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Free Trial Class Week at Philly Art Center

October 15—19

2501 Olive Street and 514 Bainbridge Street

 

Register to try a free class at Philly Art Center. See their trial schedule for more details.

‘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.

The GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience

Thursdays through Sundays from October 4—28

West Fairmount Park, 5201 Parkside Ave.

 

Take a stroll down Jack’s path to see elaborate carved pumpkins and displays like you’ve never seen! New for this year, there’s  a display dedicated to our champion Philadelphia Eagles. Tickets are available online.

Scarecrow Walk at Morris Arboretum

October 6—31

100 E. Northwestern Ave.

 

More than 30 scarecrows will be on display along Oak Allée through Halloween. Come see the impressive designs, and vote for your favorite!

‘Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation’

Through December 31

National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.

 

Walk in Alexander Hamilton’s shoes and learn more about the Founding Father whose life has fascinated Americans for centuries. 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). It’s included with museum admission.

‘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.

Costume Creation at SplashLab Arts

October 15—19, 9 am—3 pm

3510 Scotts Lane

 

SplashLab Arts will be offering a costume making workshop during drop-in hours. Come in and make an accessory to go along with your costume. You design it, and SplashLab will help you make it!

Dilworth Park Octoberfest and Made in Philadelphia Fall Market

1 S. 15^th St.

October 17—21(Made in Philadelphia Market from October 19—21)

 

Enjoy the flavors of fall with craft beer and food (plus free apple cider), as well as music, games and entertainment. On Saturday, bring your already-carved pumpkins to Dilworth Park for a contest (register here). Made in Philadelphia market will be there too, with local Philadelphian vendors selling art, handmade gifts, food, and more.

Monday

Toddler/Preschool Around the World with the Geography Lady

October 15, 10—11 am

Lilypad, 1234 S. Broad St.

 

Geography Lady will use stories, music, movement, games, crafts, and a snack to introduce little ones to the world.

Story Jams!

October 15, 10:30 am

Outside DiSilvestro Rec Center, enter on Morris St. behind the library

 

A playgroup centered around play and positivity that includes storytime, music, dancing, and sensory exploration

Anime and Manga Discussion Group for Tweens and Teens

October 15, 4 pm

Ramonita G. de Rodriguez Library, 600 W. Girard Ave.

 

Children ages 11 and up and teens are invited to explore Japanese animation, comics and pop culture! Get to know different anime and manga series and try your hand at fan activities.

Tuesday

Music Monkey Jungle Free Session at Reading Terminal Market

October 16, 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.

Toddler Time: Swedish Music and Dance Party

October 16, 10:30—11:30 am

American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue

 

From folk songs to ABBA and Avicci, explore Swedish music and read Moose Music by Sue Porter. Toddlers can also make their own music during free time.

Teen Tuesday: CPR Skills

October 16, 3:30 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

Mobile CPR project will be teaching CPR skills (not certification) for teens ages 12-18.

Choosing a High School

October 16, 4 pm

McPherson Square Library, 601 E. Indiana Ave.

 

Come hear about the admission process and learn about the different high school choices. Open to all parents and children in seventh and eighth grade.

Franklin Institute Community Night

October 16, 5—8 pm

222 North 20th Street

 

Enjoy free admission to the Franklin Institute! Everyone is welcome to join in the fun with free educational and fun-filled science activities, tour the museum’s permanent exhibits, and more.

Family Night Slime and Pizza

October 16, 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

October 17, 10—10:30 am

51 N. 12th St.

 

This program, in partnership with The Free Library of Philadelphia, is geared towards children ages 3 to 5.

Open Climb at Cecil B. Moore Library

October 17, 10:30 am

2320 Cecil B. Moore Ave.

 

Kids ages 3-5 are welcome to see the library’s new playspace, featuring a miniature rock wall! Closed-toe shoes required.

Bilingual Storytime at PlayArts

October 17, 3 pm

1241 N. Front Street

 

Melissa from Mi Casita takes your little one on a Spanish adventure! All ages. Free for members, regular drop-in rates apply.

School Age Geography Lady Class at Lilypad (Ages 5 and up)

October 17, 3:30—4:30 pm

1234 S. Broad St.

 

Join the Geography Lady after school to explore different countries and cultures around the world through stories, music, movement, games, crafts, and a snack.

Pumpkin Painting at Lovett Memorial Library

October 17, 4 pm

6945 Germantown Ave.

 

Paint your own mini pumpkins. The library will provide supplies and one pumpkin per child (first come, first served—space is limited).

For Parents: Philly Family Education Issue Release Party at Positano Coast

October 17, 5:30–7 pm

212 Walnut Street

 

Call your babysitter and join us to celebrate the 13th Issue of Philadelphia Family magazine! Meet the Family Focus Media team and the organizations we partnered with to make this issue our best yet! The party will feature hors d’oeuvres, dessert and a cash bar.

