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! 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.
NOTEWORTHY:
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. There is no class on February 7 or April 18.
Kid Zumba at the Southampton Library on Mondays from 10:30 to 11:30 starting February 24 through March 31. Best for children 4 and up. Registration is required and limited to 10 kids per class.
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: Valentine’s Candy Box on February 1
Some upcoming workshops at Lowe’s: Tool Chest on February 15
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.
Winter UnWined at Shady Brook Farm
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
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
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.
Storytime at The Bridge Coffee
6800 Bristol-Emilie Road, Levittown
Free every Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.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 25 and “Old Fashioned Valentine’s Day” event on February 15 with sleigh, carriage and wagon rides and card making.
Cheap Activities/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.
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 27 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. On Saturday, February 15, GFS is offering a Tots for Sculpture event where children ages 3 through 5 can create “love monsters” and make marbled paper for $5.
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. Tickets are $12 for adults instead of $22 and $6 for kids instead of $12. Children 2 and under and always free.
Sweet Mini Moments 