30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week...Virtually! (July 13-19)

30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week…Virtually! (July 13-19)

Coronavirus cabin fever? We're here to help.

July 13, 2020

Have some fun at home with our roundup of this week’s virtual activities! Stay safe (and cool) indoors!

Go straight to: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday WEEKEND

All Week

IRL

It is surreal that this is even a section, but things are reopening (yay!) so don’t miss out on:

Philadelphia Zoo (advance tickets required)
Elmwood Park Zoo
Outdoor Beer Gardens in Philly that welcome your kids! (including a new Parks on Tap location at Water Works!)
Franklin Institute (read all about their new Presidents exhibit in our reopening preview)
Gardens and Arboretums on the Main Line and beyond
Franklin Square (mini golf, carousel rides, fountain shows, and more await you at the newly reopened park!)

Summer Reading

Stay busy (and beat summer slide) with virtual summer reading programs in Philly and on the Main Line.

Snapology Online Camp: Superheroes

Monday-Friday, 1 pm

Kids will spend the week design their own superheroes using LEGO bricks and will create their own adventures and comic strips. For ages 4-14. Pre-register online for the whole week, or for individual days.

Mac’s Book Club Show with Author Mac Barnett

Weekdays at 3 pm

Book reading and discussion every day on the author’s Instagram at 3 pm.

Nightly Met Opera Streams

Daily at 7:30 pm

Stream a different opera on the Metropolitan Opera’s website each night!

Monday

Advocacy 101 for Teen Girls Webinar

July 13, 10 am

Advocacy 101 for Teen Girls Webinar is an advocacy and fundraising webinar designed for the passionate young activist. For girls ages 13 to 17, this class begins with an introduction to the policy-making process then explores the ways to advocate and issue campaigns. The class concludes with fundraising planning. Pre-registration required online.

Music Play Patrol

July 13, 10:30 am

Music Play Patrol will livestream free classes via Zoom with Bala Cynwyd Library. Pre-registration required online.

Tots Circus Class

July 13, 10:30 am

Kids ages 3-5 can get moving with a class from Philadelphia School of Circus Arts! Pre-register online and join on Zoom.

Virtual Storytime with Mother Goose

July 13, 10:30 am

Listen to stories and rhymes, and sing songs with Mother Goose live. Free; pre-register online.

Stories with Princess Anna

July 13, noon

Join the the “Snow Sister” free on Facebook as she reads stories, answers questions, sings songs, and more!

Merge Dance on Facebook

July 13, 1 pm

Ms. Christa joins Gladwyne Library with stories and dance for kids.

Virtual Yoga for Children with Ms. Danielle

July 13, 3 pm

Virtual yoga class on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/FLPYouthServices/) for kids, offering a safe environment to play, explore and experience the wonderful benefits of yoga, including grounding, self-expression, balance, and flexibility.

Kensington Library Minecraft Club

July 13, 3–5:30 pm

For ages 8 and up. Up to eight players can play together on Kensington Library’s Minecraft Realm. For login details and Realm access contact the Kensington Neighborhood Library at underhilla@freelibrary.org

Virtual Read Aloud and Write

July 13, 3:30 pm

Listen to a fun read-aloud book along with suggestions and samples of writing activities kids can try at home. Videos are posted on Mondays on the Katharine Drexel Branch Library Facebook page.

PHS Beginner Food Growing Workshop Series

July 13, 4 pm

PHS hosts a free Zoom webinar to teach you how to grow food from home! It’s great if you’re thinking about participating in Harvest 2020 and need to get started.

Music Play Patrol: Bucket Drumming

July 13, 4 pm

Grab a bucket, trash can, recycling bin…anything from home that can be used as a drum, and learn the basics of drumming and rhythm. Free; pre-register online.

Kids’ Circus Class

July 13, 4:15 pm

Kids ages 5-8 can get moving with a class from Philadelphia School of Circus Arts! Pre-register online and join on Zoom.

Ask a Naturalist

July 13, 5 pm

Tune in via Zoom to hear fun facts based on your questions to Schuylkill Center naturalists.

Songs and Bedtime Stories with Rapunzel

July 13, 6 pm

Join Rapunzel free on Facebook as she reads stories, answers questions, sings songs, and more!

Storytime with Santa

July 13, 7 pm

Celebrate Christmas in July with this free Facebook live storytime with Santa, himself!

Tuesday

Spanish Storytime

July 14, 9:30 am

Learn some Spanish with your little one in this interactive, immersion-style Spanish storytime. Sing songs, dance, play games, and read a book.

Brickmasters Animation Club

July 14, 10 am

Join the library on their YouTube channel each Tuesday for a new video. Learn how to make stop-motion animations!

