Now that the holiday season is over, the months of January, February and even March tend to drag on, especially when you have young kids to entertain. I’ve put together a list of places and activities to consider when you just can’t take another day of hearing, “I’m bored!” Grab your coats and chase away those winter blues by exploring these destinations in Bucks County or in the general Philadelphia region.
And scroll to the bottom of this post for Day-Off Winter Camps and activities available in January and February!
Indoor Destinations
My Gym Yardley
734 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
If you follow my social pages, you know that we love My Gym. My kids started going to classes there in February 2022, shortly after we moved to Yardley and we’ve been going at least twice a week ever since. (Before they were in school fulltime, it was more like 4 times!) While this spot is different than the others on this list because you can’t just drop in without signing up, it’s worth including because it has been such a life saver, especially during the cold weather months when it’s not as easy to run around outside to get that energy out. When you sign up your kids up for a My Gym Membership, they can take unlimited classes (for their age) PLUS attend “drop in and play” sessions. There are Mommy & Me Classes, Gymnastics, Ninja, and more. Drop In and Play is currently offered 3 times a week. If you don’t think your child would go often enough that a Membership makes sense, My Gym also offers 10-class passes that you can use as your schedule allows. To find out more about why we love it so much, read THIS post I wrote on our 1-year anniversary.
Movies
With how many ways we can watch movies from home these days, we sometimes forget how exciting it can be to see them on the big screen. Regal offers discounted $6.50 tickets and half price popcorn on Tuesdays if you sign up for their Regal Crown Club. (It’s free.) AMC Neshaminy offers $5 Tuesday tickets and $5 fountain drink and small popcorn combo if you’re an AMC Stubs member. (Also free.)
Bowling
For the most part, we’re still in the bumper/ramp stage of bowling, but my kids think it’s great for a change of pace. We usually go the most during Kids Bowl Free in the summer, but this is a great winter activity, too. If you want more than just bowling, check out lanes like Bowlero in Feasterville or Colonial Bowling in Lawrenceville, NJ which offer additional activities like arcade games. We also love to pair a round or two of bowling at Penndel Lanes with lunch at the nearby McDonald’s. (It has a fun indoor playground!)
Morrisville Lanes also offers deals such as dollar bowling every Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon!
Note: During the summer, you can sign up for Kids Bowl Free and your children can bowl two free games every day! Sign up HERE! In 2022, the Kids Bowl Free ran from mid April until September at Penndel! (Just pay for shoe rental.) It’s at other lanes too, but Penndel seems to have the longest “season.”
We love visiting our local libraries! Obviously, you’ll want to pick out some books, but there’s even more to do than that! Penn’s Little Village (Langhorne) and Career Corner (Yardley) have the biggest play areas, but all of the Bucks County Free Libraries have a children’s area. Read THIS post for more details on the children’s areas in several Bucks County libraries, including photos of the activities that are typically available. There are also usually grab n’ go crafts to take home, and some libraries even have games that you can borrow. We usually also pick out a DVD or video game. So between our time spent there, a craft, new movie to watch, and books to read, it can really fill up the day!
Be sure to check the Bucks County Free Library calendar for events like storytimes, crafts, and more!
Note: All of the Bucks County libraries are closed on Sundays.
Indoor Play Spaces at Local Fast Food Restaurants
My kids LOVE to get to eat some nuggets and fries and then run around a play area. The ones I know of that are open include:
McDonald’s in Penndel (shown above)
Burger King in Feasterville
Burger King in Langhorne
Burger King in Souderton
Chick-fil-A in Bensalem (Street Road)
Chick-fil-A in Warrington
Chick-fil-A in Warminster
Bucks County Children’s Museum
500 Union Square Drive, New Hope
We had a family membership to the children’s museum a few years ago, so it was a regular destination for us for a while. We still tend to go at least once a year. This cute interactive museum is perfect for children ages 1-8. For the little ones, there’s lots of hands-on imaginative play. For the older kids, there are plenty of lessons built into the play that they’ll understand better than the little ones. Click the link above to read my full blog post detailing the different rooms of the museum.
