Presented by Pages to Pirouettes, The Nutcracker returns to the Free Library stage! Photo courtesy of the event
JingleBell Run, Fishtown Freeze, The Nutcracker, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend
Rose Tree Park glimmers at night, welcoming visitors to enjoy a wintery walk at Festival of Lights. Photo courtesy of the park
21 Free Holiday and Christmas Events for Philly Kids
The amazing Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular.display is back! Photo courtesy of the venue
24 Best Things to Do in Philly December 2024 with Kids
Santa roams Philadelphia's Christmas Village all season long. Photo courtesy of Kory Aversa for Christmas Village.
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Take a sparkling selfie at the Miracle on South 13th Street. Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia
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The zoo lights are aglow at LumiNature. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo
30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Philly for Kids
Curiosity meets discovery in Body Odyssey, where the walkthrough Giant Heart is just the beginning.
The Giant Heart is Back and Better Than Ever at the Franklin Institute
Photo courtesy of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Best Philly Tours for Kids: Art Hunts, Food Tours, Ghost Tours, and More
Kids under 18 are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill
100 Free Fun Things To Do in Philly with Kids
Fishtown families flock to Penn Treaty Park for the waterfront views, special events, and open space. Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
Fishtown with Kids: 9 Things To Do in the Fishtown Neighborhood of Philly
School Calendars 2024-2025: Important Dates for Philadelphia School District
Grand Slam U.S.A. challenges you to a game of laser tag! Photo courtesy of the center
Best Laser Tag Zones and Paintball for Philly Kids
Build birthday memories brick by brick at LEGOLAND. Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND
31 Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids in Philly
Ricketts Glen State Park is a family-friendly destination with awesome activities for all ages. Photo of Ricketts Glen by the author
Amazing Budget Weekend Getaways for Philly Families
Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
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Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), located in the heart of Old City.
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Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo courtesy of the museum
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In addition to Pay-What-You-Wish First Sundays, kids 18 and under are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Turn your eye of the tiger into the eye of an artist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Take a bikde ride through Doylestown. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
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Six Flag Great Adventure brings big-time thrills and is one of our favorite amusement parks in New Jersey.
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Both babies and dogs love stroller walks for some fresh air. Photo courtesy of Gina Massaro for Mommy Poppins
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Parents eat while kids climb and slide at Craft Hall.
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Pony rides always bring out smiles at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
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Try a whiz-wit at Tony Luke's, a reliable Philly cheesesteak spot with multiple locations. Photo courtesy of J. Varney for GPTMC
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Challenge the rope bridge and zip line at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Blue Cross RiverRink is open for Summerfest in the warmer months and Winterfest in the colder months. Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Kids can zoom down the slide and, of course, launch scarves at Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
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No one walks the plank, but everyone has fun with with Scallywag’s Pirate Adventures in Erie. Photo courtesy of Scallywag's Pirate Adventures.
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Take a hike: Family getaways are a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
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Activities To Get You Out of the House This Weekend in NYC

Step aboard the Intrepid and back in time when the museum reopens to the public Thursday, March 25. Photo courtesy of the Intrepid
Step aboard the Intrepid and back in time when the museum reopens to the public Thursday, March 25. Photo courtesy of the Intrepid
3/24/21 - By Drew Kristofik

Spring break is on the horizon, outdoor fun is beckoning, and some beloved kid spots reopen to the public. We are psyched. First up, the Intrepid is lowering its gangplank to the public again, offering some new opportunities for big ship fans, including a peek into the bomb elevators and access to the pilot escalator. Then, Six Flags Great Adventure opens its gates in Jackson, N.J., so coaster riders can once again placate their need for speed.

Saturday's Holi celebration in Riverside Park uses colored kites for COVID safety. Easter egg hunts and celebrations dot the landscape in every borough, and kids can welcome spring with a scavenger hunt/seed swap at the Old Stone House. If that's not enough, we've found 50 fun events and activities for the spring break week and have even more seasonal picks in our Spring Fun Guide.

