They say the best things in life are free -- and that includes family fun here in Philly! Winter, spring, summer, or fall, families can explore a variety of indoor and outdoor spots found throughout the region that offer lots of enjoyment without charge.

Sometimes, finding activities in the City of Brotherly Love for the entire family can get a bit pricey...unless you know where to look. The good news? We do! So with all the things Philly has to offer, there's no reason to let money prohibit you from missing out on a day of family fun. Check out these engaging, educational, and free activities in the Philly area, perfect for kids under 12.

For more fun on a budget, check out our Free Activities Guide.

Who needs Sundance, or even Cannes? The 2020 New York International Children's Film Festival unspools this month in NYC, and we have all the info you need to enjoy it to the max, in an easily digestible format (there's a banquet out there). This is one fest where kids' opinions count: If you go, be sure to grab a ballot and vote on the films you've seen.

Read on for the full 411 on this year's fab films, including how to score discounted tickets. Popcorn mandatory.

The winter months can feel long, especially post-holidays when little ones are bound to get a touch of cabin fever. Having an easy go-to spot where the kids can blow off some steam is a must, and it's even better if that standby is FREE!

You don't need to dig into your 401K to give your kids a memorable live theater experience in NYC. This winter, there are a slew of family-friendly shows for all ages that cost a sliver of what you'd pay to see a Broadway production.

There are wonderful options for kids of all ages from toddlers to teens, including shows aimed specifically at the preschool set (Taste the Clouds, Gustafer Yellowgold, Sesame Street Live!); stage adaptations of popular picture books (Dog Man, Pete the Cat, She Persisted); a production specifically created for children on the autism spectrum (SUDS); and eye-popping spectacles for the whole family (Thunderbird American Indian Dancers in Concert, Drumfolk).

Best of all, most of these 27 shows are priced at $25 and under, so you can take the whole family for less than the price of one Broadway ticket.

Xplore Family Fun Center has leveled up its playtime with the addition of an elevated ropes course. Xplore, which was has been rebranded by the folks behind Safari Adventure in Riverhead in 2018, has been transformed into one of the top indoor play destinations in Suffolk's North Shore. 

Raise your glasses of butterbeer in celebration: A brand new Harry Potter store is coming to New York City. The shop, which promises to house the world's largest collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products under one roof, opens in the heart of the Flatiron District this summer.

While New York has seen its share of Harry Potter pop-ups, from the huge History of Magic exhibition at the New-York Historical Society to a fun coffee shop in the East Village, the new Harry Potter store is here to stay.

Philadelphia is home to the Flyers and some intense sports fans. So for many, hockey is serious business, and it comes as no surprise that kids want to take to the ice and learn to skate and play like the pros. Fortunately, there are a number of local programs that are NHL Learn to Skate USA partners. The program is designed to build skills and make hockey a positive experience, and the only thing you need are basic ice skating skills. If your kid has the eye of the tiger and is dreaming of growing up to be the next Bobby Clarke or Claude Giroux, we've put together a roundup of some Philadelphia-area rinks that offer ice hockey lessons for kids.

Want to check out other lessons in the Philly area that might interest your kids? Take a look at our Philly Classes and Enrichment Guide.

Your Los Angeles Public Library card may be small and plastic and may be hiding in your wallet, but did you know it comes packed with free surprises for the whole family? You may think your card is all about books you can check out from one of LA's fabulous public libraries—and that’s certainly one of its charms—but it also contains some little-known perks that can save you money and entertain a few restless kiddos. Bonus: Many of these freebies can be enjoyed 24/7, from the comfort of your own couch.