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Philadelphia family weekend planner

Things to do with kids this weekend in Philadelphia

Updated October 25, 2026

October 23–25

The weekend of October 23–25 has 36 family events on across 2 Philadelphia cities, led by museum and library programs. The busiest calendars are at Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace, Lower Level and Book Nook, Lower Level. Every listing below comes from the organizer's own calendar, with times, venues, and official links — and the free ones are marked.

36 family events across 2 Philadelphia cities this weekend — 12 likely free. Biggest clusters: museum (30), library (4), holiday (1).

36 family events 12 likely free 2 cities

Don't miss this weekend

Ranked by how hard each one is to catch otherwise — marquee one-offs first, always-on drop-ins last.

  1. Spooktacular Science Day

    Sat · 11:00 AM · The Franklin Institute · Philadelphia

    Why it ranks pumpkin · city-wide festival

    FreeAges 2–13Official ↗

  2. Fall Harvest Bowling

    Fri · 3:30 PM · Center Core, Lower Level · Philadelphia

    Why it ranks harvest · museum

    Ages 6–11Official ↗

  3. Carousel

    Fri · 10:00 AM · Independence Blue Cross Carousel House, Main Level · Philadelphia

    Why it ranks always-on · museum

    FreeAll agesOfficial ↗

  4. Pumpkin Palooza

    Fri · 2:00 PM · NPL Community Room · Norristown

    Why it ranks pumpkin · library program

    Ages 5–12Official ↗

  5. Makerspace Open Studio

    Fri · 10:00 AM · Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace, Lower Level · Philadelphia

    Why it ranks always-on · museum

    FreeAges 6–11Official ↗

  6. Tot Spot: Mini Music Makers

    Fri · 10:00 AM · Nature’s Pond, Main Level · Philadelphia

    Why it ranks always-on · museum

    Ages 2–11Official ↗

  7. Tot Spot: Toddler Tunes

    Sat · 10:00 AM · Nature’s Pond, Main Level · Philadelphia

    Why it ranks always-on · museum

    Ages 0–11Official ↗

  8. Family Fitness and Play

    Sat · 2:00 PM · Philadelphia Parks and Recreation · Philadelphia

    Why it ranks weekly · outdoors

    FreeAges 6–13Official ↗

STEM & hands-on 11Arts & crafts 9Festivals & community 9Music & performance 7Story time & books 6Food & markets 6Free only 12

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Free

Free family day

No-ticket or likely-free events that work well as the anchor for a low-cost weekend plan.

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Little kids

Toddler and preschool picks

Shorter, earlier programs with age signals that are easier for little kids.

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Indoor

Indoor backup plan

Libraries, museums, makerspaces, and indoor culture picks for weather or low-energy days.

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Low drive

Low-drive plan in Philadelphia

A tighter cluster in one city so the day does not turn into a long drive.

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Family events in Philadelphia this weekend: October 23–25

Generated October 25, 2026 from official event sources

Interactive Event Finder

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Showing 36 of 36 events

Friday, October 23

13 events · 5 free · already happened

  1. Fall Harvest Bowling

    Center Core, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Can you knock down all 10 pins? Join us and give it a roll; fall harvest style.

    Official ↗

  2. Carousel

    Independence Blue Cross Carousel House, Main Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Take a spin on our glimmering carousel — a piece of history built over 100 years ago!

    Free Official ↗

  3. Pumpkin Palooza

    NPL Community Room · Norristown · Ages 3–12

    Paint, decorate, and get creative with pumpkins!

    Free Official ↗

  4. Makerspace Open Studio

    Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Experiment with building, different materials, and new techniques as you create during our open-ended free play time in the Makerspace Studio.

    Free Official ↗

  5. Tot Spot: Mini Music Makers

    Nature’s Pond, Main Level · Philadelphia · Ages 3–12

    Ages 3 and under: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with popular instruments from Central and South America.

    Official ↗

  6. Art Open Studio

    Creative Arts Studio, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Drop in and experiment with materials and process while creating a work of art!

    Official ↗

  7. Storytime: Benita and the Night Creatures

    Book Nook, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Benita loves to read, but when a group of unwanted monsters keep interrupting her reading time, Benita must teach them the amazing power of…

    Official ↗

  8. Noon Tunes Midday Singalong

    Book Nook, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Join us for an interactive music program where we’ll play some music, learn a song, then sing and dance along!

    Official ↗

  9. Art Workshop: Mini Pinatas

    Creative Arts Studio, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Make your very own mini colorful pinata inspired by the work of Justin Favela in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

    Official ↗

  10. Workshop: Rockin’ Robots

    Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, learn about Sofia Barrueco Lopez, a National Youth Award recipient for her work with the Maritime Robotics Group.

    Official ↗

  11. End of Day Parade

    Center Core, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Follow the beat and stomp your feet as we end our day in a playful parade from Food & Family up to Hamilton Hall!