If you’ve been there in the past, you’ll be interested to know that the water table/Waterways area was redone in the Spring of 2023.
Note: Bucks County Children’s Museum is closed on Mondays. Reservations are required on weekends.
Mr B’s at Calvary Church
820 Souderton Road, Souderton
Mr B’s is a great place to meet for a playdate! There’s a 2-story PlayZone that’s designed for kids up to 54″. Socks are required. There are a variety of vending machines, and you’re also free to bring in outside food.
Slime Lounge at Oxford Valley Mall
2300 Lincoln Highway, Langhorne
If your kids love slime but you don’t want them making it at home, Slime Lounge is the answer! Slime Lounge in Oxford Valley Mall is a great spot for birthday parties, but you can also come in just to make and play with slime! There are two options – a DIY slime experience for $25 or pre-made slime experience for $19. Both options are 1 hour and you can customize the slime (even the premade) with add-ins such as color, scents and charms. Reservations are at 3 p.m., 4 pm., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and can be booked online.
Kidology Playspace
928 Jaymor Road, Southampton, Unit C-150
Kidology is geared for kids 0-8 years old. Personally, I think 3-7 is the ideal age. They’ll be able to do everything there and won’t lose interest quickly. This is a GREAT spot for multi-kid families and playdate for mixed ages. Since it’s all contained in one room, all the kids can have fun and adults can supervise everyone really easily. Parents are also encouraged to join in and play with their kids! Kidology offers open play every day of the week. The current schedule is Monday through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Weekend hours are subject to change based on birthday parties and other event bookings.)
It’s a bit of Playpad Bucks, We Rock the Spectrum, and Kids Empire … all rolled into one and condensed into one room. If your kids enjoy any of those spaces, I think they’d have a great time here. To find out more details, read THIS post.
Storytime at The Bridge Coffee
6800 Bristol-Emilie Road, Levittown
Free every Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m.
New Jersey State Museum
205 W. State Street, Trenton
This FREE museum is less than 10 minutes from our house in Yardley, so we finally checked it out last winter. For our kids (6 and 5 at the time), it was a fun new way to spend an hour or two. I think your time there would vary greatly depending on the ages/interests of your kids. Some of the exhibits include fossils, Civil War flags, fine art, Native American artifacts, and more. There’s also a small play area for kids with different activities. While not free, the favorite feature of our family was seeing the Planetarium show. We’ve now seen two there as they change up the shows throughout the year.
There’s even a Small Explorers program that meets on the second Saturday of the month. It’s a 45- minute playgroup that meets in the Discovery Den at 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. This program includes a planetarium show! It’s free, but you do need to sign up.
Playpad Bucks
860 Town Center Drive, Langhorne
Playpad Bucks is located in the office spaces behind Oxford Valley Mall. It’s probably best for kids 8 and under, and there’s even a gated off toddler area for those 3 and under. There’s a “little village” area, small climbing/slide zone, puppets, blocks, trains, and more. Click the link above to read my full blog post that I wrote after attending the Open House in May 2021.
Note: Playpad has Open Play Hours Mon. – Fri. 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Build a Bear
Oxford Valley and Willow Grove Malls
I didn’t include this one at first since I was thinking of it more as a store, but my kids absolutely love going there. And if your kids are still young enough to get into the experience (mine are) it’s definitely an activity AND a store. Be sure to sign up online for the Bonus Club so you earn points and get special offers.
Altitude Feasterville
1045 Bustleton Pike, Feasterville
Let the kids burn off some energy with lots of jumping!
Altitude offers special Junior Jump discounts for children 6 and under. You get 3 hours of jump time Monday – Friday for just $12. Parents can join for $3. Junior Jump starts at 10 a.m. These times are open to all ages, but it’s a little bonus for the little ones.
Funzilla
500 Lincoln Highway, Fairless Hills
Go-karts, trampolines, climbing walls, an arcade, indoor playground, ninja obstacles and more! There’s so much to do for all ages at Funzilla.
Note: There’s a variety of different passes available based on age, amount of time and attractions.
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive, Camden
Pet the stingray, walk over sharks, and learn all about your favorite sea creatures!
