FunTimes Fun Events Education & Entertainment!
Read all about it! Here are some free kids and family literacy activities, many occurring at one of our finest treasure troves — The Free Library of Philadelphia. As one of America’s first public libraries (1891), the good folks there basically have a lot of knowledge, writing the book on community education. The Free Library is a mainstay and widely known for its enriching programming. Through the end of August, the Free Library offers a Summer of Wonder program that engages and enlightens families. Plus, check out a few non-Free Library things to do, just for good measure. Please keep an eye on any extreme weather and how it may affect the scheduled events, and also respect the ongoing pandemic safety protocols; check in-person event instructions with the individual organizers.
A day in the park with a good book
July 27, 2022. ‘Read and Explore’ the world of literacy at the Free Library’s Carroll Park Summer of Wonder Series. Team up with the library staff for a fun-filled afternoon of powerful storytelling and literacy activities in the park. For young kids, free, 3:30 p.m. Hosted by the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd St., 215-685-7431. Carroll Park, 58th Street and Girard Avenue, www.freelibrary.org
Work it out at this pandemic-relief workshop
July 27, 2022. Create artwork that highlights stories about your life, your health, your communities, families and hopes during the challenges of COVID-19 at the Zine Workshop. (A zine is a collection of original or appropriated images.) The event is In partnership with the Penn Community Vax Team. 2 p.m., Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd St., 215-685-7431, free but RSVP on Eventbrite.
Goats on parade
July 27, 2022. Chew on this: Join Philly Goat Project for a live outdoor performance of The Philly Goats Gruff and other stories. Afterwards, enjoy a parade with real honest-to-goodness goats. If there is such a thing as a meet-and-greet with animals, then this is it. Learn all about goats, their eating habits, their likes, dislikes and their horoscope signs (just kiddin’). Philly Goat Project is an urban agricultural program focusing on goat grazing, animal-assisted therapy, environmental education and community-centered wellness programs. For all ages: young and those more mature. 10 a.m. to noon, free, Shakespeare Park, Parkway Central Library (Children’s Department, Ground Floor), 1901 Vine St., 1-833- 825-5357, www.freelibrary.org
Look cool in the pool with free swim lessons
Free is cool, and cooling off is, well, cool. Kids and adults can beat the heat with swim lessons at no charge at local public pools through the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Check out the schedule for open pools and you can call your local pool for details such as hours. (Philadelphia Parks & Recreation via Facebook). Schedules vary based on available staffing in some areas. You also can check this week’s pool openings here. If social media is not your speed, go online for information on local pool schedules, swimming lessons and spray grounds near you: www.phila.gov
Oluwafemi
Make a new drawing to put on your refrigerator
August 12, 2022. Practice drawing and get into the “rhythm, pattern, and repetition” with art instructor Oluwafemi. It’s part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Pop-up Studio. For ages; no experience required. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., pay what you wish; kids free. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-763-8100, e-mail: entertaining@philamuseum.org or visit: philamuseum.org or creativephl.org
Movie nights in Center City: Take 2
July 29, 2022. A movie is groovy! Pictures in the Park is an outdoor summer movie series that is returning to Dilworth Park hosted by the Center City District. Get lost in a special screening of In the Heights, the big-screen adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s stage musical. The film chronicles a group of residents in a Dominican neighborhood in Washington Heights in New York City. The characters pursue their dreams in stellar musical performances. It’s all part of a Friday film series showing 4 more movies, in addition to In the Heights, through August 26. The movies are suitable for all ages. Snacks including free popcorn at concessions, as well as beverages for adults. 8:15 p.m., free. Dilworth Park, outside of City Hall, Broad and Market streets, 215-440-5500, centercityphila.org
No child left without a book
Tree House Books, a community library center in North Philly, is making sure “every child has access to books, and every opportunity to pursue their dreams.” The nonprofit offers free books and after-school programming to increase literacy skills. Plus, a new bookmobile brings books to your neighborhood. You can donate books, too. 1430 W. Susquehanna Ave. Opens at 10 a.m., Mondays to Saturdays, 215-236-1760, Treehousebooks.org or www.freelibrary.org.
There’s never too many cooks in the virtual kitchen
July 27, 2022. Learn how to cook from chefs and home cooks, as they prepare delicious hearty meals including platters with simple ingredients that you have at home. The virtual show is called Good For Your Soul: A Cooking Show. This week’s theme is “City Harvest in the Kitchen.” Don’t be tardy for this food party: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., free. Register and get details. Eventbrite.com
Opening the dialogue of race
June 29, 2022. In the aftermath of the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on abortion and 2 years since the murder of George Floyd, explore the state of systematic racism in this timely online workshop featuring five experts from the fields of business, academia and religion — led by Chantelle Fitzgerald and Dr. Don Trahan, Jr. It focuses on the theme: Let’s Talk…Social Justice In America, part of a virtual series about “race, equity and belonging.” 5 p.m., free, eventbrite.com
