High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: July 27--28

High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: July 27–28

Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

July 24, 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.

Parks on Tap: Fairmount Water Works

July 24–28

640 Waterworks Dr.

Our favorite family-friendly beer garden comes to this historic site with unparalleled views of the river.

Watershed Weekend at Camden Children’s Garden

July 27—28, 1—4 pm

3 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ

Learn about what animals and plants live in the Delaware River Watershed, and about the water cycle. Hear from a few of the centers that are part of the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River.

Saturday

Philadelphia Dance Day 2019

This nonprofit festival features free classes and live performances from some of the city’s best-known instructors at three different locations in Philly, including some family-friendly options! See the entire Philadelphia Dance Day 2019 schedule here.

Drop-In Baby and Toddler Bubbles

July 27, 8—9 am

Fitness Alive, 1425 Arch St.,

Start your weekend off in the pool with this drop-in hour-long class for ages 5 months to 3 years (with a caregiver) that teaches little ones how to feel comfortable and move their bodies in the water, helping them build confidence while exploring new surroundings in a safe, fun and supervised setting. $25 (cash) drop-in.

Trans Wellness Conference (including Drag Queen Storytime!)

July 25—27, 9 am—4 pm

Pennsylvania Convention Center,

The largest free trans-specific conference in the world is in Philly, featuring speakers, a youth zone for tweens and teens, and more. Plus, Drag Queen Storytime comes to the Community Room at 12:15 pm!

Historic Fairmount Park Scavenger Hunt

July 27, 9 am—1 pm

1 Boathouse Row

Discover and explore six historic houses, their architecture and history, and Fairmount Park, on this fun and engaging 3.5-hour scavenger hunt! Sign up online.

Sensory-Friendly Morning at Art Splash

July 27, 9—10 am

Perelman Building, 2525 Pennsylvania Ave.

This program is specially designed for children on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities to enjoy this summer’s Art Splash programming. The lights, volume, and crowds are turned down but not the fun or creativity.

Zoo Member Morning Strolls

July 27, 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

July 27, 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.

Hospitalized Veterans Tribute Concert

July 27, 10 am—2 pm

Gorgas Park, 6300 Ridge Avenue

Honor our vets at a free concert with the Merion Concert Band, Old Academy Players, and The Savoy Opera Company. Plus, food, family-friendly activities, and classic cars on display.

The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier

July 27, 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.

Schuylkill Saturday: Nature Exploration for Families

July 27, 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.

Tidal Schuylkill Boat Parade

July 27, 11 am—3 pm

Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

Decorate anything that floats and bring it to the Bartram’s Garden Community Boathouse to be in the annual parade! No boat? Bartram’s will have their entire fleet of kayaks and rowboats available for free for folks who want to join the parade. Trophies will be awarded for the most fabulous costumes, best decorated boat, leakiest boat and everything in between. Activities will include music, food, games, face painting, tarot card readings, a floating ice cream parlor, and more.

Family Design Workshop at The Oval

July 27, 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!

Fantastic Beasts Day at Big Blue Marble

July 27, 11 am—9:30 pm

Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane

A day-long Fantastic Beasts celebration with movie viewings, discussions, games, and fun! See the schedule, online.

Indoor Goat Yoga

July 27, 11 am—noon

98 E. Cliveden St.

Participants in this all-levels class will have 45 minutes of guided time on the mat while Nigerian Dwarf goats cuddle, play, and meet you in down-dog. There will be 15 minutes at the end of class to take selfies and photos with the goats. Pre-registration is required, as this often sells out! Kids are welcome, and their tickets are discounted.

From the Kitchen: Okra Is / Okra Ain’t

July 27, 11:30 am—1:30 pm

Perelman Building, 2525 Pennsylvania Ave.

Kids and their grown-ups, join culinary artist-in-residence Nia Minard for a food and art workshop that explores a vegetable with a curious appearance and surprising taste: okra. Have fun making art and a tasty snack with one of the South’s favorite foods. This is presented in conjunction with Art Splash and the exhibit Souls Grown Deep. Tickets are required for this event, and are available online.

Teen Maker Studio: Harry Potter Wands

July 27, noon

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

Teens ages 12-18, meet in the library’s Teen Center to get crafty!

PopUpPlay at The Oval

July 27, 2 pm

Eakins Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Bring the whole family to The Oval to play and build!

Les Francais au Fort

July 27, 3—7 pm

Fort Mifflin on the Delaware, Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads

Meet members of the Regiment Gatinais, a unit that served with Continental forces during the American Revolution, enjoy a display of historic French fashions, see “black powder demonstrations,” and even visit with Thomas Jefferson himself. Join in “Petite Ecole” with Madame Karine and learn some simple French through song and dance. Tickets available online.

Movie in the Park: LEGO Movie 2

July 27, 6:30 pm (movie starts at 8:30 pm)

Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Ave.

Come early for free crafts and face painting, then at 8:30 pm watch LEGO Movie 2 outside! Refreshments will be for sale.

Nickelodeon’s JoJo Siwa D.R.E.A.M: The Tour

July 27, 7 pm

The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.

Nickelodeon superstar JoJo Siwa comes to Philly for one night only! Tickets available online.

Sunday

Make Your Own Puppet

July 28, 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.

East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival

July 28, 11 am—4 pm

East Passyunk Avenue between Broad and Dickinson streets

200 antique, show, classic and custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles line the avenue in this annual summer block party. Come for the cars, stay for delicious food, music, entertainment, and craft show. Look for a Kid Zone set up at the Gateway at Broad and McKean streets including free bouncy castle and the Philadelphia Union offering fun, games, and a chance to meet Phang! Philadelphia School of Circus Arts will bring the circus fun with roaming stilt walkers, too.

Sundays with PopUp Play

July 28

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.

Sundays on Stage: Professor Horn’s Punch & Judy Show

July 28, 2 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

Professor Horn captures the wonder and imagination of childhood with his clever comedy magic, novelty routines, and laugh-out-loud funny Punch & Judy Puppet Show.