On weekdays from January 23 through February 15, Adventure Aquarium is offering one free child’s admission with one paying adult.
Giggleberry Fair
167 Carousel Lane, New Hope (Peddler’s Village)
Depending on how cold it is, you may or may not want to walk around Peddler’s Village, but Giggleberry Fair is completely inside! There’s a carousel, toddler area, arcade, climbing area, and more.
Mercer Museum
84 S. Pine Street, Doylestown
Visit a 6-story concrete castle where there’s truly something to discover in every book and cranny.
Note: Mercer Museum is closed on Mondays.
The Little Pod
1218 Welsh Road, North Wales
In addition to being a popular birthday party location, The Little Pod also offers open play 6 days/week for children 7 years old and under. There’s an indoor playground and other interactive play stations, including a toddler area.
Note: The Little Pod is closed on Mondays.
Superior Play Systems
2554 Industry Lane, Norristown
Superior Play Systems makes playsets, trampolines, basketball hoops, and more. And at the Norristown indoor showroom, you can drop in and play on the equipment on any weekday! Open play is offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It costs $10 per child or $12 on a school holiday.
We Rock the Spectrum
12357 Academy Road, Philadelphia (Parkwood Shopping Center)
We Rock the Spectrum is an indoor gym that offers open play daily for $15 per child. (Siblings are discounted to $13.) There’s a zipline, trampoline, tunnels, swings, climbing structures, and more. Plus an area for imaginary play. You can also purchase packages of 6 visits for $72 or 12 visits for $138 to save money if you know you’ll go a lot.
Chuck E. Cheese
1661 Easton Road, Warrington
The Chuck E. Cheese in Langhorne closed down during the pandemic (sob!), but we’ve made the drive out to the one in Warrington a few times. We had so much fun. I highly recommend going with the option where you pay for minutes instead of credits. We played everything so many times and didn’t worry about how many credits we were using.
Kids Empire
860 W. Street Road, Warminster
2385 W. Cheltenham Avenue, Cheltenham
1590 Nixon Drive, Moorestown
I had this spot called out as my “place to try” in 2023, and try it we did! We went to the Moorestown location in February, and then ended up going to Cheltenham and Warminster in addition to going back to Moorestown several more times! It’s my favorite of the indoor play areas! (And the Moorestown location is my favorite, though they’re all very similar.) It’s an indoor playground with climbing walls, play structures, giant “LEGO” style blocks, slides, ride-on toys, and more. There’s also an area that’s just for toddlers. Pricing varies by location but is AROUND $22 for open play. If you’ll be going often, there’s a punchcard option too. Click the link above for my post with more details!
This is a good spot for siblings of various ages, especially if you have more than one adult with you to stay with the toddler in that area.
Crayola Experience
We went to Crayola Experience for the first time tin summer 2022 and loved it so much that we got 2-year season passes during Black Friday sales. (Keep your eye out for this next year – it was GREAT!) Creative kids will have so much fun with hands-on activities such as naming and wrapping your very own crayon, climbing through a Crayola themed playground, making wax molds, playing with Scribble Scrubbies, and much more.
On Tuesdays, Crayola offers Toddler Tuesdays with toddler-themed activities from 11 a.m. to noon.
And during the month of February, preschoolers ages 3 and 4 are free on weekdays! (Kids 2 and under are always free.)
Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia
There’s always something cool going on at the Franklin Institute! This winter, the brand-new exhibit is called Wondrous Space. And starting February 17, there’s a new LEGO exhibit!
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting
My kids love LEGO, and this has been a favorite place for them for a few years now. In fact, they just received Memberships (again) for Christmas after taking a year off and just paying for each visit. Read more about our experiences there HERE.
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia
A Philly favorite for interactive play for children 7 and younger.
History of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Perfect for your dinosaur lover!
Ship to Fun
Willow Grove Mall (third floor next to Bloomingdales), Willow Grove
An indoor playground located inside the mall. Daily passes are $14 per child. You can also buy discounted 10 and 5-visit memberships for $99 and $59.
