30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week (November 2-8)

Stay safe, stay busy, and go vote!!!

November 2, 2020

Have some fun with our roundup of this week’s in-person and virtual activities!

Go straight to: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday WEEKEND

All Week

Get Ready for Election Day in Philly with these Activities

We probably don’t need to remind you, but Election Day is November 3. Whether you’re mailing your ballot in, voting early at City Hall or other satellite office, or voting in person, be sure to make a plan to make your voice heard! Once that’s taken care of, you may be looking for ways to discuss this crucial election with your kids, put it in perspective, or just have some relatively light-hearted fun as you count down the days. From art to history to cookies, we’ve got you covered.

Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens

Through November 15

1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square

Thousands of carefully nurtured and trained chrysanthemums are on display in Longwood Gardens’ Conservatory, including the Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum—a single plant bearing more than 1,000 sunny yellow blooms on a single stem. Plus, enjoy fountain shows, the Garden Railway, and more.

Linvilla Orchards Pumpkinland and Hayrides

Through November 8

137 West Knowlton Road, Media

A fall trip to Linvilla’s Pumpkinland is a tradition for so many families—from giant displays of pumpkins to hayrides to corn mazes to barnyard animals, and so much more. You can also reserve a private hayride just for your family.

Monday

Free Music Class with Miss Jill on Zoom

November 2, 10 am

Best for ages 0-5. Join preschool teacher and musician Miss Jill for music and silly fun! This free program lasts about 20 minutes. Pre-register online to get the Zoom link.

Free Online ‘From Head to Toe’ Kids Yoga

November 2, 10 am

Kula Yoga Kids hosts a free yoga class for ages 2-6. Pre-register online.

PlayArts’ PlayMusic Plus

November 2, 10:30 am

Each Monday PlayArts will introduce the theme of the week through song, dance, and play. So grab your musical instruments and materials (listed in event) to join! Register to get access to the class.

Our City, Your Orchestra: Marian Anderson House

November 2, 7 pm

Our City, Your Orchestra is a series of free online concerts performed by small ensembles, recorded without audiences at iconic cultural locations throughout the region. This week’s free virtual performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra streams online from the Marian Anderson House. Join on Facebook or the Philadelphia Orchestra’s website.

Tuesday: Election Day! Don’t forget to vote!

In Person: School’s Out Day Camp at Elmwood Park Zoo

November 3, 9 am-4 pm

1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown

Children ages 6-13 will explore habits and the daily lives of some of the zoo’s wild residents. Each day camp includes hands-on educational workshops, animal observations, animal meet and greets, crafts, and more. Pre-registration required.

Spanish Storytime

November 3, 9:30 am

Sing songs, play a game, and read a book in Spanish with Spanish Exploradores. Free on Facebook Live.

Kids Yoga Adventures with Jitterbugs (Ages 2-12)

November 3, 10 am

Join Ms. Amy from Jitterbugs Music and Movement, as she takes you on a yoga storytelling adventure which consists of a warm-up, adventure, and relaxation. During the story, children will work on 20-25 yoga postures. Registration required online. An email with the password and Zoom link will be sent on the day before the program.

Virtual Toddler Time with Unicorn Princess

November 3, 10 am

Join a unicorn princess on Zoom for songs, interactive dances, and storytime. Pre-register online.

Kiddo and Me Zoom Workout

November 3, 11 am

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!

At-Home Anthro: Painting Like Ancients

November 3, 1 pm

Join Penn Museum educators to explore how our ancestors unlocked the science of color. Then, create your own paint recipe using your ingredients found around your home. This 60-minute session is perfect for elementary to middle school kids. Free; pre-register online.

New Parent Virtual Support Group

November 3, 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.

Advocacy 101 for Teen Girls Webinar

November 3, 4 pm

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.

Pajama Storytime with Haverford Township Free Library

November 3, 7 pm

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

Wednesday

In Person: Roots with Ruark Outdoor Jam with Kith + Kin

November 4, 10:15 am

Smith Memorial Playground, 3500 Reservoir Dr.

