Free Philly Family-Friendly Events for Philadelphia on a Budget
Discover how to maximize family fun in Philly with our guide to the top free attractions and events.
There are always free Philly family-friendly events and things to do in Philly. Philadelphia brims with history, culture, and adventure. For families on a budget, finding new things to see and do can add up fast. But it’s possible to make memories as a family without breaking the bank.
Best of all, these free Philly events and activities are in and around the city. Get to know where you live or love where you visit.
Whether you’re a local looking for new ways to explore the city or a visitor wanting to make the most of your trip, Philadelphia offers a wealth of free activities and events that cater to all ages. From captivating museum days to outdoor movie nights, there’s always something exciting happening.
Dive into our guide to discover the best free family activities in Philadelphia, ensuring fun-filled days without the cost. Hungry for more? Browse free Main Line events and activities made for families.
Fun and Free Philly Family-Friendly Events and Activities
Earth Day at Newlin Grist Mill
Newlin Grist Mill 219 Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, PA, United StatesHelp celebrate nature and protect the environment with Newlin Grist Mill's Earth Day volunteer event! Each year, Newlin Grist Mill brings together diverse volunteers from the community, including individuals, families, scout troops, and youth groups, to work on projects that improve habitat for wildlife, protect […]
Mothership: Free Family Day at The Fabric Workshop and Museum
The Fabric Workshop and Museum 1214 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesCelebrate artist mothers with Art Mamas, a member-driven supportive community for parents in the arts. Parents can join a morning tour and conversation with current Artists-in-Residence while their little ones make art in the studio. Making activities for all ages and artist box viewings are available throughout […]
May First Saturday Open House: AnatoMAY with the Mütter Museum
Wagner Free Institute of Science 1700 W. Montgomery Ave., Philadelphia, PA, United StatesWhat can real-life observation—of skeletons, fossils, and other natural specimens—teach us about the inner workings of humans and animals? Join the Wagner and The Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library in learning about anatomical structures, how the study of anatomy has developed since the 19th […]
GrioXArts Flag Bandana Workshop
Cherry Street Pier 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin GrioXArts for a free Flag Bandanna Workshop! All ages and skill levels welcome.
10 Year Anniversary Family Swim
Goldfish Swim School - Fort Washington 185 Commerce Dr., Fort Washington, PA, United StatesJoin Goldfish Swim School for their 10th anniversary Family Swim! There will also be free snacks and crafts. Registration is required – 1 ticket per person.
Paws & Feet 5k Run/Walk and Doggie Fun Day
Cooper River Park N Park Dr, Pennsauken, NJ, United StatesAnimal Welfare Association’s signature event, the Paws & Feet 5k Run/Walk and Doggie Fun Day is an annual fundraising event celebrating the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets.
GrioXArts Flag Bandana Workshop
Cherry Street Pier 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin GrioXArts for a free Flag Bandanna Workshop! All ages and skill levels welcome.
Jazz Town presented by Rittenhop
Cherry Street Pier 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesFor the third consecutive year, Rittenhop invites you to Jazz Town, a celebration of the Baltimore and Philadelphia swing dancing scenes. With events happening in both cities the first weekend in May, enjoy a free swing dance at Cherry Street Pier featuring live music by […]
Family Storytime at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library 10199 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesOn Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
¡Canticuentos Spanish Storytime! at Falls of Schuykill Library
Falls of Schuylkill Library 3501 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin local storyteller Ana Atach for Canticuentos: songs and stories in Spanish, with a new animal theme each week. Spanish beginners (and their animal toys) welcome! Intended for ages 0 to 5 years old, along with a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Meets on Tuesdays from March […]
In Harmony: Chamber Music with Philadelphia’s East Asian Communities
Crane Community Center 1001 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA, United StatesPhiladelphia Chinatown Development Corporation and Dolce Suono Ensemble present a free community concert as part of Dolce Suono Ensemble's new project, "In Harmony: Chamber Music with Philadelphia's East Asian Communities". Students from the Crane Center's after school program will be participating in a side-by-side performance […]
Friday Flicks at the Fountain: Parkside Community Movie Night
John Welsh Memorial Fountain Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesFree movies nights in the park are the perfect way to welcome spring and gather with the community! Enjoy a family-friendly activity at 7:30 pm, followed by the movie at 8 pm. FRIDAY, MAY 2: Inside Out 2 (PG) Pre-movie activity provided by Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center FRIDAY, […]
Up Next! Youth Jam Sessions
World Cafe Live 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesUp Next! is a free monthly open jam session providing a platform for Philly’s creative youth to learn, perform, collaborate, and grow. Every second Saturday, The Lounge at World Cafe Live offers an all-ages, alcohol-free environment, showcasing our city’s up-and-coming talent while building community across […]
Yoga in the Park
Fairmount Park Tennis Courts North 33rd Street & Dauphin Drive, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesTake a moment of peace at East Fairmount Park before your Mother's Day brunch with yoga in the park. This collaboration between Fairmount Park Conservancy and Tula Yoga is a wonderful way to carve out time for yourself in the greenspace, no matter what your […]
Free Admission at The Michener Museum
Michener Art Museum 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA, United StatesThe Michener Museum is now free of charge on the second Sunday of every month. The free second Sunday and evening hours on first Thursday are possible due to a $400,000 grant from the Art Bridges Foundation, whose Access for All program is funding 64 […]
Family Storytime at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library 10199 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesOn Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
¡Canticuentos Spanish Storytime! at Falls of Schuykill Library
Falls of Schuylkill Library 3501 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin local storyteller Ana Atach for Canticuentos: songs and stories in Spanish, with a new animal theme each week. Spanish beginners (and their animal toys) welcome! Intended for ages 0 to 5 years old, along with a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Meets on Tuesdays from March […]
Kids Craft Drop-In Days at Historic St. George’s Museum and Archives
Historic St. George's Museum and Archives 326 New Street, Philadelphia, United StatesJoin Historic St. George’s Museum and Archives for a Kid's Craft Drop-in class, on the third Saturday of each month. Each month will be a new theme.
