The triple 'F' effect: Free family fun

"Free": one of the best words in the English language. "Entertaining" married with "free" makes for the perfect statement. These family-friendly events will leave the whole brood smiling and your wallet just as happy.

From now through September 30, the 16,000-square foot playhouse at Smith Memorial Playground in Philadelphia will be open for children five and younger to enjoy the day in a house that was built exclusively for fun. The playhouse is open daily at 10 a.m. except for Mondays.

The Pottsgrove Manor opens its doors for tours Tuesdays through Sundays. Located in Pottstown, PA, this free tour will give visitors a look at 18th century architecture and how the Potts family lived during the time. Tours begin at 10 a.m. and if you're feeling generous, they'll surely accept donations.

In coordination with the Philadelphia Celebration of Black Writing month-long initiative, the Art Sanctuary will be holding a storytelling circle for preschool aged children and their parents on Friday, May 2. At this 10 a.m. session, children will get their feet wet in the art of storytelling.

Bucks County Community College is holding a community event on Saturday, May 3. Bucks Wild will feature performances from local performers, a photo booth, vendors and food starting at 10 a.m. While admission is free, if you plan on taking advantage of the available vendors, you'll have to cough up some dough.

The Philadelphia Science Festival wraps up on Saturday, May 3 and the Franklin Institute will be the place to be starting at 10 a.m. for the Science Carnival on the Parkway. Kids can experiment with all of the free science exhibits and learn all at the same time.

If you've ever wished you could go back in time to witness Revolutionary War battles, experience the colonial lifestyle or herd some sheep, the Boileau Festival on Saturday, May 3 is the place for you. From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Nathaniel Boileau Park in Hatboro, PA will be the ultimate destination spot for a day full of early-American activities and fare—all for free.

Put on your creative hat on Saturday, May 3 when various art galleries throughout Trenton, NJ will offer free art classes and activities. Participating locations include Gallery 219, Artworks, and Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion. This art-making day starts at noon at each of the venues.

Strawberries are the star at Peddler's Village's Strawberry Festival. On both Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, guests to the Bucks County, PA-based festival will be able to taste strawberry treats as well as purchase some fresh berries to take home. Be sure to sign up for the pie-eating contest (if you think you can stomach it). Each day of the event begins at 10 a.m.

As a part of the Barnes Foundation's "First Sunday" event, families are invited to the museum to celebrate "Cultural Fusion," with a day's worth of free activities. Starting at 1 p.m., you can create Mexican folk-art statues, listen as KIPP Dubois Collegiate Academy students share original poetry at 2:15 p.m. or just spend time at the foundation, which opens its doors at 10 a.m. There are tickets for this event, available at 9 a.m. on a first come-first served basis.