Jump N Play
981 N. Wales Road, North Wales
Jump N Play is a brand new play indoor playground for ages 7 and under that just had their Grand Opening in December 2023. There are slides, bounce houses, climbing structures, toys, and more. Admission gets you 2 hours of playtime. You purchase tickets for a specific 2-hour time slot: 10 a.m. to noon, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. They close in between each time slot to clean. Admission is $14 for 1 child and 1 adult. (Children under 6 months are free.) $5 for sibling, $8 for additional adult.
No outside food or drink, but there is food for sale. Anti-slip socks (any brand) are required. BYO or purchase there. They are closed Sundays and Mondays.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
1150 Easton Road, Willow Grove
Urban Air is a trampoline park and so much more. There are also climbing walls, a giant tube playground, battle beans, obstacle courses, a ropes course, zip line, and more. The only downside to this one is that it doesn’t open until 4 p.m. on weekdays.
We went to a birthday here in August 2023, and the kids had a lot of fun. I’d say it’s in between Altitude and Funzilla in size if you’ve been to those places. More to do than Altitude, not quite as big as Funzilla. I do think it’s best for kids 5 and up. My son is on the taller side and couldn’t even do everything at almost 7 this summer.
Outdoor Destinations
Philadelphia Zoo
After a little winter “hibernation,” the Philly Zoo is now open again! And to celebrate, they’re hosting their first-ever winter exhibition. TROLLS: Save the Humans is making its East Coast debut now through April 15. It features six giant trolls made out of repurposed wood located throughout the zoo. We went the first weekend it was open and had a great time.
While you’re there, be sure to take advantage of the great play areas for kids – one inside (it’s kind of hidden by the carousel) and one outside. There’s also a new spider area, in the building that used to house meerkats.
Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo has several special winter events including a Valentine’s Day Brunch on February 11 and Winterfest Weekend February 17 and 18. February 17 is open to Members only. Note: Elmwood Park Zoo is typically closed on Mondays but is open for Presidents’ Day.
Farms
Local farms are always popular from spring through fall because of the pick-your-own activities and festivals. Some however offer winter activities too!
Shady Brook Farm in Yardley has their drive-thru holiday light show on Fridays and Saturdays through the end of January. Plus, live music will be in the Greenhouse during their Winer UnWined Series on Friday and Saturday night from January 26 to February 24 from 6:30 to 9:30. It’s free and kid-friendly.
Snipes Farm and Education Center in Morrisville has a great Little Sprouts program, which is a Parent/Child class for kids ages 2-5 where kids explore and learn about nature. The classes are mostly outside but there’s also an indoor component to warm up a bit.
Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville reopens on January 27 with their Annual Ice Harvest! This is a real working farm that offers events such as Preschool Fridays.
Terhune Orchards near Princeton is open 7 days a week, even in the winter. You can visit any day to shop in the market, see the farm animals, and let the kids play on the tractor playground and ride trikes. Plus, there are Read & Explore events on select days with the first one coming up being Gingerbread Man themed on January 16 and 20. On the weekends, there’s live music at the winery! Relax in the winery or outside by the firepits.
Head Over Hooves Farm in Coopersburg allows you to make an appointment for a small group 1-hour farm visit where you can meet ponies, cows, pigs, goats, sheep and chickens.
Ryerss Farm in Pottstown is a spot for aged/retired horses over 20 years old. They’re open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and free to visit. (Donations are appreciated though!)
Sesame Place
The rides at Sesame Place are closed until mid February, but you can still visit the park for a special dine event if you make a reservation. Otherwise, the park reopens on February 17 for the monthlong Mardi Gras celebration.
Note: Sesame Place IS open for President’s Day.
Grounds for Sculpture
We LOVE Grounds for Sculpture and have had a Membership since before our kids were born. The grounds are closed during the day for Winter Break from January 2 through January 11. They then will reopen daily at 10 a.m. (Closed on Tuesdays) Click HERE for my post all about visiting Grounds for Sculpture with kids, including a free printable scavenger hunt.
If you want to see GFS in a whole new light, purchase tickets to Night Forms. Night Forms is a mesmerizing light show that both adults and can enjoy. These aren’t your typical “Christmas lights.” Instead, it’s a multi-sensory light and sound experience with video projection, colorful lights, and music. Night Forms is open Fridays through Sundays through April 7 from sunset to 11 p.m.
