High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: February 9–10
Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.
Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.
Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend, like all the museum exhibits.
All Weekend
Philadelphia Auto Show
February 2—10
Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.
The Philly Auto Show returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center with dazzling cars, from exotic to classic and everything in between!
Valentine Cookie Decorating Workshops
February 9 and 10, 2—4:30 pm
Ella Vanilla, 7922 Germantown Avenue
Beginner adults and kids ages 11 and up can learn techniques for decorating festive cookies with Noelle DeSantis, owner of Ella Vanilla. You’ll leave with 6 extra-large sugar cookies fully decorated, a cookie recipe, and instructions to take home for future reference. Purchase class by emailing Noelle@EllaVanilla.com or calling (215) 909-9392.
R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium
February 2—10
Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.
This spooky (and silly) musical is based on R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series. Like all WST for Kids shows, it’s only one hour!
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. 15th 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!
Getaway at the Greenhouse
February 2—10
Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, 100 North Horticultural Drive
For one week, the Horticulture Center has been transformed into an oasis with lounge areas, a beach, and family-friendly activities on weekends. Free, but tickets are required.
Saturday
Family Festival: Lunar New Year
February 9, 9 am—5 pm
Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic
Celebrate Lunar New Year by dancing with lions, making lanterns, and more. The day includes live performances, storytimes, art activities, and more surprises!
School Choice Info Session
February 9, 9:30 am—noon
By My Side Parenting, 1542 E. Montgomery Ave.
Caryn Rivers of Pathfinder Placement will lead a discussion on how to best navigate the Philadelphia School choice programs. Including information on out of catchment applications, charter applications and private schools. $5 suggested donation per family.
Arden Bookworms: ‘The Mitten’
February 9, 10—10:45 am
Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street
Kids ages 2-4 will hear The Mitten, and then use theater games, music, and creative movement to bring the story to life. Pre-register online.
One-Day Workshop: Stage Make-Up
February 9, 10 am—1 pm (Grades 6-8) and 2—5 pm (Grades 9-12)
Arden Drama School, Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second St.
From black eyes to old age, this class will teach the basics of stage make-up application, an invaluable skill for actors. Pre-register online.
Eat, Clay, Love on the Wheel
February 9, 10 am—noon
The Clay Studio, 137 N. Second St.
Learn the basics of working on the pottery wheel in this workshop focused on making a bowl, plate, or mug for your favorite foods. Classes are appropriate for children ages 4-12 with a parent. Register online.
Kids Explore: Winter Wonderland
February 9, 10 am—noon
Wissahickon Environmental Center, 300 Northwestern Avenue
Bring the kids out into the forest this winter to discover what is still active during the cold winter months. Bundle up, this is an outdoor program! Ages 6-12. Drop-off optional. Register online.
Giveback Workshop: “Shoe Party” with Sole Hope
February 9, 10:30 am—noon
National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.
NLM is partnering with Sole Hope, an organization dedicated to creating shoes for those suffering from parasitic jigger infestations (usually affecting the feet) in Uganda. The organization is providing a Shoe Party Kit to create shoes from old denim—families can bring old denim, or use some provided at the event. Participants’ creations will be shipped to tailors where they will be completed. There will also be coloring pages for little ones.
Celebrate Black History Month at Reading Terminal Market
February 9, 11 am—2 pm
51 N. 12th St.
Reading Terminal Market has partnered with the African American Museum in Philadelphia to celebrate Black History Month with food demonstrations, musical performances, arts and crafts, and more!
PNC Grow Up Great Concert at the Kimmel Center
February 9, 11 am—noon
300 S. Broad St.
This free monthly concert for little ones brings lots of interactive fun teaching the basics of jazz and musical theater.
Egyptian Adventures
February 9, 11 am—4 pm
Penn Museum, 3260 South St.
For this month’s Second Saturday family day, the Penn Museum will focus on Egypt. Take a family-friendly tour, design your own Egyptian collar, and pick up a scavenger hunt.
Storytime with Marty the Moose at Dilworth Park
February 9, 11 am–noon
1 S. 15th St.
The Academy of Natural Sciences will visit the Cabin at Dilworth Park for a free nature-themed storytime led by their silly puppet Marty the Moose. Stay after to skate and enjoy the cozy cabin!
OM My, Yoga Storytime
February 9, 11 am
Charles Santore Library, 932 S. Seventh St.
Bring your preschooler and get ready for a calming storytime to stretch your body and mind.
Tacony LAB Art Club for Kids
February 9, 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.
Chinese New Year Cooking Demo at Reading Terminal Market
February 9, 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th St.
