Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend, like all the museum exhibits.

All Weekend

Bug Fest

August 10-11

Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

It’s the Academy of Natural Sciences’ annual celebration of insects! There will be scientist talks, live sciences demonstrations, crafts, storytimes, and even the Roach Races Grand Prix!

Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends at Morris Arboretum’s Garden Railway

August 10—11

100 E. Northwestern Ave.

 

Look for your favorite train characters among the whole steam engine gang from Sodor as they take over the Railway for the weekend.

The Gourd Banjo Project at Museum of the American Revolution

August 10—11

101 S. Third St.

 

Join the Handshouse Studio for The Banjo Project, which includes a hands-on display of gourd banjos and the process of making them. On Saturday at 2 pm, there will also be a performance by banjoist and fiddler Jake Blount in the museum’s Liberty Hall. Tickets included with admission.

Peach, Princess, and Pirate Weekend at Camden Children’s Garden

August 10—11, 1—4 pm

3 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ

 

. Children are encouraged to dress in their favorite princess or pirate costume to receive $1 off admission. Join the party with crafts (make a princess wand) and a treasure hunt.

The Oval+

Wednesdays-Sundays, through August 18

Eakins Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway; also see “blocks” at Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum, and Van Colln Park

 

This colorful transformation of Eakins Oval (and beyond, hence the plus symbol) brings four weeks of fun for all ages to the Parkway, from a beer garden for grownups to storytimes for little ones, and so much more. We’ll be sharing can’t-miss events below, but you can read our preview of the whole pop-up here!

Delaware River Waterfront

The Blue Cross RiverRink, Spruce Street Harbor Park, and Cherry Street Pier open full-time for the summer this weekend with skating, rides, food, and lots more family fun.

Parks on Tap: Dickinson Square Park

August 7–11

515 Tasker St.

 

Our favorite family-friendly beer garden comes to South Philly! There will be food, beer on tap, wine, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages in a festive outdoor environment featuring comfortable chairs and hammocks, and family fun!

Saturday

Pet Food Bowls on the Wheel

August 10, 10 am—noon

The Clay Studio, 137-139 N. Second St.

 

Learn the basics of working on the pottery wheel, and make a bowl for your pet. Classes are appropriate for children ages 4-12. Parents with children ages 4-7 work together on one wheel. Pre-registration is required.

The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier

August 10, 10 am—2 pm

121 N. Columbus Blvd.

 

Every Saturday, The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier will bring fresh, affordable food from area culinary entrepreneurs, and features some of Philadelphia’s best creative sellers, independent retailers, and visual and performing artists.

Storytime Yoga with Beth Heed

August 10, 10:30 am

1901 Vine St.

 

Yoga instructor Beth Heed from Oak and Acorn Wellness will host a class filled with stories, yoga, and fun for 2 to 5 year-olds and their caregivers.

Schuylkill Saturday: Nature Exploration for Families

August 10, 10:30—11:30 am

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

 

Gather in the Visitor Center before hitting the trails for a guided exploration. Each week explores a different theme. All ages welcome. No registration required.

Family Art Workshop: Clay Date

August 10, 10:30 am—noon (ages 4-7), 1—3 pm (ages 8-12)

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

In this class led by teaching artists, kids and their grown-ups discover how artists capture textures through clay relief. Additional tickets are required for this workshop.

Mindfulness and Family Fun at National Liberty Museum

August 10, 10:30—11:30

321 Chestnut Street

 

Learn mindfulness skills that foster self-regulation and compassion. Make tools to support a mindful way of being anywhere. All ages welcome. Register online.

Grow Up Great: Jams for Junior Jawns

August 10, 11 am—noon

Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

 

M’Balia Singley hosts a free hour of interactive fun where kids will sing, dance, and use their imaginations.

Family Design Workshop

August 10, 11 am—12:30 pm

The Oval’s “MAKE” block, in front of the Barnes Foundation (2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway)

 

Dive into the design process through stories and fun activities each week.

Family Fun Day at AAMP

August 10, 11 am–3 pm

African American Museum in Philadelphia, ​701 Arch Street

 

Perfect for ages 5 and up! Family Fun Day at AAMP will incorporate an exciting lineup of summer-themed interactive art-making activities. Plus the first 250 people get free museum admission.

Saturday Free Boating

August 10, 11 am—3 pm

Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

 

Kayak or rowboat on this quiet stretch of the Schuylkill River. No registration or boating experience necessary! Kayak excursions limited to 30 minutes, rowboat excursions limited to 45 minutes. All ages are welcome, minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Donut Making for Families with Federal Donuts Chef Matt Fein

August 10, noon—2 pm

Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine St.

 

Caregivers with children ages 5 to 12 are invited to learn how to make donuts from scratch with Philadelphia’s own Federal Donuts chef Matt Fein. Explore the ingredients and steps that go into the perfect batter and frying process. Then, get hands-on to glaze and decorate, using recipes adapted for home use. Enjoy generous samples and leave inspired to make your own versions! Tickets are required for this event.

