Best for ages 8 and up, this interactive and immersive virtual theatrical event has gained a worldwide audience with virtual motel guests “checking in” from around the world. Limited to only 21 audience participants nightly, who check into virtual “rooms”, this wildly inventive exploration of the possibilities of live theater and the magic of cinema explores what connects us and is broadcast live and online from a small room in a village in South America. Tickets available online. Due to its highly visual and playful aesthetic, Zoo Motel has been very popular with families and youth audiences ages 8 and up and will be presenting 2 pm matinees all weekends in January.

 

Join Miss Mel in learning some ultra- cool and magical Unicorn Yoga poses from the book Unicorn Yoga by Gina Cascone, Bryon Williams Sheppard, and Jennifer Sattler. Feel free to wear your magical sparkles and glitter, and join free on Facebook Live. Best for ages 5 and up.

Casey Cooks with Kids

January 25, noon

 

Come make a wonderful food creation with Ludington Library’s Miss Casey on Facebook Live.

 

Join Ms. Amy from Jitterbugs Music and Movement, as she takes kids age 3 and up on a yoga storytelling adventure that consists of a warm-up, the adventure, and relaxation. During the story, children will work on 20-25 yoga postures. Free; pre-registration is required, and an email with the Zoom link will be sent the morning of the program.

Frozen Dance Party

January 26, 11 am

 

Join Springfield Township Library over Zoom to sing and dance to your favorite Frozen songs! You can even stop by the library to pick up a gift bag containing crafts that you can work on at home (while supplies last). Free; pre-register online.

 

Buzi, often called Mandarin squares, are patches of fabric, or badges, that were sewn onto the clothing of important people in China during the Qing dynasty. Learn how animals, colors, and symbols were embroidered to create beautiful designs representing the wearer’s rank, similar to medals on military uniforms. Follow along to design and make buzi that are meaningful to you. This 30-minute session is free, and perfect for elementary and middle school kids. Pre-register online.

 

After the success of their holiday drive-thru this year, Sesame Place is doing it again with another illuminated drive-thru to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Drive through the bright and colorful birthday scenes, listen to energetic tracks from the popular Neighborhood Birthday Party Parade, and wave to Sesame Street friends dressed in their birthday best! Weave through birthday lights, venture through an illuminated cake of frosted fun, and wave to furry friends atop their birthday-themed floats. Timed tickets are required in advance.

 

This beginner hip hop class is designed to introduce kids ages 7-12 to the field of dance in a fun and exciting way. Coach Helen will lead athletes step-by-step through fun choreography creating a full dance routine virtually. Enroll in the whole session, or drop in for $15. 

 

Discover real and mythical animals from traditional stories and gain inspiration to create your own legendary creatures. Complete hands-on activities that introduce the 12 animals from the Chinese Zodiac, guide you through making intricate paper cuttings, inspire you to cook a favorite recipe, and more! Plus, hear from an international educator about their special holiday traditions. Designed for students and families learning at home, this special day of activities includes three 30-minute live virtual sessions scheduled at 10 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm, along with digital activities that can be completed at any time. Registered families will gain access to a virtual classroom through Google and will continue to have access to the content for the remainder of the academic year. 

 

Join Pennypack Environmental Center online to discover facts about feathers, hearing and night flying; plus get a close up look at owl wings, feathers, and talons. Free; registration required to receive the link for this program (email pec@phila.gov). To follow up, come to PEC on February 3 for an in-person owl walk.

 

In this virtual yoga class for families with kids ages 3-8, practice yoga postures, meditation and pranayama breathing while having fun. Pre-register online.

Tots Circus Class

January 27, 3:30 pm

 

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

Groundhog Day Storytime with Beto the Puppy

January 27, 4:30 pm

 

Beto the Puppy dreams he’s a rodent as he and Mr. Bruce read Groundhog Day by Margaret McNamara, and more!

 

After the success of their holiday drive-thru this year, Sesame Place is doing it again with another illuminated drive-thru to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Drive through the bright and colorful birthday scenes, listen to energetic tracks from the popular Neighborhood Birthday Party Parade, and wave to Sesame Street friends dressed in their birthday best! Weave through birthday lights, venture through an illuminated cake of frosted fun, and wave to furry friends atop their birthday-themed floats. Timed tickets are required in advance.

Fit4Baby

January 27, 6 pm

 

This virtual class will help you strengthen your body for all the changes it will experience during pregnancy. Classes are interval based, combining elements of strength training and cardiovascular exercises, along with stretching and balancing exercises. Pre-register online.

Princess Party with Elsa

January 27, 6:30 pm

 

Queen Elsa is making a royal Zoom visit to friends of Ridley Township Public Library. Join the Ice Queen for songs, stories, games, Q & A, and more. For ages 3 and up. Free; pre-register online.

Free Livestream with Ariel

January 27, 7 pm

 

Join Ariel free on Facebook Live for stories and songs before bedtime.

 

Elsa will take children on a virtual tour of the castle while telling some fun facts, then lead a sing-along and short storytime. Tickets available online.

Lion Dance Behind the Scenes

January 28, 6 pm

 

Join Penn Lions as they take you behind the scenes to show how they bring the lion to life for the traditional Lunar New Year performance in this virtual talk and demonstration. Free; pre-register online

 

This beginner hip hop class is designed to introduce kids ages 7 and up to the field of dance in a fun and exciting way. Coach Helen will lead athletes step-by-step through fun choreography creating a full dance routine virtually. Enroll in the whole session, or drop in for $15. 

Teen Cooking Class: Buffalo Wings

January 29, 4:30 pm

 

Teens will work step-by-step with a chef instructor over Zoom to create their own sweet or savory Buffalo Wings (baked or fried) and a homemade dipping sauce. Pre-register online.

