Philadelphia

Toddler Birthday Party Venues in the Philly Area

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Sun, 10/20/2019 - 1:00pm

Your little baby is turning into a big kid! Whether it's his first birthday or her fourth, you know you want to do something extra special to commemorate this milestone in both of your lives. Planning birthday parties can be tough. You have to consider who to invite, what should the "theme" be, how do you make a cake shaped like their favorite character, and more importantly...do you have enough time to pull it off?

With all the other things you're balancing as a momma, it's nice to know that birthday parties can be a cakewalk if you leave it to the pros. Here is our list of the best places to celebrate your little one's special day!

Pittsburgh with Kids: 40 Fun Things To Do in Pittsburgh

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Sat, 10/19/2019 - 2:12pm

Pittsburgh has been racking up the cool points lately, landing on "best cities" lists and topping rankings for top spots for sports, restaurants, and even tech. It isn't just college kids flocking here. The Rust Belt city offers plenty of fun things to do for kids and families, including a thriving arts and culture scene.

The Pittsburgh Zoo is a longtime attraction for families, along with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, but unique offerings like the Carnegie Science Center, National Aviary, and Andy Warhol Museum are a draw, too. We've long touted the city as one of our top Pennsylvania weekend getaways for families, but we recently revisited and enjoyed exploring old favorites and finding more fun things to do in Pittsburgh. Read on for a list of 40 things to do, see, and eat in Pittsburgh!

12 Things to Do Before Your Philly Baby Turns One

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Fri, 10/18/2019 - 11:46am

The days are long but the years are short. Not to get too sentimental, because truly the first year with your baby can sometimes feel like it is dragging, but it will be over in the blink of an eye. As you struggle with sleep schedules, delight in first smiles, and watch as your baby visibly changes before your eyes you may also be wondering exactly what you should try to do while they are still so small. While they are in this stage of incredible growth and exploration, it’s a great excuse to explore some highlights in Philly, as well as dip your toes into the world of parenting with classes and experiences designed just for new parents and their babies.

There is plenty to see and do in Philadelphia with a baby, either to mark a first, start a new tradition, or find an excuse to get out of the house and interact with other parents! Here are our picks of some of the best, first by season, then year-round.

Things to Do in Philly this Weekend: Witches & Wizards, Boo at the Zoo, Archaeology Day October 19-20

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 10/16/2019 - 11:30am

Philly families are sure to notice the spooky and mysterious activities that are creeping into the Delaware Valley and onto the pages of our event calendar. But, don't be afraid. Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up some great ways to spend this October weekend.

If your crew is into all things Harry Potter, take a trip to Chestnut Hill for its Wizard & Witches Weekend which features a new wizarding run, quidditch tournament, escape room, potion-making station, and circus aerialists. Families who enjoy watching animals can head to The Philadelphia Zoo, The Brandywine Zoo, or The Elmwood Park Zoo for some Halloween fun during boo at the zoo events. Kids who are mesmerized by aerial and tight rope tricks are in for a treat as the Philadelphia School of Circus Act appears at the Kimmel Center's free PNC Grow Up Great session. Children who don't mind getting a little dirty and have a sense of discover can celebrate International Archaeology Day at Newlin Grist Mill while nature lovers can take a hike to investigate trees and their leaves at Peace Valley Nature Center.

Now, read the rest of our top picks and make plans to experience some them during the weekend ahead.

Easy Halloween Treats for Kids and Classroom Parties

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 10/14/2019 - 11:12am

Candy bars aren't the only Halloween treats to hand out this October 31. School kids across the country are getting ready to celebrate with Halloween parades and classroom parties, meaning you might be on the hook for homemade Halloween treats.

But there's no need to fear the sign-up email headed your way. I've planned more than a few Halloween parties and have put together a list of easy Halloween treats to help parents skip the last-minute scramble. These tried-and-true spooky snacks transform pretzel sticks into ghouls, mandarins into pumpkins, and make enough Monster Mash Brownies that will turn the entire class into sugar monsters.

Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat for Philadelphia Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 9:06am

Once again (and to no surprise to any of us who live here) Zillow's annual list of best cities for trick-or-treating has named Philly among the top five. If the kids are looking to score a ton of candy for Halloween this year, it looks like they're in luck. Usually the best way to find a great neighborhood for trick-or-treating is to head out and look for lights and decorations, but if you don't have the time (or the energy) to drive around in the dark, we've got you covered. We've talked to local parents and candy-givers alike, and gathered up the best of the best neighborhoods for getting some sweet treats.

Read below to see if your neighborhood made the cut. For those who were not born and raised here, the question of "when is Halloween celebrated?" is always answered with "on Halloween!" Which is to say, we trick or treat on October 31 even if it is a school night, but there are also great ways to celebrate throughout the month of October if you want to make sure you maximize your ROI on those costumes, including found plenty of free Halloween events—not to mention a few amusement park haunts.

100 Things To Do in California with Kids Before They Leave The Nest

Submitted by Susan Leslie on Sat, 10/12/2019 - 1:00pm

Whether your kids are leaving the nest in one year or in ten years, there are at least 100 things to do in California worthy of any family's bucket list. From San Diego to Crescent City and every town in between, there are amusement parks, great hikes, drives to the mountains, adventure activities, and so much more!

Did you know that California has 58 counties? Okay, maybe your bucket list doesn't need to cover all 58, but we have awesome family excursions covering over 30 counties across California's 163,696 square miles. How many have your kids experienced?

Polar Express: Christmas Train Rides for Kids Near Philly

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:15am

There is something about trains that evokes nostalgia at Christmastime. For some, it stirs up childhood memories of building a model train set under the twinkling tree lights. For others it may be a simple reminder of that "coming home for the holidays" feel, where folks would arrive at the train station, arms filled with Christmas packages for family at home. Whatever the reason might be, many railroads in the tri-state area hold events to bring back that old-fashioned holiday tradition. At many of these special outings, families can ride a real locomotive with Santa Claus, hear Christmas stories, sing carols, sip hot chocolate and admire the views of the passing countryside. Children are even invited to wear their pajamas at some of these events!

We have rounded up a list of railroads hosting holiday-themed trains of all kinds. Some of these are located more than an hour's drive from Philadelphia but can make for a fantastic holiday outing. So climb aboard for some Christmas fun!

Columbus Day Weekend Things to Do in Philly: Autumn Festivals, Nature, Museums

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 10/09/2019 - 10:02am

For some Philly families, Columbus Day weekend means an extra day off from school or work. For others, it is just another ordinary fall weekend. But, wait! There is nothing ordinary about the fun that awaits children and grown ups alike. In fact, there are many opportunities for extraordinary fun throughout the Delaware Valley.

As parents browse through our event calendar, it is clear to see a variety of autumnal themed activities. Start off with a hayride at a Cheltenham Township Community Harvest Festival, build a scarecrow during Tyler Arboretum's Pumpkin Days, or play among the pumpkins at Longwood Garden's Pumpkin Playground. Get out into nature with some birdwatching at Riverbend Environmental Education Center or John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. Take part in an outdoor Digital Scavenger Hunt at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park or head inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art for a Harry Potter themed scavenger hunt. Pop culture fans are sure to enjoy Comic Con For Kids held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center while those who love fairy tales can experience three classics come to life at Brandywine River Museum's latest exhibit, Cinderella & Co.—Three Fairy Tales Reimagined.

So don't settle for ordinary when you can make it an extraordinary weekend with our top picks below.

Easy Pumpkin Carving Stencils and Ideas for Halloween

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Mon, 10/07/2019 - 11:12am

If your family pulled out the Halloween decorations well before the first pumpkin spice latte sip of 2019, then we're sure you're looking for great pumpkin carving ideas now, too.

The cornerstone of any great Halloween display—the jack-o-lantern—is always one of our favorite things to do with kids in the fall, right after the apple picking and pumpkin patch outing, of course. Pumpkin carving is one of those rare activities that every member of the family can enjoy equally. Little kids love the mess, big kids love the chance to wield a knife, and parents love to show off our creative skills.

We’ve rounded up 12 of our favorite pumpkin carving stencils, all of which include a link to the FREE pumpkin carving design. With a little practice and plenty of options, we're sure you'll find the pumpkin design that captures your family's Halloween vibe, from Baby's First Halloween sweetness to Cyclops to superhero character themes. So read on to step up your Halloween fun (and game).