Outdoor Winter Activities Near Philly for Kids

1. Hit the Rink 

Lace your skates for a spin on the ice and then warm up by a fire pit. Some of Philly's outdoor rinks also have games and other kid-friendly activities, and of course, hot chocolate.

2. Ski and Snowboard

Many of Pennsylvania's mountains make the perfect visit for families with young kids who are just starting, but experts are sure to find these slopes fun as well. 

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Hit a hole-in-one at Franklin Square's Chilly Philly Mini-Golf. Photo by J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia

3. Play Chilly Philly Mini-Golf

Bundle up for a hole-in-one during a chilly game of Philly Mini Golf presented by IBEW Local 98 at Franklin Square. Putt the ball amid familiar miniaturized Philadelphia sites.

4. Walk Around Longwood Gardens

Take in the beauty of the well-manicured grounds, and catch the Winter Wonder exhibit running through March. 

5. Sled Down a New Hill

We're hoping for snow this year, so check out our list of great sledding hills. We've even organized the hills by suitability for each age group.

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Kids are always in the mood for hot chocolate bombs. Photo by Ally Noel

6. Take a Winter Hike

Bundle up, pack a hearty lunch, and draw in the cool air at one of these local hiking destinations.  

RELATED: Guide to Philly Museums 

7. Head to Dilworth Park

Enjoy the pretty seasonal topiaries at Wintergarden or go ice skating at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink.

8. Snow Tube Down a Mountain

If you want the mountain experience without skiing or snowboarding, snow tubing is offered at most local ski resorts. 

8. See Animals at the Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo reopens for Friday–Sunday daytime visits beginning in February. Check out the new Troll exhibit opening in February and running through April 15, and don't miss Spiders Alive!

10. Experience Winter at Morris Arboretum

Walk around for amazing views of the grounds and get a bird's eye view from the Out on a Limb exhibit. 

11. Electrical Spectacle at Franklin Square

Franklin Square is glowing all through February. Don't miss Electrical Spectacle.

12. Catch the Last Holiday Lights 

If you missed Shady Brook Farm's holiday light show drive-thru over the holidays, there's still time to view it on weekends throughout January. 

13. Visit Peace Valley Nature Center 

Winter events run into March and include storytime and guided walks with themes like "Out of Hibernation," "Blue Bird Workshop," and "Maple Sugar Day." 

14. Winterfest at Blue Cross RiverRink

Lace up your skates, cozy up in the warming cabins or a firepit station, ride the boardwalk rides, and more at Blue Cross RiverRink's Winterfest.

15. Go Maple Sugaring

Tree-tapping season officially kicks off in February with sugarings and tastings running through April. Popular events include the festival at Wissahickon Environmental Center and Warwick County Park.

16. Plan a Weekend Getaway

Consider these driveable options to explore another area. 

17. Visit the Portal in LOVE Park

Peek into different places around the world at the Portal in LOVE Park.

18. Play at Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse

Smith stays open all winter. Play outside for a bit, then head to the indoor playhouse to warm up.

Indoor Winter Activities Near Philly for Kids

19. Body Odyssey at the Franklin Institute

The giant heart has returned and it's better than ever! Check out the brand new exhibit surrounding the heart where you can easily spend a whole afternoon!

20. Spend a Day at American Dream

Take the family up the New Jersey Turnpike for mini-golfing, indoor skiing, a water park, and a Nickelodeon-themed indoor amusement park.

21. Get Extreme!

Extreme sports are a super fun way to bond with your kiddos while getting a good workout!

22. Visit an Indoor Water Park

Grab your bathing suits and try out one of the many options in the Poconos.

23. Volunteer as a Family

Opportunities abound on MLK Day of Service, and many of the organizations on our holiday volunteering list need help year-round.

24. Create at the Art Museum

Supplies are provided and art projects and themes change monthly for these Sunday studio sessions. Children are free.

25. Ride the Snowflake Train

Climb aboard the train for a two-hour ride and watch the snowy world go by on a journey through the Secret Valley. The trip departs from and arrives in Boyertown, Pennsylvania.

26. Visit Adventure Aquarium

Cross the bridge to visit the over 15,000 aquatic animals this winter.

27. Explore a Free Museum

Art, science, history, or nature, wherever your interests lie, exploring them for free is an option on certain days.

28. Play Indoor Mini-Golf at Linvilla

Tee up the fun and learn about butterflies, the rain forest, food chains, and more at this event created by the Academy of Natural Sciences.

29. Peco Family Jams

Get creative together at Magic Gardens where every second Sunday you can create a different themed art project.

30. Ice Dinosaurs at Academy of Natural Sciences

The Academy of Natural Sciences transports you to the Late Cretaceous period in the Arctic Circle, where dinosaurs actually lived year-round in extreme polar environments.

31. Spanish Story Time

Head to the Philadelphia City Institute for a Spanish story time on select Saturday mornings.

32. Check Out Toy Trains

The Museum of American History in Deptford, New Jersey will have trains from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s on display through January for a small admission fee.

33. Get Air at a Trampoline Park

These aren't just for the kids; parents are also sure to enjoy a trip upwards.

34. Get Out of an Escape Room

Put all the heads in your family together and solve a riddle to reach the end.

35. Ride a Battleship

Head over to the New Jersey side of the Delaware River to board "America's Most Decorated Battleship" and experience life as a sailor.

36. Hit Up a Mommy and Me Class

Learn together with your little one while having fun, too.

37. Visit the Museum of Illusions

This museum full of optical illusions will surely trick your eyes and entertain your mind.

38. Head to a Flyers Game

Watch the orange and black gear up and face-off on the ice.

39. Peddler's Village Gingerbread Display

Head to Peddler's Village to see all the impressive gingerbread displays.

40. Check out Some Helicopters

The Helicopter Museum in West Chester is a fun place to explore things that fly.

Writer Cait Sumner contributed to an update of this post in December 2024.