Free Yoga for Kids

July 14, 10 am

Join a free 45-minute class of kid-friendly yoga, breath work, relaxation techniques, music and dancing, and a special 5 – 6 minute Savasana meditation.

Settlement Kids: Live

July 14, 10:30 am

Keep your kids entertained, engaged, and connected with free music and dance shows brought right to your home by Settlement Music School. Their Playshop, Workshop, and Creative Movement teachers will get you dancing, singing, and smiling on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Free Storytime with Queen Elsa

July 14, 11:30 am

Join Elsa for free virtual storytime and sing-along on Facebook Live.

Parent and Child Preschool Snapology Class: Ocean Animals

July 14, noon

Parents and kids ages 3-5 will learn about animals and build some using LEGO or DUPLO blocks. Pre-register online.

New Parent Virtual Support Group

July 14, 1 pm

Kith + Kin’s new parent support groups are facilitated by trained doulas who help guide the transition into the new role of parenthood. Share stories, ask hard questions, and more. Pay what you can; join on Zoom via Kith + Kin’s website.

Water Creature Safari with John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

July 14, 1 pm

Join Ranger Wingyi on an exploration of the aquatic invertebrates of the refuge over Facebook live.

Christmas in July Special with Elsa

July 14, 2 pm

Join the Ice Queen for a Christmas in July special as she makes two Christmas ornament crafts and sings a special song on Facebook live.

Broadway Dance Teen Tuesdays

July 14, 2–3:15 pm

Music Theatre Philly’s teaching artist Miss Julianna will lead teens ages 13-18 in a dance number from a different musical each week. This week, it’s Six: The Musical. Pre-register online and join on Zoom.

Virtual Teen Cafe

July 14, 3:30 pm

Teens are invited to hang out, watch anime and movies, and play some games all while at that safe social distance.

Pajama Storytime with Haverford Township Free Library

July 14, 7 pm

Grab your jammies and a special friend and get ready for some stories before bed! Join free on Facebook.

Bedtime Stories with Rapunzel

July 14, 7 pm

Come and relax as the “Tower Princess” shares her story with you, as well as a couple more princess stories free on Facebook live.

Wednesday

NLM @ Home: Freedom Painting

July 15, 10 am

Join museum educators to learn about the everyday heroes, discuss how they have worked to secure liberty and get a sneak-peek at National Liberty Museum’s upcoming “Philadelphia’s Freedom” exhibit dedicated to highlighting our homegrown heroes. Then, create your own art that shows how you celebrate or protect not only your personal freedoms, but our communal freedom. Pre-registration is required. A Zoom link and password will be sent an hour before the lesson is set to start.

Snow Queen Storytime

July 15, 10 am

This interactive storytime for all ages is full of singing, engaging storytelling, and Elsa will respond to your child’s comments by name during the performance! Free, but you need to join the library’s Facebook group and register to be added to the event.

Tots Circus Class

July 15, 10:30 am

Kids ages 3-5 can get moving with a class from Philadelphia School of Circus Arts! Pre-register online and join on Zoom.

Elmwood Park Zoo’s Kamp Keeper

July 15, 11 am

Join EPZ educators every Wednesday on Facebook live as they share with you the ins and outs of taking care of some of the planet’s most unique animals. Topics include enrichment, exhibit design, and training wild animals.

Virtual Princess Storytime: Elsa

July 15, 11 am

Join Queen Elsa for a free online storytime. Join through the library’s Facebook group.

Penn Museum World Wonders

July 15, 11 am

Take a weekly trip around the world from the comfort of your own home! This week, play an interactive game that addresses stereotypes and misconceptions about China and Chinese culture. Best for school-aged children and their families. Free; pre-register online.

The Uncle Devin Show

July 15, 11 am

This interactive musical experience for children by renowned drummer Devin Walker will be shared on the library’s Facebook page.

Yoga@Play on Zoom

July 15, 11 am

Bond with your toddler through a yoga adventure, doing poses, mindfulness activities, and games. Free; pre-registration required online via Gladwyne Library.

Business 101 for Girls Webinar

July 15, 1 pm

Business 101 for Girls Webinar introduces girls ages 10 to 15 to basic business principles including the forms and types of businesses, business strategy, marketing, and finance. The student workbook includes a template for students to create a business and a business pitch. Students will participate in a second webinar next week to present their business to fellow participants who will form a panel of mock investors. Pre-registration required online.

Civics 101 for Girls Webinar

July 15, 4 pm

The Girls in Politics initiative introduces girls ages 10 to 15 the structure of the United States government, the state and federal electoral systems, and the ways that girls can become civically engaged in their communities. Pre-registration required online.

