Spring Break Breakdown: Everything to Do With Kids in Philly When School’s Out
Staying in Philly for Spring Break? From day camps to staycations to special museum programming here's how make the most of your week.
Peppa Pig: My First Concert comes to the Miller Theater on April 4th. / Photograph courtesy of Ensemble Arts Philly
Spring break is here (March 28th through April 5th for Philly public schools)! If you’re staying in town for break, don’t worry — there is so much to do and see that’ll occupy the kids (and maybe even entertain you, too). From museum programming to break camps, here are all the ways to make the most of your week together.
Outdoor Fun
Franklin Square is in full swing during Spring Break. / Photograph by Jeff Fusco
Play at Franklin Square
Take advantage of the nice weather and extended spring hours to play Philly-themed mini golf, take a ride on the carousel, climb around the playground, and indulge in a Tastykake shake. While it’s already open and running, Franklin Square is planning a free Easter Hop-Along Trail for kids age 10 and under on April 4th (register here).
Franklin Square, 6th and Race streets.
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival
Kick off break in Fairmount Park with a celebration of Japanese culture and spring with performances, food, shopping, and lots of sakura. On both days of the festival, there will be a full schedule of performances — from taiko drumming to martial arts to fashion — as well as a Japanese vendor fair, kimono dressing, ikebana workshops, tea ceremonies, origami, calligraphy, and more. Sunday will have a pet parade, so be sure to dress your furry friend in their best “Pretty in Pink” fashion!
$15, free for kids 12 and under; March 28th & 29th, Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, 100 North Horticultural Drive.
Easter Fun (and More) at the Zoo
The zoo is hosting Bunny Brunch on both Sundays of break (March 29th and April 5th), plus there’ll be Easter egg hunts April 3rd through 5th. (Bring your own basket, and be on the lookout for the special golden egg to win a prize.) Speaking of egg hunts, they’ve also got another approach: Go on the self-guided Egg-cellent Egg Search (through April 12th) to learn about 10 different eggs in the animal kingdom — if you find all 10 and turn in the form, you’ll get a sweet treat. Spring is also time for baby animals, and the zoo has a very cute new resident: a bright orange Francois langur born to mom Mei Mei and dad Chester in December. Visit her at Primate Passage. And while you’re at the zoo, take a ride on their new(ish) Pherris Wheel to take in the skyline, Schuylkill, Art Museum, and more sights from 110 feet above it all.
Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 West Girard Avenue.
New in Philly: The Ministry of Awe
A little visitor activates the doors to The Vault in the Ministry of Awe lobby. / Photograph by Kate Russell
Muralist Meg Saligman describes the Ministry of Awe as “a bank with no money, where the only currency is the human spirit,” which sounds cool, but doesn’t tell you much. So here’s the deal: She — along with 100 Philadelphia-based artists — have transformed the 19th-century Old City building once known as Manufacturer’s National Bank into a six-story immersive art experience: 8,500 square feet of installations, performance, sound, and interactive environments. It’s inspiring and unsettling and bizarre and fun. There are secret passages, hidden peepholes, and actors who will involve you in the story. I went before it opened for my review, but returned opening weekend with my daughter and her friend because I knew it was just the kind of weird that they’d love. And they did — they especially enjoyed making prank calls to the different floors of the bank. And they fit right in, because “Misbehavior is something we value here,” says Saligman. Will your kids like it? The experience is described as all-ages, but some parts may be unsettling for especially young kids, so choose accordingly. (Also, know that strollers are not allowed.)
27 North 3rd Street.
Spring Into Science at the Franklin Institute
Programming an animatronic at the Franklin Institute’s Universal Parks exhibit / Photograph by Dylan Eddinger
In addition to their new Universal Theme Parks exhibit sure to appeal to your budding engineers (read all about it here), the Franklin Institute is planning special daily programming for spring break. There will be hands-on science and crafts, plus a members-only build-and-play zone (think big blue Imagination Playground blocks, Legos, etc.) from March 30th through April 3rd. Even better: Every day is a chance to win! Every day through April 10th, a golden voucher will be hidden somewhere in the museum. Be the first to discover it, and you’ll win a full year of a family membership.