2nd Saturday in Northern Liberties

August 10, noon—4 pm

North Second Street

 

From street art to live music, the neighborhood comes alive with family-friendly activities and specials in restaurants, galleries, shops, and outside.

Farm Explorer at The Oval

August 10, 1—5 pm

The Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy

 

Greener Partners’ Farm Explorer is a living, hands-on mobile farm that lets youth and families dig-in and connect with food from seed to plate.

‘Zootopia’ at Lightbox Film Center

August 10, 2 pm

3701 Chestnut St.

 

Come for a free screening of this exciting Disney movie, part of the theater’s free Family Matinee series. Register online to reserve your spot.

Read, Baby, Read: Baby Massage with Tiffany Silliman Cohen

August 10, 2 pm

Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd St.

 

Learn infant and pediatric massage through song, story, and hands-on interactive skills. Bring a blanket and anything you may need to take care of you and your 0-2 year old. Registration is required—call 215-685-7422, or email SmithNA@freelibrary.org.

Babysitting Night at Lilypad

August 10, 5—8 pm

1234 S. Broad Street

 

Enjoy an adult night out while your kids play and eat dinner. Advance payment is required. Kids must be at least 18 months old. You don’t need to be a Lilypad member to participate.

Shooting Stars and S’mores

August 10, 8—10 pm

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

 

Explore the night sky during the summer’s most spectacular meteor shower, the Perseids. Use a telescope to see the moon and stars up close, locate constellations using star maps, and enjoy s’mores by the campfire. Pre-register online. Program is rain or shine; in case of severe weather, there will be indoor activities.

The Ghostly Circus: Tides of the Climates

August 10, 8—11 pm

Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave.

 

For the sixth year, The Ghostly Circus will enliven the grounds of historic Laurel Hill Cemetery with a delightful evening of site-specific fire and aerial theater performance. Tickets available online. BYO blankets and/or chairs.

Super Movie Saturdays

August 10, 8:30 pm

Franklin Square, Sixth and Race streets

 

As part of Franklin Square’s Summer Splash, there will be free movie screenings every week in August. Movie begins at approximately 8:30 pm, but come early to buy some movie snacks at the square. Every week will be a superhero movie—this week is Shazam!

Sunday

Jamaica’s 57th Independence Celebration and Bob Marley Tribute

August 11, 10 am–8 pm

LOVE Park, 15th and JFK

 

Enjoy live music, including kids’ singing contest, and more to celebrate Jamaican culture at LOVE Park.

Make Your Own Puppet

August 11, 10 am—2 pm

Liberty Lands Park, 913 N. Third Street

 

Company Aiello is hosting workshops in puppet construction using recycled materials. By working with what is typically seen as trash, learn to build a world that is a little more sustainable, and to think more about what we toss out. Fun for the whole family! All materials are provided: newspaper, tape, and an assortment of other found objects. Pay what you can, $10 suggested.

Franklin Square Fun in the Sun-days

August 11, 11 am—6 pm

Sixth and Race streets

 

Franklin Square hosts lawn games, musical chairs, bocce, and volleyball on the Great Lawn with fun for all ages, and prizes. Plus, yoga at 11 am, Storytime with Mother Goose from noon to 2 pm, and daytime fountain shows from noon to 2 pm.

Sundays with PopUp Play

August 11

11:30 am—12:30 pm at Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Blvd.

3–4 pm at Piazza Pod Park, 1069 Germantown Ave.

 

Each week, enjoy a variety of free, themed, kid-friendly activities the whole family will love. From building catapults and forts to special sea creatures, this interactive program celebrates the magic of play through art, music, and science.

PECO Family Jams: Acetate Sun Catchers

August 11, noon—4 pm

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.

 

In conjunction with their current exhibit, “Justin Tyner: Light as Memory: Recollections through Stained Glass,” which combines discarded bottles and stained glass recovered from abandoned Philadelphia churches, Magic Garens will guide families in making sun catchers out of colored acetate. Justin will also be on hand to give a live demonstration of his stained glass techniques.

Let’s Rock Recess!

August 11, 2—7 pm

The Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

A kids DJ dance party in the beer garden of The Oval! There will be games, dancing, prizes, and more! Plus, have fun at the pop-up park all day!

Fishing with Friends

August 11, 3—6 pm

Pier 68

 

Fishing with Friends enables youth and adults to work with the MidAtlantic’s team of experts and professional anglers to learn about fishing fundamentals and strategies while being educated about the health of the Delaware River.

SOSNA Summer Concert Series

August 11, 5 pm

Triangles at Grays Ferry, 2235 South St.

 

Enjoy live music by Ami Yares, soft serve, and food trucks with family and friends.

Theatre in the X presents ‘The Beast of Nubia’

August 11, 5 pm

Malcolm X Park, 52^nd and Pine streets

 

Theatre in the X presents a free performance of The Beast of Nubia, a grand adventure filled with romance and excitement. Bring your own chair.

 

 

 

Photograph by Jeff Fusco, courtesy of Academy of Natural Sciences.