Kids’ Circus Class

July 15, 4:15 pm

Kids ages 5-8 can get moving with a class from Philadelphia School of Circus Arts! Pre-register online and join on Zoom.

Disney Trivia and Bedtime Story

July 15, 7 pm

Are your kids Disney experts? Find out during this brief trivia game followed by a bedtime story! Free; pre-register online.

Thursday

In Person: Parkway Pals Concert at Sister Cities Park

July 16, 11 am

18th St. and the Parkway

Guests of all ages are invited to relax on the lawn (6 feet apart, of course) as local singer-songwriter Andrea Nardello performs. Masks are required for adults and recommended for children over 2.

National Liberty Museum’s Read and Romp

July 16, 10 am

This week, read The Ugly Dumpling by Stephanie Campisi and do fun activities in this free Facebook Live event.

Virtual Museum Adventures at The Rosenbach

July 16, 10 am

read stories together and then embark on a virtual treasure hunt through the Rosenbach brothers’ glitzy Rittenhouse Square home to discover things that relate to the story. Craft activity instructions will be sent to participating families following the program so that kids can continue learning and creating. For ages 1-5. Free; pre-register online.

Settlement Kids: Live

July 16, 10:30 am

Facebook Live Fairytale Puppet Show

July 16, 10:30 am

Classic fairytales, fables, and stories will come alive in this magical performance free on Facebook live.

PlayArts Movement Lab (ages 4 and under)

July 16, 10:30 am

Join Ms. Margot on an exploration of basic movement and dance concepts. You’ll need some space to move around, and lots of energy. Join the free class on the PlayArts website.

Ocean Storytime with Ms. Frizzle

July 16, 11 am

Join Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus for an ocean adventure free on Facebook Live.

Consent for Kids Storytime

July 16, 11 am

In this Facebook live storytime, kids will learn about consent, boundaries, identity, and bodily autonomy through storytelling.

Trolls Dance Party

July 16, 11:30 am

In this one-day class, kids ages 6-10 will learn jazz dances and techniques all to the fun songs from Trolls World Tour! Pre-register online.

Parent and Child Preschool Snapology Class: Dinosaurs

July 16, noon

Parents and kids ages 3-5 will learn about dinosaurs and build some using LEGO or DUPLO blocks. Pre-register online.

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Virtual Support Group

July 16, 1 pm

Kith + Kin moves their group online so you can continue on your journey while you’re home. Facilitated by an international board-certified lactation consultant who can help answer your questions and provide tips for success, the group meets on Zoom (call-in info in the link in title); pay what you can over Venmo.

Hamilton Dance Class

July 16, 3 pm

In this virtual dance class for ages 8-13, students will learn the dance for “The Room Where it Happens.” Pre-registration required online.

Virtual Thursday Crafternoon

July 16, 4 pm

The Free Library will post a video every Thursday on their social media pages for Thursday Crafternoons! Miss Mary will share a story and then talk about a craft that relates.

Beyond Your Backyard: Explore African Culture

July 16, 4:15 pm

Each week, join Ms. Vasthy to explore different African cultures and learn how African influences have shaped the culture of that week’s city or country. Free; pre-register online.

Kiddo and Me Zoom Workout

July 16, 4:30 pm

Be Well With Beth’s classes give parents a full-body strength and flexibility workout using body weight, bands (or whatever you have laying around), and even your little one as resistance. Come for a great work out, stay for the play, social time, and conversation with other parents and kids! Plus, stay online at the end for an additional 15 minutes to discuss nutrition and meal planning with Beth, who is also a registered dietitian nutritionist!

Sing Along with Elsa

July 16, 6 pm

Be ready to sing and dance as the Ice Queen sings some songs from her many adventures free on Facebook Live.

Pajama Storytime

July 16, 6:30 pm

Listen to fun sleepytime stories in your pajamas, and don’t forget your favorite stuffed friend! Join via Lovett Memorial Library’s Facebook page.

Friday

Virtual Music and Movement with Parkway Central Library

July 17, 8:30 am

Join Ms. Naomi on Facebook live (ParkwayCentralChildrens) for Music and Movement! Enjoy songs, dancing, and fun exploring rhythm and movement. Can’t watch live? The program will be available on Facebook as a recorded video after the program. Intended for ages 2-7 years but all are welcome.

Broadway Dance with Music Theatre Philly (Ages 4-7)

July 17, 9:30 am

Dance to a different musical each week! This week, it’s “Ways to be Wicked” from Descendants 2. Pre-register online and join on Zoom.

Free Tots Circus Class

July 17, 10:30 am

Kids ages 3-4 can get moving with a free class from Philadelphia School of Circus Arts! Pre-register online and join on Zoom.

