Chester County

Snow White at the Arden Children’s Theatre: A Review

Submitted by Jennifer Vishnevsky on Thu, 04/12/2018 - 11:24pm

Walk into the Arden Theatre, and step right into a unique version of the Enchanted Forest. The stage is set simply: A house, trees, a table, a stool, and a trunk of clothes, but what unfolds over the course of an hour is a bit of interesting, although at times chaotic, magic as this entire adaptation of the classic tale of Snow White is brought to life by just two actors.

Baby Animals and Easter Farm Fun for Philly Kids

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 03/11/2018 - 2:41pm

Spring is always a fun time of year to visit local farms in the Philly suburbs—plants are starting to grow, baby animals make appearances, and Easter celebrations abound. Visitors may find egg hunts, hayrides, and photo ops with the Easter Bunny at some of these local events. Whether or not the groundhog was right about spring, all this fun on the farm will certainly remind families that real springtime weather is just around the corner.

Be sure to check our events calendar for even more Easter and spring break activities.

Hop Aboard the Easter Bunny Express: Train Rides for Kids Near Philly

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 03/04/2018 - 6:14pm

Spring is in the air, and many of our scenic railroads are celebrating the season with Easter excursions. Families are invited to get outside after a long winter to enjoy a trip through the countryside with Peter Cottontail himself! We have rounded up several Easter-themed trains that are running special events for kids in the Delaware Valley.

Some of these trains include an Easter Egg hunt at the halfway stop. It is helpful to check whether the railroad provides a photographer and charges for a picture with the Bunny or if you can bring your own camera.

These Easter Bunny Trains can be the start of a great family tradition to celebrate the Easter holiday and to welcome Spring! Be sure to check our calendar for more fun spring events.

From Nutcrackers to A Christmas Carol: Shows for Philly Families during the Holidays

Submitted by Maureen Rayburn on Fri, 11/17/2017 - 8:00am

Does your family keep the tradition of seeing a show during the holidays? Performances such as The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol, which share a joyful holiday message, come to mind. In addition to these classic holiday performances, there are other shows on stage in and around Philadelphia that are sure to provide Philly families with a chance for quality time together during this festive season.

We have rounded up professional Nutcracker productions, symphony experiences, holiday favorites, and family friendly musicals from our event calendar. Whether it is your family's first experience seeing a Christmas production this year, or it's a new bucket list item for your crew, there are plenty of funny, heartwarming, and magical events on our list that they will enjoy.

Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat for Philadelphia Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 10/20/2017 - 7:30am

This year Zillow's annual list of best cities for trick-or-treating named Philly number 3. 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.

If you're looking for other ways to show off those costumes, we've found plenty of free Halloween events—not to mention a few amusement park haunts.

Can You Beat the Clock? Haunted Escape Rooms for Teens and Tweens

Submitted by Jennifer Vishnevsky on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 10:00am

Escape rooms are as popular as ever. If you haven’t been locked in a room with your friends, family, or coworkers, Halloween is a great time to hear about it from your older kids. The escape rooms we mention are not recommended for children under the age of 12. This Halloween, escape rooms will let kids exercise their minds, not just their screams. The “locked” group has up to an hour to solve clues to make their way out. While some local escape rooms have haunted themed rooms, there are also some major Halloween attractions that have added escape rooms. Instead of seeing an “I escaped!” sign, your teen might actually feel like “I survived!” the challenging fright fest. If you’re looking to try this adventure with your family during the rest of the year, check out our post on family-friendly escape rooms.

Fall Consignment Sales for Philly Families

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Fri, 08/18/2017 - 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.

Check Out a Free Museum or Zoo Membership Pass at your Local Suburban Library

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Wed, 08/09/2017 - 9:00am

Looking for something free to do to entertain the kiddos? If you live in the suburbs, go to your local library and you can check out passes for you and your family to visit a number of great nearby museums, zoos, and gardens. Each library has different policies when it comes to checking out library passes, so be sure to call or check in at your local branch before reserving. To search and see what's available, use the keywords "Museum Pass" in your library's catalog search. You'll only be able to check out passes in your county with your library card and some libraries have restrictions about what township you live in, so scroll down to your county to see what great passes you can find.

Canoeing and Boating with Kids: Great Places To Go Near Philly

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Mon, 07/10/2017 - 10:00am

Canoeing is a great way to expose kids to exercise and adventure all at once. If you're looking for a fun way to explore on a warm day, this is it. Some of these parks also offer beaches where you can go swimming in the lake to cool off when you're done! Check out our list of great places near Philly to go boating or canoeing with your family.

For more summer fun, don't forget to check out our Summer Guide- full of activities and fun for the season.

28 Festivals, Fairs, and Carnivals for Philly Families this June

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 05/24/2017 - 10:02am

As the school year comes to a close and extracurricular activities wind down, the festival, fair, and carnival season is just getting started! We've compiled a list of all the great festivals and fairs happening this June. From the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to annual traditions, there is something for every member of the family. So, get out your calendar and be sure to make time for the array of fun that awaits Philly families this month!