Guides for getting started

Families with young kids

Looking for something to do with your kids? These groups say children can take part with a parent or caregiver.

Things worth asking

What ages does the group work for?
Is there a quiet corner or a place for a stroller?
Do meetings run around nap times, or can you come and go?
Does every adult need Pennsylvania clearances?

Start small

Pick one group close to home and go a few times. Children and grown ups both feel better about a place after a few visits.

Groups where kids can take part

336 groups

Club · Lower Northwest
Bicycle Club of Philadelphia
An all-volunteer nonprofit that promotes biking in the Philadelphia area and runs free group rides for every speed and skill level.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Club
Delaware Valley Fly Fishers
A club for fly anglers and fly tiers from around the Delaware Valley. Members learn casting, fly tying and fishing, go on day and multi-day fishing trips, and take part in conservation and education work.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Club · Upper Northwest
Germantown Country Dancers
A dance group that holds weekly English country dances, monthly workshops and dances, barn dances, and teen dances, with live bands, callers, and a Colonial performance group.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Nonprofit · Central
Koresh Dance Company
Dance company based at Rittenhouse Square that also runs a studio with adult and children's classes. Its public work includes performances, outreach, and a school.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Faith community · Central
Old First United Church of Christ
A United Church of Christ congregation near 4th and Race streets that worships on Sunday in person and on Zoom, hosts Sunday suppers, and runs historical tours.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Protestant
- Online OK
Last active date not known yet
Nonprofit
5 Shorts Project
A Philadelphia film group that helps local residents make their own short films, with no filmmaking background needed. It also runs teen film programs and a yearly teen film festival.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: July 2026
Nonprofit · West Park
AfterShock Fam
A nonprofit that runs music and arts workshops for kids, including DJ, beatmaking and music production camps, and pairs young people with one-on-one mentors. It also connects artists who want to mentor.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Online OK
Last seen active: December 2024
Nonprofit · Lower North
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
An Arab arts and language group in Philadelphia. It runs after-school art and drumming for students, Arabic classes for kids and adults, and gallery shows on the second Thursday of each month.
- Paid
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Online OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Nonprofit · Central
Alliance Française de Philadelphie
The French cultural center in Philadelphia. It teaches adults French from A1 (beginner) to C1 (advanced), and it runs French conversation meals and book clubs for adults and teens.
- Paid
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Online OK
- French
Last seen active: September 2026
Faith community · Old City
Arch Street Friends Meeting
A Quaker meeting in Old City where people sit together in silent worship on Sunday mornings and on Wednesday evenings on Zoom. Families can use a children's program during the school year.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Quaker
- Online OK
Last active date not known yet
Nonprofit · University City
Arlen Specter US Squash Center
A squash center that runs junior programs, a summer squash camp for players of every skill level, lessons, and club events.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: September 2026
Program · University Southwest
The Arts League
A contemporary art center in West Philadelphia, also listed as the University City Arts League. Artists teach adult classes and workshops, members can use open studio time, and kids can join an after school art program.
- Paid
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Garden · Upper North
Awbury Arboretum Food Forest Work Days
Volunteers who help look after the food forest at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown. Planting and orchard care work days are listed through the Philadelphia Orchard Project, and Awbury's volunteer office takes questions by email.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Faith community · River Wards
Beacon Church
A Presbyterian congregation on East Cumberland Street that describes itself as LGBTQIA+ affirming and family-friendly. It holds a worship service and a free community dinner on the first Sunday of each month.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Protestant
Last active date not known yet
Nonprofit
Block by Block Philly
A volunteer-run nonprofit that organizes cleanups against litter and illegal dumping across Philadelphia. It also hosts block parties and works with schools and businesses on clean streets.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Faith community · Central
Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting
A Quaker meeting that worships on Sunday mornings in the meetinghouse at Friends Center in Center City, in person or on Zoom. It offers childcare for young children and religious education for school-age children.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Quaker
