Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids - Philadelphia

Friday Night: Dreamworld Edition

Nicole O'Donnell — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:54:22 +0000

Friday, January 9, 2026 - 5:00pm

https://www.visitpham.org/events/friday-night-dreamworld-edition?start=2026-01-0...

Cost:

Free with Admission

Embrace the unexpected as you dive into a dreamy night of surrealism-inspired art activities, tarot readers, gallery activations, and live musical performances. In conjunction with Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100.

Recommended Age:

All ages

Age:

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Art Museum Drive

19101 Philadelphia , PA

Phone: (215) 763 - 8100

39° 57' 58.1724" N, 75° 10' 46.1676" W

Pennsylvania

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Exhibitions

Admission Services

100 Free Things To Do in Philly with Kids

Cait Sumner — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 12:43:01 +0000

We can't think of a better price point than FREE! Costs add up when you're doing fun things with the family-- especially if you have multiple kids. So we've rounded up all of the best free things to do with kids in the Philadelphia area. From spray parks and pools, to playgrounds, museums, and more, we've got you and your budget covered.

For even more fun free things, don't miss our Free Activity Guide and keep an eye on our Event Calendar where we're always adding new events.

St. Lucia With Kids: Stay at Coconut Bay and Explore the Island’s Best Family Adventures

Meghan Rose — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 13:10:07 +0000

I live in LA, so for tropical vacations, we tend to head to nearby Hawaii. But we took the long flight to the Caribbean this fall, and I have to say, I’m sorry we waited so long. For a fantastic mix of awesome adventures, gorgeous beaches, relaxing cabanas, stunning nature, great food, loads of animals, and a plethora of activities for kids and the whole family, you can’t beat the island of St. Lucia. Yes, the island famous for honeymooners and romance is actually a wonderful family vacation.

We stayed at the all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort and had maybe the most perfectly balanced tropical family vacation I’ve ever experienced. Think chocolate tasting/making, drive-in volcano, snorkeling with endangered turtles, and the best Kids Club I’ve seen.

Below, I’m sharing the real insider stuff. Not just the list of top things to do, but the details: what you need to pack (and what to not pack!), which days you should plan on adventures and which you should lie by the pool, and even what to eat.

Check out our complete Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations. Now, here are my tips on making a trip to St. Lucia with kids a rousing success:

15 Free Things To Do Indoors in Philadelphia: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

Jennifer Vishnevsky — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:26:00 +0000

If you're looking to escape the elements, an indoor playground is a great option to entertain stir-crazy kids on rainy or snowy days. No need to break the bank—the Philadelphia area has several free indoor play spaces where children can climb, explore, learn something new, or relax with a good book. We've rounded up the best indoor venues in Philly with free activities for kids where you never have to worry about the price of admission.

To get more free fun at home and around Philly delivered to your inbox sign up for our newsletters, and discover all the free events and activities near you in our Free Things To Do with Philly Kids Guide.

Aladdin On Stage at the Ambler Theater

familystages — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 20:51:56 +0000

Monday, February 16, 2026 - 11:00am to 12:00pm

http://www.familystages.org

Cost:

$16, $10

In this imaginative version of the classic tale, Aladdin, a poor street urchin, finds a magic lamp with a powerful genie in residence. When a greedy sorceress steals the lamp, Aladdin must rely on the help of a bumbling assistant genie to reclaim the lamp. Mr. Green Genie steps in and provides Aladdin with everything he ever wished for! Two actors bring eight characters to life in this spirited, hilarious 45 minute production!

Recommended Age:

5-12

Age:

Ambler Theater

108 E. Butler Ave.

19002 Ambler , PA

Phone: 215-740-2156

40° 9' 15.876" N, 75° 13' 15.1572" W

Pennsylvania

Ticketed:

Provider:

Family Stages

Activity Category:

Theater & Dance

Admission Services

Best Shared Family Calendar Apps (Tested by a Real Parent)

Ally Noel — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:02:52 +0000

If you’ve ever missed a Spirit Day, double‑booked soccer practice, or realized after pickup that early dismissal was today... "Hi! Welcome to the club." This is exactly why I went down the rabbit hole of family calendar apps in the first place.

