High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: October 6--7

High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: October 6–7

Plan the perfect Fall weekend in Philly with our kid-friendly picks!

October 3, 2018

Plan the perfect weekend with our picks!

Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend.

All Weekend

Trick or Treat at Academy of Natural Sciences

Saturdays and Sundays in October, 10 am—5 pm

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Visit the museum and trick-or-treat as you visit the exhibits—each one has a small treat for you to take home and cool Halloween-themed specimens for you to check out. Wear a costume for $2 off admission. For older kids, check out Night in the BOOseum sleepover on October 6.

Indigenous Peoples Weekend at Museum of the American Revolution

October 6—8

101 South Third Street

The museum will host a weekend celebration of indigenous peoples and cultures, in partnership with the Oneida Indian Nation. Educators in Revolution Place will lead hands-on art activities and storytelling about Philadelphia’s multicultural roots at a Discovery Cart. And—looking ahead—on Monday, dancers from the Oneida Indian Nation will perform traditional Haudenosaunee social dances in authentic dress on the museum’s plaza throughout the day.

Colonial Chocolate Making Demonstrations

October 6, 11 am—4 pm; October 7, 11 am—6 pm

Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St.

Learn how women played an active role during the American Revolution, including choosing “patriotic” beverages like chocolate and coffee, rather than tea. After the demonstration, sample the hot chocolate drink that colonists enjoyed.

Scarecrow Walk at Morris Arboretum

October 6—31

100 E. Northwestern Ave.

More than 30 scarecrows will be on display along Oak Allée through Halloween. Come see the impressive designs, and vote for your favorite!

Twilight Tours at One Liberty Observation Deck

Fridays through Sundays from September 21—October 28, 5 pm and 6 pm; October 31

1650 Market St.

Exploring Philadelphia’s haunted history with this themed tour from the 57th floor. Learn about where to ghost hunt!

The GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience

October 4—28

West Fairmount Park, 5201 Parkside Ave.

Take a stroll down Jack’s path to see elaborate carved pumpkins and displays like you’ve never seen! New for this year, there’s a display dedicated to our champion Philadelphia Eagles. Tickets are available online.

Sea Turtle Awareness Weekend

October 6—8

Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ

Learn all about sea turtles and the Sea Turtle Conservancy that helps protect sea turtles in the wild. Say goodbye to the aquarium’s rehab and release sea turtle hatchling, Tyrion.

MoshuBOO

Fridays through Sundays from October 5—28, 5—9 pm

Moshulu, 401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

The iconic Moshulu transforms into a pirate ship for a family-friendly celebration featuring costumed characters, spooky tours, an on-deck pumpkin patch, treats, and more! Tickets available online.

Haunted River Cruises

Multiple dates from October 5—28

Meet at 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

This spooky 90-minute “Phantoms of the River” tour is narrated by a pirate telling spooky tales of the “haunted” Delaware River. Tickets available online.

Spooky Mini Golf

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from October 5—28, 6—9 pm

Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St.

Franklin Square’s Philly-themed mini golf is transformed into spooky fun for the Halloween season with fog, lights, music, and surprises!

Saturday

Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival

October 6, 8 am—5: 30 pm

Kelly Drive

Cheer on your favorite team as they row their colorful boats on the Schuylkill! This annual competition is now in its 17^th year and is fun for the whole family to watch.

SplashLab Pumpkin Patch

October 6, 9 am—1 pm

SplashLab Arts, 3510 Scotts Lane

Drop in, pick out a pumpkin, decorate and/or carve it into your own masterpiece, and then stay to Splash and Play in the studio while your pumpkin dries!

Free Family Fishing at John Heinz

October 6, 9 am—1 pm

8601 Lindbergh Blvd.

Get a start on fishing at this free event. Limited rods and bait will be available or bring your own! No license needed.

Fall Family Weekend

October 6, 10 am – 3 pm

Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.

The highlight of this festival has to be the scarecrow walk. Visitors can enjoy a display of handmade scarecrows built around a yearly theme. There are also opportunities to build your own scarecrow, decorate a pumpkin, and sample different apple varieties.

Revolutionary Germantown Festival

October 6, 10 am—4 pm

Cliveden, 6401 Germantown Ave.

A day of family entertainment, food, music, and re-enactments of the Battle of Germantown at this historic site.

Satur-PLAY and #DPKidsFest at Smith Memorial Playground

October 6, 10 am—2 pm

3500 Reservoir Dr.

From 10 am—noon, Philadelphia Young Playwrights will present four short plays of mystery, magic, and mischief written by Philadelphia-area students. Meanwhile, from 11 am—2 pm, Smith will host #DPKidsFest, as part of DesignPhiladelphia. With everything from crayons to colored paper, to blocks and recycled material, young designers can “reimagine the Playhouse.”

Subaru Fall Festival at Greensgrow Farms

October 6, 10 am—4 pm

2501 E. Cumberland St.

Enjoy live music, local food and drink, crafts from local vendors, visit the farmstand, and bring the kids to partake in a variety of children’s activities including run-the-sack race, bobbing for apples, and scarecrow-making. Taste samples from or compete in the festival’s annual Chili Competition or Apple Pie Competition, where the public is asked to submit their best recipes to be crowned champions.

Arden Bookworms: ‘Where the Wild Things Are’

October 6, 10—10:45 am

62 N. Second Street

Kids age 2-4 will enjoy Maurice Sendak’s classic Where the Wild Things Are, then use theater games, music, and creative movement to bring the story to life. Pre-register online.

