Philadelphia hosts a massive MLK Day of Service, providing endless opportunities for children to distribute food, collect school supplies, and learn about and advance the civil rights movement.
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“SpongeBob Musical”, Scottish Rite Auditorium
(musical) Collingswood Community Theater brings Bikini Bottom to South Jersey. Enjoy a wacky undersea adventure set to songs by John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie and more. Ages 6+. ($20 adults, $15 children, January 13 at 7:30 pm, January 14 at 1 and 7:30 pm, 678 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, cctarts.net)
Dance Day, African American Museum in Philadelphia
(dance) Professional choreographers and dancers from Philadelphia Ballet (PB) and PBII provide children with two hours of ballet and African dance instruction, followed by a performance and black dance panel (1-4pm) increase. Ages 4-17. ($10, January 14, 11am-1pm, 701 Arch St., philadelphiaballet.org)
Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, Classes and Performances, Hedgerow Theater
(theater/class/multiple days) You can take your child to another Disney musical or watch a Disney musical. Hedgerow offers Saturday classes for “thriving theater people” ($500) ages 8 to 18 and “little players” ($300) for ages 6 to 7, and teaches children from teens to villain Maleficent, The Evil Queen, Jafar, Cruella De Vil and her good companions. Performances from late March to early April. Registration required. Ages 6-18. ($300-$500, Jan. 14-Mar. 25, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media, hedgerowtheatre.org)
Last Chance: Ocean Bound, Academy of Natural Sciences
(science/many days) Think of this exhibit as something you have to learn on the Shore. Interactive and fun for little explorers, Ocean Bound follows the waters from the mountains to the ocean with a true story of otter and mussel restoration. For ages 3 and up. ($27 adults, $23 ages 2-12, $2 ACCESS cardholders, until 15 January 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., ansp.org)
Philadelphia Wings Lacrosse Meet and Greet, Penn Museum
(Culture/Sports) If your child prefers the playground to the halls of the museum, take them to an afternoon session with a professional lacrosse player at the Penn Museum. Lucy Fowler-Williams and Jeremy A. Savlov are experts in the field of Indigenous history and culture and combine their expertise with what’s happening at the Wells Fargo Center. Registration required. Ages 7+. ($18 adults, $16 seniors, $13 6-17 and students, 5 and under free, January 15 noon-1pm, 3260 South St., pen museum)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, National Constitution Center
(history/free) Free admission to the NCC includes reading and discussion of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech (11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.), civil rights-era songs by Two of a Kind Includes a featured family concert (12:00). 2:45pm and 2:45pm), Arts and Crafts, Storytime, and Exhibition Tours. Suitable for ages 4 and up. (Free, January 16, 10am-5pm, 525 Arch St., Constitution Center.org)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Family Programming, Eastern State Penitentiary
(history/free) (11am-4:45pm) Civil Justice luminaries read “Letters from Birmingham Jail.” (noon-2pm), children are invited to read aloud times and activities featuring books about the civil rights movement. All ages. (Free, Jan 16, 2027 Fairmount Ave., easternstate.org)
Lunch with Young Entrepreneurs, Girard College
(discussion) Local Movers and Shakers ages 12-24 are invited to lunch as part of Philly’s MLK Day of Service at Girard College. Entrepreneurs under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Space is limited. Ages 12-24. (Free, January 16, 11am-1pm, 2101 Girard Ave., volunteer.globalcitizen365.org)
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