The kids are off from school for holiday break … now what? If you’re looking for fun things to do the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day (or earlier!), I’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of places to go and things to see in Bucks County, Philadelphia and nearby. Because the weather can play a huge part in what you’re willing to do this time of year, I’ve broken the list up into indoor and outdoor spots. So if you’re okay with bundling up for the sake of festive fun, there’s a list for that. And if you’re more interested in heated activities, check those out.
There’s also a section at the bottom if you need a Winter Break camp to keep the kids busy while you work (or get a break yourself!)
Hip Hip Hooray for Christmas Vacation!
Walking in a Winter Wonderland (Outdoor Things)
Sesame Place
Stroll through millions of lights, watch a holiday-themed show with music and dancing, and soar and spin on rides – all with a Sesame Street twist. A Very Furry Christmas runs through January 4. Sesame Place is open Friday-Sunday until December 21 and then daily until January 4. Reservations aren’t required to visit the park or eat quick service, but you’ll need to book in advance if you want to go to one of sit-down dining experiences with characters. On New Year’s Eve, there will be fireworks at 6 p.m. that can be viewed from the Oxford Valley Mall and other nearby parking lots even if you’re not in the park.
Peddler’s Village and Giggleberry Fair
Rte. 263 and Street Rd., Lahaska
Peddler’s Village is always a popular holiday destination if you’re in the Bucks County area with more than one million lights strung around the trees, restaurants, and more than 65 locally owned shops and boutiques. While you’re shopping and eating, stop by the annual gingerbread display to check out this year’s competition entries. If it’s too cold to walk around much, you can spend a few hours at Giggleberry Fair where there’s an indoor obstacle course, carousel, arcade games, and a toddler zone.
Shady Brook Farm Light Show
Shady Brook Farm’s Light Show is famous! I hesitated knowing where to put this activity since you CAN do it if it’s cold or rainy, but to get the full experience, try to go on a nicer night. That way you can also get out of your car and walk around Santa’s Village where you can toast marshmallows for s’mores by the bonfire, play on the playground and get ice cream from Uncle Dave. Drive through the lights in your own vehicle, or take a wagon. Buy your tickets online to guarantee admission and save money. The light show is open nightly through January 4.
Morris Arboretum
100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia
My kids have been known to spend 1/2 the day at Morris Arboretum’s Garden Railway! For my kids, the model trains are the main highlight, but even if you’re not that into trains, the display and the miniature buildings really are incredible. Everything is made out of natural materials – leaves, twigs, moss, stones, etc. to create miniature versions of Philadelphia-area landmarks. It’s all outside, and you can also take a brisk walk around the rest of the grounds while you’re there. There are so many beautiful things to see! Other highlights for my kids are the fairy garden and the log cabin with Lincoln Logs inside. Morris Arboretum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for Christmas Even, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The Holiday Garden is open through December 30.
LumiNature at Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia
Philadelphia Zoo adds to their award-winning holiday light show every year. This year, there’s a brand new Santa Lodge where you can get cozy and hang with the big man himself. Another addition this year is the opening of the Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel. The 110-foot tall observation wheel will provide breathtaking views of the twinkling lights throughout the zoo as well as the city skyline. Timed tickets for Luminature start at $22 for adults and $18 for children ages 2-11. Luminature runs on select nights through January 3.
(My family has gone to this every year since it started, and it gets better each time!)
Franklin Square
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. Franklin Square is closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square
Christmas is the most magical time of year to visit Longwood Gardens with 500,000 twinkling lights, spectacular fountain shows, more than 100 Christmas trees, and much more. Kids will especially love the outdoor miniature Garden Railway where Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends rumble along nearly 500 feet of track while surrounded by foliage and lights. As a headsup, tickets are already sold out for most of the best times, but you MIGHT be able to find something if you check NOW! Christmas decorations will be up through January 11.
Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown
Now through December 30 (with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), you can walk through the zoo while surrounded by dazzling lights, illuminated animals and live entertainment. Wild Lights is open nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $26.95 for adults and $23.95 for kids aged 3-12. (Member tickets are a few dollars cheaper.)
Storybook Land
6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township
If you don’t mind the drive, Storybook Land is such a cute destination with little kids with nursery rhyme and fairytale themed rides and beautiful lights and decorations. (HERE‘s a link to when we visited Storybook Land in the summer.) Storybook Land is open nightly now through December 30 except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (December 20 and 21 are already sold out!)
Holland Ridge Farms Winter Wonderland
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ
Holland Ridge Farms is known for their beautiful tulips, and now it’s also home to a totally unique walk-through holiday light experience! There are interactive light displays, light up seesaws, slides and spinning seats, a giant igloo snowball pit, food trucks, bakery, gift shop and more! It’s open daily through January 4. Prices start at $17 per person depending on the day. This is the event I’m REALLY hoping to try for the first time this year!
The Lower Bucks Holiday Tour
Check out the Facebook page The Lower Bucks Holiday Tour where they ask families to sign up to show off their displays. You’ll find routes for different areas so it’s all planned out for you where to go! (Two of our personal faves are The Blinkinghouse in Levittown and Light Up 394 in Yardley.)
But Baby It’s Cold Outside (Indoor Things)
Go See a Show!
There are several kid-friendly holiday shows on stage in the area!
The Nice List is at Bristol Riverside Theatre through December 28. This brand new musical tells the story of what happens when Santa leaves for an important trip and put two eager elves in charge of the Nice List.
I’m excited to see this with the kids on December 17!
