Philadelphia

25 Things We Are Excited To Do with Philly Kids This Fall

Submitted by Maureen Rayburn on Sun, 08/18/2019 - 9:43am

Summer is over, there’s a chill in the air, and the kids have settled into the school year. Before we know it, we’ll be talking holiday shopping and snow days! Until then, there’s plenty of time to take the children to some of the coolest playgrounds, check out the latest museum exhibits, and enjoy everything Philly has to offer.

We've rounded up the top 25 things we're most excited to do with the family this fall. With so many fun activities to squeeze in before the holidays, the days of crisp, autumn air will fly by in a flash!

These Hotel Pools Will Wow the Kids on a Family Vacation

Submitted by Elaine Paoloni ... on Sat, 08/17/2019 - 3:43pm

When you have kids, finding a hotel with an awesome swimming pool is usually right at the top of the vacation-planning list. After a long day of activity, you can kick back and watch them splash around at the hotel pool. On a rainy day, hotels with indoor swimming pools will be a saving grace. While most kids will be satisfied with any hole that contains water, impress them with something unique to make that next family vacation one that they won't soon forget.

Here are some of our favorite U.S. hotels with pools sure to satisfy the whole family. We've included both outdoor hotel pools, indoor options, and even those hotels that let you swim in the pool without staying there overnight. The options run from a Las Vegas hotel pool to a Texas-shaped rooftop pool in Houston to a day-pass-friendly NYC hotel pool.

For more vacation ideas on where to stay, check out our Hotels & Resorts Guide.

You Sip, They Play: 4 Delaware Valley Wineries that Are Family-Friendly

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Fri, 08/16/2019 - 10:29am

Usually, the only time parents seem to get a chance to enjoy a glass of wine is after the kids are tucked into bed. But the rolling hills of Delaware Valley are teeming with vineyards, and some of the onsite wineries are even, dare we say, kid-friendly. This is especially true during the spring, summer, and fall when the weather is nice enough for families to take advantage of the wineries’ outdoor spaces.

Some wineries are more geared towards families than others so we’ve compiled a list of four Delaware Valley wineries that you can add to your warm weather list of places to go.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Aviation, Festivals, S'mores August 17-18

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 08/14/2019 - 9:20am

It only seems like yesterday that Philly kids were unpacking their book bags, yet mid-August is here. School will be starting before you know it. This leaves just a few weeks left for Philly families to enjoy a bit more summertime fun.

Our event calendar is loaded with options. Start off by looking to the skies for feathered friends at John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove or watch remote-controlled airplane demos at Festival of Flight. Head to Penn's Landing to experience the rich culture and tradition of India at the Festival of India on Saturday or dance to island music while celebrating at the Caribbean Festival on Sunday. Take a ride to Amish country for the Country Barn Sunflower Festival featuring pig races and wagon tours or eat delicious tacos while listening to mariachi bands at the Delaware Taco Festival. Round out the fun with an outdoor movie or concert followed by roasted marshmallows at Riverbend Environmental Education Center. Yum!

Soon enough homework and after-school activities infiltrate the family calendar. But, for now, make plans to have a great weekend at some of our top picks.

Montessori Preschools In and Around Philadelphia

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 08/11/2019 - 10:00am

Montessori learning is a great way to foster independence and teach kids a love of learning. Montessori schooling encourages your child's sense of curiousity and adventure. If you're interested in starting your child on the Montessori path, check out one of these great preschools. If you're looking for something a little bit different, be sure to visit our Preschool Guide and our Directory to find more awesome preschools in your area. Whether your kid loves nature, wants to learn a new language, or just loves to play, Mommy Poppins has all the info you need to choose the right preschool.

Iceland with Kids: 10 Things You Will Want To Do on a Family Trip

Submitted by Roberta B on Sat, 08/10/2019 - 1:00pm

Iceland has become the place everyone talks about. It's dramatic. It's beautiful. It's rugged, unspoiled, totally different, and the perfect stop between North America and Europe. In fact, it's where the two continents actually meet (cue photo op)! But without amusement parks, warm weather, or any kind of branded entertainment, will it hold your kids' attention? The answer is heck yeah—tell the kids you're bringing them to the Land of the Midnight Sun, and check out as many as you can of the 10 extra-special Icelandic highlights below.

7 Educational After School Programs for Philadelphia Kids and Teens

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 08/09/2019 - 9:00am

The school year is upon us, which, for some, means normalcy is returning. For those who work late and need to extend school hours, or for kids interested in further pursuing their passion for science or the arts, after school programs are great. These programs are the perfect way to keep kids entertained in those late afternoon hours while continuing to further their education. Keep those brains working a little longer with some of these awesome programs.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Bug Fest, Trains, Peaches August 10-11

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 08/07/2019 - 9:31am

During this August weekend, Philly families can spend quality time together throughout the Delaware Valley at educational, exciting, intriguing, and unique activities found in our event calendar.

Take a trip into the city to learn about insects at The Academy of Natural Sciences's annual Bug Fest, a weekend long event filled with creepy crawlers. Or head to the suburbs for Churchville Nature Center's Arthropalooza, a celebration of invertebrate animals, including a bee keeping demonstration and hissing cockroach races. Young ones can squeal with delight at Thomas puffs down the tracks at Morris Arboretum while older kids can imagine what it would be like to be a wizard during Watson Adventure' Wizard Scavenger Hunt at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Festival goers are in for a treat. Downtown West Chester comes alive with excitement for its Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic Community Festival while Nicetown Park hosts its Give Back Festival. Peaches are the star of the celebration at Peddlers' Village and Camden Children's Garden. Round out the weekend with s'mores at Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education or Peace Valley Nature Center.

Enjoy the weekend!

Mommy and Me Classes in Philly for Every Interest

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Mon, 08/05/2019 - 9:32am

Some of the most rewarding moments we have with our young children is watching them learn something new. Find a mommy and me or baby class in the Philadelphia area, so you can experience that moment with your new little one.

The look on their little faces as they discover a new skill, hear a new sound, or accomplish a new trick is one that makes all the sleepless nights worth it. While we get to see many of these moments in our daily activities as our children grow, with parent-child classes you can also learn new skills alongside your little one. Whether you are just starting out in parenting or looking to introduce your child to your love of books, dance or music, or even want to learn a new language together, we're sure you'll find a fun baby class in Philly.

25 Must Do Activities Before Summer Slips Away

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 08/04/2019 - 8:00am

With just a few short weeks until Philly kids start back to school, Philly parents look forward to August with great anticipation. After all, getting into a routine brings a sense of order and predictability back to the household. But before normalcy completely returns to the Delaware Valley, there is still some summer left to be had. Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up our top 25 things to do before summer fades away and school schedules take over. There isn't much time left so read on and get ready to finish out Summer 2019 strong!