Poppins@Home is poised to fill in any free time remaining with Snapology's planes, trains, automobiles camp program, an awesome virtual hip hop dance class, ballet for all, and bilingual music fun with 123 Andres all await, too.

Keep a vigilant eye on the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar as the city continues to open like the gorgeous flower it is.

Editor's note: While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate distance. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our Event Calendar to find something else to do. Keep in mind, reservations are required for many of these events, so plan your outings in advance, and be sure to click through to our listing for all the details, including address, time, and pricing.

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Go for a wild ride when Six Flags Great Adventure reopens Saturday, March 27, in Jackson, N.J. Photo courtesy of Six Flags.
Go for a wild ride when Six Flags Great Adventure reopens Saturday, March 27, in Jackson, N.J. Photo courtesy of Six Flags.

Best Things To Do in NYC This Week With Kids

Hayden Planetarium Reopens with Worlds Beyond Earth

Upper West Side
Wednesday, March 24
The American Museum of Natural History is reopening the iconic Hayden Planetarium Space Theater at a limited capacity. Because of physical distancing requirements, only 48 visitors will be welcomed to each showing in the Space Theater, which ordinarily seats up to 429. READ MORE

Intrepid Museum Reopens

Midtown West
Thursday, March 25
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum reopens with a four-day per week schedule. Enhanced health and safety measures include a mandatory face-covering policy, social distancing, a 25 percent capacity limit, timed ticketing, and increased cleaning and disinfecting procedures. READ MORE

City Skate Pop-Up Concert

Midtown West–FREE
Thursdays, March 25
Ice Theatre of New York presents City Skate Pop-Up Concerts featuring impressive young skating apprentices and professional ensemble members from Ice Theatre of New York. READ MORE

Skyline Drive-In

Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Dr. No (PG), Saturday, March 27
Legally Blonde (PG-13), Saturday, March 27
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (PG-13), Sunday, March 28
The Skyline Drive-In, on the Greenpoint waterfront, offers family-friendly movies with the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop. Don't have a car? No problem—socially distanced seating on lawn chairs is also available, weather permitting. READ MORE

Woodlands Scavenger Hunt

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturday, March 27
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosts a fun park scavenger hunt focusing on the flora and fauna in woodland habitats and early signs of spring. Search for animal dens, leaf buds, mushrooms, and more. READ MORE

Holi on the Hudson

Upper West Side
Saturday, March 27
Holi is a Hindu festival of spring, originally celebrated by throwing colored powder on people to create equality and erase differences. At this innovative celebration, participants throw colored kites into the sky to celebrate powder-free. READ MORE

Six Flags Great Adventure Season Opening

Jackson, New Jersey
Saturday, March 27
From thrilling roller coasters to fun family rides to live entertainment, Six Flags Great Adventure offers something for everyone. Don't miss the theme park's season opening weekend.  READ MORE

BUILD NYC at Chelsea Market

Chelsea–FREE
Saturdays through March 27
Street Lab's BUILD NYC programs invite kids to build with Lego, Magna-Tiles, and more. All activities take place at the heated, curbside dining areas at Chelsea Market along West 16th Street. READ MORE

Welcome Spring Scavenger Hunt and Seed Swap

Park Slope, Brooklyn—FREE
Sunday, March 28
Head to the gardens of the Old Stone House for a spring-filled scavenger hunt, searching for hidden pictures on the grounds. Be sure to claim your prize: a DIY tulip craft and a seasonal sticker. READ MORE

Queens Drive-In: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (G)

Corona, Queens
Sunday, March 28
The original, unparalleled screen adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved, candy-coated children’s fantasy plays on a big screen at the Queens Drive-In. READ MORE

Earth Rocks

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Monday, March 29
The Brooklyn Children's Museum celebrates spring break and Mother Earth with a special program devoted to her natural wonders. Explore the Brooklyn sky through a telescope, add to a gigantic moss painting, build kid-sized shelters from recycled materials, meet BCM's aquatic animals, and more. READ MORE

