West Chester

15 Indoor Places Near Philly for Fall and Winter Birthday Parties

Submitted by Becki Melchione on Fri, 12/21/2018 - 9:00am

Fall and winter birthdays mean celebrating the milestone indoors. The city has a plethora of options for those who want to celebrate outdoors, but it can be tricky to find fun places to celebrate in colder months. Many of the museums in Philly offer birthday packages, but museums aren't for everyone. Read on for some more unique options for celebrating a kid's birthday party indoors.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farms in the Philadelphia Area

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Wed, 11/21/2018 - 8:01am

Most of us still have Thanksgiving on the brain--and the stomach--but Christmas time is just around the corner. Between shopping, seeing all the lights,and taking photos with Santa, it might be tricky fitting in the time to find a good place to cut down your tree. Still, there are no shortage of good places to go tree hunting near Philadelphia, so if you have the will, there is definitely a way.

Create a new family tradition or continue a long-standing ritual by picking out an evergreen that’s going to be front and center for the month of December! Some of these local farms offer additional family fun, such as crafts, cider and hot cocoa sampling, or other treats. The hours posted here pertain to the cut your own fields, but many of the farms stay open later.

Looking for even more fun this season? Check out our Holiday Guide and our Events Calendar for the latest events!

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.

Best Apple Picking Orchards for Philadelphia Families

Submitted by Lori McManus on Fri, 08/24/2018 - 12:00am

We know it must be Fall when we feel that chill in the air, the leaves start to change color, harvest festivals abound and apple picking season begins. Pennsylvania is one of the country's top apple producing states, so we are fortunate to have a number of orchards in the area where we can enjoy this favorite Fall tradition. Many of the orchards host activities to extend the fun beyond apple picking - everything from tractor rides and corn mazes to moon bounces and music festivals.

There are several pick-your-own apple orchards and farms listed below, all within an hour's drive of Philadelphia. Because farm conditions and apple selection can vary throughout the season, it is recommended to call or check the website before visiting.

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.

Best Nutcrackers and Holiday Shows for Philly Families

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.

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.

Free Outdoor Concerts Happening in Philly this Summer

Submitted by Becki Melchione on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 12:02pm

Summer is the perfect time to head outdoors for easy, cheap, and fun activities like free movies and concerts. Pack your chairs, a blanket, a picnic basket and the bug spray, and enjoy an afternoon or evening of free tunes. Here's our comprehensive list of the outdoor concerts happening in the Delaware Valley this summer.

For some of the more popular bands, the venues can get packed, so plan on arriving on the early side.

Easter Bunny Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner for Philly Families

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Mon, 03/27/2017 - 10:00am

To celebrate the season of spring, Philly families may want to offer their children the experience of visiting with the Easter Bunny. Throughout the Delaware Valley, there are many opportunities to do just that. Kids have a chance to enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner with the bunny at a variety of locations including gardens, zoos, boats, and restaurants. Some events include photo-ops, egg hunts, or even a train ride!

Take a look at some of our favorite events happening this year. Be sure to book your reservation in advance as many of these opportunities sell out.