9 things you can do with your children

Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer for many Philadelphians. While post offices, banks, and some businesses like Reading Terminal Market remain closed on the holiday, the city is teeming with family-friendly activities and events.

There’s plenty to do this year, from fireworks at theme parks to free admission to museums. Here are some top tips to help you make the most of your Labor Day weekend.

Cherry Street Pier

Camp on the Cherry Street Pier and enjoy a weekend of s’mores, ghost stories, and campfire movie screenings. The pier will also feature lawn games like giant Connect Four and Jenga, tie-dye crafts, bingo, board games, and a campfire-themed photo station. The event is free and open to all ages.

📆 August 31, September 1-2 (times vary),📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com

FDR Park

Celebrate Labor Day with Smokey Bear at FDR Park. The Public Friends of FDR Park will host a free event on September 2nd with archery, a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, food, giveaways and a butterfly release demonstration. Don’t miss the chance to meet Smokey Bear in person.

📆 September 2 (noon to 2 p.m.), 📍 FDR Park Boathouse: 1500 Pattison Ave. and S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19145, 🌐 fdrparkphilly.org

Folk festival

The Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, a German-American club in Philadelphia, is hosting its 152nd annual Volksfest, an Oktoberfest-style celebration open to the public. Enjoy German and American beer, food, live music, folk dance performances, rides and vendors selling German crafts and gifts. Tickets are $10 for one day, $15 for two days and $20 for the weekend.

📆 August 31, September 1 (12pm to 10pm) and September 2 (12pm to 8pm),📍9130 Academy Road, Philadelphia, Pa. 19114, 🌐 cannstatter.org

Museum of the American Revolution

Visit the Museum of the American Revolution and see the “Witness to Revolution” exhibit, which includes family-friendly activities and arts and crafts. Explore “The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent” in the Patriots Gallery and delve into 18th-century Philadelphia history at the “Revolution Place” exhibit. Museum tickets are available online ($13-$22) and at the box office ($13-$24). Children under 12 are admitted free at the front desk throughout the holiday weekend.

📆 August 31 to September 2, 📍101 South Third St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 amrevmuseum.org

Academy of Natural Sciences

It’s the last weekend to see the “Under the Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest” exhibit at Drexel University’s Academy of Natural Sciences. The interactive exhibit, presented in both English and Spanish, includes life-sized sculptures and exhibits for all ages. General admission tickets are $27 for adults ($25 online) and $23 for children ($21 online).

📆 Until September 2, 📍1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 ansp.org

Storytelling benches “Once Upon a Nation”

Stop at one of the Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches to hear tales of colonial Philadelphia. Trained and uniformed storytellers entertain children (and adults) with short 3- to 5-minute stories. Benches are located at Independence Hall, Independence Visitor Center, Signer’s Garden, Carpenters’ Hall, Franklin Court, Betsy Ross House, National Constitution Center and Franklin Square. Collect storytelling flags at any of the benches and you’ll receive a certificate for a special surprise in Franklin Square. This initiative, which is free to the public, was created by Independence National Historical Park and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

📆 August 31, September 1 and 2 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), 📍Betsy Ross House: 239 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 historicphiladelphia.org

Sesame Street

Kids can dine with Elmo and friends at Sesame Place theme park this Labor Day. There will be a variety of desserts and beverages, plus there will be a meet and greet with Elmo in his red, white and blue outfit on Sept. 1. Later, the theme park will also host a fireworks display called “C… is for Celebrate” in honor of Labor Day. Dance with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and Count Von Count as the fireworks go off at 8 p.m. Tickets for both events are $35 online.

📆 September 1st (8pm), 📍100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, Pa. 19047, 🌐 sesameplace.com

Deptford Mall Family Football Festival

Head to Deptford Mall for a Family Football Fest featuring live music, food vendors, games and a beer garden. Philadelphia Eagles players Brandon Graham, Quinyon Mitchell and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will make special appearances from 2-4 p.m. (Note: Tickets are required for autographs and photos.)

📆 August 31 (1pm-5pm), 📍1750 Deptford Center Road, Deptford, NJ 08096 (in the mall parking lot near Almonesson Road), 🌐 deptfordmall.com

The Franklin Institute

This weekend is your last chance to see the Art of the Brick exhibit at the Franklin Institute. The 9,000-square-foot Lego playground includes a 20-foot-long Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, a 31,753-brick replica of the Liberty Bell, and more. Admission prices range from $17 to $43, depending on access.

📆 Until September 2, 📍222 N 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 (intersection of 20th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway), 🌐 fi.edu