High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: February 16--17

High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: February 16–17

Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

February 12, 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

Mythic Creatures Opening Weekend

February 16—18
Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Premiere the museum’s newest special exhibit, “Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids.” Learn the history of your favorite cryptid beasts and the real animals that influenced their stories. There will be live animal shows, hands-on science, and even a “unicorn poop” slime activity! Plus, a special sleepover for older kids! See our preview of the exhibit!

American Girl Live

February 14–17
Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

Your kids are sure to want to bring their beloved dolls along for a musical stage show. As bold tales of bravery and friendship come to life, iconic American Girl characters lend a hand through story and song. VIP packages are available, including access to the Pre-Show Party, photo ops, and more.

Presidents Day Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution

February 16 — February 18
101 S. Third St.

Visit the “Hamilton Was Here” exhibit and try on 1790s clothing to visit a recreated scene from George Washington’s first presidential home. To coincide with the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention, get your own (temporary) Revolutionary tattoo of Washington’s star at the museum’s replica privateer ship.

On Sunday, February 17, you can have Breakfast with George Washington in the Museum’s Liberty Hall, which includes a meet-and-greet with a Washington historical interpreter, as well as a delicious breakfast buffet.

Presidents Day at National Liberty Museum

February 16 — 18, 10 am — 5 pm
321 Chestnut St.

Learn how our nation’s leaders have shaped the past, present, and future of freedom. Look at the museum’s collection of authentic White House china, then exercise your creativity to make your own china pattern. On Monday, February 18, the museum will be offering pay-as-you-wish admission, and will have presidential trivia at 1 pm and 3 pm — test your knowledge and win prizes!

Sea Turtle Awareness Weekend

February 16—18
Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ

The aquarium hosts a weekend of turtle-themed education activities to raise awareness and money for the Sea Turtle Conservancy. For $99 you can even go behind-the-scenes for a special sea turtle encounter.

Shen Yun

February 8–March 3

Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.

Featuring classical Chinese dance, patented scenographical eﬀects, and original orchestral works, this production is colorful, dramatic, and spectacular.

Swing @ The Kimmel

January 14–February 24 (excluding Tuesdays); weekdays beginning at 5 pm, weekends beginning at noon

Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

Part art installation, part virtual reality, Swing is a free and interactive experience that blends cutting-edge technology and imaginative designs. For ages 10 and up.

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

November 23—March 3, 2019

101 S. Columbus Blvd.

Come to skate, come to party in the cabins, come for the fun and food. This rink is a Philadelphia favorite for a reason. This year, it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary, and has lots of fun events planned throughout the season– read all about it in our preview!

Winter in Dilworth Park: Rothman Rink and Wintergarden

Through February

Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15^th St.

Skate on the Rothman Rink in the shadow of City Hall and run through the fantastical Wintergarden Maze! Warm up in the Cabin with some snacks and cocoa after!

Saturday

Battle for the Ages: Pirate vs. Viking

February 16
10—11 am at Independence Seaport Museum (211 S. Columbus Blvd.); 1—2 pm at Franklin Institute (222 N. 20th St.)

Spanning the length of one day, follow the battle as Pirate and Viking duel on two different battlefields, looking to claim once and for all domination of Philadelphia!

Butterfly Love Fest

February 16, 10 am—5 pm
Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavillion, 8046 Frankford Ave.

The Insectarium will be transformed into a Valentine’s themed carnival for kids. There will be games and prizes, arts and crafts, live music, face painting, and much more! Tickets available online or at the door. Each admission comes with twenty tickets to play the carnival games; additional tickets will be available for purchase at the museum.

Maple Sugaring Day

February 16, 10 am—2 pm
Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway

See how to tap sugar maple trees to make maple syrup and candy. There will be tours, demonstrations, and activities for kids.

Puppet Making Workshop at Arden Drama School

February 16, 10 am—noon (Grades K-2) or 2—5 pm (Grades 3-5)
Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second St.

Your kid will be guided through the process of “page to stage” as they take an idea and then bring it to life in this crafty class. At the end of the workshop, students will leave with their very own puppet! Register online.