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a free demonstration and tastings. Come learn a new trick in the kitchen from local chefs and sample delicious foods!
Storytime at the Lodge
February 9, 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.
Lunar New Year at the Rail Park
February 9, noon–4 pm
1300 Noble St.
Philly’s new place to play and relax is planning a big New Year’s celebration for its inaugural year. Expect dragons and colorful revelry!
Sweets and Stouts
February 9, 2—6 pm
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Columbus Blvd.
Stop by for a mid-afternoon sweet treat including tasty treats and drink samples (alcohol samples for 21+), a candy bar, and screenings of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
A Ballerina’s Tale: Misty Copeland Documentary
February 9, 2 pm
Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Avenue
Lovett Library is holding a family-friendly viewing of a documentary about Misty Copeland, the first African-American to become principle dancer at American Ballet Theatre.
Food, Ritual, and Community: For Teens
February 9, 2 pm
Logan Library, 1333 Wagner Ave.
Explore how food can play an important part in both community-building and resistance. Using passages from 2019’s “One Book, One Philadelphia” selection Ghost Boys as inspiration, join Philadelphia-based culinary artists in cooking as a vehicle for change-making. Participants will make and taste foods that mark important life and cultural events while discussing their significance.
Sunday
Free Adaptive Ice Skating at RiverRink
February 10, 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.
Nest’s Tweetheart Social
February 10, 10 am — 1 pm
1301 Locust St.
Bring your family for a fun-filled morning with three floors of fun, benefiting the Intensive Care Nursery at Pennsylvania Hospital. There will be a photobooth, crafts, donut decorating, slime station, live performances, face painting, and more! There will also be cute adoptable dogs from PAWS to play with, and a visit from Queen Elsa! Call to register: 215-545-6378.
Print Love-In at Fleisher Art Memorial
February 10 at 10 am, noon, and 2 pm
719 Catharine St.
Explore Fleisher’s printmaking facilities and crank the presses in one of three family-friendly sessions and you’ll walk away with enough cards for everyone on your list. Includes all print making materials and takeaways. Register online.
Family Art Workshop: Ready, Set, Sew!
February 10, 10:15—11:45 am (ages 4-7) or 1—3 pm (ages 8-12)
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Channel your inner designer, get inspired by the “Fabulous Fashion” exhibit and collaborate with artists from Butcher’s Sew Shop. Both classes require parental supervision, and are divided into two time slots by age. Paid tickets are required. Space is limited, so register online—adults must register as well and are free with admission.
‘Sweet Dreams’ Family Art Studio and Tours
February 10, 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.
Lion Dance Parade in Chinatown
February 10, 11 am
10th and Spring streets
Chinatown’s New Year parade features the Philadelphia Suns’ Lion Dance with lots of drums, firecrackers, and colorful excitement. Note: this parade might be difficult for small kids or those with sensory issues because there is a lot of smoke and loud noise from the firecrackers.
PECO Family Jams: Cardboard City
February 10, noon—4 pm
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.
This month’s Family Jam takes inspiration from the Free Library’s One Book, One Philadelphia children’s selection, Last Stop on Market Street. The book will be read at 12:30 and 2:30 pm, and families can use cardboard, markers, and paper fasteners to create movable characters, creatures, buses, buildings, animals, and friends to take home. Family-friendly tours will be held at 1:00 and 3:30 pm.
Black History Month Mural Tour
February 10, 12:30—2:30 pm
Starts at 128 N. Broad St.
Mural Arts Philadelphia is planning a special mural trolley tour that highlights prominent African-American figures within Philadelphia’s “visual autobiography,” and explores topics of civil rights and freedom. A tour guide will discuss each mural, the artists, and the mural-making process. Tickets are available online, and are discounted for students and kids under 12.
Straw Weaving Class
February 10, 1—3 pm
Francis Cope House, Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd.
Learn to make your own loom from straws and use recyclable paper straws to make a bookmark, bracelet, or necklace with members of the Philadelphia Guild of Handweavers. This colorful project is for ages 6 and up. $10, includes materials. Space is limited, so register online.
PAFA Family Arts Academy
February 10, 2—4 pm
118-128 N. Broad St.
Explore how text and visuals can be combined to create artworks with extra impact and make your own take home, text-based painting at this free family art afternoon.
Puppy Love Valentines Pawty
February 10, 2—3 pm
Pet Friendly Dog Bakery, 4324 Main St.
Pet Friendly Dog Bakery is planning an afternoon full of puppy love with treat samples and tons of toys out in their Indoor Doggie Lounge for the ultimate Valentine’s doggy playdate.
Photograph by Laura Swartz.
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