Kids, etc.

Big Fun for Little Ones

by Jessica Loughery

Runs Nov. 24-Dec. 30, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., $9.95, Please Touch Museum, 210 N. 21st St., 215-963-0667, www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

Kids can experience a Philadelphia holiday tradition when Please Touch puts three classic Lit Brothers scenes on display: the Toymaker's Workshop, the Tailor Shop and the General Store. The setup, which features lifelike colonial folks preparing for the season, first appeared at the original Brothers' store at Eighth and Market streets in the 1960s and '70s. All ages.

Wed., Nov. 29, 4:30-9 p.m., $1 suggested donation, The Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, N.J., 856-869-0111, www.thepopshopusa.com

Kids love drama. Dressing up, parading through the living room, screaming into fake microphones in front of mirrors—they find it wildly entertaining. So bring 'em down to The Pop Shop, where they can belt out kiddie tunes like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Sorry, no Ying-Yang Twins. All ages.

Wed., Nov. 29, 7 p.m., free, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716, www.barnesandnoble.com

Patrick McDonnell brings his popular Mutts comic strip characters Mooch and Earl to Philly. This time, Mooch the cat wakes up in a frightening fog that makes him realize heaven is where friends and family are. The author will meet and talk to young fans and sign copies of the book. Ages 5 to 6.

Fri., Nov 24, noon-4 p.m., skating admission $6, skate rental $3, Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. and Market St., 215-925-7465, www.riverrink.com

Live penguins outside can only mean one thing: The skating season is back. Join a few tuxedoed fellas as RiverRink cuts the ribbon for the seaon's first public skate. There'll be free face painting, balloons and keychain photo keepsakes. Ken Fink of the educational programming company Wondergy will also teach kids about the science of ice through fun experiments. All ages.

Runs Nov. 24-Jan. 1, free, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St., Independence Mall, 215-409-6700, www.constitutioncenter.org

Kids today think they've got it bad? They should try washing clothes by hand on a ribbed board, or fetching pails of water from a river that's a mile away. During this public program, children can visit a variety of stations to learn how the other half of American history's kids bathed and entertained themselves, or don an 18th-century frock to show off during a runway show. Ages 5 and up.