- Online OK
Last active date not known yet
Faith community · Upper Northwest
Chestnut Hill Monthly Meeting
A Quaker meeting in Chestnut Hill with Sunday worship in its meetinghouse and on Zoom, a Sunday School, hymn singing, and adult classes. The site invites anyone to join.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Quaker
- Online OK
- Spanish
Last active date not known yet
Faith community · Upper Northwest
Christ Ascension Lutheran Church
A Lutheran congregation on Germantown Avenue with Sunday worship and a short weekday noon prayer that neighbors are invited to join.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Protestant
Last active date not known yet
Faith community · Lower Far Northeast
Christ the King Parish
A Catholic parish at Morrell Avenue and Chesterfield Road in Northeast Philadelphia. It runs CYO sports for children, religious education and adult faith formation, and sends parish news through Flocknote.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Catholic
Last seen active: September 2026
Faith community · Central Northeast
Congregation B'nai Israel Ohev Zedek
A Northeast Philadelphia synagogue with daily prayer services, weekly Torah classes, and youth groups on Shabbat. The site has a page for visitors who want to spend a Shabbos there.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Jewish
Last seen active: October 2026
Faith community · Central
Congregation Rodeph Shalom
A Center City congregation on North Broad Street with Friday evening and Saturday morning services, Saturday Torah study, and a Wednesday morning food and supply distribution called Breaking Bread on Broad.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Jewish
- Online OK
Last active date not known yet
Nonprofit · Lower Northwest
Courtesy Stable
A horse stable in Fairmount Park run by a nonprofit that cares for horses and protects the Wissahickon Valley. People can take riding lessons, ride the trails, and join monthly volunteer days.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last active date not known yet
Nonprofit
Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre
A center that teaches American Sign Language classes and works for equal communication access across the Philadelphia region. It also holds Deaf community social events, such as a bingo and ASL night.
- Paid
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Online OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Nonprofit · South
Discovery Pathways
A South Philadelphia nonprofit that teaches outdoor and environmental skills to young people and adults. Its programs include boating, fishing, youth leadership, dragon boating and greening work in parks and along waterways.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Faith community · Lower Northwest
East Falls Presbyterian Church
A Presbyterian church in East Falls with Sunday worship, children's care, and small Bible study groups that meet in person or online.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Wheelchair accessible
- Faith community: Protestant
- Online OK
Last seen active: September 2026
Nonprofit · Central
Elfreth's Alley Association, Inc
Keeps Elfreth's Alley and its history in view. The association runs a small museum in two of the Alley's houses, leads guided tours, and holds events such as a fall makers market and a December holiday event.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Club
Epic Adventurez
A live action roleplay group that plays costumed games with foam gear. Its core event is a Saturday afternoon Capture the Flag game at Clark Park, and it also runs camps and teaches members to craft foam swords and props.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last active date not known yet
Garden
Fair Amount Food Forest
A community food forest in Fairmount Park where neighbors plant, tend, and harvest together, with plant walks, cooking and preserving workshops, and a farmers market.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Club
Fast Break Philly
A sports group for girls and gender-expansive youth in Philadelphia. Its fall volleyball clinics run for grades 3 to 8 and its Sunday ultimate frisbee clinics for grades 4 to 9. Clinics are paid by the session, with a lower community rate.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last active date not known yet
Program · Lower Northwest
First Tee of Greater Philadelphia
A golf program for young people in the Philadelphia area. It runs First Tee programs, girls' golf, a caddie academy, and Down the Shore programs, and it offers scholarships for participants.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Background check
Last seen active: September 2026
Faith community · Upper Northwest
Germantown Jewish Centre
A congregation at 400 West Ellet Street that serves the Jewish community in Northwest Philadelphia. It runs Friday night services, weekly Torah study, adult learning, a religious school, a choir, and a Hazak group for people 55 and older.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Jewish
Last seen active: June 2026
Nonprofit · West Park
Girls in Gear
A cycling program for girls of all ages and abilities, with coaches who run group sessions to build confidence.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: September 2026
Nonprofit · University Southwest
Group Motion Multi Media Dance Theater
