My spring/summer version of this list is always one of my most popular posts, so here’s a winter version!
For the purpose of the list below, I’m trying to keep all activities either free, under $15, or a discounted rate from their usual price.
(Mostly) Free
Local Libraries
We love visiting our local libraries! And before my kids were in school, we usually visited at least once a week. 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 Free libraries are closed on Sundays.
NOTEWORTHY:
Levittown Library has an Outdoor Storywalk. The current book is The Littlest Yak. The StoryWalk is self-guided and includes activity prompts to explore.
Feasterville Library hosts Brickheads – a LEGO club for school age children on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury hosts Rhythm Babies on Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. It’s a free music class for babies and toddlers up to 24 months.
Preschool Explore classes take place at the Southampton library on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:15. There is a story, songs, dancing and then a craft related to the topic. This is a class geared toward children ages 3 to 6 years old. It is not a drop off class.
Storytime with Lolly Hopwood at Jazams Peddler’s Village
Routes 202, 263 & Street Road, Lahaska
Every Monday at 10:45 a.m., Lolly leads a story and music session for little ones. Free, and no registration required.
Toddler Storytime at Chick-fil-A Newtown
4 West Road, Newtown
Storytime and activity with Ms. Lorraine every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (This location also has an indoor play area!)
Kids Activity Hour at Commonplace Reader
49 S. Main Street, Yardley
Drop in between noon and 1 p.m. every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month for different book centered activities for kids. Follow on Facebook or Instagram for more details.
Kids Workshops at Home Depot and Lowe’s
Both Home Depot and Lowe’s offer really cute free workshops for kids once a month on a Saturday. We’ve gone to a few of these, and my kids always love them. They ask that you register online, but I also highly recommend arriving within the first hour of the event as they do sometimes run out of kits.
Some upcoming workshops at Home Depot: Penguin Mailbox on February 7
Some upcoming workshops at Lowe’s: Birdhouse on February 21
New Jersey State Museum
205 W. State Street, Trenton
This FREE museum is less than 10 minutes from our house in Yardley. 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 for families with children ages 1 through 5. Choose from two meeting times – the second Saturday or the month, or the following Thursday morning. It’s a 45- minute playgroup that meets in the Discovery Den at 9:30 a.m. This program costs $20 per session, per child. (20% discount for siblings.)
Shady Brook Farm
Lil’ Sprouts Tune Time is a FREE interactive music class held on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. in the heated greenhouse. And if you spend $10 or more in the kitchen between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, you get a free personal cheese pizza.
Plus, on Fridays and Saturdays through March 8, Shady Brook offers live music and good times from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free admission and kid friendly! Good and drink are available for purchase.
Indoor Play Spaces at Local Fast Food Restaurants
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 Langhorne (by Lowe’s)
Chick-fil-A in Warrington
Chick-fil-A in Warminster
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. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Howell Living History Farm
The farm welcomes guests Tuesdays through Saturdays to walk around and explore the farm. Free admission, free parking. And free Saturday events most weekends!
Some upcoming highlights include Ice Harvest on January 31 and “Old Fashioned Valentine’s Day” event on February 14 with sleigh, carriage and wagon rides. There will also be children’s craft from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a small materials fee.
Needle Creek Farm Brewery
91 Titus Mill Road, Pennington
Needle Creek is a family-friendly brewery on a farm that offers fun for both adults and their kids. Visit afternoons Thursday through Sunday and enjoy fire pits and s’mores, live music, a small playground, farm animals and cow feedings, food trucks, and more. Check their Instagram for weekly offerings.
Cheap Activities/Special Offers
Michener Art Museum
The Michener Art Museum hosts nationally touring special exhibits and this winter, there is an Eric Carle exhibition “Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle” opening on February 14. As a complement to that, “Creatures from the Collection” is an exhibit currently on display through the beginning of May features works from the Michener’s permanent collection that focus on dogs, cats, bird, and more.
Admission is FREE the second Sunday of each month. If you go any other time, adult tickets are $15, children over 6 are $5 and children 5 and under are free.
Philadelphia Art Museum
The Philly Art Museum is always free for children and youth under the age of 18, but an adult ticket will set you back $35. Unless, you go on the first Sunday of the month when it’s Pay What You Wish. (The tradeoff is that it does get more crowded.) Be sure to check out the Events page for free special Kid Tours and Activities.
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 $13. 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. (Not available during holidays or school vacations.)
Bowling
Many people know about the Kids Bowl Free program that’s offered in the summer, but you can also find good deals on bowling throughout the year.
For example, Morrisville Lanes offers deals such as dollar bowling every Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon!
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 tickets (ranging from $6-9 and half price popcorn on Tuesdays if you sign up for their Regal Crown Club. (It’s free.) AMC Neshaminy also offers discounted Tuesday tickets and $5 fountain drink and small popcorn combo if you’re an AMC Stubs member. (Also free.)
Limited Time Discounts
Crayola Experience
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.
Preschool Days means free weekday tickets for kids ages 3 and 4 from January 12 through February 28, excluding holidays. (Kids 2 and under are always free.)
Crayola also offers free admissions if you visit within 7 days of your birthday and free annual passes for teachers, military, firefighters, law enforcement and EMTs.
Grounds for Sculpture
Grounds for Sculpture is beautiful any time of year! Until the end of February, tickets are discounted to $15 and $12 for ages 6-17. Children 5 and under are always free. Before visiting, check the calendar on the website as there are several art workshops offered for kids. Most are $10 or under.
Coming up, Grounds for Sculpture has a few family events planned that are FREE with admission such as a Pokemon Go Community Day on Sunday, February 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be indoor activities and crafts plus outdoor tours with experienced trainers that can teach your family how to play.
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 January and February. Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for kids. Children 2 and under and always free.
Sweet Mini Moments 