Hamilton Dance Class

July 17, 11 am

In this virtual dance class for ages 8-13, students will learn the dance for “The Room Where it Happens.” Pre-registration required online.

Broadway Dance with Music Theatre Philly (Ages 8-12)

July 17, 11 am

Dance to a different musical each week! This week, it’s “Good to be Bad” from Descendants 3. Pre-register online and join on Zoom.

Live Puppet Show with WonderSpark Puppets

July 17, 11 am

WonderSpark—a New York based mobile children’s theater—will be livestreaming one of their favorite puppet shows on Facebook!

Free Juggling for Kids and Adults

July 17, 11:15 am

Kids ages 8 and up can learn juggling in a free virtual class from Philadelphia School of Circus Arts! Register online and join on Zoom.

Facebook Live With Tiana

July 17, noon

Tiana will be telling stories, hosting a sing-along, leading a fun craft, and answering questions.

Trolls Dance Party

July 17, 1:30 pm

In this one-day class, kids ages 6-10 will learn jazz dances and techniques all to the fun songs from Trolls World Tour! Pre-register online.

Kensington Library Minecraft Club

July 17, 3–5:30 pm

Kidville’s Art With a Heart

July 17, 3:15 pm

Grow your compassion and heart through community art projects in Art with a Heart! Explore themes rooted in a weekly Do More Good Challenge that promotes kindness, connection, and community through story and hands-on art projects to spread love in your neighborhood. Free; pre-register online.

Parkway Central Library’s Virtual Bedtime Storytime

July 17, 6:30 pm

Mx. Kate is checking in with their stuffed animal friends, reading bedtime stories and folktales, and then ending storytime singing a lullaby or two. This program is intended for ages 8 and under, but all are welcome to join on Facebook.

Weekend Events

Saturday

Virtual Youth Saturday Art Class

July 18, 10 am

In this virtual workshop by Portside Arts Center, children will explore a variety of age-appropriate art techniques learning basic 2D and 3D art skills and create a new art project each week. Enroll in one class or a four-class pack.

Virtual Schuylkill Saturday

July 18, 10:30 am

Dive into a new topic each week with one of the Schuylkill Center’s environmental educators on Facebook Live. At the end, you’ll have an activity to continue your nature exploration at home as well!

PlayArts’ Family ArtLab

July 18, 10:30 am

Children will explore process-based art-making techniques using basic art supplies, recycled materials, and items on hand at home with Ms. Amanda. This class will emphasize the process of creating art together and learning through fun and easy lessons that are adaptable for all ages. Join class via PlayArts’ website.

Eloise Reads ‘Eloise’

July 18, 11 am

Join Eloise as she shares one of her adventures with you on Facebook Live!

Reading Terminal Market Virtual Ice Cream Festival

July 18, noon–4 pm

RTM’s annual Ice Cream Scoop is canceled, but ice cream fun is still virtual as vendors Beck’s Cajun Cafe, Fox & Son Fancy Corn Dogs, Loco Lucho’s Latino Kitchen, Famous 4th Street Cookie Company, and Molly Malloy’s demonstrate delicious ways to create unique and fun ice cream specialties at home. Tune in for demonstrations all afternoon!

Virtual Teen Artist Workshop

July 18, noon

This virtual workshop by Portside Arts Center is designed to help teens build a portfolio of work for school or personal use. The workshops will allow students to expand their artistic skill sets as well as to investigate their individuality and unique identities. They will create a new work of art each week. Pre-register online for one class or for a four-class pack.

Hamilton Dance Class

July 18, 2 pm

In this one-time class, kids age 8-13 will learn the original choreography to “The Room Where it Happens” from Hamilton.

Animal Crossing Club

July 18, 2—4 pm

Join Ms. Emily on Haverford Island and help her recreate HTFL in Animal Crossing on Saturdays from 2—4 pm. Hang out with other library friends, visit the Stop N’ Swap, and more at the virtual library. Bring items to swap with others, and share your item codes to have your art featured in the Art Corner! The day’s Dodo Code will be posted on Instagram and Facebook at 1:50 pm.

Tea Party Etiquette With Cinderella

July 18, 3 pm

Bring your teacups and napkins and get settled in for this fun, free visit with Cinderella as she teaches little ones etiquette for a proper royal tea party!

Bedtime Stories With Cinderella

July 18, 7 pm

Get cuddled up in bed and ready to drift off to sleep as you join Cinderella for two relaxing bedtime stories and a song on Facebook live.

Sisters of the Sea Storytime

July 18, 7 pm

Join the Little Mermaid and her six sisters for a free summer storytime on Facebook live. But beware, as the Sea Witch has been seen lurking around their Grotto!