30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: November 18—24
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
Mean Girls
November 19—December 1
Academy Of Music, 240 S Broad St.
Because you’re not like a regular mom, you’re a cool mom! This hit Broadway show based on the movie written by Philly’s hometown hero Tina Fey comes to the stage in all its sharp-witted glory. So fetch! Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Philadelphia Zoo’s LumiNature
3400 W. Girard Avenue
November 20–January 5
New for this year, the Philadelphia Zoo presents a nighttime multimedia holiday spectacle the likes of which you have never seen. Throughout the zoo, giant animal-themed installations will glow, Evergreen trees will talk, and you’ll be surrounded by pure fantasy. Seasonal fare, strolling performers, hot chocolate (and adult beverages) add to the festiveness. Tickets available online.
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!
Shrek: The Musical
November 5—January 5
Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.
This award-winning Broadway musical based on the beloved movie features all new songs and fun for the whole family.
Photo Pop: Winter Wonderland
November 15–January 5
The Bourse, 111 S. Independence Mall East
Photo Pop returns this winter with one-of-a-kind interactive holiday themes that will make for amazing holiday card (and Instagram) moments! Tickets available online.
Franklin Square Holiday Festival
November 14—December 31
Showtimes: Every half-hour from 4:30—8 pm (Sunday—Thursday), 4:30—9 pm (Friday—Saturday)
200 N. Sixth St.
More than 80,000 lights illuminate Franklin Square, timed to a soundtrack of holiday classics, some of which are performed by The Philly POPS. There are two alternating shows every 30 minutes beginning at 4:30 pm daily, so if you stay a while for the Holiday Festival activities, you can catch them both. And you’ll definitely want to do that because they have fun events planned like a winter beer garden with fire pits, live music Sundays, gourmet hot chocolate station, and much more!
The Gifts of the Magi
Through December 22
Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.
This beautiful musical adaptation of the classic O. Henry story reminds us of the true meaning of giving, and of love. In previews until November 21. Tickets available online.
‘The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Experience’
October 19–April 19
Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.
Based on the internationally best-selling survival handbook, that was created in Philadelphia, “The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Experience” makes its world premiere at the Franklin Institute, bringing hands-on, immersive challenges that show visitors how to survive unexpected but possible “worst-case scenarios” in fun and thought-provoking ways. See our preview here!
‘Very Eric Carle’ at Please Touch Museum
October 5—January 12, 2020
4231 Avenue of the Republic
Step into the world of Eric Carle in this new interactive exhibit. Follow the path of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, compose a night symphony with The Very Quiet Cricket, and more!
‘Constructing Play: Classic + Modern Building Toys’
November 21, 2019—January 16, 2020
Center / Architecture + Design, 1218 Arch St.
Explore the development of children’s toys over the past 200 years. Travel back in time to learn how different building toys were invented, designed, and refined to become the toys that still secretly educate children today! During the exhibit, visitors can show off their building skills and create the house or city of their dreams at Creation Stations filled with components of popular building toys.
Notorious RBG
Through January 12, 2020
National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first-ever museum retrospective of the Supreme Court Justice-turned-pop-culture-icon, makes its east coast debut. Based on the New York Times best-selling book of the same name by Knizhnik and Irin Carmon, the visually rich and entertaining exhibition explores RBG’s legacy through archival photographs and documents, historical artifacts, contemporary art, media stations, and gallery interactives including fun memes and fan art made about the incomparable Justice.
Candytopia
Open through January 9
Ninth and Market streets
Candytopia brings its wildly popular experiential installation art to Philly. Favorites—like the marshmallow pit filled with over 250,000 foam marshmallows, and the rainbow-filled room with flying unicorn pigs and confetti explosions—are joined by Philly-specific elements. It’s Instagram heaven, and you even get to eat candy throughout the experience! Tickets are available online, where you can reserve your timeslot. Kids age 3 and under get in free! Read our full preview and tips here.
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.
‘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.
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