Thursday

Barnes Toddler Time

October 18, 10 – 10:45am and 11 – 11:45am

Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Bring your curious and imaginative toddlers (ages 2-4) to the museum for art-related stories, art making, movement activities, and an introduction to the works in the Barnes collection.

Drop-in Play and Storytime at Philly Art Center

October 18, 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.

Thursday Tots at Wissahickon Environmental Center: Little Brown Bat

October 18, 1—2 pm

300 Northwestern Avenue

 

An hour of discover for kids age 3-5 and a caregiver. This month the topic is bats. Free, but pre-registration is required. Meet at the Tree House.

Free Guitar Lessons for Children

October 18, 3 pm

Walnut Street West, 201 S. 40th St.

 

The Penn Music Department will be helping teach students and other young people (ages 6-12) how to play the guitar.

Kids’ Open Mic

October 18, 3:30—5 pm

The Bagel Place, 404 Queen St.

 

Music Monkey Jungle hosts its first kids’ open mic afternoon. Registration and snack starts at 3:30 pm, then mic time starts at 4 pm. Musical material must be selected, practiced, and ready for stage time. All are welcome, but performers must be ages 5-17.

Eyewitness Nature

October 18, 4 pm

Queen Memorial Library, 1201 S. 23rd St.

 

Get up close and personal with nature at this educational workshop led by Bartram’s Garden staff. For school aged children up to 13 years old.

Trunk or Treat

October 18, 5—7 pm

2716 South St.

 

American Heritage Credit Union hosts a Trunk or Treat event. Wear your costumes, play games, enjoy treats, and more.

Friday

Baby Bird Playdate at Philadelphia Museum of Art

October 19, 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: Halloween Fun at Ryerss

October 19, 10:30–11:30 am

Ryerss Museum and Library, Burholme Park, 7370 Central Ave.

 

Get in the holiday spirit with a free seasonal storytime for kids age 5 and under with a caregiver.

Family Science Exploration

October 19, 3:30 pm

Philadelphia City Institute, 1905 Locust St.

 

Learn about sound, magnetism, balance, air, and more through simple interactive experiments.

Play Without Boundaries at Please Touch Museum: ‘Thomas and Friends’ 

October 19, 5–7 pm

4231 Avenue of the Republic

 

The museum will host a special after-hours Play Without Boundaries event so visitors with autism, learning differences, or other sensory and communication needs can experience the Thomas and Friends exhibit in a sensory-friendly atmosphere with fewer crowds, lower noise effects, and dimmed lights. The event is free to children and their families; pre-registration is required.

MoshuBOO

Fridays through Sundays from October 5—28, 5—9 pm

Moshulu, 401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

 

The iconic Moshulu transforms into a pirate ship for a family-friendly celebration featuring costumed characters, spooky tours, an on-deck pumpkin patch, treats, and more! Tickets available online.

Twilight Tours at One Liberty Observation Deck

Fridays through Sundays from September 21—October 28, 5 pm and 6 pm

1650 Market St.

 

Exploring Philadelphia’s haunted history with this themed tour from the 57th floor. Learn about where to ghost hunt!

Family Movie Night at Starr Garden: ‘The Incredibles’

October 19, 5–9 pm (food trucks at 5pm, movie at dusk)

600 Lombard St.

 

Food trucks start at 5 pm, movie starts approximately 15 minutes after sunset.

Spooky Mini Golf at Franklin Square 

October 19, 6—9 pm

200 N. Sixth St.

 

Franklin Square’s Philly-themed mini golf is transformed into spooky fun for the Halloween season with fog, lights, music, and surprises!

Chestnut Hill Movie Under the Stars: ‘Beauty and the Beast’

October 19, 6 pm (movie at 6:45 pm)

Water Tower Rec Center, 209 East Hartwell Lane

 

Bring your family and your blankets. Snack bar opens at 6 pm, then the movie starts at 6:45 pm.

‘Coco’ in the Park

October 19, 6:15–8:15 pm

Powers Park, Almond St. and E. Ann St.

 

Bring your family and blankets for Coco. Movie begins at dusk.

Spooky Overnight at the Zoo

October 19, 5:30 pm—October 20, 9:30 am

3400 W. Girard Ave.

 

Kids ages 6 and up (with chaperone) can experience the zoo like they’ve never seen it before with animal keeper meet-and-greets, late-night hike, crafts, activities and so much more! Pre-registration is required.

‘Moby-Dick’ Marathon Reading Begins at Independence Seaport Museum

October 19, 7:30 pm—October 20, 8 pm

The Schooner Diligence outside Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd.

 

Various Philadelphians will read Herman Melville’s classic novel over a 24-hour period on the board of a historic ship. This collaboration with between the Rosenbach and Independence Seaport Museum will feature a boatload of food and fun activities for all ages. Buy tickets in advance and come and go as you please throughout the reading.

Weekend Events

Get all our weekend picks in the High Five, here!

Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.