Dr. Seuss Celebration at Alley Pond

Oakland Gardens, Queens
Monday, March 29
You could not, would not, want to miss a celebration as fun as this! After a reading of Ten Apples Up on Top, kids face a balancing challenge of their own and meet some favorite animal ambassadors. READ MORE

Celebrate Women's History Month in Central Park

Central Park–FREE
Daily through Wednesday, March 31
Celebrate Women's History Month in Central Park by exploring its sites while learning about women's legacies. Kids are welcome to follow the Women's Heritage Trail as a scavenger hunt game, leading through monuments, playgrounds, fountains, and more. READ MORE

Easter Bunny Ears and Dance Party

Upper West Side
Wednesday, March 31-Sunday, April 4
Book a Superpowered Creators adventure tour and prep for Easter by building a pair of bunny ears then hopping along to the beat during an Easter parade and dance party. READ MORE

Arrivals + Departures

Downtown Brooklyn
Daily through Sunday, April 11
Transforming Brooklyn Borough Hall into a site of recognition and remembrance, Arrivals + Departures looks like train or airport arrivals and departures board. Share a name to the boards as a way of celebrating a birth (arrivals), honoring a life, or commemorating a death (departures). READ MORE
Are you the funniest person you know? The Edible Book Festival is your chance to prove your pun making skills! Photo courtesy of the festival
Are you the funniest person you know? The Edible Book Festival is your chance to prove your pun making skills! Photo courtesy of the festival

Top Virtual Events This Week

Edible Book Festival

FREE
Saturday, March 20-Sunday March 28
Shorelake Arts in Washington State is hosting a virtual Edible Book festival/competition, bringing people together for a lighthearted culinary, artistic, and literary celebration. The challenge: Create something edible, inspired by works of literature. READ MORE

Blossom Kite Festival

FREE
Saturday, March 27-Sunday, March 28
This long-standing DC tradition, part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, invites people of all ages to fly kites among the cherry blossom trees on the grounds of the Washington Monument.  READ MORE

Watson Adventures’ Around the World Virtual Easter Egg Hunt for Kids

Saturday, March 27 through Sunday, April 4
(Click through for dates)
Chickens—or is it bunnies?—have laid eggs all over the internet. You can find them almost hidden in art museum paintings, and in natural history museums as giant dinosaur eggs and tiny hummingbird eggs.  READ MORE

Virtual Festival of the Spring Equinox

Sunday, March 28
Spring signals a new beginning. The Bowers Museum's latest free virtual festival offers songs and dance celebrating a season of hope and renewal, featuring a special performance by Orange County Ballet Theater. READ MORE

Living History @ Home: March with the Suffragists

FREE
Wednesday, March 24
The New York Historical Society's historical interpreters demonstrate the many different methods used by suffragists to encourage male voters to vote “yes!” for the women’s right to vote. READ MORE
Climb to new heights at the Adventure Playground in Highbridge Park. Photo by Jody Mercier
Climb to new heights at the Adventure Playground in Highbridge Park. Photo by Jody Mercier

More Things To Do in NYC This March

10 Newly Renovated NYC Playgrounds to Visit in Spring 2021

Playground season means it's time to find a new favorite spot to play. READ MORE

Easter Bunny Pictures in NYC

Smile: It's time for that seasonal photo-op with the Easter Bunny. READ MORE

Spring Break 2024: 49 Fun Things To Do in NYC

Staying local this spring break? We've got plenty to keep your family busy. READ MORE

Roller Skating in NYC for Kids and Families

Enjoy an old-school outing at these local roller skating rinks. READ MORE

Empire State Trail With Kids: Family-Friendly Local Sections to Explore

Whether you run, ride, or walk, you've got to explore this 750-mile trail! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Alley Pond Environmental Center
Central Park
Dimenna / New York Historical Society Online
Adventure Playground Highbridge Park