High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: March 2--3

High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: March 2–3

Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

February 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

Philadelphia Flower Show

March 2—10

Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12^th and Arch streets

Experience floral and garden design on a larger-than-life scale, learn some tips, make unique floral crafts, and take lots of photos! This year has a 60s theme with “Flower Power!”

Paleopalooza at the Academy of Natural Sciences

March 2—3

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Bring your little dino lovers to celebrate all things prehistoric during this two-day festival of fossils. There will be live auditorium shows, hands-on science, crafts, and much more!

Meet Phillis the Laundress at the Betsy Ross House

Thursdays through Sundays in March, noon—5 pm

239 Arch St.

Meet historical re-enactor of Phillis the Laundress, a free African-American woman who was born into slavery in the 18th century, and went on to become a free woman in Philadelphia.

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–March 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.

Final Weekend of 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!

Walking Tour: Lucretia Mott’s Philadelphia

Saturdays and Sundays in March, 2 pm

Benjamin Franklin Museum, access from Market or Chestnut Street between Third and Fourth Streets

On this free walking tour, discover how local Philadelphian Lucretia Mott‘s involvement in the anti-slavery movement led to her involvement in the fight for women’s suffrage.

Ranger Program: Ladies of Liberty, Justice, and Equality

Saturdays and Sundays in March, 3 pm

Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank of the U.S., Chestnut Street between Fourth and Fifth streets

Join a park ranger for a 30 minute program to hear about some of the many women whose contributions helped to further the cause of liberty, justice, and equality for all Americans.

Saturday

Please Touch Museum’s Tiny Maker Fair

March 2, 9 am—5 pm

4231 Avenue of the Republic

PTM hosts a full day of building, tinkering and making! The event includes a fashion design workshop and fashion show, a cardboard city build, meet and greet with adult innovators, and more.

VIP Hours for Visiting Infants and Parents at ICA

March 2, 9—11 am

Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St.

Every first Saturday of each month, the Institute of Contemporary Art is open exclusively to parents, caregivers, and children 24 months old and under. Come be a part of a free child-friendly art experience where adults are free to engage with our exhibitions in a relaxed environment, and babies can take part in art-related activities designed especially for them. Strollers welcome for stroller tours, too. Admission is free, but register online.

Philadelphia Orchestra Sound All Around: Percussion (Sensory-Friendly)

March 2, 10 am and 11:15 am

Academy of Music Ballroom, 240 S. Broad St.

Philadelphia Orchestra percussionist, Angela Zator Nelson, will guide you through these big and small, loud and soft instruments. Clap your hands and stomp your feet through this 45-minute family-friendly performance geared towards preschool-aged kids. Tickets available online.

Arden Bookworms

March 2, 10—10:45 am

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street

Kids ages 2-4 will hear Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, and then use theater games, music, and creative movement to bring it to life. Pre-register online.

Family Clay Workshop: Scary Fun Monster Mugs

March 2, 10 am—noon

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

Learn the basics of handbuilding and make a monster inspired mug. Class is appropriate for ages 4-12 with a caregiver. Pre-register online.

Read and Romp: ‘Stone Soup’

March 2, 10:30—11:30 am

National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.

Learn about the importance of sharing and kindness with this classic story. Then play interactive games and pretend to make your own stone soup. For kids ages 2-6 and their caregivers.

READ + MAKE: ‘Peep Inside Animal Homes’

March 2, 10:30 am—noon

Center / Architecture + Design, 1218 Arch St.

Enjoy a reading of Simona Dimitri’s Peep Inside Animal Homes, then work together in parent/child teams to decorate a bird house that you can take home to hang for your feathered neighbors to enjoy. For kids ages 5-8 with a caregiver. Free, but online registration is required.

Schuylkill Saturday: Nature Play

March 2, 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 NaturePHL. Climb, explore, and learn more about the many health benefits of outdoor activity. All ages welcome. No registration required.

Intro to 3D Printing (Age 10 and up)

March 2, 10:30 am—noon or 1:30—3 pm

Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20^th St.

