15+ Fun Things to Do With Your Kids Around Philly and the Main Line This Week: December 12-16
Looking for something to do with your kids this week? We've got something every day.
All Week
Santa’s Village at the Franklin Mint Credit Union
December 12 — 16, 3 — 7 pm; free
Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, 100 West State St., Media
Meet Santa this week at the Franklin Mint Credit Union in Media! Bring your family and a camera, that’s all you’ll need. This event is free and open to the public. (Looking for other places to see Santa, besides the mall? Check out our list.)
Hershey’s Christmas Candylane
December 12 — 15, 5 — 9 pm; included with park admission
Hersheypark, 100 W. Hersheypark Dr., Hershey
See Hersheypark illuminated during the evening hours! Amusement rides are lit up, plus you can meet Santa Claus and his nine reindeer (reservations required), and enjoy Hershey during the holiday season. This is included with park admission.
Hershey Sweet Lights
December 12 — 15, 5 — 10 pm; $19.05 per car
Between Route 39 and Sand Beach Road (follow signs to Boathouse Road to entrance), Hershey
If you’d rather drive, enjoy more than two miles worth of holiday lights from the comfort of your car! Pick up some hot cocoa, make a holiday mix (remember those?) and drive through the dazzling lights with your kids.
“I Believe in Scuba Santa”
December 12 — 16, 11:30 am; included with aquarium admission
Adventure Aquarium, 3 Riverside Dr., Camden
Ever wanted to see Santa scuba diving among hundreds of ocean creatures in the Adventure Aquarium’s 760,000-gallon tank? Well, now you can! Children are also invited to write a letter to Scuba Santa and drop it in the special mailbox in the ocean realm. If you want a response, include a valid email address and send your letter by December 22. This event is included in the Christmas Celebrations at the Adventure Aquarium.
A Longwood Christmas
December 12 — 15, timed tickets available 9 am — 8 pm
Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
See the holiday delights of Longwood Gardens during off-peak hours this week — before the real crush begins. You’ll see smaller crowds before 2 pm on weekdays, so be sure to visit then. You’ll adore seeing the gardens lit up in all their glory, and walking through the warmer climes of the greenhouse in the chillier weather.
Photograph by Harold Davis, courtesy of Longwood Gardens.
Monday
All Level Yoga with Amy Dolan
December 12, 7 — 8 pm; free
Wayne Art Center, 413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne
This family-friendly yoga session will ease the holiday stress and introduce your children to yoga. Whether you’re a yoga instructor yourself or just starting out, this all-levels session will be open to all.
Tuesday
Preschool Storytime
December 13, 11 am; free
Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Branch; 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia
Get out and get down with Miss Leigh, who will have stories, songs, and movement. Ideal for children ages 2 to 5; younger siblings welcome.
Overly’s Country Christmas
December 13 — 15, 5:30 — 9 pm; $15 per car of family van, cash only
116 Blue Ribbon Lane, Greensburg
Dozens of fun activities await a short drive from home. Enjoy strolling the sights and seeing the lights all around the village, then visit Santa’s workshop and play in the Kids Express playground.
Wednesday
Philadelphia Museum of Art Stroller Tour
December 14, 11 am; free with museum admission
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Stroll the museum’s galleries with your little one during this special, kid-friendly tour. Baby a bit fussy? No worries! This circuit is designed with a little noise in mind.
Homeschooler Days: Mysteries of Navigation
December 14, 10 am — noon or 1 — 3 pm; $12 per student or free for members
Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia
Learn about human and animal navigation at one of these fun and informative sessions, aimed at kids between the ages of 5 and 12. The lessons include activities, snacks, and a walk through the gardens if the weather is good. At least one adult chaperone is required for every two children, as is pre-registration.
Holiday Mingle and Gift Show
December 14, 5 — 8 pm
The Play Café, 934 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr
Haven’t had time to shop yet? Here’s your saving grace: The Play Café and Chirp Kids Clothes have teamed up to offer a chance to catch up! All the toys in the 3,000-square-foot space will be tucked away, leaving plenty of room for shopping with local vendors. You’re sure to find the perfect gift.
Environmental and Climate Justice
December 14, 6:30 — 8:30 pm; free
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
The Academy of Natural Sciences invites you to hear Jacqui Patterson speak for a Town Square lecture on environmental justice. Patterson is the director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program and will discuss how climate change is a human and civil rights issue. The space will open up post-lecture for any questions you have to ask on the topic. This event is free of charge but registration is required.
12 Days of Christmas Movie Nights: ‘A Christmas Carol’
December 14, 7 — 11 pm; free
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
Cuddle up at the RiverRink’s lodge for dinner (priced separately) and the Jim Carrey version of Charles Dickens’ classic story.
Thursday
Fairmount Park Trolley Tour
December 15, 10 am — noon and 1:30 — 3:30 pm
Meet in Lenfest Hall (West Entrance), Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
Take a tour of the historical homes of Fairmount Park by trolley! Visit Woodford, the Historic Strawberry Mansion, and Cedar Grove. Guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes early for a timely departure. Admission is $40.
Bill of Rights Day Book Festival
December 15, 10 am — 3:30 pm; $5 for non-members (includes museum admission), free for members
National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St., Philadelphia
It’s the 225th anniversary of the Bill of Rights! Join the National Constitution Center for discussions on the Second Amendment, protecting America’s founding documents, and the Constitution today.
Christkindlmarkt
December 15, 11 am — 6 pm
645 E. First St., PNC Plaza, Bethlehem; $9 for ages 13 and up, $5 for children 6 — 12, $8 for Seniors (65+), and free for children 5 and under.
This is a bit of a drive, but well worth it. Christkindlmarkt is recognized as one of the best holiday markets in the U.S. There will be live Christmas music, authentic food from German and Austrian vendors, as well as shopping opportunities for beautiful gifts.
Friday
Masha and the Bear at Christmas Village
December 16, 1 — 4 pm
Christmas Village in Philadelphia, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia
See YouTube sensation Masha and the Bear at the Christmas Village Friday afternoon. There will be opportunities for a photo op, and then you can stay and enjoy everything the City Hall area has to offer, from a cute carousel to Rothman Ice Rink to the dozens of artisanal vendors to shop with. Don’t forget your souvenir mug!
Barnes Open House and Pop-Up Holiday Market
December 16, 5 — 8 pm; free walkup admission
The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
You’ll need a sitter for this one, so we gave you some advance notice. Join the Barnes Foundation for an open house and pop-up holiday market for FREE this Friday evening! See their newest exhibition of French photography, Live and Life Will Give You Pictures: Masterworks of French Photography, 1890–1950. Walk through the holiday market full of local vendors, sip wine, and take selfies with their #LiveandLifePhoto hashtag to be featured with their favorites.
Pajama Party Fiesta
December 16, 5:30 — 7:30 pm
Lulu’s Casita, 6 Cricket Ave., Ardmore
This event is also a release party for As the Seasons Go, a local songwriting duo. Each family will receive a copy of the new album and a special storytime with Ms. Val. Adults should BYOB, and kids can enjoy a hot chocolate bar — and as a bonus, they’ll already be in their PJs when you head home!
Want Your Weekend To Do List of Family Fun?
Let us do the weekend planning for you with our calendar editor’s roundup of the best family events and happenings around the Main Line and Philadelphia! Sign up at familyfocus.org/newsletters.
Photograph by Russ Brown Photography, Courtesy Christmas Village in Philadelphia.
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