September 5–7, 2026 · The long weekend
5 worthwhile events, plus three easy outings. Philadelphia · Doylestown / Bucks County.
5 events in Philadelphia
Saturday–Monday; discovery carts 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Regular adult admission; ages 12 and under free with in-museum purchase · Best for school-age kids; hands-on discovery center for younger visitors
Try replica objects, explore the hands-on Revolution Place, and join a short gallery talk during the holiday program.
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Saturday–Monday; skating sessions and holiday hours vary
Free site entry; skating $5 plus $12 rental; rides and mini-golf extra · All ages; skating best for confident movers
Fit in a final roller-skating session, boardwalk ride, or round of mini-golf before Summerfest closes for the season.
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Saturday–Monday, noon–8 p.m.
$15 per person; budget separately for food and purchases · All ages
Enjoy folk dancing, live music, amusement rides, and Polish food at a long-running family festival in Bucks County.
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Saturday–Monday, daytime 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; check evening tickets
Exhibition ticket required; daytime ticket includes museum admission · Best for school-age kids and teens
Experiment with animation, storyboard a ride, and discover the design behind familiar theme-park worlds before the exhibition closes September 7.
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Saturday–Sunday, noon–10 p.m.; Monday, noon–8 p.m.
Saturday or Monday $10; Sunday $15; food and rides extra · All ages
Watch traditional dancing, try German festival food, and choose a children’s ride at this longstanding neighborhood celebration.
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A little more adventure
More things to do with kids in Philadelphia. Keep one in your back pocket for the long weekend.
A morning of make-believe
Let younger children explore Please Touch Museum’s imaginative play spaces. Bring spare clothes if water play is on the plan.
Dinosaurs and discoveries
Make this a Saturday or Sunday museum stop: the Academy currently opens Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Explore the dinosaur displays and check special exhibit availability.
A playful break in the square
Pair the Franklin Square playground with an optional carousel ride or mini-golf game. The paid attractions have separate hours and tickets.
Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026. This guide covers Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7. All times are local to Philadelphia.
RiverRink Summerfest final weekend offer free admission. Food, rides, parking and special exhibitions can cost extra; free does not always mean no reservation.
For younger kids, choose a short waterfront visit or a Please Touch Museum backup. School-age children can pair hands-on history with Old City; the Doylestown festival is a separate day trip.
The Museum of the American Revolution and the Franklin Institute offer indoor holiday options. Please Touch Museum and the Academy of Natural Sciences are everyday backups.
Use each organizer link to confirm the latest admission rules and availability. A listing here is not a live ticket inventory. Reserve timed or dated admission before traveling, and check outdoor-event updates on the day.
Keep exploring
Guides, destinations and activities worth a family weekend.
Kids Activities Near MeA parent-first guide to finding ideas for today by age, distance, weather, budget, and energy level.
After-School Adventures Near YouTen genuinely doable ways to move, reconnect, and reset between school pickup and dinner.Representative imageFilip Rankovic Grobgaard / Unsplash
Meaningful Date Ideas for ParentsTwelve date formats for time alone, kids-along adventures, and meaningful connection after bedtime.Representative imageWeekend Wild image library
This Weekend with KidsFamily events, festivals, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings—plus a backup when the weather changes.Representative imageWeekend Wild image library
The Ultimate Kids’ Party GuideFind kids’ birthday themes by age, Spidey, PAW Patrol Dino Movie, Bluey, Minecraft and LEGO party plans, researched supplies and a practical planning checklist.Representative imageVlada KarpovichPexels License
16 Extraordinary Family Trips for 2027A worldwide edit with a month-and-age finder, side-by-side comparisons, realistic routes, stays and honest planning tradeoffs.MimihitamCC BY 4.0
Where to Go When with KidsA month-by-month global shortlist with one standout family destination in every world region.Representative imageUnsplash
October & November School-Break TripsTen complete family destinations compared by weather logic, travel ambition, and a pace children can actually enjoy.
