FreePhiladelphia · City of Brotherly Love

Free things to do with kids in Philadelphia, this week and every week.

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Philadelphia this week: we found 36 free outings, including Halloween Art Explorers with Bright Day Studio (Paoli Library), Swarthmore Halloween Tots Parade and Trick-or-Read Halloween Party (Haverford Township Free Library), plus ten library programs. Six free days and events are coming up, including one museum or zoo free day, each with its date. And four places never charge admission, like Delaware County Libraries and Camden County Library System.

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

36free outings this weekincl. 10 library programs6free days and events coming upincl. 1 museum or zoo free day4places that are always freeDelaware County Libraries, Camden County Library System3free storytime calendarsDelaware County Libraries, Chester County Library System

This week

Free things to do with kids in Philadelphia this week

Every free outing on this week’s Philadelphia list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.

Thu Oct 2912:30–1:30pm

Preschool Picnic (Tredyffrin Library)

Tredyffrin Library · 582 Upper Gulph Road, Strafford, PA 19087

Bring a lunch and eat on the library patio with other preschool families. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–5
Thu Oct 2911:15–11:45am

Pre-K Fun (West Chester Library)

West Chester Library · 415 N. Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380

Stories, songs and rhymes for ages 3 to 5. Registration for the five-week session is required. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Thu Oct 294:30–5:15pm

Halloween Glow Bash Kid Rave (Marple Public Library)

Marple Public Library · 2599 Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008

A glow dance party for ages 3 to 8, hosted by teen volunteers. Wear white or neon. First come, first served. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–8
Thu Oct 2910:30–11am

Wiggle & Shake (Marple Public Library)

Marple Public Library · 2599 Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008

Music and movement for ages 3 to 8. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–8
Thu Oct 294–5pm

ScaryTime (Lansdowne Public Library)

Lansdowne Public Library · 55 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA 19050

Spooky stories for kids 5 and up. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 5–10
Thu Oct 292–4pm

Pumpkin Painting (Folcroft Public Library)

Folcroft Public Library · 1725 Delmar Drive, Folcroft, PA 19032

Drop in and paint a pumpkin. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–10
Thu Oct 2910:30–11:30am

Messy Makers (Sellers Library, Upper Darby)

Upper Darby Township/Sellers Library – Sellers Memorial Branch · 76 S. State Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082

Messy art and sensory play for ages 18 months to 3. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–3
Thu Oct 2910:15–10:55am

Preschool Pals: G is for Ghost (Media-Upper Providence Free Library)

Media-Upper Providence Free Library · 1 E. Front St., Media, PA 19063

A ghost-themed letter story time for ages 3 to 5. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Thu Oct 296–7:30pm

Trunk or Treat (Glenside Free Library)

Glenside Free Library · 215 S. Keswick Ave., Glenside, PA 19038

Trick-or-treat from decorated car trunks in the library garden. All ages. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–10
Thu Oct 2910:30–11am

Family Story Time (Haddon Township Library, Westmont)

William G. Rohrer Memorial Library-Haddon Township Branch · 15 MacArthur Blvd., Westmont, NJ 08108

Thirty minutes of stories and songs for ages 0 to 6. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–6
Thu Oct 292–3:15pm

Torresdale Ghost Mystery Halloween Event

Torresdale Library · 3079 Holme Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19136

Help find the library card a ghost library dog lost back in 1930. Kids solve riddles around the children’s room and play ring toss, with treats at the end. A repeat of the Oct 27 event.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–10
Thu Oct 293pm

Halloween Party at Kensington Library

Kensington Library · 104 W. Dauphin St., Philadelphia, PA 19133

An early Halloween party with games, crafts and treats. Costumes are encouraged and kids of every age are welcome.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–12
Thu Oct 2910:30am

Spooky Baby and Toddler Storytime at Wadsworth Library

Wadsworth Library · 1500 Wadsworth Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19150

Halloween songs and books for babies and toddlers with a grown-up. Call ahead if you’re bringing a group.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–3
Thu Oct 2910:30am and 11:15am

Halloween Baby Storytime and Costume Parade (Upper Merion)

Upper Merion Township Library · 175 W. Valley Forge Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406

A not-too-spooky baby storytime about pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns that ends with a costume parade around the library. Pick either session.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Fri Oct 304:30–5:30pm

Swarthmore Halloween Tots Parade

Swarthmore Public Library · 121 Park Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081

Meet at Thatcher Park for a costume parade that trick-or-treats at local businesses and ends at the library with songs, a story and a dance party. For ages 0 to 6. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–6
Showing all 38 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in Philadelphia

Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free. For regular free days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts all year, see free museum days in Philadelphia.

Who gets in free:EveryoneResidents onlyCardholders only
Nov26

6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade

20th St. and JFK Blvd. to the Philadelphia Museum of Art · Center City

8:30am pre-show; parade until noon. The route runs east on JFK Blvd., north on 16th St., then up the Parkway. Eakins Oval and Logan Circle are good spots to watch. Metered parking is free on Thanksgiving.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree

Any day

Places that are always free in Philadelphia

Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.

Delaware County Libraries

Delaware CountyMember libraries across the county with baby, toddler and preschool story times nearly every weekday, from Swarthmore to Radnor.Official site ↗Report a problem

Camden County Library System

Camden County, NJFree story times and family events at branches in Voorhees, Bellmawr, Westmont and more.Official site ↗Report a problem

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse

East Fairmount Park, 3500 Reservoir DriveA free playground and three-floor playhouse built for kids 10 and under, home of the Giant Wooden Slide. There’s a free lot out front.Official site ↗Report a problem
Free to get in, but parking, special exhibits and seasonal extras can cost money. Check each place’s site before you go.

Every week

Free library storytimes

Delaware County Libraries

Free baby, toddler and preschool story times at libraries across the county.

Most weekdays

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Chester County Library System

Free story times and play programs in Paoli, West Chester, Phoenixville and more.

Weekday mornings

Free
Find a storytime near you ↗

Camden County Library System

Free story times at branches in South Jersey.

Weekday mornings

Free
Find a storytime near you ↗

Every weekly storytime by day and branch: library storytimes in Philadelphia.

Keep planning

More for little kids in Philadelphia

November: things to do in PhiladelphiaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in PhiladelphiaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree museum days in PhiladelphiaFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in PhiladelphiaIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in PhiladelphiaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in PhiladelphiaHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in PhiladelphiaParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in PhiladelphiaKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in PhiladelphiaParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in PhiladelphiaPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in PhiladelphiaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in PhiladelphiaChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in PhiladelphiaWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in PhiladelphiaStarting prices, ages and what’s includedThis week in PhiladelphiaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in Philadelphia: the FAQ

This week we found 36 free outings for ages 0–6, including Halloween Art Explorers with Bright Day Studio (Paoli Library), Swarthmore Halloween Tots Parade, Trick-or-Read Halloween Party (Haverford Township Free Library) and Halloween Glow Bash Kid Rave (Marple Public Library). See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Free admission for Norristown Borough residents at Elmwood Park Zoo: Sat Oct 31 and Sun Nov 1. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.

Grand Illumination at Peddler’s Village, 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, Noon Year’s Eve Countdown at Sellers Library, Countdown to Noon at Cinnaminson Library and Rockin’ Noon-Year’s Eve at Burlington County Library are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.

Delaware County Libraries, Camden County Library System, Chester County Library System and Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes: Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse. See all of them on indoor play places in Philadelphia.

Yes. Delaware County Libraries, Chester County Library System and Camden County Library System run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.

Free things to do, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Philadelphia that weekend, free ones flagged.

Philadelphia skyline