A dance and movement group that runs open Friday night workshops, retreats and projects. Dancers and non-dancers are both welcome, and the mailing list announces new workshops.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Online OK
Last active date not known yet
Nonprofit · Lower North
Historic Fair Hill
A North Philadelphia community organization that cares for the Fair Hill burial ground, a historic Quaker site that holds the graves of abolitionists and early women's rights leaders. It also runs reading, garden, and tree-planting programs and community events.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Faith community · East Mount Airy
Holy Cross Parish
A Catholic parish in Mount Airy with Sunday Masses, a Saturday evening Vigil Mass, and a parish school on East Mount Airy Avenue. A food pantry on East Mount Airy Avenue is also listed.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Wheelchair accessible
- Faith community: Catholic
Last seen active: October 2026
Faith community · Central
Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church
A Chinese Catholic parish in Chinatown at 915 Vine Street with Sunday Masses in Cantonese, English and Mandarin.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Catholic
- Chinese
Last seen active: September 2026
Faith community · Lower Northwest
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
A Catholic parish on East Cathedral Road with three Sunday Masses and weekday morning Mass.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Catholic
Last seen active: October 2026
Program
InKind Baking Project
Volunteer bakers make homemade treats for events and partner groups. Volunteers sign up for baking shifts through a scheduling site, and groups can ask for baked goods.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last active date not known yet
Club
Inter Philly FC (formerly Fairmount Soccer Association)
A youth soccer club formed by merging Fairmount Soccer Association with two other Philadelphia clubs. It has programs from beginner to competitive play, plus travel tryouts, and the site lists players born 2014 through 2023 as eligible.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last active date not known yet
Faith community · West Park
Japanese Christian Church of Philadelphia
A congregation whose website is in Japanese and English, with Sunday worship in the building and on Zoom, and coffee and sometimes lunch afterward.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Protestant
- Online OK
- Japanese
Last seen active: September 2026
Faith community
Jewish Children's Folkshul
A secular Jewish community in Northwest Philadelphia for families and adults. Its Sunday school teaches Jewish history, holidays and values to children from kindergarten through high school, and adults can join study groups, outings and social clubs.
- Paid
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Jewish
Last seen active: October 2026
Faith community · University Southwest
Kol Tzedek
A Reconstructionist synagogue in West Philadelphia. Members pray on Shabbat, study in the Torah school and adult classes, and can join a virtual community.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Jewish
Last seen active: September 2026
Nonprofit · Upper North
Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble
An African dance and drumming group that teaches classes for beginners and experienced dancers and drummers. It also stages public concerts and community events.
- Paid
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: May 2025
Program · Lower Northwest
LEGACY Youth Tennis & Education
A tennis and education program based at the LEGACY Tennis Center on Ridge Avenue. It offers junior clinics, camps, private lessons, tournaments, and after-school programs at partner schools.
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: June 2026
Nonprofit · Central
MacGuffin Theatre & Film Company
A nonprofit theater company that teaches classes in acting, musical theatre, comedy and film for children and teens, with camps and after-school programs. It also runs troupes for improv, cabaret and acting, and holds auditions for its productions.
- Paid
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: September 2026
Faith community · Central
Mekor Habracha (Center City Synagogue)
A congregation at 1500 Walnut Street that welcomes visitors. It runs daily minyanim and classes on its davening schedule, a monthly Tot Shabbat for young children, and a WhatsApp group.
- Paid
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Jewish
Last seen active: September 2026
Faith community · Central
Mother Bethel AME Church
A historic AME church on South 6th Street that marked its 232nd anniversary in 2026. Neighbors can join Sunday worship in person, and some Sunday classes and a fellowship hour run on Zoom. The church also runs a museum, takes part in holiday giving, and held a Juneteenth community breakfast and celebration in June 2026.
- Low cost
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Faith community: Black church
- Online OK
Last seen active: October 2026
Nonprofit · Central
Music Theatre Philly
A nonprofit theater school for ages 2 and up that teaches singing, acting, and dance. It also runs an adult choir, adult dance classes, and productions for students and adults.
- Paid
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
Last seen active: September 2026

We show the 48 that fit best here. Browse has the rest.

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