Kidz-Clay Saturday

October 6, 10 am—noon

Allens Lane Art Center, 601 West Allens Lane

Kids ages 6-12 will make spooky face mugs! These one-day projects will be kiln-fired to be picked up at a later date. Pre-registration is required.

Monster Mugs on the Wheel

October 6, 10 am—noon

The Clay Studio, 137-139 North Second Street

Kids ages 4 and up (and their parents) will learn the basics of working on the pottery wheel, and make a monster inspired mug! Pre-register online.

AdventureWoods Free Public Hours

October 6, 10 am—2 pm

Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Road

This innovative, sustainable natural playground engages children in creative, imaginative, and active discovery. Kids are free to have fun and learn, experiment and discover, all while exercising and enjoying the outdoors.

Storytime Yoga for Preschoolers

October 6, 10:30 am

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street

Beth Heed from Oak and Acorn Wellness will host a free class filled with stories, yoga, and fun for 2- to 5-year-olds.

Nature Play Saturday

October 6, 10:30—11:30 am

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

Bring your family for a hike and unstructured nature play with representatives from NaturePHL program. Climb, explore, and learn more about the many health benefits of outdoor activity. All ages welcome, no registration required.

Saturday Free Boating at Bartram’s Garden

October 6, 11 am—3 pm

Bartram’s Gardens’ Community Boathouse, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

Bartram’s Garden will provide the boats, life jackets and basic instruction. Choose from a kayak (for 30 minutes) or rowboat (for 45 minutes). No experience is necessary. All ages are welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Midtown Village Fall Festival

October 6, noon—8 pm

13th and Chestnut streets

Kick off October with shopping, amazing food, live entertainment, and more. There’s plenty of activities for kids to do and see, and you simply can’t leave without getting a rare Budino Pop from Barbuzzo!

Community Science Day: Harvest Festival

October 6, noon—4 pm

Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1700 W. Montgomery Ave.

Kids can learn about the science of fall like leaves’ color changes through chromatography and the Harvest Moon. There will also be scavenger hunts, snacks, and more. Activities are geared toward children 6 to 12, but all ages can enjoy this event.

Roxtoberfest

October 6, noon—6 pm

Ridge Avenue and Green Lane

One of many Oktoberfest celebrations in Philadelphia this year, this Roxborough festival includes live performers (including polka, of course!), food trucks, vendors, carnival games, and more. Of course you’ll enjoy some traditional German food and a wide selection of beers. There will be a variety of activities for children, so bring the whole family!

Saturday Art Making at Woodmere Art Museum

October 6, 12:30—2:30 pm

9201 Germantown Ave.

Come make art together as a family, then stay and enjoy the straw maze!

Philadelphia Museum of Dance

October 6, 3—9 pm

Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Visit the Barnes for free daylong exhibition of dance for all ages, with opportunities to watch and participate. The museum will be transformed inside and out with performances in nearly every corner, and will close with an outdoor production of danse de nuit. See the full schedule here.

Minecraft Club

October 6, 3 pm

Charles Santore Library, 932 South Seventh Street

Build things in a shared world on library iPads. Intended for school-aged children.

Sunday

Fall Southwest Fish Off

October 7, 8 am—noon

Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

A free fishing derby with activities for all ages! Fish from the dock, the riverbank, or from one of Bartram’s rowboats—and win prizes.

Indigenous Peoples Celebration

October 7, 10 am—4 pm

Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

Explore indigenous connections to the river through collaborative art activities, workshops, presentations, guided tours, food, drumming, and dancing.

Art Protection Squad

October 7, 10 am–3 pm

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

At this family-friendly day of art and exploration, learn about the science of art conservation and restoration.

PECO Free First Sunday Family Day and Barnes on the Block

October 7, 10 am—5 pm (after party outside from 4—8 pm)

Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Celebrate fall’s arrival with art and music. Try your hand at family-friendly creative projects with the Center for Architecture and Design, and feel the beat with live percussion performances all day. Get free admission to the museum, and enjoy family tours, storytime, musical workshops, and art making. Then stay after for a Barnes on the Block party in the parking lot featuring more live performances, food trucks, live mural art, and more.

Please Touch Museum’s Birthday Party

October 7, 11 am—5 pm

4231 Avenue of the Republic

Dance, laugh, create, and learn—with plenty of birthday surprises along the way. Please Touch Museum will unveil their new mascot (including his name, once fan votes are counted!), and there will be photo ops with their new friend. And we hear rumors that the Flyers’ new mascot Gritty may even make an appearance!

Gorgas Park Harvest Festival

October 7, 11 am—5 pm

6300 Ridge Avenue

Enjoy a day of family fun, like scarecrow making, face painting, kids’ rides and games, treats, music, and more.

Cardboard Challenge at Smith Memorial Playground

October 7, 11 am—noon

3500 Reservoir Dr.

Smith will provide the cardboard; you bring your creativity. Will you build a costume, a racetrack, a house? It’s up to you! Join Fab Youth Philly and the Play Captains for this annual challenge inspired by a YouTube video! RSVP online.

Art and Storytelling at Woodmere Art Museum

October 7, 11 am—noon

9201 Germantown Ave.

Introduce your preschoolers to the enjoyment of art through stories and artmaking. Young visitors and their grown-ups enjoy reading picture books in the galleries, followed by an art project. Stay after and play in the Straw Maze!