One last weekend to see 'A Christmas Carol' at the Walnut Street Theater, you shouldn't miss this one! Photo by Mark Garvin courtesy of the theater
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Visit Christmas Village in Philly for local holiday fun all season long. Photo courtesy of Christmas Village in Philadelphia
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The zoo lights are aglow at LumiNature. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo
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Santa roams Philadelphia's Christmas Village all season long. Photo courtesy of Kory Aversa for Christmas Village.
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Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Philadelphia
A winter oasis, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest houses a skating rink overlooking the Delaware River, a ski chalet-style lodge and more. Photo by Danielle Smith
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 40 Best Things to Do with Kids in Philly
Rose Tree Park glimmers at night, welcoming visitors to enjoy a wintery walk at Festival of Lights. Photo courtesy of the park
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Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Enjoy picking and other family-friendly activities at Linvilla Orchard. Photo courtesy of the orchard
Apple Picking near Philly: Best Apple Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids
Kids can zoom down the slide and, of course, launch scarves at Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
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Kids under 18 are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill
100 Free Things To Do in Philly with Kids
Kids 18 and under are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill @creativishmom
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in Philly
Check out the amazing WildWorks Ropes Course at the entrance to the Philadelphia Zoo.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Ultimate Pennsylvania Bucket List: 35 Things To Do With Kids in PA
Pony rides always bring out smiles at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
Farms with Animals and Petting Zoos near Philadelphia that are Perfect for Preschoolers
School Calendars 2025-2026: Important Dates for Philadelphia School District
Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), located in the heart of Old City.
Visiting Historic Philadelphia: Top Things To Do in the Historic District with Kids
Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo courtesy of the museum
3 Days in Philadelphia with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Phildephia's Magic Gardens are covered by magical mosaics and found objects. Photo by Liz Baill @creativishmom
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Take a bikde ride through Doylestown. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
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Guide to Classes for Kids in Philadelphia
Ricketts Glen State Park is a family-friendly destination with awesome activities for all ages. Photo of Ricketts Glen by the author
Amazing Budget Weekend Getaways for Philly Families
Build birthday memories brick by brick at LEGOLAND. Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND
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Try a whiz-wit at Tony Luke's, a reliable Philly cheesesteak spot with multiple locations. Photo courtesy of J. Varney for GPTMC
11 Kid-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak Spots
Challenge the rope bridge and zip line at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
100 Things To Do in Philly with Kids Before They Grow Up
Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!
Turn your eye of the tiger into the eye of an artist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art with Kids: Creative Family Time at the Art Museum
Six Flag Great Adventure brings big-time thrills and is one of our favorite amusement parks in New Jersey.
Great Theme Parks and Amusement Parks Near New Jersey
Blue Cross RiverRink is open for Summerfest in the warmer months and Winterfest in the colder months. Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Top Attractions in Philadelphia: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
Parents eat while kids climb and slide at Craft Hall.
12 Philly Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Take a hike: Family getaways are a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
GUIDE
Philly Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways
No one walks the plank, but everyone has fun with with Scallywag’s Pirate Adventures in Erie. Photo courtesy of Scallywag's Pirate Adventures.
10 PA Weekend Getaways for Families

Blunder on, parents, it's all good.

5/26/07 - By Anna Fader
Moms seem to have an endless capacity for self-doubt and insecurities about their mothering skills. I won't try to conjecture why that is, but I did see a quote in the New York Times that sums up the feeling quite eloquently.
I am very poorly today and very stupid and hate everybody and everything. One lives only to make blunders.

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That's a quote from Charles Darwin in a letter to the Scottish geologist Charles Lyell in 1861. I always find it a little heartening to know that people that have no place being insecure feel just as inadequate as I do. Then I can believe that my feelings are just as illfounded as theirs obviously are. So take solace my friends, your feelings of inadequacy are no more founded or sincerely felt than that of one of the world's great geniuses.

About the Author

Anna Fader

Founder of Mommy Poppins

A fourth-generation Brooklynite, Anna started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to help families find the best things to do with kids in NYC, with a particular emphasis on sharing activities that are free, affordable, and enriching. The site, used by millions of families, has grown to become the ultimate resource for parents in the major US cities, plus travel guides for 100s of destinations.

Anna is a believer in the magic of summer camps, traveling with kids, and that you can raise kids on a budget and still have a rich life full of amazing memories. Anna's first Mommy Poppins book, The Young Traveler's Journal and Activity Book, published in 2025 and co-written with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman, brings that ethos to life, in addition to this website.

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