30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: November 5--11

30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: November 5–11

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

November 5, 2018

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

Go straight to: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday WEEKEND

All Week

‘Matilda’

November 6–January 6

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’

November 6–18

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.

Mermaids at Adventure Aquarium

November 3—11

1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ

Witness a mermaid swimming among the Shark Realm exhibit, and visit with a mermaid on dry-land during daily meet-and-greets. Plus, meet a pirate, do mermaid-themed crafts, and more.

‘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).

‘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.

‘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.

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

Around the Geography Lady: Mali

November 5, 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 Mali.

Read with a Dog

November 5, 4:15 pm

Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Ave.

Kids ages 6 to 12 are invited to come read independently with Wally, a certified therapy dog, in a judgment-free space.

Tuesday

Day-Off Camp at The Schuylkill Center

November 6, 8 am—3 pm

8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

In this day-off camp for ages 5-12, kids will explore the colors of fall as they take to the trails and experience the beauty of the forest, and collect materials from the field to create nature journals. Pre-registration required. After care available.

Election Day Festival at Please Touch Museum

November 6, 9 am–5 pm

4231 Avenue of the Republic

PTM is opening up the polls, and giving kids a voice this Election Day: to vote for their favorite toy! The day will also feature other civic-themed activities, including the chance to write a postcard to elected officials.

Election Day ‘Play in a Day’ (Grades K-5)

November 6, 9 am—5 pm

Arden Theatre Drama School, Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street.

Day off school? Kids will work together to create an original play, which they will perform at the end of the day.

Day-Off Camp at Philly Art Center

November 6, 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.

Election Day Mini Camp at SplashLab Arts

November 6, 9 am—3 pm

3510 Scotts Ln.

Kids have off school? Call to reserve your spot for a fun day of getting messy at SplashLab. Before and after care available.

One-Day Workshop: Art in a Wooden Box

November 6, 10 am—1 pm

Sue’s Art Class, 2119 Spruce St.

Compose your own storybook land of favorite book imagery, or a little carrying case room for your dolls. This all-ages class will include mixed media of sculpy clay, fabrics, paints, and wood. Pre-register online.

Music Monkey Jungle Free Session at Reading Terminal Market

November 6, 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.

Family Night Slime and Pizza

November 6, 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!

Wednesday

Book Nook Storytime at Reading Terminal Market

November 7, 10–10:30 am

51 N. 12th St.

This free storytime geared towards children between the ages of 3 to 5 will be led by a librarian from The Free Library of Philadelphia.

Bartram’s Garden Little Explorers

November 7, 10–11:30 am

5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

In this program for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-4 (with a caregiver), collect seeds from all over the garden and make a natural mosaic of seeds. Bring a picnic lunch and stay for free story hour at noon. Pre-register online.

Around the Geography Lady: Mali

November 7, 3:30—4:30 pm

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 Mali.

First Wednesday at Please Touch Museum

November 7, 4—7 pm

4231 Avenue of the Republic

The Please Touch Museum will stay open until 7 pm for two extra hours of play and offers $2 per person admission after 4 pm. Children and families can get hands-on preparing a recipe and get instruction from Vetri Mobile Teaching Kitchen for cooking healthy meals at home together. There will also be fun activities in art, theater, science, and more.

Xfinity Live Family Movie Night: ‘Coco’

November 7, 5 pm (movie at 6 pm)

1100 Pattison Ave

Come for a night of fun with Coco and Disney-themed activities and crafts, giveaways, and popcorn to watch the movie. Activities begin at 5 pm and the movie begins at 6 pm. A $3 ticket must be purchased in advance, with all proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House.

Main Line Parent Smart Home Workshop

November 7, 6–8 pm

4504 B City Ave.

Join us and our sister publication Main Line Parent at Xfinity’s brand new interactive store on City Avenue for a Smart Home Workshop. In addition to wine and light bites, you can go around to the different “zones” of the store for demonstrations and discussions about family issues and solutions. Plus, you’ll be entered to win an August Smart Lock and August Connect (two prizes in one, valued at nearly $300). And even if you don’t win, you’ll get to take home a premium swag bag! Register for this free event here.

Thursday

Drop-in Play and Storytime at Philly Art Center

November 8, 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.

Stroller Tour at the Barnes Foundation

November 8, 10:30—11:15 am

2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Take a 45-minute guided tour and discover ways to look at and appreciate art with little ones in tow. Open to parents and caregivers with babies up to 18 months in a stroller or baby wrap. Note: no double-wide strollers.

Free Guitar Lessons for Children

November 8, 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.

PJ Masks Party at The Pop Shop

November 8, 6—8 pm

729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ

Bring your little superhero to dinner with Catboy from PJ Masks. He’ll be meeting and dancing with guests, taking photos, playing parachute games, and more! Advance ticket purchase required.

Friday

Baby Bird Playdate at Philadelphia Museum of Art

November 9, 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.

LEGO Workshop: Build a Play Station

November 9, 1:30—3:30 pm

Sue’s Art Class, 2119 Spruce St.

BYO personal LEGOs and build an obstacle course for your creations. Pre-register online.

#slayinspirecreate jr.

November 9, 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.