The Best Things To Do in Philly with Kids

Discover the best family-friendly things to do in Philadelphia with kids, including events, festivals, attractions, and free activities through our curated calendar. Find what’s happening in Philly today and plan your next family adventure!

💞 Check out our sister Community Calendars too: Main Line Parent and Bucks County Parent.

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Philly Family Community Calendar

BODY WORLDS: Vital at the Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute 222 North 20th St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

The Franklin Institute invites families to explore the fascinating BODY WORLDS: Vital exhibition. This unique experience features real human specimens that reveal the intricate workings of our bodies.

Boom: Art and Design in the 1940s at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Visit "Boom: Art and Design in the 1940s" to see how artists made beautiful and creative works during a time of global change and challenge. During the 1940s, many things changed in politics, science, and how people lived. This exhibit shows how artists used their […]

Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags at the Museum of the American Revolution

Museum of the American Revolution 101 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

The Museum of the American Revolution marks the 250th anniversary with a special exhibit, Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags. See over a dozen original flags, stitched by colonial makers like Betsy Ross, from the Revolutionary War. These rare survivors offer […]

Meet & Greet Author Lady Carolyn: Book Signing & Self-Care Journaling Class

Yeadon Public Library 809 Longacre Blvd., Yeadon, PA, United States

Carolyn Jenkins, a Philadelphia native, author, producer, screenwriter, and writer of creative non-fiction stories and journal books, is on a mission to help women take charge of their narratives with the release of her latest book, Her Life Lessons in a Clutch Journal & Short Motivational Stories. […]

Astrology Camp

Astrology Camp

Mt. Airy CDC HQ 6703 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, Suite 200,, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Are you looking to learn the language of the stars and planets in the heavens above? Astrology Camp is a unique and immersive experience for individuals intrigued by celestial influences on human life and our collective world. Camp participants will delve into the realm of […]

$275.00

Growing Towards the Sun Art Installation

Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia South at The Navy Yard 1001 Intrepid Avenue, Philadelphia, United States

Growing Towards the Sun features work by painter Elizabeth Castiglione and sculptor Emily Squires Levine. Both artists play with the idea of flowers to represent the human experience, from Emily’s playful depictions of bushes and bouquets to Elizabeth’s balance of growth and decay in her […]

Free
Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Franklin Square 200 N 6th St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Explore a dazzling world of illuminated lanterns, cultural stage performances, acrobatics, crafts, and fountain shows. This festival is perfect for all ages, and is running daily from 6pm-11pm until August 31st! Head to the website below for ticket pricing.

Paper, Prints, and Play! Art Kids Studio

Philadelphia Museum of Art 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Experiment with new materials, tools, and techniques in this drop-in program inspired by prints in the Brand X exhibition. Projects, artists and themes change every few weeks: July 18–August 3 | Dab, Dash, Glide August 8–August 24 | Wordplay   South Vaulted Walkway, Ground Floor […]

Paper, Prints, and Play! Art Kids Studio

Philadelphia Museum of Art 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Experiment with new materials, tools, and techniques in this drop-in program inspired by prints in the Brand X exhibition. Projects, artists and themes change every few weeks: July 18–August 3 | Dab, Dash, Glide August 8–August 24 | Wordplay   South Vaulted Walkway, Ground Floor […]

Second Gen: An Inter-generational Art Exhibit For All

20*20 House 20 Lansdowne Court, Lansdowne, PA, United States

You're invited to Second Gen's opening reception! The 20*20 House works to be a welcoming space for our community- regardless of age-to explore and enjoy art. Second Gen seeks to break down these barriers by designing a family-friendly gallery environment. This exhibition pairs artists’ work […]

Free
Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Franklin Square 200 N 6th St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Explore a dazzling world of illuminated lanterns, cultural stage performances, acrobatics, crafts, and fountain shows. This festival is perfect for all ages, and is running daily from 6pm-11pm until August 31st! Head to the website below for ticket pricing.

Astrology Camp

Astrology Camp

Mt. Airy CDC HQ 6703 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, Suite 200,, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Are you looking to learn the language of the stars and planets in the heavens above? Astrology Camp is a unique and immersive experience for individuals intrigued by celestial influences on human life and our collective world. Camp participants will delve into the realm of […]

$275.00

Paper, Prints, and Play! Art Kids Studio

Philadelphia Museum of Art 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Experiment with new materials, tools, and techniques in this drop-in program inspired by prints in the Brand X exhibition. Projects, artists and themes change every few weeks: July 18–August 3 | Dab, Dash, Glide August 8–August 24 | Wordplay   South Vaulted Walkway, Ground Floor […]

Paper, Prints, and Play! Art Kids Studio

Philadelphia Museum of Art 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Experiment with new materials, tools, and techniques in this drop-in program inspired by prints in the Brand X exhibition. Projects, artists and themes change every few weeks: July 18–August 3 | Dab, Dash, Glide August 8–August 24 | Wordplay   South Vaulted Walkway, Ground Floor […]

Paper, Prints, and Play! Art Kids Studio

Philadelphia Museum of Art 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Experiment with new materials, tools, and techniques in this drop-in program inspired by prints in the Brand X exhibition. Projects, artists and themes change every few weeks: July 18–August 3 | Dab, Dash, Glide August 8–August 24 | Wordplay   South Vaulted Walkway, Ground Floor […]

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Franklin Square 200 N 6th St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Explore a dazzling world of illuminated lanterns, cultural stage performances, acrobatics, crafts, and fountain shows. This festival is perfect for all ages, and is running daily from 6pm-11pm until August 31st! Head to the website below for ticket pricing.

