The Top 10 Things to Do With Kids in Philly This January
Celebrate MLK Day, check out the Auto Show, play with Bluey, and more.
Kids can visit with the Philly Goat Project throughout the month. / Photograph by Jessica Kourkounis
It’s a new year and that means new adventures to be had in Philly. As 2025 starts up, here are the best family-friendly events in Philly to add to your calendar.
Goats!
Philly Goat Project’s annual Christmas Tree-Cycling events are back this month, and they are the best! Here’s how it works: Have a Christmas tree you need to get rid of? Feed it to some friendly goats. A suggested donation of $20 helps you get rid of your tree in a fun, eco-friendly way, plus it supports PGP’s free programming. Don’t have a tree? Come anyway, because there will be farm walks, goat visits, hot cocoa, and more goat-adjacent fun.
Get up-close and personal with the Philly Goat Project goats. / Photograph by Laura Swartz
The first two events are at the Farm at Awbury Arboretum on Saturday, January 6th and Saturday, January 11th, both from noon to 3 p.m. A third bonus Tree-Cycle will take place on Saturday, January 18th at Laurel Hill West Cemetery from noon to 3 p.m. Donated Christmas trees become snacks for the goats and turned into wood chips in city parks and community gardens.
Winter in Franklin Square
Elsa & Anna visit Franklin Square on January 25th and 26th. / Photograph by Jeff Fusco
Franklin Square’s holiday extravaganza runs through February 23rd. Their Philly-themed mini golf transformed into Chilly Philly Mini Golf for the season with decorations, lights and other fun surprises. There’s also street curling. While you’re there, you can also ride the carousel, hit the playground and watch the Electrical Spectacle light show around the fountain. Light shows run every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. to closing. And finally, stop by on the evenings of January 25th and 26th for Ice Princess Weekend. Queen Elsa and her princess friends will return to Franklin Square for meet-and-greets, along with ice-carving and more kids’ activities. For more princess fun, they’re also holding a ticketed brunch on the morning of January 25th.
See a Show
Extended through February 1st, travel to Neverland as the Arden presents the a new production of Peter Pan.
If your kid prefers rocking out, Rock and Roll Playhouse has a couple options this month. First, head to Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday, January 11th for the music of David Bowie — part of Philly Loves Bowie Week. Then on Sunday, January 26th, it’s the music of Bruce Springsteen at Ardmore Music Hall. Both concerts offer classic rock with a side of fun for the little ones — think glow-sticks, freeze-dance games and a giant parachute. (And both venues sell drinks for the grownups, so go nuts.)
Bluey x CAMP
For little ones obsessed with Bluey, you can head to King of Prussia’s CAMP location to step inside her house and even have a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo. It’s a pretty cute way to spend an hour. Make your reservations online.
MLK Day
MLK Day art at the Please Touch Museum / Photograph by Laura Swartz
On January 20th, we celebrate and reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While the kids may be home from school, this is not just any day off: Philly is the birthplace of the MLK Day of Service, and there are lots of ways to observe the holiday, from family festivals to volunteer opportunities all over the city.
In addition to volunteering with your family, you can also visit local celebrations, including the Museum of the American Revolution, National Constitution Center (with free admission), Please Touch Museum, and Woodmere Art Museum. Stay tuned for a full guide to MLK Day events.
Night at the Museum
On Saturday, January 18th, from 5 to 10 p.m., the Penn Museum will host Up Late with the Sphinx, a special after-hours evening of games and gallery activities for families. Make something special at a hands-on craft workshop, then take a flashlight tour through the museum! This program is best suited for children ages six to 12; tickets are available online.
Or, head to the Academy of Natural Sciences on Friday, January 31st for Dinos After Dark. Enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission, the Dino Drafts beer garden in Dinosaur Hall, and hands-on science activities throughout the museum.
Philadelphia Auto Show
Philadelphia Auto Show / Photograph by R. Kennedy for Visit Philly
This time each year, the Convention Center is crammed with cars — new cars, classic cars, exotics and cars from movies and shows. There’s also the e-Track, the Jeep track, special guests, adoptable pets, and more. The Philadelphia Auto Show runs from January 11th through 20th. Bonus: Kids ages six and under get in free.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Skating at Blue Cross RiverRink / Photograph by JPG Photography
With its regulation-size rink, cozy lodge, photo ops, fun and games, and river views, a visit to Penn’s Landing’s RiverRink is definitely a winter must-do. Even if you’re not into skating, there’s fun to be had with the riverside Ferris wheel, outdoor carnival games and indoor video-game arcade. Skating sessions are 90 minutes long; reserve your tickets online to select your timeslot in advance.
Winter in Dilworth Park
Photograph by Jeff Fusco
For even more icy fun, visit Dilworth Park for skating on Rothman Rink, frolicking though a garden maze of reindeer topiaries and twinkle lights, and cozy après-skate eats in the cabin.
And on Saturday, January 11th, sign up for Superhero Skate. Kids can skate with their favorite superheroes, and create their own superhero masks and capes. (Costumes are encouraged but not required.)
Lunar New Year
The traditional lion dance is a favorite part of the Penn Museum’s annual Lunar New Year Celebration / Photograph courtesy of the Penn Museum
The Year of the Dragon doesn’t begin until February, but some Philly spots are celebrating early! Our top recommendation: Penn Museum’s CultureFest on January 25th with dance performances, storytelling, hands-on crafts, and more. There’ll also be a celebration at the Please Touch Museum on Saturday, January 11th with a lion dance performance by the Philadelphia Suns.
XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness
XOXO at the Please Touch Museum / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Because everyone could use a little bit of that right about now. The Please Touch Museum’s special exhibit gives kids the opportunity to think about and explore feelings through a variety of interactive activities designed to help them understand, appreciate, and express their emotions. The exhibit also focuses on mindfulness, cooperation, and kindness. “Empathy Blocks” let little ones build and explore different facial expressions, while speaking into the “Tone Phones” show how your voice affects shapes projected on a screen. XOXO runs through January 12th, and is included in the price of admission.
