Philadelphia

Island Beach State Park: A Haven for Nature-Loving Beachgoers

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 10:00am

There's more to the Jersey Shore than rides, salt water taffy, and (let's face it) crowds. Island Beach State Park (IBSP) may well be one of NJ most beautiful and unique beaches, drawing thousands of nature enthusiasts every year.

Though you'd get to Island Beach from the same Garden State Parkway exit as Seaside Heights, the two beaches are worlds apart. Ten-mile long Island Beach is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay and is one of the last few undeveloped barrier beaches on the North Atlantic Coast. From hiking to bike riding, and, of course, swimming, here are some things outdoorsy families will love about Island Beach.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Ice Cream, Aladdin, Balloon Festival June 23-24

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 06/20/2018 - 2:07pm

Philly families, it's the first official weekend in summer! With longer days offering more daylight hours, there is more time for fun. As always, Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up some of the best activities to soak up the carefree days of summer.

Festivals are in full gear. Embrace the Swedish culture with dancing, music, games, crafts, and delicious pastries at Midsommarfest. Enjoy refreshing ice cream while being entertained by jugglers, live animal demonstrations, and trapeze artists at New Castle County Ice Cream Festival. Honor the legacy of African ancestors with Juneteenth Musicfest & Parade. Celebrate Philly Family Pride by attending a picnic and parade at Lovett Park. Or, splurge with a visit to the suburbs to see the hot air balloons overtake southern Chester County during the Chester County Balloon Festival.

If your family is on a budget, be sure to check out all the free activities this weekend and throughout the remainder of the month. Browse our event calendar for even more ideas! For now, continue reading for our top picks.

Say Hello to Japan at Please Touch Museum's Latest Intercultural Exhibit

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 2:17pm

The newest traveling exhibit to come to the Please Touch Museum has come a long way to enrich the educational experience with a trilingual space that explores the cultural experience of traditional and contemporary Japan. Hello from Japan! features tons of hands-on activities and is one of the most digital exhibits to travel to the museum so far. I had a chance to check it out with my two kids (aged 5 and 1). Hello from Japan! invites visitors to explore how traditional Japanese aesthetics co-exists harmoniously with the contemporary.

100 Free Things To Do with Kids in Philly this Summer

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Sun, 06/17/2018 - 12:00am

School's out and summer is here. Time to find some great new ways to keep the kids busy and entertained over break without breaking the bank. We've compiled a HUGE list full of free events and anytime activity ideas for you to keep those kiddos busy all summer long. For more great events, check out our full event calendar.

Cabo with Kids! All Inclusive Decadence at Mexico's Grand Velas Resort Los Cabos

Submitted by Roberta B on Sat, 06/16/2018 - 1:24pm

Sometimes as parents we're happy to plan the family vacation around theme parks and cartoon characters; other times we want to be pampered like a real princess, not a Disney princess. A vacation that provides grown-up decadence and luxury with fun and entertainment for kids (including time supervised by someone else)—that is the ultimate family getaway. And that is what we found in Los Cabos at Grand Velas' new seaside resort.

Outdoor Beer Gardens Where Kids Can Play While Parents Enjoy a Cold One

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Fri, 06/15/2018 - 8:15am

Sitting outside on a hot day with a cold brew screams "summer." But for parents with young kids, relaxing with a beer doesn't always come easy. However, the Philly area's rich beer culture can be enjoyed, even if it isn't a date night out. The following pop-up beer gardens are a lot of fun - yes, even with the kids in tow. More of a wine drinker? Then check out these family-friendly wineries in the Delaware Valley.

Ocean City: Family-Friendly Summer Fun on the Jersey Shore

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Thu, 06/14/2018 - 10:24am

Summertime at the Jersey Shore means beach days and boardwalk rides, mini-golf and arcade games, topped off with fresh seafood dinners or pizza and ice cream. Shore towns from Sandy Hook to Cape May offer the best bets for family vacation fun, and Ocean City, a classic family beach destination at the southern shore, is one of our favorites.

Nicknamed America's Family Resort, Ocean City draws families from across New Jersey and Pennsylvania to enjoy its wide beaches, kid-centered boardwalk, and family events. Read on for details about visiting Ocean City with kids. And for more beach vacation ideas, check out our inside look at southern shore gems Wildwood and Cape May.

Father's Day Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Museums, Nature, Festivals June 16-17

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 06/13/2018 - 2:30pm

Believe it or not, it's already the middle of June, summer is just about here, and it's time to celebrate dear old Dad. Thankfully, this weekend's event calendar is jam-packed with great ideas for dads, whether they're music lovers, Harry Potter fans, or outdoorsy types.

Take Dad to a concert and rock out to oldies but goodies. Explore the Philadelphia Museum of Arts which features a Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt or get free admission for Dad to see the dinosaurs at the Academy of Natural Science. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy participating in a special nature scavenger hunt at Norristown Farm Park, camping out at Riverbend Environmental Education Center or fishing at Green Lane Park. For a real treat, splurge on a helicopter ride at the American Helicopter Museum, take a Father's Day cruise, or ride down the shore for some free fun for Dad at Jenkinson's.

Other weekend excitement includes Germantown's Juneteenth Festival, Winterthur's annual Enchanted Summer Day, Ross Mill Farm's Piggypalooza, or the Islamic Heritage Festival which is part of PECO's Multicultural Series held at Penn's Landing.

No matter how you spend your weekend, Mommy Poppins Philadelphia wishes a very Happy Father's Day to all the guys out there who make a difference in the life of a child!

Registration for Apple Camp, Apple's FREE Three-Day Summer Camp, is Open Now!

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 06/12/2018 - 12:05pm

If you've got an 8-12-year-old interested in STEM or movie-making, you'll want to act fast; Apple has just opened registration for its free three-day camps. Located at Apple store locations throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, these special annual camps and are 100% free—and they will fill up fast, so we wanted you to be the first to know!

For more camp information and ideas, check out our Camp Guide and Directory.

Citizens Bank Park on the Cheap: Tips for Enjoying a Phillies Game Without Going Broke

Submitted by Erin Ryan on Mon, 06/11/2018 - 2:30pm

Whether you're Philly born and bred or a transplant, you know how much our city loves its sports teams, and memories made at the ballpark are priceless...well, almost. Catching a game was easy and cheap before the kids came along. Nowadays, though, trying to fit a game or two into the budget with the entire family can be a challenge. But don't write off Citizens Bank Park just yet. Check out our tips to help you visit the ballpark this summer, make some great memories (who doesn't smile when they think of the Phanatic, the Phillies' wacky green mascot from the Galapagos Islands?), and enjoy a fun day out that won't break the bank.