“The Questioneers” exhibit at the Please Touch Museum

Please Touch Museum 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Head to Philly's Please Touch Museum this summer to experience The Questioneers exhibit! This exhibit is based off of the best-selling series of books by author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts. The Questioneers characters Ada Twist, Scientist; Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; Sofia […]

Betsy Ross House Flag Raising

Betsy Ross House Flag Raising

Betsy Ross House 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Start the day in the charming Betsy Ross House courtyard. Join Betsy for a secret ceremony raising the thirteen-star flag and hear why this was especially daring in 1776.

Design Gym SUMMER HOURS

Design Gym: Summer Hours

Design Gym 179 W Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

At design Gym, "Open Gym" will be open Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10:00AM-6:00PM at the design studio and third space in Norris Square/Olde Kensington @silkscreenstudios. OPEN GYM is free, drop-in hours to explore design and exercise your creativity. Some ways to enjoy "Open Gym": - Bring […]

Free
Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches

Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches

Independence Hall 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

One-of-a-kind award-winning Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches are located throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District, telling riveting stories of our nation’s history in the places where they actually happened. Specially-trained, uniformed storytellers delight and entertain with free, short 3-to-5-minute stories while sharing the secrets of Philadelphia’s […]

New Baby Meetup

Rutabaga Toy Library 3426 Conrad St c2, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Weekly gatherings - a wonderful way to explore Rutabaga & meet new friends! Hangouts are open to the public: free for members & just $10 drop-in for non-members. In your new role as caregiver, sometimes you simply need to feel heard — to be seen […]

Franklin’s Key at Play & Players Theatre

Play & Players Theatre 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Pig Iron Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Franklin's Key, a thrilling sci-fi adventure reimagining Benjamin Franklin’s legacy in an alternate universe where science and magic collide. This visually stunning production blends Philadelphia’s rich history with breathtaking stage illusions by Skylar Fox (Harry Potter […]

$35 – $65

BlackStar Film Festival 2025

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts 300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, United States +2 more

Attend the BlackStar Film Festival, an annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the global majority, showcasing genre-defying films by Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from around the world. The 2025 BlackStar Film Festival will take place July 31 – Aug 3 along […]

BlackStar Film Festival Opening Night Film: TCB – The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts 300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

TCB – The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing, directed by Louis Massiah and Monica Henriquez, is a biography of the influential writer Toni Cade Bambara, whose literary works and film collaborations were a catalyzing force in 20th century cultural and political movements. The documentary […]

Little Beets Music Class at Rutabaga Toy Library

Rutabaga Toy Library 3426 Conrad St c2, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Little Beets Music Class is a hands-on music making experiences designed to foster children's musical growth. A portion of each class is dedicated to shared musical activities, such as sing-along songs, finger plays, instrument exploration, and movement. The remaining time allows for musical free play, […]

$25
Betsy Ross House Flag Raising

Betsy Ross House Flag Raising

Betsy Ross House 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Start the day in the charming Betsy Ross House courtyard. Join Betsy for a secret ceremony raising the thirteen-star flag and hear why this was especially daring in 1776.

Design Gym SUMMER HOURS

Design Gym: Summer Hours

Design Gym 179 W Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

At design Gym, "Open Gym" will be open Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10:00AM-6:00PM at the design studio and third space in Norris Square/Olde Kensington @silkscreenstudios. OPEN GYM is free, drop-in hours to explore design and exercise your creativity. Some ways to enjoy "Open Gym": - Bring […]

Free
STORYTIME + DESIGN

Storytime & Design at Design Gym

Design Gym 179 W Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Storytime + Design is a weekly creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.  All ages and identities are welcome on the designer journey. Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.

Free
Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches

Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches

Independence Hall 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

One-of-a-kind award-winning Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches are located throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District, telling riveting stories of our nation’s history in the places where they actually happened. Specially-trained, uniformed storytellers delight and entertain with free, short 3-to-5-minute stories while sharing the secrets of Philadelphia’s […]

Sankofa Farm Stand at Bartram’s Village

Bartram's Village

Come purchase fresh, chemical-free inspirited local produce straight from Sankofa Community Farm every Thursday at the Bartram’s Village apartments (54th & Lindbergh Blvd entrance), now through mid-November! EBT, cash, WIC Farmer’s Market vouchers, and Senior vouchers are all accepted methods of payment (standard retail WIC […]

Arts on Center Stage

Arts on Center Stage

Dilworth Park 1 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Philadelphia’s robust network of arts and culture organizations will be celebrated every week as they perform in the center of the city. The performances will range from orchestral serenades and ballet ensembles to jazz instrumentals and more. Attendance is free for all, but seating in […]

Franklin’s Key at Play & Players Theatre

Play & Players Theatre 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Pig Iron Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Franklin's Key, a thrilling sci-fi adventure reimagining Benjamin Franklin’s legacy in an alternate universe where science and magic collide. This visually stunning production blends Philadelphia’s rich history with breathtaking stage illusions by Skylar Fox (Harry Potter […]

$35 – $65
Astrology Camp

Astrology Camp

Mt. Airy CDC HQ 6703 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, Suite 200,, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Are you looking to learn the language of the stars and planets in the heavens above? Astrology Camp is a unique and immersive experience for individuals intrigued by celestial influences on human life and our collective world. Camp participants will delve into the realm of […]

$275.00

BlackStar Film Festival Opening Night Film: TCB – The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts 300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

TCB – The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing, directed by Louis Massiah and Monica Henriquez, is a biography of the influential writer Toni Cade Bambara, whose literary works and film collaborations were a catalyzing force in 20th century cultural and political movements. The documentary […]