GrioXArts Flag Bandana Workshop
Cherry Street Pier 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin GrioXArts for a free Flag Bandanna Workshop! All ages and skill levels welcome.
GrioXArts Flag Bandana Workshop
Cherry Street Pier 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin GrioXArts for a free Flag Bandanna Workshop! All ages and skill levels welcome.
2025 Spring Festival at PAFA
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts - PAFA 118-128 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesBring the whole family to PAFA’s 2025 Spring Festival and celebrate another year of creativity and community! Enjoy a fun-filled day of art-inspired activities for the whole family.
Family Storytime at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library 10199 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesOn Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
¡Canticuentos Spanish Storytime! at Falls of Schuykill Library
Falls of Schuylkill Library 3501 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin local storyteller Ana Atach for Canticuentos: songs and stories in Spanish, with a new animal theme each week. Spanish beginners (and their animal toys) welcome! Intended for ages 0 to 5 years old, along with a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Meets on Tuesdays from March […]
GrioXArts Flag Bandana Workshop
Cherry Street Pier 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin GrioXArts for a free Flag Bandanna Workshop! All ages and skill levels welcome.
GrioXArts Flag Bandana Workshop
Cherry Street Pier 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin GrioXArts for a free Flag Bandanna Workshop! All ages and skill levels welcome.
Family Storytime at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library 10199 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesOn Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
¡Canticuentos Spanish Storytime! at Falls of Schuykill Library
Falls of Schuylkill Library 3501 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin local storyteller Ana Atach for Canticuentos: songs and stories in Spanish, with a new animal theme each week. Spanish beginners (and their animal toys) welcome! Intended for ages 0 to 5 years old, along with a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Meets on Tuesdays from March […]
Family Storytime at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library 10199 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesOn Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
¡Canticuentos Spanish Storytime! at Falls of Schuykill Library
Falls of Schuylkill Library 3501 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin local storyteller Ana Atach for Canticuentos: songs and stories in Spanish, with a new animal theme each week. Spanish beginners (and their animal toys) welcome! Intended for ages 0 to 5 years old, along with a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Meets on Tuesdays from March […]
Free Admission at The Michener Museum
Michener Art Museum 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA, United StatesThe Michener Museum is now free of charge on the second Sunday of every month. The free second Sunday and evening hours on first Thursday are possible due to a $400,000 grant from the Art Bridges Foundation, whose Access for All program is funding 64 […]
Family Storytime at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library 10199 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesOn Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
¡Canticuentos Spanish Storytime! at Falls of Schuykill Library
Falls of Schuylkill Library 3501 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin local storyteller Ana Atach for Canticuentos: songs and stories in Spanish, with a new animal theme each week. Spanish beginners (and their animal toys) welcome! Intended for ages 0 to 5 years old, along with a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Meets on Tuesdays from March […]
Family Storytime at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library 10199 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesOn Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
¡Canticuentos Spanish Storytime! at Falls of Schuykill Library
Falls of Schuylkill Library 3501 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin local storyteller Ana Atach for Canticuentos: songs and stories in Spanish, with a new animal theme each week. Spanish beginners (and their animal toys) welcome! Intended for ages 0 to 5 years old, along with a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Meets on Tuesdays from March […]
Kids Craft Drop-In Days at Historic St. George’s Museum and Archives
Historic St. George's Museum and Archives 326 New Street, Philadelphia, United StatesJoin Historic St. George’s Museum and Archives for a Kid's Craft Drop-in class, on the third Saturday of each month. Each month will be a new theme.
Freebie Events and Activities in Philadelphia
Make a day of it. Wander the city or plan it out ahead of time. Explore Philly bike trails, play at the playground, or search for a splash pad. Try a new restaurant or food truck. Keep it inexpensive (and memorable), and pack up a picnic for the park. Find something to do near the free event for a full day of family-focused fun and connection.
Check back often for new things to see and do all around the city. Banish boredom fast with the easy-to-use events calendar. This free calendar of Philadelphia activities and events is constantly updated and always maintained all year long. Don’t miss a single freebie thing — ever.
Need more ideas? Jump over to the Best for Families Guide for top-rated Philly activities and businesses from readers in the area.
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