For Mommy Poppins, I didn’t just research these apps; I actually used them with my own family. On iPhones, Android devices, and laptops. With kids who sometimes check apps… and sometimes make me wonder why I pay for cell phone service

Below are the best shared family calendar apps I’ve personally tested — what actually worked in real life, what felt over hyped, and which families each app is truly best for. For more tried-and-tested parenting hacks, check out our Mommy Poppins Parenting Hacks Guide.

January Holidays for Kids: A Kid-Friendly Celebration for Every Day

Meghan Rose — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 13:16:16 +0000

Welcome to a NEW year! Whether you’re wondering “Is today a holiday?” or just need a quick way to make an ordinary afternoon feel special, this list of January holidays for kids gives families something to look forward to every day of the month. There's Pass Gas Day (what kid won't want to celebrate Fart Day?), Rubber Ducky Day, and of course, a long weekend for Martin Luther King Jr Day, to make it feel like the holiday season isn’t over yet!

Scroll down for all 31 fun holidays in January, plus links to holiday-a-day ideas for every month of the year.

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. In January at Mommy Poppins, we also celebrate all things FREE, so check out our national guide to freebies and also your local guide to free things to do near you!

New Year's Eve Weekend in Philly with Kids: Count Down to 2026

Nicole O'Donnell — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 11:49:00 +0000

Looking for the best things to do in Philly on New Year's Eve and New Year's Weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Skate into the New Year with a bang! Bid farewell to 2025 and join the fun at the New Year's Eve Fireworks Celebration, complete with views of the fireworks presented by Rivers Casino. Enjoy early countdown celebrations, plus more fireworks displays at Peepsfest or Sesame Place.

New Year's Day brings the time-honored tradition of the Mummers Parade, a celebration that has delighted and entertained Philly for more than 120 years. After the New Year's ball has dropped, a lot of the holiday events come to a close, so check your list twice and make sure you don't miss a thing.

PECO Family Jams: Cork Keychains

seusebiopmg_186042 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 20:47:52 +0000

Sunday, January 11, 2026 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm

https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/event/peco-family-jams-cork-keychains/?sd=176...

Cost:

0-15

Isaiah Zagar used donated objects to create his mosaics. The donations were usually small, like two mismatched plates and a few broken tiles. But all those pieces add up! Isaiah created the Magic Gardens Museum, the Magic Gardens Studio, and more than 200 murals using materials like these.

People still contribute materials. Donated tile and mirror are used for repairs and workshops. We fill our Community Art Closet with leftover art supplies. (The closet is outside our entrance during museum hours and available to all.) Sometimes a big donation inspires an idea for a new craft. Join us today as we dig into a bottomless box of corks and leave with an adorable keychain of your own making.

Learn how Isaiah has used some more unusual donations during free tours of our fully mosaicked basement at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. 

PECO Family Jams are PMG’s family-oriented programs held on the second Sunday of every month between noon and 4:00 p.m. Crafts and basement tours are included with regular admission to PMG. Purchase your regular admission tickets in advance.

Recommended Age:

All Ages

Age:

Philadelphia's Magic Garden

1020 South Street

19147 Philadelphia , PA

Phone: 215-733- o390

39° 56' 33.4068" N, 75° 9' 33.6852" W

Pennsylvania

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Arts

Admission Services

Founders Philly Freeze Out

intern_165907 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:44:43 +0000

Saturday, January 31, 2026 - 11:00am to 4:00pm

https://manayunk.com/mnyk-events/founders-philly-freeze-out/

Cost:

Manayunk has teamed up with Founders Brewing to turn Main Street into a winter wonderland. Bundle up and come to Main Street to catch live ice carving demonstrations, incredible ice sculptures, Founders taskings and beer specials in restaurants and bars, a Winter Market, line dancing, a snowy igloo, the Manayunk Chowder Crawl, a moonbounce, and more! This is a family-friendly event, so bring the whole gang.

Recommended Age:

All ages

Age:

Main Street, Manayunk

Main Street