Chester County

Kids’ Cooking Classes? Taco Bout a Good Time!

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 6:55pm

Philly parents agree: There are a gazillion reasons to get kids cooking in the kitchen. Besides being a "hidden gem" STEM activity with its math and chemistry components, it hones motor skills, builds self esteem, teaches an important life skill, and makes kids more willing to try new foods (if they cook it, they will be much more likely to try it).

If you're already sold on the benefits of kids cooking and want to give your little chef more structured and professional instruction, then a cooking class can be a great addition to your extracurricular line up. Running anywhere from 45-90 minutes for a regular class and longer for workshops and winter break/summer camps, these classes are sure to impress parents with the skills their young ones learn.

Keep reading below for some Philly area cooking classes designed with kids in mind.

7 Reasons Kids Love Longwood Gardens in Chester County

Submitted by Maureen Rayburn on Sun, 10/21/2018 - 9:40am

Longwood Gardens is a special Chester County destination for children and grown-ups alike. Every season it has something exciting to offer. In the fall, it’s tough to beat its array of colorful foliage, and kids enjoy the pumpkins and harvest activities. Winter brings a wonderland of festive lights and holiday displays.

Once spring and summer roll around, Longwood Gardens transforms into an oasis filled with incredible blooms, shady pathways, and outdoor events and musical performances in the Open Air Theatre. Visitors don’t have to be horticultural experts to appreciate everything Longwood has to offer. Here are seven reasons why kids (and adults!) can’t get enough of Longwood, no matter the weather.

20 Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities for Philly Area Kids

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 10/07/2018 - 3:31pm

For most, Halloween is an exciting time of year filled with sweet treats and an excuse to dress up as a favorite superhero or princess. However, some Halloween fun can be a bit unsettlingly for little ones. Spooky costumes and scary decorations can leave young children (and even some older ones) frightened and rattled. So, if your family is looking for Halloween fun without the spook, look no further. Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up some of the area's best seasonal fun without the scare factor. From train rides to scavenger hunts to amusement park fun to a theater production, there is something to suit the kids in your crew.

Be sure to browse our recently published Ultimate Guide to Halloween Fun and Free Halloween Fun in the Delaware Valley with additional ideas. For now, read on for our top Not So Scary Halloween activities.

Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat for Philadelphia Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 10/05/2018 - 3:06pm

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.

Ultimate Guide to Halloween Events for Philly Kids

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 2:45pm

When it comes to Halloween, every kid knows it is all about the treats! As this spooky holiday settles into the Delaware Valley, Philly families must capitalize on every opportunities for sweet, scary, and downright terrifying fun that can be found in our event calendar. So, put on your Halloween costume, grab a plastic pumpkin bucket, and check out the ultimate Halloween activities for the witches, ghosts, and ghouls in your haunted house.

Don't forget to plan out the rest of your fall family fun by viewing our Fall Activity Guide including the best fall events for preschoolers and perfect fall family weekend getaways. For now, get spooked with our ultimate list below.

Indoor Play Spaces for Babies and Toddlers in Chester County

Submitted by Nick Browne on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 11:21am

There's only so much time a parent can spend inside the house if they don't want the kids to completely lose their minds. That's when a little socialization and a change of scenery is a great idea! While a trip to the local park or library for story time can be great, there are a few ways to change it up with other indoor play spaces. Our list of indoor play areas in Chester County is here to help. Be sure to also check out our roundups of indoor play spots for little ones in Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties as well as Philadelphia.

14 Fall Car Shows that Will Thrill the Auto Fan in Your Family

Submitted by Erin Ryan on Fri, 09/07/2018 - 10:15am

Want to try a different kind of fun this weekend? Take the whole family out to get up close and personal with classic to contemporary cars. Guys and gals alike will enjoy weaving in and out of pristine hotrods, sports cars, roadsters, and luxury wheels lined up on display. Luscious leather interiors and custom paint jobs are waiting to be ooh'ed and ah'ed over. So mark your calendar now with these top Philly area auto shows running throughout early fall; then, grab a cup of coffee for you, a hot cocoa for the kids, and enjoy the perfect fall weather alongside some shiny whips.

Fall Consignment Sales for Philly Families

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Fri, 08/17/2018 - 10:00am

Preparing a kid's closet for the cool breezes of autumn can hit a Philly family right in the wallet. But, it doesn't have to. Purchasing children's clothes by shopping local consignment sales is one way to save some cash. Throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, consignment sales offer families a place to buy gently used clothing, toys, baby items, and other childhood staples for a fraction of the retail price. Additionally, when your kids grow out of their clothes or toys, consignment sales provide an opportunity to sell these items for extra money.

Consignment sale organizers can submit their events to our calendar by clicking here. For a list of spring consignment sales, check here.

Music Classes for Philly Area Kids & Families

Submitted by Maureen Rayburn on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 10:00am

Kids march to the beat of their own drums, so why not help them keep their rhythm with some music classes? Some studies have shown that early music education helps children develop academic, physical, and social skills, and it also gives them an introduction to arts and culture. We have put together a list of music classes for kids in the Philadelphia area, but be sure to visit their websites for updated schedules. Visit our Classes Directory to keep up on the latest additions.

Let Imaginations Take Flight at the American Helicopter Museum

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Thu, 07/26/2018 - 10:10am

From little two seaters to giant military helicopters, the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester (about 40 minutes east of Philadelphia), gives kids hands-on experience with rotary-winged aviation. Moms, dads, and grandparents alike will enjoy giving their little ones an hour or two of fun learning in a location that’s easy to get to, offers free parking, and isn’t a sensory overload. This museum is a regular on my list of things to do on hot summer days, rainy winter afternoons, whenever the grandparents come for a visit, or really anytime we want to get out of the house and look at fun “things that go.”

After having been to the American Helicopter Museum many times with my three children, here are my thoughts and some tips on making the most of your visit.