Arden Bookworms

February 16, 10—10:45 am

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street

Kids ages 2-4 will hear a story and then use theater games, music, and creative movement to bring it to life. Pre-register online.

Read and Romp: ‘One’

February 16, 10:30—11:30 am
National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.

This week’s story illustrates the power that one person (or color!) can have and shows the impact of a single action. Kids ages 2-6 and their caregivers will hear the story, then play games and do a craft related to the story and its message. Tickets available online.

Schuylkill Saturday: Nature Exploration for Families

February 16, 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.

Kids’ Story and Yoga: Feelings

February 16, 11 am—noon
A Novel Idea on Passyunk, 1726 E. Passyunk Ave.

Sound Speech Therapy and Wellness and Little Yoga Collective present a class that will give kids a safe environment to play, explore, and experience breath as a tool to help balance emotions. Tickets available online.

Tacony LAB Art Club for Kids

February 16, 11 am—2 pm (Toddler Time from 11 am—noon; Ages 5 and up from noon—2 pm)

6918 Torresdale Avenue

On Saturdays, the Tacony LAB holds free art activities for kids. Stop in to draw, paint and create! Mural Arts Philadelphia teaching artists lead Art Club meetings, organizing projects and developing creative skills. 11 am to noon will be toddler time for ages 2-4; then noon to 2 pm will be for ages 5 and up.

Storytime at the Lodge

February 16, 11:30 am—12:30 pm

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

Listen, Learn and Play will lead interactive activities and music, along with some stories. Light snacks and hot chocolate will be provided for the kids.

If I Had a Boat…

February 16, noon—3 pm
Smith Memorial Playground, 3500 Reservoir Dr.

Bartram’s Garden just gifted Smith Memorial Playground boats! Come for storytelling, coloring, building with boats, and the chance to share your ideas for how to use the new boats!

Philadelphia: The Changing City Community Day

February 16, 1—6:30 pm
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

The Free Library hosts an afternoon of adult-focused programs, as well as activities for children, t connect with our city’s past, present, and future. Activities include storytimes, crafts, adult discussions, Black History Month events, performances, and more.

‘Mae Among the Stars’: Mae Jemison in Outer Space

February 16, 3 pm
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd St.

Learn about Mae Jemison’s space trip, and make outer space slime for a hands-on lesson about stars and planets!

Little Night Out at Three Queens Yoga

February 16, 5:30—8:30 pm

410 Monroe St.

Reserve your spot and drop your kids (ages 4-12) off at Three Queens for an evening filled with yoga, mindful activities, pizza dinner, and crafts taught by founders of the Little Yoga Collective. Plus, if you make a reservation (on the Resy app) at Cry Baby Pasta for your date night, enjoy a complementary dessert when you mention Little Night Out.

Sunday

Free Adaptive Ice Skating at RiverRink

February 17, 9:30—10:30 am

Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Blvd.

Bring family and friends to enjoy free instructive skate lessons for those with mobility restrictions. Participants will work with rink staff to learn sled skating skills. All ages. First come, first served.

‘Sweet Dreams’ Family Art Studio and Tours

February 17, 10:30 am—3 pm (tour at 11 am)

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Tour and create Surrealist dreamscapes in the balcony studio. A family-friendly art tour starts at 11 am. Included with admission.

PAFA Family Arts Academy

February 17, 2—4 pm

118-128 N. Broad St.

Work together in pairs and teams to create a giant, collaborative painting that combines all your creativity into one master artwork in this free family workshop.

Cirque Mechanics

February 17, 2 pm
Annenberg Center Live, 3680 Walnut St.

Billed as “42 feet full of thrills, laughs and excitement,” this circus show features high-flying acrobatics on mechanical apparatuses, and theatrical circus arts that need to be seen to be believed.

Winter Unicorn Cake Workshop

February 17, 2—3:30 pm
Ella Vanilla, 7922 Germantown Avenue

Kids ages 9 and up will learn techniques for making one of the bakery’s most popular cakes: the unicorn! All participants will leave with a fully decorated 4-inch vanilla cake that serves 1 to 3 people. Purchase class by email at Info@EllaVanilla.com or by phone at (215) 909-9392.