The Shofuso Cherry Blossom Fest in Fairmount Park is not to be missed.

Spring Activities in Philadelphia for Kids and Families

1. Check out Cherry Blossom Fest

Take in the cherry blossoms and enjoy the new concert series at Shofuso, opening just in time for those pink petals to bloom.

2. Watch a Free Outdoor Ballet

Check out a free ballet performance, Behind the Stage Door, a brand new partnership between the Philadelphia Ballet and Mural Arts.

3. Go Maple Sugaring

Find a tree on tap at a maple sugaring event and start spring on a sweet note.

RELATED: 10 Philly Gardens and Arboretums for Kids

Daffodil Day at Winterthur. Photo by Bob Leitch

4. Wander through Winterthur 

 Visit Winterthur's Enchanted Woods, or join in for Daffodil Day or Spring Fling.

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Climb aboard the most famous train from the island of Sodor as Thomas the Tank Engine pulls into Strasburg Rail Road. 

5. Ride Thomas the Train 

A Day Out with Thomas returns this spring to the Strasberg Railroad to make your Sodor-loving kid's dreams come true.

6. Explore the Schuylkill Center  

Hike the trails any time, or visit on a Saturday to pick up a free family nature explorer kit.

7. Jam out at Philadelphia Children's Festival 

University City's annual children's fest is back, with a line-up of performances and creative play activities.

8.  Get Festive at Spring Fest

Put some spring in your step at Roxborough's annual festival featuring local artists, musical acts, balloon artists, kids' games, and more.

RELATED: Guide to Philly Museums for Kids

Explore Harry Potter: The Exhibition and have a wand duel. Photo by Danielle Smith

9. Explore Harry Potter: The Exhibition

The Franklin Institute stays magical all spring long, so be sure to get your tickets to the Wizarding World.

10. Eat Some Wooder Ice

Start ice cream season by snagging some free Rita's for that first taste of spring.

11. Visit the Museum of Illusions

Fool your eyes at this brand-new museum, which just opened its deceptive doors in March.

12. Dine on the Delaware

Philly's largest outdoor restaurant, Liberty Point, opens in April for a family-friendly dining experience right on the Delaware Waterfront.

13. Celebrate Earth Month

Help clean up and celebrate the environment with a service project every Saturday in April at Newlin Grist Mill.

14. Explore Nature

Get outside and explore nature, or hike through one of Pennsylvania's State Parks.

15. Hop a Train

Take in the sights and sounds of spring aboard a train, or level up with an Easter Bunny Express.

16.  Stroll through Sister Cities Park

Philly's favorite wading pond reopens in April, so pack a picnic, take a dip, and frolic through the discovery garden.

17.  Go Camping

Spend a spring night under the stars. 

18. Frolic through Franklin Square

Play a round of mini-golf, ride the carousel, and peruse the playground.

RELATED: Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in Philadelphia

Climb Kids' Castle in Doylestown. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

19. Climb Kids' Castle

Take a royal trip to Doylestown to climb an eight-story wooden castle in a 108-acre park.

20. Smell the Spring Blooms

Smell the flowers of Longwood Garden's Spring Blooms display, the perfect place to spend a spring day.

21. Swing by Sesame Place 

Hang with Elmo, Cookie, Abby, and the rest of the gang. Take a ride, splash in the water, wave at a parade, and hug your favorite Sesame Street friends. 

22. Go Down the Shore

Visit Ocean City to hit the boardwalk and enjoy rides at Gillian's Wonderland Pier or Playland's Castaway Cove.

23. Go Chasing Waterfalls

Who knew there were so many magical waterfalls nearby to investigate on a family day trip.

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Enjoy rides fit for thrill-seekers and the less adventurous at Dutch Wonderland.

24. Dutch Day Trip

Pack up the car and head to Lancaster. Visit Dutch Wonderland while you're there, which opens for the season on April 30.  

25. Visit Bartram's Garden 

Explore the gardens and stroll along the Tidal Schuylkill River, where you can also go boating, canoeing, and paddling.

26. Dig at Diggerland

Kids operate real equipment, ride construction-themed rides, and live out their dump-trucking, excavating, bull-dozing dreams.

RELATED: Top Attractions in Philadelphia: Best Things to See and Do with Kids

Make a mud pie at Play-A-Palooza. Photo courtesy of Rosie Simmons for Smith Memorial Playground

27. Play-A-Palooza

Get playful at Smith Memorial Playground's annual Play-A-Palooza, with music, dance, and community partners celebrating the start of playground season.

28. Explore a New Park or Playground

From splash pads to spraygrounds, toddler playgrounds, or big kid parks, there are always new places to play in Philly.

29. Hop a Spring Hayride

Take a spring hayride at Linvilla Orchards--you might even spot the Easter Bunny's house.

30. Play Tourist

Spend your day at one of Philly's favorite highlights that we locals can often forget are in our own backyard.

31. Enjoy Boathouse Row

Watch the rowers on the river while biking, scooting, rollerblading, or strolling along Kelly Drive.  

32. Cheer for the Phillies

Phillies meets the Oakland Athletics in their home opener on April 8.

33. Explore the Art Museum's Armor Collection

This April is all about armor at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the first Family Festival since the pandemic and Spring Break Studio find inspiration in suits of steel. 

34. Visit a Farm or Zoo

Visit the animals at the Philadelphia Zoo, Elmwood Park Zoo, or another nature center nearby. 

35. Feed a Goat

Get some goat time in with the Philly Goat Project at Awbury Arboretum.

36. ...But Don't Feed the Art

Search for arty animals in the Woodmere Art Museum's family-friendly exhibition Don't Feed the Art.

37. Celebrate LEGOLAND's Birthday

The LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Plymouth Meeting turns five this spring and it's breaking out all the stops for a bricktastic birthday bash. 

38. Search through Magic Gardens

Explore the treasures in the garden's magical mosaics right on South Street. Visit on the second Sunday of each month for family artmaking.

RELATED: Best Amusement Parks near Philly for Preschoolers

Have the perfect theme park adventure with little kids at Storybook Land.

39. Adventure to Storybook Land

A theme park dedicated to fairy tales and nursery rhymes right outside of Philly is a perfect day trip for the littles. Visit around Easter to catch your favorite bunny.

40. Roller Skate Outside

The city's ice skating rinks go retro when spring arrives, welcoming roller skaters at Dilworth Park and Blue Cross RiverRink.

41. Book a Vacay!

Where are you headed when school's out? Get planning!  

Writer Liz Baill contributed to this 2022 update.

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the venues