Facilitated by Franklin Institute educators, the 90-minute workshop allows participants the opportunity to fully design and print 3D creations as they gain foundational knowledge in one of the most versatile emerging technologies of today. For ages 10 and up. Space is limited; register online.

Colonial Chocolate Making at Betsy Ross House

March 2, 11 am –4 pm

239 Arch St.

Meet three female entrepreneurs and learn how women played an active role during the American Revolution – from making important military supplies, like flags and musket cartridges, to choosing “patriotic” beverages like chocolate and coffee, rather than tea. Sample the hot chocolate drink that colonists enjoyed.

Tacony LAB Art Club for Kids

March 2, 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

March 2, 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.

Dr. Seuss Day at North Bowl

March 2, noon—3:30 pm

909 N. Second St.

North Bowl will have storytime with Philadelphia READS, food specials like green eggs and ham, bookmark-making station, and show Dr. Seuss movies all afternoon. Plus, if you bring a book to donate, you can come back and bowl for free a different day (not valid to be used on March 2). Whoville fashion is encouraged!

Maple Sugar Day at Fox Chase Farm

March 2, noon—4 pm

8500 Pine Rd.

Learn the process of maple sugaring, watch the making of maple candy, and sample pancakes with pure maple syrup. There will also be crafts and storytelling, as well as maple products for sale.

Seafarin’ Saturday

March 2, 1:30—3:30 pm

Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd.

Learn about canoes and decorate your own! Free with museum admission.

DESIGN + BUILD: Build a Birdhouse (Ages 9-12)

March 2, 1—3 pm

Center / Architecture + Design, 1218 Arch St.

Participants will learn about natural bird habitats then be challenged to create the most unique and inspired birdhouse – out of wood and various recycled materials – that they can take home to hang for their feathered neighbors to enjoy. This workshop for kids ages 9-12 is free, but registration is required.

Read Across America Day at Northeast Regional Library

March 2, 2 pm

2228 Cottman Avenue

Enjoy stories, trivia contest, fun, and a surprise visit! Green Egg salad too!

Sherehe Family Celebration

March 2, 3—5 pm

The Ruba Club, 416 Green St.

A family-friendly celebration of African culture including live performances, crafts, and food. Tickets available online.

Sunday

Free Adaptive Ice Skating at RiverRink

March 3, 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.

PECO Free First Sunday Family Day at the Barnes Foundation

March 3, 10 am—5 pm

2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Get free admission to the museum and play detective using your best observational skills to solve a math mystery in the galleries. Plus, art making, math activities, storytime with Baby Wordplay, and more.

Once Upon a Time Family Festival

March 3, 10 am—3 pm

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Explore storytelling through art, make a storybook, and take family-friendly tours. Plus, at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, see the Pennsylvania Ballet II premiere of Fairy Rhymes, in which the Three Little Kittens travel through nursery rhymes and fairy tales to find their lost mittens. Free after pay-what-you-wish admission.

Art and Storytelling at Woodmere Art Museum

March 3, 11 am—noon

9201 Germantown Ave.

Introduce your preschoolers to the enjoyment of art through stories and artmaking. Enjoy reading picture books in the galleries, followed by an art project.

Harlem Globetrotters at Wells Fargo Center

March 3, noon and 5 pm

3601 S. Broad Street

Enjoy this one-of-a-kind show with electrifying basketball moves, plus the Flying Globies acrobatic trampoline dunk team. Pre-game passes available for special activities and meet-and-greets.

Write the Revolution Workshop with L.M. Elliott

March 3, 12:30—1:30 pm

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

Join New York Times best-selling author L.M. Elliott for a special workshop geared towards young authors aged 11 to 15. In this hour-long workshop, Elliott will share how she used historical documents – letters, journals, and memoirs – to discover and create her dramatic, fact-infused story, Hamilton and Peggy! A Revolutionary Friendship. Pre-registration is strongly recommended, as space is limited.

Meet the Women of the Betsy Ross House

March 3, 11 am—3 pm

239 Arch St.

A day of historical re-enactors—meet Betsy Ross, and three more 18^th Century women entrepreneurs with different experiences and backgrounds to learn their stories.