30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: October 29-- November 4

30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: October 29– November 4

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

October 28, 2018

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

Go straight to: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday WEEKEND

All Week

Dia de los Muertos Workshops at SplashLab Arts

October 29–November 2

3510 Scotts Lane

Drop in and learn about this holiday by making a sugar skull in three ways: painting a rock, doing paper quilling, and making milk jug skeletons.

‘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!

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!

Terror Behind the Walls

September 21–November 10 (check their schedule)

Eastern State Penitentiary, 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue

Not for the very young or the faint of heart, this haunted attraction held in a historic prison stages six scary attractions. New for this year, “The Infirmary” looks to be super creepy, and interactive too—so don’t become a patient! Tickets can be purchased online or on site. This could be great for older kids, or for a unique date night. Family Nights are Sundays before 7:30 pm– kids get discounted tickets and if they don’t want any trouble they can say, “Monster Be Good!,” and they will!

Treats for Troops at Momo’s Treehouse

October 29—November 5

205 Arch St. and 2207 South St.

Both locations of Momo’s are collecting treats for Soldiers’ Angels to send to service members and veterans. Every child who donates will receive a coupon for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more. The stores will also have thank you note stations, where kids can decorate letters to send to troops overseas.

Monday

Story Jams

October 29, 10:30 am

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

Bring the little ones for a playgroup centered around play and positivity that includes storytime, music, dancing, and sensory exploration.

Read With a Dog

October 29, 4:15 pm

Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Ave.

School age kids – ages 6 to 12 – are invited to come read independently with Orchid, a certified therapy dog, and share a new book or an old favorite in a judgment-free space.

Halloween Family Fun Night…with Snakes

October 29, 5:30 pm

Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave.

Make Halloween crafts, having a reptile party with real snakes, and then enjoy some Halloween treats at the end!

Christian Street YMCA Spooktacular

October 29, 6–8 pm

1724 Christian St.

Wear your Halloween costumes for a night of candy, games, arts and crafts, and more. Free for members, $5 for non-members.

Scary Story Festival

October 29, 6:30 pm

Fox Chase Library, 501 Rhawn St.

Come spin your spookiest tale at the library! Storytellers of all ages welcome.

Tuesday

Music Monkey Jungle Free Session at Reading Terminal Market

October 30, 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.

Baby Costume Storytime

October 30, 10:15 am

Charles Santore Library, 932 S. Seventh St.

Come dressed for Halloween storytime with songs and not-so-scary stories.

Halloween Preschool Party at Roxborough Library

October 30, 10:30 am

6245 Ridge Ave.

Celebrate with music, games, crafts, snacks, and more.

Not-So-Scary Storytime

October 30, 10:30 am

Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Ave.

Kids 3-5 can come in costume for seasonal stories and a treat.

Preschool Costume Parade in Rittenhouse Square

October 30, 10:30 am

18^th and Walnut (meet at Billy the Goat)

Meet at the goat for a costume parade around the park, and then a special Halloween storytime in the library (1905 Locust Street). In case of rain, the parade will also be in the library.

Halloween Storytime and Parade

October 30, 11 am

Charles Santore Library, 932 S. Seventh St.

A Halloween storytime for toddlers and preschoolers with costume parade around the library.

DIY Haunted Houses

October 30, 4 pm

Lillian Marrero Library, 601 West Lehigh Ave.

Make a spooky craft just in time for Halloween.

Tween Halloween Party

October 30, 4 pm

Independence Library, 18 S. Seventh St.

Celebrate with spooky games and tasty treats.

South Philadelphia Library Halloween Spooktacular

October 30, 4:30 pm

1700 S. Broad St.

Spooky crafts, treats, and fun to celebrate Halloween. All ages welcome, costumes encouraged!

Family Night Slime and Pizza

October 30, 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!

Organ and Orchestra Halloween

October 30, 7 pm

Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

Join the Philadelphia Orchestra in costume for this fun and irreverent night of “spooky” classical music. Stick around after the concert for the Kimmel’s signature “organ pump” experience—come up and lie down on stage to feel the vibrations from this king of instruments!

