High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: January 5–6
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
Christmas Treecycling
Now that the holidays are over, that once-festive tree is shedding pine needles all over the place, and it’s time to get that thing out of your home. This weekend (mostly on Saturday), “treecycling” events throughout the city will collect your tree and get rid of it in an environmentally friendly way. Here’s where!
Final Weekend of ‘Thomas and Friends’ at Please Touch Museum
January 5—6
4231 Avenue of the Republic
Say goodbye to Thomas with plenty of train-themed fun, photo ops, imaginative play, and valuable STEM lessons along the way! Learn more about the exhibit here.
Last weekend of ‘Matilda’
Through January 6, 2019
Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.
Based on the beloved Roald Dahl novel, Matilda The Musical will delight with high-energy dance and catchy songs.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
January 4—6, 7 pm
Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.
Celebrate the world’s most beloved Looney Tunes and their legendary stars projected on the big screen, while their extraordinary original scores are played live by the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’
January 5—6
Black Box Theater at Drexel University, 3401 Filbert Street
In this solo telling of the classic holiday story, playwright and actor Anthony Lawton plays all the roles!
Night in the Museum Starring Xtreme Bugs
January 5, 6:30 pm—January 6
Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Experience the museum after dark, including a scavenger hunt, hands-on experiments, snacks, live animal shows, and exploration of the Xtreme Bugs exhibit! Pick your sleeping spot next to lions, tigers, or dinosaurs. After you wake up, light breakfast and another whole day to explore the museum await. Pre-registration required.
Charlotte’s Web
Through February 3
Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St.
The heart-warming story of a special friendship between a lovable pig and everyone’s favorite spider comes to life at the Arden.
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!
Saturday
Nest Open House (and Daniel Tiger Visit)
January 5, 9:30 am—1 pm (Daniel Tiger from 11 am—noon)
1301 Locust St.
Come and see the best of what Nest has to offer at this fun day of play. Check out the playspace and demo any of their great mini-classes (see schedule online) for the one-time-only $5 drop in rate. Daniel Tiger will be visiting from 11 am—noon too!
Pennypack Environmental Center Open House: Animals of Winter
January 5, 10 am—1 pm
8600 Verree Rd.
Come for ongoing crafts and get a close up look at skulls, skins, feathers, and more.
Three Kings Day Storytime
January 5, 10 am
Philadelphia City Institute, 1905 Locust St.
Share stories and activities and learn how Three Kings Day is celebrated in Puerto Rico.
Nature Tots
January 5, 10—11 am
John Heinz 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, but registration is required—email Brianna_Patrick@fws.gov to reserve your spot.
Storytime Yoga for Preschoolers
January 5, 10:30 am
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.
Beth Heed from Oak and Acorn Wellness will host a class filled with stories, yoga and fun for 2- to 5-year-olds. No experience necessary!
Nature Play Saturday
January 5, 10:30—11:30 am
The Schuylkill Center, 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. Meet us at the Tall Trees Playscape behind the Visitor Center. All ages welcome. No registration required.
Tacony LAB Art Club for Kids
January 5, 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.
Philadelphia Family Pride Winter Wonderland Brunch
January 5, 11 am—2 pm
Children’s Community School of West Philadelphia, 1212 S. 47th St.
Join PFP families for food, fun and games. All are welcome – LGBTQ parents, grandparents, prospective parents, allies, and kids of all ages.
Storytime at the Lodge
January 5, 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.
PHIT Family Time: A Family Friendly Comedy Show
January 5, noon—1 pm
Philly Improv Theater, 2030 Sansom Street
This family-friendly show will feature a variety of comedy from improv to sketch, stand up to magic, clowning to music, and more fun for all ages.
‘Frozen Forest’ Cake Workshop (Ages 11 and up)
January 5, 2—4 pm
Ella Vanilla, 7922 Germantown Avenue
Kids age 11 and up will learn how to create this beautiful winter cake with cake artist and owner of Ella Vanilla, Noelle DeSantis, and leave with a fully decorated 4-inch vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream icing ready to share. Techniques include fondant, icing, and more. Register by emailing Noelle@EllaVanilla.com or by calling (215) 909-9392.
Sunday
PECO Free First Sunday Family Day at the Barnes Foundation
January 6, 10 am—5 pm
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Enjoy free admission to the museum and take part in The Big Draw, a British-based visual literacy program that encourages learning through drawing. Sketch, draw, and experiment with movement activities and even balloons to express your ideas and have fun!
Day of Knights
January 6, 10 am—3 pm
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Learn about knights , armor, and medieval times at this family festival. Create a shield in the balcony studio, take a tour of the armor galleries, and more. Plus, at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm friends from the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire will knight young visitors for their proudest accomplishments! Free after pay-what-you-wish admission.
Music Monkey Jungle Sunday Sing Along at Old Pine Community Center
January 6, 10 am
401 Lombard St.
Enjoy a morning of music, dancing, balloon art, and family fun. Register online (class cards not accepted), babies under 6 months are free.
Art and Storytelling at Woodmere Art Museum
January 6, 11 am—noon
9201 Germantown Avenue
Introduce your preschoolers (ages 3-5) to the enjoyment of art through stories and artmaking. Young visitors and their grown-ups will enjoy reading picture books in the galleries, followed by an art project.
Winter Unicorn Cake Workshop
January 6, 2—3:30 pm
Ella Vanilla, 7922 Germantown Avenue
Kids age 9 and up will learn how to make the popular unicorn cake! Learn how to color buttercream icing, use a piping bag, and more. Everyone leaves with a fully decorated 4-inch vanilla cake. Register by emailing Noelle@EllaVanilla.com or by calling (215) 909-9392.
Three Kings Day Celebration at the Kimmel Center
January 6, 5 pm
300 S. Broad St.
Bring your family and for a reenactment of the story of the Three Wise Men at this free celebration. Enjoy an evening of activities, piñatas and a piece of traditional “Rosca de Reyes” bread, which will be the largest one ever made in Philadelphia!
Photograph by Laura Swartz.
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