    Official ↗

  12. Expressive Path Book Drive & Painting

    Off-Site · Norristown · Ages 10–13

    Meet us at Expressive Path at 857 Cherry Street, First Floor, Norristown, PA. Expressive Path provides creative art and music workshops for…

    Free Official ↗

  13. Storybook Canvas

    NPL Community Room · Norristown · Ages 3–5

    Step inside the pages of your favorite books!

    Free Official ↗

Saturday, October 24

13 events · 5 free · already happened

  1. Spooktacular Science Day

    The Franklin Institute · Philadelphia · Ages 3–13

    A family Halloween celebration at The Franklin Institute blending science with seasonal fun, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

    Free Official ↗

  2. Fall Harvest Bowling

    Center Core, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Can you knock down all 10 pins? Join us and give it a roll; fall harvest style.

    Official ↗

  3. Carousel

    Independence Blue Cross Carousel House, Main Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Take a spin on our glimmering carousel — a piece of history built over 100 years ago!

    Free Official ↗

  4. Makerspace Open Studio

    Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Experiment with building, different materials, and new techniques as you create during our open-ended free play time in the Makerspace Studio.

    Free Official ↗

  5. Tot Spot: Toddler Tunes

    Nature’s Pond, Main Level · Philadelphia · Ages 1–12

    Ages 3 and under: Sing and dance along to your toddler’s favorite tunes!

    Official ↗

  6. Family Fitness and Play

    Philadelphia Parks and Recreation · Philadelphia · Ages 5–13

    Low-pressure movement, games, and recreation for families in Philadelphia.

    Free Official ↗

  7. Art Open Studio

    Creative Arts Studio, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Drop in and experiment with materials and process while creating a work of art!

    Official ↗

  8. Storytime: Benita and the Night Creatures

    Book Nook, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Benita loves to read, but when a group of unwanted monsters keep interrupting her reading time, Benita must teach them the amazing power of…

    Official ↗

  9. Noon Tunes Midday Singalong

    Book Nook, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Join us for an interactive music program where we’ll play some music, learn a song, then sing and dance along!

    Official ↗

  10. Art Workshop: Mini Pinatas

    Creative Arts Studio, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Make your very own mini colorful pinata inspired by the work of Justin Favela in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

    Official ↗

  11. Workshop: Rockin’ Robots

    Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, learn about Sofia Barrueco Lopez, a National Youth Award recipient for her work with the Maritime Robotics Group.

    Official ↗

  12. End of Day Parade

    Center Core, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Follow the beat and stomp your feet as we end our day in a playful parade from Food & Family up to Hamilton Hall!

    Official ↗

  13. No Yoga Today

    Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library · Norristown · Ages 10–13

    Due to our Booktoberfest event celebrating local authors today we will not have yoga class.

    Free Official ↗

Sunday, October 25

10 events · 2 free

  1. Fall Harvest Bowling

    Center Core, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Can you knock down all 10 pins? Join us and give it a roll; fall harvest style.

    Official ↗

  2. Carousel

    Independence Blue Cross Carousel House, Main Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Take a spin on our glimmering carousel — a piece of history built over 100 years ago!

    Free Official ↗

  3. Makerspace Open Studio

    Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Experiment with building, different materials, and new techniques as you create during our open-ended free play time in the Makerspace Studio.

    Free Official ↗

  4. Tot Spot: Toddler Tunes

    Nature’s Pond, Main Level · Philadelphia · Ages 1–12

    Ages 3 and under: Sing and dance along to your toddler’s favorite tunes!

    Official ↗

  5. Art Open Studio

    Creative Arts Studio, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Drop in and experiment with materials and process while creating a work of art!

    Official ↗

  6. Storytime: Benita and the Night Creatures

    Book Nook, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Benita loves to read, but when a group of unwanted monsters keep interrupting her reading time, Benita must teach them the amazing power of…

    Official ↗

  7. Noon Tunes Midday Singalong

    Book Nook, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Join us for an interactive music program where we’ll play some music, learn a song, then sing and dance along!

    Official ↗

  8. Art Workshop: Mini Pinatas

    Creative Arts Studio, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Make your very own mini colorful pinata inspired by the work of Justin Favela in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

    Official ↗

  9. Workshop: Rockin’ Robots

    Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, learn about Sofia Barrueco Lopez, a National Youth Award recipient for her work with the Maritime Robotics Group.

    Official ↗

  10. End of Day Parade

    Center Core, Lower Level · Philadelphia · Ages 5–12

    Follow the beat and stomp your feet as we end our day in a playful parade from Food & Family up to Hamilton Hall!

    Official ↗

Browse by interest

Jump to the kind of weekend you're after — story time, hands-on science, music, the outdoors, and more.

STEM & hands-on

Science, coding, robotics, building, and other hands-on, curious-kid programs.

Arts & crafts

Drop-in making, painting, drawing, and creative studio time.

Food & markets

Farmers markets, food trucks, tastings, and cooking fun.

Active & outdoors

Sports, playgrounds, swimming, biking, and run-around energy burners.

  • No Yoga TodayMontgomery County-Norristown Public Library · Norristown · Ages 10–13

Coming up after this weekend

Plan ahead: Philadelphia traditions coming up

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