Wednesday

Halloween at the Academy of Natural Sciences

October 31, 10 am—4:30 pm

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Trick or treat all day! Each exhibit will have a small treat for you to take home and cool Halloween-themed specimens for you to check out. Enjoy a not-so-spooky storytime and meet a live animal at 11 am in the auditorium, then join in a costume parade in Dinosaur Hall directly afterward. Come in costume for $2 off admission.

Teen Zombie Prom!

October 31, 3 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

Music, costume contests, candy, prizes, riddles, and quest stations for ages 12-18.

Halloween at PlayArts

October 31, 3—5 pm

1241 N. Front Street

Ghoulish games, spooky sensory stations, and fiendish fun—plus $2 pizza slices to nourish your little goblins before they head out to trick-or-treat. Costumes strongly encouraged!

Frankford Monster Bash

October 31, 3—7 pm

Frankford Pause Park, 4671 Paul Street

Trick-or-treat from 3—5 pm, then stay for a Halloween movie.

Halloween Party at Kensington Library

October 31, 3—5:30 pm

104 West Dauphin St.

Pizza, prizes, Halloween candy, and games after school.

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

October 31, 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.

Wizard School Spooktacular (Ages 6 and up)

October 31, 4 pm

Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Ave.

Tricks and treats await as kids ages 6 and up make potions, crafts, and more. Space and supplies are limited – first come, first served.

Costume Parade and Trick-or-Treating at Parkway Central Library

October 31, 4:30 pm

1901 Vine St.

Come in costume after school for a parade and trick-or-treating around the library!

Halloween at Mario Lanza Park

October 31, 4:30–7 pm

235 Queen St.

It’s the park’s annual Toddler Halloween! Candy donations welcome so everyone can have some treats!

Spooktacular Science

October 31, 5 pm and 6 pm

Our House Culture Center, 6380 Germantown Ave.

Mrs. Candy from Perfect Playdates will be hosting two spooky science workshops. Stop by for your treat and enjoy the tricks!

Morris Animal Refuge Monster Mash

October 31, 5—7 pm

1242 Lombard Street

Stop by the shelter before trick-or-treating for candy for the kids, treats for the pups, a photobooth, and fun Halloween activities. Bring your furry friend decked out in their Halloween costume and enter the costume contest!

Halloween at Bartram’s Garden

October 31, 5—7 pm

5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

Come to the Bartram’s House for trick-or-treating.

Free Baby Wordplay Halloween Storytime

October 31, 5 pm

1942 Brandywine St. and 2227 Grays Ferry Ave

Costumes welcome for free Halloween stories and more at Baby Wordplay’s Fairmount and Grad Hospital locations.

Twilight Tours at One Liberty Observation Deck

October 31

1650 Market St.

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

Thursday

Drop-in Play and Storytime at Philly Art Center

November 1, 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.

Dance me a Story with Pennsylvania Ballet

November 1, 10:30 am

South Philadelphia Library, 1700 S. Broad St.

Listen, move, and learn at this special storytime with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Free and no registration required for children ages 3-6 and their caretakers.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party

November 1, 4 pm

Whitman Library, 200 Snyder Ave.

Come celebrate the release of Book #13 in the Diary of Wimpy Kid series with games, snacks, and a raffle to win a copy of this new book! For kids and teens.

Pop-up Archery Spooktacular

November 1, 4—6 pm

John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd.

Take your first shot at archery and learn a quick overview of the skills required to hit a bullseye. Families welcome with kids ages 8 and up. No registration or equipment required.

First Thursday at Fleisher Art Memorial

November 1, 5—7 pm

719 Catharine St.

Come share your family’s story through art and literature—make art with fun, interactive techniques, read together as a family, and leave with materials to do both at home.

‘Hocus Pocus’ at the Piazza

November 1, 7—9 pm

1001 N. Second St.

Make the Halloween magic last a little longer with the Sanderson Sisters! Bring your own chairs and blankets, and enjoy some free popcorn as you watch them run amok, amok, amok on the big screen!

Friday

Baby Bird Playdate at Philadelphia Museum of Art

November 2, 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 Morris Arboretum

November 2, 10:30 am – 11:45 am

100 E. Northwestern Ave.

A fun and engaging reading session celebrating the changing seasons. In the case of inclement weather, Storytime is held in the side tent or classroom at the Visitor Center.