In Person Chestnut Hill on Ice

January 29, 5-9 pm; and January 30, noon-6 pm

 

Chestnut Hill transforms into a winter wonderland this Friday and Saturday only with socially distanced ice-themed attractions including a pop-up iceless ice skating rink, live ice carvings, a designer-built yurt village, and more! Note: advanced tickets required for the rink; other attractions are free or pay-as-you-go.

 

The popular family-friendly beer garden benefiting Philly parks moves indoors! The 30,000 square foot indoor greenhouse space will provide ample opportunity for social distancing, and a space to enjoy fresh food, beers on tap, wine, and hot beverages. Reservations are strongly recommended, and masks are required. Read more in our preview.

 

Celebrate everyone’s favorite red monster, go on Elmo’s Balloon Scavenger Hunt, and enjoy the rest of Sesame Place with limited-admission weekend events. Tickets must be purchased in advance in your desired timeslot.

Saturday

Academy of Natural Sciences Naturally Awesome Days: Cold-Blooded Creatures

January 30

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Investigate the cold-blooded creatures that inhabit the dioramas in the museum, and learn what adaptations help them survive the winter. Take home a craft kit to make your own cozy turtle shell backpack! Free with admission. See our reopening guide for safety rules and tips.

Groundhog Day Celebration

January 30, 10 am

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge At Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd.

 

Learn about winter animals in an interactive storywalk, then grab a free snack pack and winter scavenger hunt!

Schuylkill Saturday: Self-Guided Nature Exploration for Families

January 30, 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.

Treecycling with Philly Goat Project

January 30, 10 am–noon

Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center, 3850 West Ford Road

 

Contribute $20 and your Christmas tree towards charity in support of the Philly Goat Project. Your tree will be eaten by the goats and/or turned into woodchips that help line the trails around Awbury Arboretum, the goats’ paddocks, or in parks around the city. Your donation will go towards the Philly Goat Project’s mission of using “Goats for the Greater Good” and providing free programming to our community.

Virtual PlayMusic Family: Dino Drummin’

January 30, 10:30 am

 

PlayArts goes virtual with their popular family music class for kids ages 5 and under. Grab your instruments, let out a rawr, and stomp on over to Teacher Sydney’s Dinosaur Drummin’ PlayMusic Family class. Move your bodies like dinosaurs, shake your dinosaur eggs, and sing some prehistoric songs. Pre-register online; sign up for the whole session, or drop in.

Storytime in the Wintergarden

January 30, 11 am

Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.

 

The Wintergarden at Dilworth Park welcomes families on Saturday mornings for a free storytime, featuring guest readers and special weekly themes. This week, local author Stephany Coakley will debut her first published children’s book, Tye the Dreamer! The inspiring story is about a daddy’s girl with a big heart and bigger dreams. Best for kids ages 2-8.  Be sure to mask up and maintain social distancing.

Belle Brunch at Germantown Garden

January 30, 11 am

1029 Germantown Ave.

 

This socially-distanced dining experience is perfect for kids of all ages who love Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Ticket includes 90 minutes at a private, exclusive, and heated igloo just for you and your immediate family members, a safe and socially-distanced photo opportunity, songs from the princess story, a grand entrance, and dessert! Brunch is pay-as-you-go. Reservations are required.

 

Normally, we love the RiverRink’s Storytime in the Lodge, but this year they’ve reimagined their Philly famous Wintertime story hour. So join Mr. Frank and friends every Saturday through January at 11 am via the Winterfest Facebook page for music, song, and dance, and marvelous tales from the safety and comfort of your home. Cozy up with cocoa, a cookie, and a toasty blanket, and get ready for a fun time online.

Virtual Zoom Playdate with Ariel and Moana

January 30, 11 am

 

Join two Disney princesses on Zoom for storytime, sing-along, crafts, and Q&A. Tickets available online.

Chestnut Hill on Ice

January 30, noon-6 pm

 

Chestnut Hill transforms into a winter wonderland this Friday and Saturday only with socially distanced ice-themed attractions including a pop-up iceless ice skating rink, live ice carvings, a designer-built yurt village, and more! Plus, meet Frozen‘s Elsa and Anna and take pictures at 150 East Evergreen Avenue from 3-5 pm. Note: advanced tickets required for the rink; other attractions are free or pay-as-you-go.

Virtual Family Cooking Class: Homemade Baked Egg Rolls

January 30, 2 pm

 

Make simple homemade egg roll dough from scratch, cook up some veggie fillings, and make a dipping sauce, too! For ages 5-15. Pre-register online.

Virtual Bedtime Stories with Alice

January 30, 7 pm

 

Join Alice in Wonderland on Facebook Live for a virtual storytime before bed.

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Sunday

Virtual  Free Valentine Make-in

January 31, 10 am

 

Join teaching artist Mindy Flexer and Weaver’s Way Co-Op to make valentines! All ages are welcome. Younger children should have an adult companion. Free; pre-register online. A Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the event.

Virtual  Crafting for the Climate: Birdseed Cakes

January 31, noon

 

Grab some household materials and build a useful, eco-friendly craft with Academy Educator Amy Hoyt. Recommended for ages 5–9; younger guests welcome with parental assistance. 

Virtual Kids’ Parkour

January 31, 1 pm

 

Are your kids climbing walls and jumping off the furniture? This class will teach them how to do that safely and appropriately. This class teaches the fundamentals of parkour and free-running inside. For kids ages 8-12. Pre-register online.

Virtual Kids’ Baking Class: Confetti Sprinkle Cookies

January 31, 3 pm

 

In this class, kids will measure, mix, cream, shape, and bake up colorful sprinkle cookies from scratch, step-by-step with a chef instructor over Zoom. Tickets available online.