High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: August 3--4

High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: August 3–4

Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

July 31, 2019

Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

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

All Weekend

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.

Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival

August 1—4 (Children’s Performances on Saturday and Sunday)

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second St.

This annual festival showcases Philadelphia women playwrights with four days of shows. In the Young Audiences Studio, check out Margot and Mr. Fog on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This children’s musical talks about mental health from the perspective of Margot, a 9-year-old girl, as she and her dad battle their inner monsters. And if you’re bringing kids Saturday night but want childcare, there is a performance called The Big Idea Committee at 5 pm. This immersive and interactive theater experience features children’s music, and you can drop the littles off while you see an adult performance. Tickets available online.

Parks on Tap: Gorgas Park

July 31–August 4

6300 Ridge Ave.

Our favorite family-friendly beer garden comes to Roxborough. To celebrate, there will be a free concert at 7 pm on Saturday.

Shark Conservation Weekend

August 2–4

Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ

Interact and learn how we can conserve sharks worldwide and join in various shark activities with shark experts. Visit the Ocean Realm Panoramic window to spin the prize wheel for a chance to win special prizes. All proceeds received during the weekend will be equally donated to benefit AZA SAFE and OCEARCH. It’s all part of Adventure Aquarium’s Shark Summer, where you can see baby sharks for the first time, have shark dance parties, and much more.

Saturday

Philly Free Streets

August 3, 8 am—1 pm

North Broad Street

For five glorious hours this Saturday, August 3, Broad Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic from City Hall to Erie Avenue for Philly Free Streets. In place of cars, people are encouraged to come out to bike, walk, and play all morning. To add to the excitement, many cultural institutions and other organizations are getting in on the fun, and setting up activities along the route. From free museum admission to a 1500-square-foot beach, it’s going to be quite a morning! Here are our top family-friendly activities and intersections you’ll want to be sure to hit up with your kids.

Zoo Member Morning Strolls

August 3, 8:30—9:30 am

Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.

Beat the crowds (and the heat) and visit the zoo an hour early! Then stick around for a Rock n’ Roar concert!

Rock ’n’ Roar at the Philadelphia Zoo

August 3, 10–10:45 am
Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.

This fun morning concert series is a great reason to stop in at the zoo! The concert is included with zoo admission, and free for members.

The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier

August 3, 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.

Nature Tots

August 3, 10—11 am

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd.

Children ages 3-5 and an adult are invited to explore nature with a refuge ranger! Participants will enjoy storytime, crafts, hikes, and more! Free; registration is required: email Brianna_Patrick@fws.gov to reserve your spot.

Civil War Saturday

August 3, 10 am—3 pm

Fort Mifflin, 6400 Hog Island Road

Commemorate the Fort’s role as a federal prison during the Civil War with soldier’s life and medical programs, weapons and cannon demos, and guided tours. Tickets available online.

Summertime Cups and Bowls Clay Workshop

August 3, 10 am—noon

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

Learn the basics of handbuilding with clay and make a cup, bowl, or both. For ages 4-12 with a parent. Pre-register online.

Saturday Morning Cartoons for Teens

August 3, 9 am

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

Meet at the Field Teen Center for some early morning cartoon watching.

Teen Self-Care Saturday

August 3, noon

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

Teens (ages 12-18) explore efforts and crafts to help meet physical, emotional, and mental health needs.

Kids at Greensgrow

August 3, 11 am—noon

Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E. Cumberland St.

Students will learn about fresh water: where it comes from and how we use (and waste) it in everyday activities. This program is recommended for ages 5-10, and a parent is required to accompany their child during the class.

Nature Play Saturday

August 3, 10:30—11:30 am

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

Bring your family for a hike and unstructured nature play with representatives from the NaturePHL program. Climb, explore, and learn more about the many health benefits of outdoor activity. All ages welcome. No registration required.

Saturday Free Boating

August 3, 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.

Family Design Workshop and Free Paint at The Oval

August 3, 11 am—12:30 pm

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

An exciting workshop exploring the building blocks of architecture, design, and our city. Dive into the design process through stories and fun activities each week, so you can come again and again to work with others and build something amazing! Then stick around for Free Paint where participants are invited to paint freely and learn about color relationships and mark-making while creating a large-scale collaborative painting.

African Dance and Drum Program

August 3, 11 am—3 pm

Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. Third St.

Join representatives of the Odunde Festival as they teach the basic fundamentals of African dance and drum through an interactive workshop on the museum’s plaza.

Super Movie Saturdays

August 3, 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 Superman!

Sunday

Play Without Boundaries at Please Touch Museum

August 4, 9—11 am

4231 Avenue of the Republic

Enjoy the museum without the large crowds and the loud noises that may be challenging for children with sensory sensitivities. Online registration required.

Free Admission to Please Touch Museum

August 4, 11 am–5 pm

4231 Avenue of the Republic

PTM is hosting a free community day, sponsored by PECO. Free admission includes all activities, including access to the special exhibit “America to Zanzibar” and the stage performance of Pinch & Penny.

Art Splash Family Sunday

August 4, 10 am—5 pm

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission, pop-up performances, and other Splashy surprises. At 11:30 am, dance along with Philadelphia-based artists Lela Aisha Jones, Alex Shaw, Kwasi Burgee, Anssumane Silla, and Papa Ed Stokes on a rhythmic journey inspired by the African Diaspora.

PECO Free First Sunday Family Day at the Barnes Foundation

August 4, 10 am—5 pm

Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Celebrate summer with free admission, art making, storytimes, and live performances. Experiment with tie-dye techniques, make potholders and clay pinch pots, and more.

Doc’s Rock the Block Car Show

August 4, 10 am—2 pm

Doc Bressler’s Cavity Busters, 240 Geiger Rd.

This annual event includes food vendors, live music, raffles, and lots of cars on display. Benefits the Sunshine Foundation and Temple Dental Haiti Foundation.

Franklin Square Fun in the Sun-days

August 4, 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 4

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.

2nd Street Festival

August 4, noon—10 pm

Northern Liberties’ annual summer block party includes live music, art, crafts, games, street performers, and lots of food and drink.

Kid’s Sip N’ Paint at Cherry Street Pier

August 4, 1—3 pm

121 N. Columbus Boulevard

Kid’s Sip n’ Paint is led by published and televised Visual Artist, Event Producer and Graphic Designer, Flygirrl. She will lead the kids through painting a dynamic piece of art that the kids get to take home with them. Reserve your child’s canvas (and juicebox) online.

ACANA African Festival

August 4, 2—8 pm

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

This free, annual cultural event will involve six hours of nonstop music, food, games, and activities for the whole family.

Sundays on Stage: Two of a Kind

August 4, 2 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

The award-winning musical duo Two of a Kind present a family performance of imaginative songs about dinosaurs, pirates, reading, books, and more, with plenty of opportunities for audience participation.