Family events in Wilmington, DE

An outdoor storytime led by Ms. Ewa brings books to life in Battery Park by the wharf at the Delaware Street end. Children can enjoy read-alouds paired with movement and music using items like movement scarves and shaker eggs, along with other simple props. After the stories, families can stay for open play that features music, bubbles, and additional activities. Bring a blanket or chairs for comfortable seating. If it rains or the heat is extreme, the gathering moves indoors at the library. No sign-up is required. For more information, call 302-328-1995.

Join for a free opening reception for a student exhibition that connects students with important people and ideas from the past. This event is part of Rockwood Park and Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, and it’s open to all ages.

SFCL Ministries Operation Back 2 School is a community outreach gathering in New Castle, Delaware that helps students and families get ready for a successful school year. Presented by SFCL Ministries’ Reach One Community Outreach, the event offers backpack and school supply giveaways, complimentary haircuts with styling and braiding, a barbecue, youth games and bounce houses, live worship and music, a prayer tent, health screenings, raffle prizes, vendor booths, and community resource tables. It is open to everyone and focuses on faith, encouragement, and practical support for children and their families.

Second Saturdays feature history and hands-on activities. This installment takes place at Fort Christina State Park and explores the seafaring folklore that surrounded crews and sailing vessels, including the legends of sea monsters and other mythical beings. Afterward, participants can craft their own fast and fearsome sea serpent. Entry to the park is free. Museum admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12, with free entry for children under 3. Free parking is available in the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation lot across the road from the park.

Every Second Sunday, families of all kinds can spend a day immersed in art, creativity, and connection at the Delaware Art Museum. All activities are included with Museum admission. Member admission is free, and members must reserve Second Sunday admission to register for activities. Individual activity registration is first come, first served, and some programs have limited capacity. Kid friendly menu options are available at Kaffeina Café. Creation Station invites kids and their caregivers to experiment with a playful mix of materials in an open ended art making experience where imagination leads the way. It welcomes all ages. Studio Explorers offers hands on time in the Studio with a professional artist. Participants create a unique project inspired by works in the Museum’s collection while trying new materials and techniques in a welcoming setting. On site registration at the front desk is required, sessions are scheduled throughout the day, and space is limited. This month features a family friendly artwork. If a preferred session is full, other activities around the Museum are available until the next one. Giggles and Tales brings interactive story time to the Kids Corner with artist and musician Quinci Spady. Animated readings and playful activities nurture a love of reading and creative expression, and parent participation is required. The theme is Space Explorers, inspired by Updraft by Edna Wright Andrade, as families explore movement, color, and space through hands on art, imaginative play, and interactive experiences. Sessions are offered for ages 2 to 5, for ages 6 to 10, and for all ages. A new pop up, Pool Noodle Pirate Ships, invites families to design and decorate their own boats, then head to the Sculpture Garden to try them out. This activity is available while supplies last throughout the day. Weather appropriate clothing is recommended. The Museum’s Kids’ Corner is an interactive space for families and is open during regular hours. During Second Sunday, access is limited to Giggles and Tales participants for part of the day.

Enjoy panoramic views of Wilmington and the nearby countryside from the top of Rockford Tower. Access is weather dependent, and the tower may close during inclement conditions.

Enjoy an evening of live music in Rockford Park beside the historic Rockford Tower, which will be open during the show. The Gretchen Emery Band performs as part of the Summer Concert Series. Attendees can bring a picnic or pick up dinner from on-site food trucks, with options from Natalie's Fine Foods and Cajun Sno. Drinks are available from Friends of Wilmington Parks and Wilmington Brew Works. Concerts in this series are presented on Monday in this scenic park setting.

Nature on the Go is a weekly exploration of the natural world, with a take-home experience that encourages continued investigation of what is around you. This year’s theme is Exploring Space.

Toddler Tuesdays from the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is a summertime learning series created for little explorers. Designed for children 18 months to 5 years, each one-hour session blends story time, songs, creative crafts, movement, playful discovery, and other interactive activities. The Copeland Maritime Center hosts the sessions indoors, and an educator with early childhood expertise leads the group in a warm, supportive setting. This session features the Animals theme. Participation is limited to 10 toddlers for a personalized experience, and siblings are welcome. Snacks and juice boxes are provided. Admission is $10 for ages 1 to 5, $6 for siblings age 6 and up, and there is no charge for children under 1 or for parents and caregivers. Use promo code AHOY for 50 percent off. Advance tickets are required due to limited capacity.

Zoo Tunes is a summertime concert series at Brandywine Zoo that spotlights local talent across a mix of musical styles. Access to the show is included with regular zoo admission. This edition features a performance by Vernon James Jr.

The Rock Lot hosts a weekly drum circle that welcomes all ages at no cost. A local instructor guides the session, and drums in a variety of sizes are available. Participants can bring their own drum or borrow one on site. This program receives partial support through a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

The West Side Farmers Market at Cool Spring Park returns with a community-centered marketplace featuring produce grown locally, small business vendors, and engaging programming for neighbors. Established in 2011, the market remains dedicated to ensuring access to fresh, healthy food for all. Payment options include cash, credit, SNAP/EBT, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits, along with West Side Farmers Market wooden tokens. Seniors 60 and older can receive a $5 credit, and SNAP/EBT purchases are matched up to $20 in tokens for fruits and vegetables, redeemable at the West Side Grows Together information table. Everyone is welcome.

Summer in the Parks brings a free evening of entertainment to Haynes Park with An Evening with Christina Cultural Arts Center, featuring a blend of R&B, soul, and jazz. A community art project by Redbird Art Lab adds a creative element, and complimentary Bernie's Water Ices will be offered.

Banana Ball comes to Wilmington for a three-night series at Judy Johnson Field at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium. Expect nonstop action, music, and a fun, party-style baseball experience, with player dances, fan challenges, and a game that runs fast with a two-hour time limit, no bunting, and foul balls caught by fans counting as outs.

This weekly series delves into different facets of nature and includes at-home activities that extend the learning beyond the session. This year’s theme, Exploring Space, invites curiosity about the skies while encouraging continued discovery of the world nearby.

Brandywine Zoo presents an outdoor storytime in the Wildlife Amphitheater focused on reading and learning about animals. Each week features a different book, encouraging return visits to catch every story. This program is included with zoo admission.