playdate at Philadelphia Museum of Art

November 16, 10:15 am

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Play at the museum with your little ones and enjoy music, art making, and gallery walks. For toddlers and their grownups.

Storytime at Ryerss: Colorful Foods

November 16, 10:30 am—noon

Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Ave (Burholme Park)

Free themed storytime for kids age 5 and under with a caregiver.

Free Workshop: Breastfeeding While Babywearing

November 16, 12:30—1:30 pm

Baby Wordplay Fairmount, 1942 Brandywine Street

Led by Camille Frey, a doula and student at University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, this workshop will include discussion of barriers to breastfeeding outside the home and tips and strategies to overcome them—including nursing while babywearing. Instruction and demonstration for a variety of baby carriers will be followed by an opportunity for practice and one-on-one guidance with adjustments and positioning. Babies are welcome and encouraged (but baby dolls will be available if needed).

#slayinspirecreate jr.

November 16, 3 pm

Charles Santore Library, 932 S. Seventh St.

Miss Becca will show different work by an artist and allow children to use different media to make art of their own. This program is intended for children age 7 and up.