Children 5 and under are free both during the day and during Night Forms!
Morris Arboretum
100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia
I wrote about Morris Arboretum during the summer HERE, but the grounds are actually open year-round! It’s a beautiful place to take a long walk, and kids will enjoy spots like the giant nets, log cabin and fairy woods. Morris Arboretum offers discounted tickets during the month of February.
Peddler’s Village
Routes 202 & 203, Lahaska
Take the kids to Giggleberry Fair, or dodge in and out of the cold visiting the shops at Peddler’s Village. Our favorite place to eat lunch with the kids is Buttonwood Grill, and then we like to get ice cream at Nina’s Waffles, cookies from Mama Hawk’s or popcorn from Clusters. Be sure to check their website for festivals and other events. In January, there’s Fire & Frost Festival January 5 & 6 and 12 & 13.
Franklin Square
200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia
Winter in Franklin Square runs through February 25. Now in its 11th year, the Electrical Spectacle Light Show at Franklin Square is a show with music and more than 200,000 lights. The show is centered around the Franklin Square Fountain and runs every 30 minutes starting at 5 p.m. Play a round of Chilly Philly Mini Golf, take a spin on the carousel, and grab a bite to eat and sit by the fire pits. January 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. is Ice Princess Night with ice carving; games, giant bubbles, live music, fitness fun, and play for children with YoYo.
Day-Off from School Camps/Activities
If you’re in need of childcare (or just something fun for the kids to do on their own) or a drop-in activity in January or February, consider one of these spots.
My Gym Yardley Valentine’s Parents’ Day Night Out
When: Friday, February 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 734 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
Cost: $50. 15% discount for 2 children, 25% for 3 children.
3 hours of fun includes games, activities, and pizza! For children ages 3-8. Potty trained required.
The Little Gym Valentine’s Day Parents’ Survival Night
When: Friday, February 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 8919 New Falls Road, Levittown
Ages: 3-10 years old (must be bathroom independent)
Cost: $35 (enrolled students receive a 10% discount)
Cheerboss Tumbling and Glamour Dance Party
When: Saturday, February 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 2851 Limekiln Pike, Glenside
30 minutes of tumbling with the Cheerboss coaches, followed by dress up fun. Children anre invited to bring a glamourous, glittery outfit for a red carpet dance party, contests and more. Special Guest: The Braid Queen. $40 per child. Ages 4 and up. Includes Valentine’s Day treats, and juice/water. Sign up HERE.
Dynamix Gymnastics Stuffed with Love Kids Night Out
When: Saturday, February 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 181 Wheeler Court, Suite C, Langhorne
Cost: $37 for members, $47 for non-members ($5 discount for siblings)
Kids will enjoy a night of gymnastics, crafts, games and more. Register HERE.
The Little Gym Pajama Party/Camp
When: Monday, February 19 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 8919 New Falls Road, Levittown
Ages: 3-10 years old (must be bathroom independent)
Cost: $35 (enrolled students receive a 10% discount)
Silly Spoons
1432 Easton Road, Warrington
408 S. State Street, Newtown
When: February 19 at 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: 5-12 years old
Cost: $37
Kids will learn to make “snowman “blizzard” cookies!
We Rock the Spectrum
When: February 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (half day option is available.)
Ages: 3+ years old (must be potty trained)
Cost: $90 per day
Email wrtsnephilly@gmail.com to register.
All About America Day-Off Camp at Dynamix Gymnastics
When: Monday, February 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 181 Wheeler Court, Suite C, Langhorne
Cost: $55 for members, $65 for non-members ($10 discount for siblings)
A day full of fun activities including obstacle courses, relays, games, crafts and more. Includes a morning snack and lunch. For ages 5 and up.
Little Harmonies Drop in Music Class at Ascend Dance Center
When: Monday, February 19 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: 1414 Old York Road, Warminster
FREE drop-in parent/child music class with Ms. Nancy. Register HERE. Class will be capped at 20 children. ($5 suggested donation.)
Sweet Mini Moments 