While restaurants, cafes, retail shops, and wellness studios continue to plant roots in Fishtown, so have many new families. You can’t help but notice the strollers, scooters, and babywearing parents down Girard and Frankford. It is no surprise that the area has kept up to speed with an increase of family-friendly businesses and locations. Here is our short list of fun, convenient, and useful spots for the little ones in the area.
Classes and Activities
Play Arts photo from Facebook @PlayArtsPhilly
Fishtown Community Library – Located in a former stable and fire station, the Fishtown branch of the Philadelphia Free Library offers a range of classes and events for kids including story time, homework help, after school programs, magic shows, and science clubs.
Philly Music Babies – Philly Music Babies offers a series of classes with songs, dances, and activities for parents and children to enjoy.
PlayArts – A preschool during the week, PlayArts becomes an open playspace on weekends. Enjoy Montessori-style play stations, or rent out the place for birthdays! Check their schedule for music and art classes as well.
By My Side - A nonprofit organization that hosts play groups twice a week, offering opportunities to socialize, play, and learn. Check their schedule for play group times, as well as music classes and special events.
Soccer Shots - A national program that utilizes creative and imaginative games to focus on basic soccer skills for children ages two 2 - 8. Their program runs at Shissler Rec Center and Penn Treaty Park.
Fishtown Athletic Club- This organization has been around since 1964, and has a host of indoor and outdoor sports opportunities in soccer, baseball, and basketball.
Early Childhood Education
Fishtown Playschool – A parent-organized and very competitive preschool that looks to instill a sense of community in children through a variety of fun and educational programs.
Fishtown Montessori - An addition to the neighborhood providing a traditional Montessori mixed-age preschool and kindergarten for children ages 3 through 6, as well as a toddler program for children ages 2 - 3yrs old.
My Bright Beginnings – Offering programs for infants and preschoolers. Located in the ground floor of the Memphis Lofts, this spacious facility offers every child exactly what they need to learn and grow at their own pace. You can often find the class outdoors in Palmer Park or Shissler Recreation Center.
PlayArts Creative – This former full-time play space has expanded into offering a play-based, arts immersion preschool for children ages 3 - 5.
Stem Prep Academy - Founded by a stem professional turned public school educator, this micro school provides hands-on learning to learn through stem engagement for young children starting at 2 years old.
The Fishtown School - Offers a preschool and pre-k program that begins to prepare children for the skills needed to succeed in moving on to kindergarten.
Nearby Outdoor Spaces
Fishtown Rec Center – With a new playground, spray grounds, picnic tables, and a roller rink, this is a fantastic center for kids of all ages. The nearby basketball courts are a neighborhood highlight.
Palmer Park – Situated right on Frankford Ave., this tree-filled park is great for a picnic or playing with outdoor toys. Check their social media or swing by the park’s bulletin board to see what events are coming up. Events range from neighborhood clean ups, live music, movie nights, holiday events, Farmer’s Market, and more.
Konrad Square - Tucked in the neighborhood, this city park has space for little ones to run around. It hosts a Music in the Park series during the summer and fall, as well as an art market in the spring and fall.
Penn Treaty Park – This park along the Delaware River provides seven acres of open green space for the whole family to enjoy outdoor activities. It also has clean picnic areas, a new shaded playground for small and big kids, and hosts seasonal community events.
Parent Resources
Minnow Lane – Minnow Lane is a natural parenting store that provides eco-friendly and socially-conscious products for children and families. While they are mainly a retail store, they are also a gathering space for expectant parents and families to participate in creative, informational, and supportive classes and workshops.
Center City Pediatrics - Fishtown - A top rated National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient Centered Medical Home, this pediatric office location is open 5 days a week and even offers online, self-scheduling.
Harriett's Bookshop - Shop local for inclusive and empowering children’s books at at this indie bookshop celebrating women authors, women artists, and women activists. Pick up a book for yourself too!
The Head and the Hand - A nonprofit, independent publisher and community bookstore with a children’s book section. Check their schedule for children-focused events.
Minnow Lane has plenty of cute, friendly, and fun toys for kids. Picture by Jeanne Whipple.
Fishtown is a wonderful place for families big and small, and has continued to keep its spot as one of Philly’s top neighborhoods. Don’t take our word for it – explore around Fishtown yourself! We know you’ll enjoy it as much as we do.