March 30th-April 10th, Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street.
More Special Programming
Shaun the Sheep exhibit at the Please Touch Museum / Photograph courtesy of the Please Touch Museum
Shaun the Sheep at the Please Touch Museum
PTM’s current special exhibit is inspired by the wooly, British, stop-motion friend of Wallace and Gromit. Little visitors to “Flock This Way” can learn problem-solving through play and movement on the farm. (Plus, cute photo ops!) All activities are included with museum admission.
Through May 10th, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.
“The Great Escape” at Eastern State Penitentiary
During spring break, Eastern State’s programming centers around “stories of resilience, creativity, and resistance” at the historic prison. Special tours, talks, performance, and hands-on activities will explore topics like escape attempts, secret letters, the Prohibition era (shout-out to ESP resident Al Capone!), and mass incarceration. All activities are included with admission.
March 27th-April 5th, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue.
Photograph courtesy of Adventure Aquarium
The Boardwalk at Adventure Aquarium
Just in time for break, the aquarium is unveiling a new area inspired by the Shore. There’ll be boardwalk-inspired attractions like face painting, caricature artists, a “beachfront” mural and photo zone, and ocean-themed VR. The Boardwalk will also introduce Horseshoe Crab Harbor, where you can get up close and personal with the region’s fascinating prehistoric residents.
Opens March 28th, Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden.
Spring Break at the Museum of the American Revolution
During break, the museum will host family-friendly crafts, in-gallery talks, and historical re-enactors to learn more about during the Revolutionary War. You’ll find even more hands-on activities in the Revolution Place discovery center which will be open daily during break with additional activities. Plus, check out the museum’s special exhibit, “The Declaration’s Journey,” which marks the document’s 250th anniversary with rare documents, works of art, and artifacts from around the world that reflect its legacy and global influence — more than 100 nations have integrated its ideals into their own independence movements!
March 28th-April 12th, Museum of the American Revolution, 101 South 3rd Street.
On Stage
The Sound of Music is at Academy Of Music all through Spring Break / Photograph by Jeremy Daniel
The Sound of Music
The classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical will be at the Academy of Music through spring break, so get ready to sing “Do-Re-Mi” and “My Favorite Things” all week. And while the play is nearly 70 years old, it’s a timeless (unfortunately) reminder that you can be making a cute dress out of curtains one minute and then dealing with the rise of fascism the next. (Also a cautionary tale that that no matter how cute your teenage crush is, he could be a Nazi. Rough stuff.)
March 31st-April 5th, Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street.
Peppa Pig: My First Concert
For your littlest music lovers, Peppa Pig and her family host an interactive introduction to a live orchestra for kids ages 18 months and older. They’ll learn about the different instruments, hear “The Muddy Puddles Orchestra” perform familiar songs from the show, and even make some music of their own. There are two showtimes; the 4 p.m. performance is sensory-friendly.
April 4th, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., Miller Theater, 250 South Broad Street.
Let’s Go, Phillies!
Kyle Schwarber / Photograph via Getty Images
The boys are back in town! Head to Citizens Bank Park for the excitement, the snacks, and maybe a run-in with the Phanatic? They’re playing all home games from March 28th through April 1st, so there are lots of opportunities to get in on the action. And half of those games are day games, so no need to worry about late bedtimes.
Take a Staycation
Campout at The Logan / Photograph by Laura Swartz
If you can’t get away, but still want those vacay vibes without the stress of the airport, book a hotel with family-friendly amenities. Our favorite? The Logan Hotel’s Urban Campout takes place in the hotel’s corner Pennsbury suite, which offers expansive views of the Parkway, including Sister Cities Park and the Free Library. The suite is transformed into a little campsite with a tent, sleeping bags, and a star machine to turn on at night and complete the illusion. You’ll also get a s’more kit sent up to your room for that “campfire” experience on your living room floor. Oh, and a bottle of wine for the parents, because they get it. The package starts at $509 per night.
Spring Break Camps
Spring Break camps include rock-climbing at PRG / Photograph courtesy of Philadelphia Rock Gyms
If your kids are off, but you aren’t, here are plenty of camps to keep them occupied all day, whatever they’re into. Prices are per day.