Join Roots with Ruark at Smith Memorial Playground for an outdoor music class full of energy and excitement for ages 0-5. Ruark will provide individual, sanitized prop bags consisting of egg shakers, a scarf, a streamer, and a few kiddie instruments, but feel free to bring your own. Pre-registration is required online.

Elmwood Park Zoo Online

November 4, 10:30 am

Kids in grades K-3 can engage with a zoo educator on Zoom and learn about interesting animal artifacts and live animals. Free; pre-register online.

Creating Space: A Feeding and Parenting Support Group for Black, Indigenous, People of Color

November 4, 2 pm

A safe space to talk, be heard, listen, and find community. The focus is feeding and parenting, but all topics are welcome. Join on Zoom via Kith + Kin.

Virtual Superhero Party with Spider-Man

November 4, 6:30 pm

Join Ridley Library on Zoom for a free virtual party with Spider-Man! Pre-register in advance to get the link.

Thursday

Cloudy with a Chance of Science

November 5, 1 pm

Join John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge on Facebook Live for a free program on what clouds can teach us.

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Virtual Support Group

November 5, 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.

Virtual Thursday Crafternoon

November 5, 4 pm

Miss Mary will post a video every Thursday on the library’s Instagram (@freelibraryccd) for Thursday Crafternoons! She’ll share a story and then talk about a craft that relates.

Civics 101 for Girls Webinar

November 5, 4 pm

The Girls in Politics initiative introduces girls ages 10 to 15 to 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.

Franklin Institute’s Night Skies at Home

November 5, 7:45 pm

The Franklin Institute’s Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts invites stargazers of all ages to step outside and join him for a night sky tour from home– no telescopes needed!

Friday

Penn Museum Virtual Playdate: Feasting with Friends

November 6, 10 am

Take a close look at artifacts connected to mealtimes, chat with Museum educators, and participate in a live craft activity. Pre-register online.

Art Museum Virtual Playdate: Feast Your Eyes

November 6, 10:30 am

In this live virtual program, engage in playful discussions, sketching challenges, and other fun activities. Look at food-filled works of art, compare a historical kitchen to your own, sketch festive feasts, and create wacky surrealist recipes. For ages 4–7 and their grown-ups. Free; pre-register online.

In Person: Rothman Rink Opens at Dilworth Park

November 6, noon

1 S. 15th St.

Winter kicks off early with the opening of the ice skating rink at Dilworth Park, as well as the Cabin for treats and warm drinks, and the Wintergarden Maze for exploration and photo ops. At noon on opening day, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring healthcare workers. Read more details in our preview!

Community Organizing for Girls (Ages 12-17)

November 6, 4 pm

Teen girls will learn about community organizing and how it can be used as an effective tool for change. Students learn how to craft messaging that has impact, build a base of support, develop leadership teams, form coalitions with community partners, and plan events. Pre-registration required online.

In Person: ‘Fishtown Aesthetic’ First Friday Mural Event

November 6, 5 pm

1714 N. Mascher St.

Prism Studio will be hosting“The Fishtown Aesthetic” Mural Festival at Sharktown Wall all weekend. For First Friday, enjoy live music and open gallery doors for all to explore curated art. As the weekend goes on, the event also includes live mural painting, so be sure to come back!

Weekend Events

Rothman Rink Opens at Dilworth Park

November 6–February 28

1 S. 15th St.

Dilworth gets activated with the opening of Rothman Ice Rink and Cabin, and the Wintergarden Maze. The Cabin will feature a new, open-air layout and warm heat lamps—and as always a seasonal menu including a kids’ menu for little ones and cocktails for their grownups. In response to COVID-19 restrictions, a new online reservation system and limited rink capacity will be put in place for skating. The new online reservations system will provide safe contactless purchasing opportunities with scheduled timed, 90-minute skating sessions in order to control the rink capacity for skaters. Guests will be able to make an online reservation for their desired skate session and can print their tickets at home or use a QR code on their mobile device when they arrive at the rink.

