Baby-Friendly Indoor Play Spaces in Philadelphia

Lilypad – East Passyunk

A community play space with an attached thrift store, Lilypad is a beloved spot for South Philly families. They recently moved to a new location on East Passyunk and are due to open in early 2026. Lilypad is a great choice for babies because they offer baby-specific hours for children 0-24 months, so you can enjoy the space without worrying about being trampled by pre-schoolers during tummy time. 

Beehive at Bok – East Passyunk

Beehive at Bok is best known for its awesome play space in the basement of the Bok Building. While babies can enjoy playing with soft blocks or perching on foam ramps in the play space, it is generally a better experience once your child is mobile. However, Beehive Upstairs offers a biweekly new baby group for parents and caregivers to share communal support while relaxing in a cozy room filled with developmentally appropriate baby toys. They also offer a weekly feeding support group. 

Everland – Queen Village

Tucked away in Queen Village, Everland is part indoor play space, part co-working space, and part sustainable goods shop. The play space is ideal for ages 0-5 and offers both open play and members-only hours. Once your baby is 9 months, you can take advantage of their coworking hours as well. And be sure to keep an eye on their other programming, like pop-up storytimes or baby clothing and gear swaps. 

Kith + Kin is very calm and welcoming with lots of space for all kinds of play. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin

Kith + Kin – Brewerytown

This large and bright 3000 square foot indoor play space in Brewerytown offers drop-in morning play times every day of the week and is free for babies under six months. They also offer a weekly postpartum and lactation community support group called “Baby Daze” every Thursday afternoon.

Music Theatre Philly – Midtown Village

Formally Nest Philly, Music Theatre Philly’s Playhouse is a nature-themed indoor play zone best for children 6 months and older. The baby-friendly play space boasts a padded crawling area and indoor stroller parking. They also have longer hours than most play spaces (they’re open until 5 on weekdays!) and offer pop-up music, art, and dance programming during their regular hours.

Free Library of Philadelphia – Multiple Locations

Your local library branch is a great place to find indoor play spots that are fun and completely free. Many locations have dedicated children’s play areas featuring soft mats, foam blocks, board books, and other developmentally appropriate toys. For instance, Blackwell Regional Library in West Philly has a large gated baby area with baby-friendly furnishings, toys, mirrors, and climbing equipment. 

Philly-Area Baby Storytimes, Music, and Art Classes

Mister John’s Music – Multiple locations

This beloved music enrichment spot offers music classes that start as early as birth. The classes at Mister John’s are divided by small age groups, including Newbies (newborn to six months) and Teenies (6-12 months), so they are able to tailor the programming to perfectly fit your baby’s developmental stage. The 45-minute classes are offered in 8 week sessions at locations in Italian Market, Rittenhouse, Northern Liberties, Fairmount, Chestnut Hill, and Main Line.

Philly Art Center – Multiple Locations

With locations in Fairmount, Queen Village, Cherry Hill, and Mt. Airy, the Philly Art Center offers art and music programming for all ages, including babies. Check out their drop-in creative playgroup and storytime for kids aged 0-30 months, every week at all locations. Or register for one of their Music Jammers or Music Explorers classes, which welcome children as young as three months.

Library Story Times and Playgroups – Multiple Locations

Many of the free storytimes offered at Free Library locations are specifically created with babies in mind. These storytimes tend to offer shorter books and more songs and activities designed to keep babies’ attention. Look for events like “Baby Storytime” or “Read, Baby, Read Storytime” at your neighborhood library branch. Many locations also offer playgroups immediately following a baby storytime. Insider tip: Filter the Library’s event page by “baby” age group and you’ll find lots of upcoming programming. 

Music with Miss Margaret – Multiple locations 

Miss Margaret offers pop-up music classes as well as longer series at various community locations, including rec centers in the colder months and parks in the warmer months. Her “Music For Tiny Friends” classes are ideal for babies 3 months and older, and these classes are often offered a sliding scale. She’s also known for her amazing bubbles, so keep an eye out for her special programming including bubble parties and baby raves. 

Music Theatre Philly – Midtown Village

In addition to the amazing nature-themed play space, Music Theater Philly offers music classes for babies, with a goal of “discovering the magic of theater from the very start.” Their Baby & Me classes encourage caregivers to explore music and movement with their babies, focusing on bonding and sensory experiences.

Settlement Music School – Multiple locations 

Settlement Music School is known for its premier music and arts education with six branches throughout Greater Philadelphia. Their Children’s Music Playshop is an intro music class designed for babies as young as 6 months and includes playful sound games and beginner folk music. It’s offered at their Queen Village and Germantown locations, and financial aid is available. 

Baby-Friendly Attractions and Destinations in Philadelphia 

The Please Touch Museum is perfect for babies who like to get their hands on everything. Photo by the author

Please Touch Museum – Fairmount

While Philly’s favorite children’s museum is ideal for ages 2-5, there is plenty for babies to do as well. Each area of the museum includes a dedicated themed baby space designed specifically for those under 24 months, with soft spaces to crawl and age-appropriate toys. The best part? Babies under 12 months get free admission!

Philadelphia Zoo – Fairmount

America's First Zoo is also a great first zoo for babies, since it's stroller-friendly and free for those under 2. The Children’s Petting Zoo section is a nice introduction to the sensory experience of animal fur as well as practicing your favorite animal sounds. Bring your favorite animal-themed board book along to help make the connection between the pictures in a book and the animals your baby sees.