Phield House
Kids ages six to 12 can spend their days playing sports and games in this massive indoor sports facility. Full-day ($70) and half-day ($40) options are available.
March 30th-April 3rd, 814 Spring Garden Street.
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
Nature explorers ages five through 12 will spend their days off hiking, playing games, and learning in the science lab. Camps are full-day ($95), with after-care available for an additional $20 per day.
March 30th-April 3rd, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road.
Philadelphia School of Circus Arts
This unique camp lets kids literally run off to join the circus in Mount Airy. It’s open to ages five to 15. Camp combines elements of play, mental concentration, and trust- and team-building in a full day of lessons and activities on real circus equipment. The full-day camp is $95 per day with after-care available at an additional charge.
March 30th-April 3rd, 6452 Greene Street.
Coco Academy
Kids can focus on STEAM programming with maker software, 3D printing, circuitry and more. During winter break, they’re offering full-day ($96) camp for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade at both their Bella Vista and new Queen Village locations. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids will complete a STEAM project, learn STEAM principles, and go to a nearby park to play and test their inventions.
March 27th-April 3rd, 1001 Christian Street and 615 South 3rd Street.
Arden Theatre Company
At Arden Drama School, kids in kindergarten though fifth grades will learn theater basics like blocking and character development and they work to rehearse and perform a play in a week. For grades six through 12th, the Arden is offering musical theater revue, where students will create and perform an original musical using their favorite Broadway hits. Additionally, there are two in a “Play in a Day” workshops (March 31st and April 1st), where K-5 kids work together to create and perform an original play. All offerings are full-day; week-long camps are $450, and one-day workshops are $85.
March 30th-April 3rd, 62 North 2nd Street.
Philadelphia Rock Gyms
Philadelphia Rock Gyms’ Fishtown and East Falls locations are hosting full-day ($99) and half-day ($60.50) camps. Kids ages six and up will learn bouldering and top-rope skills while strengthening their problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. Lunch is provided for full-day campers. Extended care is available for an additional $20 an hour. Discounts are available for multiple-day registration. PRG’s suburban outposts in Malvern, Wyncote, and Oaks are also hosting camp.
March 30th-April 3rd, Philadelphia Rock Gym, 2412 East York Street (Fishtown) and 3500 Scotts Lane (East Falls).
Movement Callowhill
Even more climbing! Movement (f.k.a. Cliffs at Callowhill) will also be hosting a week of rock climbing, collaborative games, and new skills for kids ages six through 13. Camp is full-day for $125.
March 30th-April 3rd, 1010 Callowhill Street.
Photograph courtesy of Philly Art Center
Philly Art Center
Artists ages five through 12 can get creative in the studio at Philly Art Center’s Queen Village, Fairmount, Mount Airy and Cherry Hill locations. Age groups are split up and guided by teachers who structure creative playtime. Camps are full-day ($94), with before- and after-care available for an additional cost.
March 30th-April 3rd, various locations.
Fleisher Art Memorial
Another great option for little artists, Fleisher’s day-off camps engage kids ages five to 11 in mixed-media projects inspired by different themes each day. Full-day (8:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m.) camp is $50 per day ($35 for members), with after-care available for an additional cost.
March 30th-April 3rd, 719 Catharine Street.
Queen & Rook Game Cafe
Kids ages six to 13 will spend their day playing and learning about board games, card games and role playing games at Queen & Rook Game Cafe. You can sign up for three days ($270) or up to five days ($450). Camp is full-day; extended care is available for an additional $30.
March 30th-April 3rd, 123 South Street.
Butcher’s Sew Shop
Kids ages five to 11 can explore the art of sewing using hand and machine projects at this popular Queen Village spot. No sewing experience is necessary. Camp is $99 per day.
March 30th-April 2nd, 800 South 8th Street.
Skate the Foundry
Kids ages eight and up can enroll in two-day camps over break to perfect their skateboarding skills at Skate the Foundry’s indoor West Philly location. Campers must have their own skateboard, helmet, and safety gear. Full-day is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it’s $230 for the two-day camp.
March 30th & 31st; April 2nd & 3rd, 888 North 40th Street.