‘Fishtown Aesthetic’ Mural Event

November 6-8

1714 N. Mascher St.

Linvilla Orchards Pumpkinland and Hayrides

Through November 8

137 West Knowlton Road, Media

A fall trip to Linvilla’s Pumpkinland is a tradition for so many families—from giant displays of pumpkins to hayrides to corn mazes to barnyard animals, and so much more. Don’t miss the not-so-scary hayride to the friendly Witch’s House! To manage crowds and ensure social distancing, timed tickets for Autumn Moon, Harvest, and Witch’s Hayrides are required to be purchased in advance. You can also reserve a private hayride just for your family.

Pierogi Festival

November 7-8

St. Nicholas Eastern Orthodox Church, 817 N. Seventh St.

Enjoy homemade pierogis and many other ethnic foods, a socially-distanced beer garden, and live music all weekend.

Saturday

CraftNOW Create 2020

November 7, 10 am-1 pm

Craft steps out of the studio and online this year to bring kids craft activities like monster heads in clay, dragonflies in wood, Swedish holiday gnomes and more. This year organizers are creating 500 take-home kits filled with craft activities! These will be available for pick-up at the locations (see link in title for map), or you can use your own supplies with this list. Free; register online.

Schuylkill Saturday: Self-Guided Nature Exploration for Families

November 7, 10 am

Schuylkill Center, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

Pick up a nature exploration kit at the Visitor Center and then hit the trails with your family to complete the activities inside. Dive into a different theme and collect a new explorer badge each week. Explorer kits can be picked up anytime between 10 am and noon. All ages welcome. No registration or fee required. Masks are required when picking up your kit.

Virtual Nature Tots with John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

November 7, 10 am

Join John Heinz NWR on Facebook Live for a storytime followed by nature explorations and a craft that you can make at home!

Virtual Cooking Class: Homemade Bagels and Flavored Cream Cheese

November 7, 10:30 am

Celebrate the weekend with brunch classics! Pre-register online.

Virtual Drag Queen Story Hour

November 7, 11 am

Veranda L’Ni will read stories to children in a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Participants will enjoy a story or two, sing songs, and dance! This program is ideal for kids ages 3-8 and their families. Join free on Facebook.

Virtual Princess Ball

November 7, noon

Enjoy singing, games, stories, and special surprises with eight magical princesses in this virtual party! Tickets available online.

South Bowl’s Fall Festival

November 7, 1-6 pm

19 E. Oregon Ave.

Support local artists and enjoy seasonal food and drink specials at South Bowl. The craft fair will take place in the parking lot. Vendors’ tables will be socially distanced, and patrons must wear a mask

Virtual Beginner Sign Language with Ariel

November 7, 4 pm

Join The Little Mermaid for some fun stories, a beginner sign language course, a song, and a live Q&A to finish the event. Pre-register online.

Sunday

Virtual PECO Family Jams: Clay Animals

November 8, noon

In this virtual family art workshop, Magic Gardens and The Clay Studio will show you how to create animal sculptures using simple techniques and self-drying clay. The event is virtual, but Craft Kits will be available at Magic Gardens (with the cost of admission,) and at The Clay Studio (at no cost) so you can follow along.

Sunday Fun Day at Awbury Arboretum

November 8, 2 pm

One Awbury Road

The Farm is always free and open to walk and explore – but on Sunday afternoons they have the goats ready to greet you, and Awbury staff on hand to answer your questions. This week there will also be Live Music by Joy Ike at 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm. Bring your own blanket or chairs!

Virtual Sundays on Stage: Inez Bartalier

November 8, 2 pm

Celebrate Haitian art and culture with multifaced performer Inez Bartalier, as she shares songs, stories, and rhythms from Haiti. This show will be shared live on Free Library of Philadelphia’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FLPYouthServices/).