Smith Playground – Fairmount

This amazing free playground attraction is best once your child is mobile (and ideally walking), but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun for babies too. There are baby-friendly swings, a dedicated tot lot, and plenty of fun sensory activities in the indoor playhouse. Plus your baby can always ride on your lap down the giant wooden slide!

Take your baby out to the ball game. Photo by Cait Sumner

Sports Game – South Philadelphia

The baby years are actually a great time to check out one of Philly’s beloved sports teams, whether that’s the Phillies at Citizen Bank Park, the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, or the 76ers and Flyers at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Children under 2 are free at all locations, and, unlike toddlers, babies are generally cool with staying in your arms or lap the whole time, simply enjoying the excitement of people-watching. Be sure to get a “First Game Certificate” while you’re there.

There's tons of sea creatures to watch and learn about. Photo courtesy of the Adventure Aquarium

Adventure Aquarium – Camden

The aquarium is a surprise favorite among the under-one crowd! Whether it’s because of the bright blue lighting of the tanks, the close-up views of stunning sea creatures, or the rhythmic swimming of schools of fish, we’ve found the aquarium to be a bigger hit than the zoo at this age. And it’s free for kids under 2!

Mommy and Me Fitness Programs near Philly 

Everland – Queen Village

In addition to their indoor play space, Everland also offers baby-friendly adult movement classes, such as Babywearing Dance (with babies 0-12 months) and Baby and Me Yoga (with babies 0-18 months). 

Social Beings – Point Breeze

Social Beings is a community “third space” that offers movement classes and creative workshops. Their weekly “Mom Workout” is a community-first full-body workout for prenatal and postpartum moms. They encourage you to bring your baby in a carrier (baby’s weight makes great extra resistance!). Participants must be at least 6 weeks postpartum and cleared by a healthcare professional.

Be Well with Beth – South Philly

A dietitian and local South Philly mom, Beth Auguste of Be Well with Beth offers seasonal Outdoor Stroller Workouts at Columbus Square and Bok. Open to all fitness levels and modified to fit your needs, the workouts are designed to keep your stroller in motion while you get a full-body workout. Not sure if it’s for you? The first class is free!

Surya Moon Yoga – Germantown

Surya Moon Yoga offers weekly Baby and Me Yoga at their studio in Germantown. During the warmer months, Baby and Me Yoga is also held outdoors at Cloverly Park. Once your baby ages out of Baby and Me Yoga, they also offer toddler-friendly yoga options like Storytime Yoga. In addition to yoga, Surya Moon offers other programming like a weekly Perinatal Nature Walk, in which new parents are encouraged to bring babies in carriers. 

Philly Dance Fitness – Rittenhouse

Are you and your mom friends interested in a baby-friendly workout on your own schedule? Philly Dance Fitness offers private Baby Yogalates sessions for groups of four parents or more. The hybrid yoga-pilates class focuses on stretching and strength-building, giving extra attention to the shoulders, back, chest, and core, and all the workouts are modified to incorporate your little one. 

Fit4Mom – Multiple locations

With locations all over the country, Fit4Mom is an exercise program that offers several stroller-friendly workout classes, including Stroller Strides (full-body strength and cardio training), Run Club, and Stroller Barre. The closest locations are currently in Cherry Hill and Delaware County, but new locations continue to pop-up as franchises are added.

Seasonal Activities for Babies in Philadelphia

Spring 

Spring is a great time to get outdoors with your baby, when the nice weather starts and peak flu season ends. 

• Try a stroller-friendly hike or nature walk.
• Grab a picnic blanket to spread out at one of Philly’s wonderful parks. 

Summer 

Beat the heat with water play!

• Enjoy a dip at the Children’s Discovery Garden in Sister Cities Park, which has a wading pond that's perfect for dipping baby’s feet, or introduce baby to the joys of a splash pad. 
• If you’d like to get your baby accustomed to water early, try a baby & me swim class at Fitness Alive (available for 5 months and older).

Fall

Fall is the perfect time for orchards, harvest fests, and more...

• Visit a family farm. Babies can meet cute farm animals and start new Autumn traditions. 
• Check out a pumpkin patch! While your baby can’t help you pick a pumpkin yet, they’ll look adorable inside of one for the perfect Fall photoshoot. 

Winter

The dazzling decorations and lights of the holiday season are sure to capture your baby’s attention. 

• Pop your little one in the stroller or carrier to check out the best neighborhood light displays.
• Hop in the car to see some stunning holiday light drive-thrus.

Frequently Asked Questions about Baby Activities in Philly

What are the best things to do with babies in Philly?

The best indoor activities for babies include play spaces, baby gyms, storytimes, and music classes. The best outdoor activities for babies include parks, baby-friendly tot lots and playgrounds, petting zoos and farms, and stroller walks. 

Are these baby activities free?

Some activities, like library play spaces and storytimes, are free for all. So are most parks and playgrounds. Indoor baby play spaces often have drop-in or membership fees, but you may be able to visit for the first time for free to check them out.

How can I make baby outings easier?

Plan your outing around nap times, or schedule nap breaks in the stroller or carrier as needed. Always pack extra essentials like diapers and snacks in case you’re out longer than planned. Scope out stroller accessibility and stroller parking if you plan to bring one, and be aware of where to find the nearest bathroom or changing station. 

Where can I find more baby-friendly events and programming in Philadelphia?

Check out our round-ups of mommy & me classes, parenting and support classes, baby music classes, and mom & baby exercise classes. You can also filter our events calendar by age to show baby-friendly upcoming events in Philly. 

Where can I eat in Philly with a baby?

Check out our Family Restaurant Guide to find baby-friendly restaurants in Philadelphia that offer amenities like high chairs and changing tables.