30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: October 8--14

30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: October 8–14

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

October 7, 2018

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

Go straight to: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday WEEKEND

All Week

‘Thomas and Friends: Explore the Rails!’ Opens 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.

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 8—12, 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!

Monday

Indigenous Peoples Weekend at Museum of the American Revolution

Through October 8

101 South Third Street

Dancers from the Oneida Indian Nation will perform traditional Haudenosaunee social dances in authentic dress on the museum’s plaza throughout the day. The museum will celebrate indigenous peoples and cultures, in partnership with the Oneida Indian Nation. Educators in Revolution Place will lead hands-on art activities and storytelling about Philadelphia’s multicultural roots at a Discovery Cart.

Sea Turtle Awareness Weekend

Through October 8

Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ

Learn all about sea turtles and the Sea Turtle Conservancy that helps protect sea turtles in the wild. Say goodbye to the aquarium’s rehab and release sea turtle hatchling, Tyrion.

Member Morning Stroll at Philadelphia Zoo

October 8, 8:30—9:30 am

3400 W. Girard Ave.

Available only to members of Philadelphia Zoo, visit an hour before the zoo opens to the public for a more lowkey experience.

Bobblehead Doll Workshop

October 8, 10 am—1 pm

Sue’s Art Class, 2119 Spruce St.

Design and build your own crazy wobble sculpture of your favorite character in mixed media from scratch. Pre-register online. Ages 5 and up.

Stellafest

October 8, 3—8 pm

Pizzeria Stella, 420 S. Second St.

LOVE Award winner Pizzeria Stella celebrates nine years with a festival outside the restaurant. There will be face painting, carnival games, treats, a corn maze, pumpkin painting, and even a visit from the Phillie Phanatic! For adults, there will also be drink specials.

Tuesday

Music Monkey Jungle Free Session at Reading Terminal Market

October 9, 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.

Therapy Dog Storytime

October 9, 10:30 am

Queen Memorial Library, 1201 South 23rd Street

Have a meet and greet with Emily and Konig, a certified therapy dog handler and her Bernese Mountain Dog, and enjoy a dog-themed storytime. Afterwards, Emily will be happy to answer your canine questions and Konig will happily let you read to him.

Around the World with the Geography Lady

October 9, 11 am—noon

The Bagel Place, 404 Queen St.

Learn about the world with pictures, maps, stories, games, music, movement, crafts, and more. This event is geared towards children ages 1-4. Drop in for $12.

Family Night Slime and Pizza

October 9, 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!

Traveling Science Show: Electricity

October 9, 6:30 pm

Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. Library, 1935 Shunk Street

Children in grades K-8 will explore the properties of electricity and how it is used with the Franklin Institute.

Wednesday

Baby and Me Yoga

October 10, 9:30 am

Vault + Vine, 3507 Midvale Ave.

Enjoy baby bonding and a gentle, playful practice to move the body and clear the mind. Bring a mat for yourself and a blanket for baby. Pre-crawlers only. Drop-in for $18 (or you can buy a class card).

Jams! in the Park

October 10, 10 am

Dickinson Square Park

Meet in the park for stories, music, and a sensory activity.

Open Climb at Cecil B. Moore Library

October 10, 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.

Stroller Tour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

October 10, 11 am—noon

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

Introduce your baby to the world of art (or just enjoy a museum visit while your baby sleeps in the stroller, either way!) during this monthly family-friendly tour.

Teen Geekscapes Presents: Walking Dead Day

October 10, 3:30 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Room 108

Teens ages 12-18 are invited for zombie-themed giveaways, a contest to see who has the best zombie walk, and costume creation for the upcoming zombie prom.

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

October 10, 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.

Drag Queen Storytime!

October 10, 4–5 pm

Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Ave.

Brittany Lynn will share some incredible children’s books about diversity and self-love. Read all about the fabulous Drag Queen Storytime in our story.

Thursday

Drop-in Play and Storytime at Philly Art Center

October 11, 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

October 11, 10:30—11:15 am

2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

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.

Chinatown Night Market

October 11, 7—11 pm

10th Street between Arch and Vine Streets, and Race Street between 9th and 11th Streets

The streets will shut down with food, arts and crafts, and entertainment all evening.

Night Skies at the Observatory

October 11, 7—10 pm

Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.

This monthly stargazing event hosted by astronomer Derrick Pitts includes talks, Planetarium shows, hands-on astronomy activities, and continuous telescopic observing all evening, Free star maps will be provided to help on your quest, and there will be a cash bar for adults. Pre-registration is required.

Eagles Game on the Big Screen at Schmidt’s Commons

October 11, 8:20—11 pm

1001 N. Second St.

Come out and watch the Eagles take on the Giants on the big screen!

Friday

Baby Bird Playdate at Philadelphia Museum of Art

October 12, 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.

Kids’ Pumpkin Painting at Palumbo

October 12, 4—6 pm

725 S. 10^th St.

Come pick out a pumpkin and decorate it for the holiday! ColorWheels, the mobile studio based at Fleisher Art Memorial, will be on hand to help the little ones with their masterpieces. A $5 donation is suggested.

Whispers along the Wissahickon

October 12, 5—8 pm

Wissahickon Environmental Center, 300 Northwestern Avenue

This annual family-friendly fall celebration offers hayrides, face painting, live music, and more.

Members’ Night at Academy of Natural Sciences

October 12, 5—9 pm

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

For one night only, members get to go behind the scenes, and to floors and areas usually not open to the public! The museum will be full of fun experiments, demonstrations, and hands-on activities led by the museum’s scientists and educators. And don’t miss a very special Xtreme Bugs experience—a flashlight-lit exploration of the exhibit!