A Christmas Story the Musical is at Walnut Street Theatre through January 4. Based on the classic movie, it’s the story of a boy named Ralphie and his mission to get a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas.
Elf the Musical is at the Bucks County Playhouse through January 4. Based on the movie where Buddy, who has been raised as an elf at the North Pole, journeys to New York City to find his birth father.
The Holidays at Fonthill Castle
East Court Street & Route 313, Doylestown
Every year, Fonthill Castle is decorated with beautiful themed Christmas trees. There are different tours available – both during the day or at night.
Crayola Experience
Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience runs through January 5 with exclusive holiday activities/features including a scavenger hunt, a singing Christmas tree, holiday crafts, and more. You can also enjoy the usual hands-on activities such as naming and wrapping your very own crayon, climbing through a Crayola themed playground, making wax molds, and much more. Crayola Experience is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from December 25 through January 1.
LEGOland Discovery Center Philadelphia
500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting
A LEGO fan’s paradise located inside Plymouth Meeting Mall, LEGOLAND Discovery Center has their Holiday Bricktacular celebration through New Year’s Day. There are giant holiday-themed LEGO builds that are cute for taking pics, holiday themed workshops with Master Builders, a gingerbread scavenger hunt in MiniLand, and more. Buying tickets online first guarantees admission and also saves a few dollars. LEGOLand is open daily except for Christmas Day.
Adventure Aquarium
Adventure Aquarium is home to over 15,000 aquatic animals. Spend the day learning about hippos, sharks, turtles, penguins, sea stars, jellyfish and more. A few of the most popular attractions include the shark tunnel, shark bridge, stingray “beach club” where you can touch and feed the stingray, and the kids’ zone with interactive activities. Note that Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Underwater festivities end December 24, but there’s still plenty to do and see!
Museum of Illusions Philadelphia
The Museum of Illusions features more than 60 unique installments from 2D artistic illusions to fully immersive exhibits where you become the illusion. (It’s an incredible spot for fun pics.) Purchase timed tickets online. Admission is $25 for adults, $20 for children ages 5-12. Kids 4 and under are free. The Museum is open daily, even Christmas Day.
Bucks County Children’s Museum
500 Union Square Drive, New Hope
After being closed for several months, the museum reopened on December 9! Now’s a perfect time to take the kids to play, explore, and check out the new exhibits. The Museum is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Open December 26 through December 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On December 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there’s a Teddy Bear Clinic. Staff from Penn Medicine Doylestown Health will give your child’s favorite teddy, doll or action figure a checkup and teach them about what happens at the doctor. Reservations are strongly recommended every day. Admission is $9 per person.
Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia
Celebrate the season with science! In addition to all the usual favorite at The Franklin, there will be special holiday programming from December 20 through December 30 including festive builds in Creation Station, an all-new Planetarium show called “Reason for the Seasons,” and holiday-themed live science shows about lights and snow. The museum is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
The Academy of Natural Sciences is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From December 26 to December 28 and January 2 to January 4, you can visit for Winter Weekends with special frosty fun. Make a fizzy snowflake, catch a live fossil show to learn about how dinosaurs adapted to cold environments, and learn about “cool” creatures. There will also be winter themed storytimes and other special programming.
Bucks County Free Libraries
Be sure to check the calendars of the libraries closest to you for events this week!
And if the kids just need to get out some energy …
Playpad Bucks
Altitude Feasterville
We Rock the Spectrum Northeast
Funzilla
Kidology
Kids Empire
And if you need School’s Out Camps …
My Gym Yardley
734 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
3 hours of non stop fun! Games, activities, crafts and more!! Perfect for ages 3-8! *potty trained required. December 26, December 29 and December 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register HERE. Sessions are $60 per session.
Young Rembrandts Winter Art Workshops
Blank Space Community Center, Makefield Road
Preschool Curious George Art Workshop, ages 3.5-5, December 29-31 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., $55
Mini Cartooning Strip Class, ages 8+, December 29-December 30 from 10 a.m. to noon, $50
Anime & Manga Drawing Workshop, Ages 5-12, December 29-December 31 from 10 a.m. to noon, $100
The Little Gym of Vermillion Square
8919 New Falls Road, Levittown
Each three hour Winter Camp is filled with adventure, skill building, crafts, group activities and so much more. For ages 3-8. (Potty training required.) December 26, December 29, December 30, December 31 and January 2. There are two sessions each day (except 12/31) with a morning class from 9 to 12 and afternoon from 12:30 to 3:30. $40 per session. Students enrolled in classes receive a 10% discount.
Ricochets Gymnastics
362 South Warminster Road, Hatboro
Winter Wonderland Camp for children ages 3+ (must be potty trained) on December 26, 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the option of extended care from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. $65 for members, $75 for non-members. 10% discount for siblings or multiple days. There are two groups (ages 3-6 and ages 7+). Children must bring a bagged lunch and water bottle. Sign up HERE.
Dynamix Gymnastics
181 Wheeler Court, Suite C, Langhorne
Camp Ice Age on December 29, 30, 31 and January 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 5 and up. $65 for non-members, $55 for members. $10 off multi-child discount. This exciting camp combines the best of both worlds with Dynamix gymnastics training and winter themed activities. Sign up HERE.
Rockville Climbing Center
200 Whitehead Road, Suite 107, Hamilton
Winter Break mini camp for climbers ages 7 to 14. December 29-December 31, $49 per day. Call 609-631-7625.
Sweet Mini Moments 