Montgomery County

Indoor Rock Climbing for Philly Area Families

Submitted by Nick Browne on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 10:00am

Looking for a family activity that can be both challenging and fun for the entire family? There are tons of indoor activities to do with kids, but rock gyms offer a way for the grown-ups to get moving alongside their children. Sure, everyone enjoys a trip to the museum or bounce gym, but it's also good to change it up from time to time.

Check out our list of rock-climbing facilities—a few of them are road trip material, but who doesn't like exploring a new town once in a while?

Kids Eat Free Restaurants in the Philadelphia Area

Submitted by Maureen Rayburn on Fri, 01/18/2019 - 9:00am

Not only does the Philly area have a plethora of fun adventures for families, it's also a haven for food freebies and discounts for kids. Whether you're visiting the city or the suburbs, you will find chain restaurants and local spots that offer a break on the bill for kiddos. Want to plan an itinerary for the day or weekend? Check out our events calendar, choose a restaurant near your activity, and you're on your way! Don't forget to confirm these deals with the restaurants before you head out.

Fun Philly Area Summer Camps for Preschoolers

Submitted by Becki Melchione on Thu, 01/10/2019 - 8:14am

For working parents of preschoolers, finding a summer camp can be particularly difficult because most places only accept campers who are age 4 or above. Whether you have to work over the summer, or you just want to send your toddler for some fun, we've got lots of great summer camps for you. Here's a list of places that have special camps for children ages 3 and sometimes under. Have older kids, too? Check out our Summer Camp Guide and posts about camps for art, STEM, and sports, too.

Outdoor Ice Skating in the Philadelphia Area

Submitted by Maureen Rayburn on Mon, 12/17/2018 - 8:29am

During the chill of the holidays in the Philadelphia area it's tough to think of a more traditional outdoor winter activity to do with the family than ice skating. Getting bundled in hats and scarves, lacing up your skates, and warming up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate after a spin on the ice is sure to please kids young and old.

There are several temporary outdoor ice rinks set up in the Philadelphia area this season, providing unique settings for this fun winter sport. We also have a list of Pennsylvania state parks that offer ice skating when the conditions are right. So whether you are a novice on the ice, or you're ready to show off your triple axel, see our list of outdoor rinks for a memorable day with the family.

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!

Holiday Volunteering Opportunities for Philly Area Families

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Mon, 11/12/2018 - 12:00pm

Ready to do more as a family this season? Sure, the holiday lights and festivities are great, but sometimes it's nice to give back to the community. The Greater Philadelphia region is full of opportunities to volunteer and work together as a family. Build strong memories of sharing and caring this holiday season with this roundup of ways to give back!

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.

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.

Indoor Play Spaces for Babies and Toddlers in Montgomery County, PA

Submitted by Lori McManus on Thu, 09/27/2018 - 11:50am

From moon bounce centers to indoor toddler playgrounds to swing set superstores, Montgomery County has plenty of inside play options for babies and preschoolers. Whether your goal is exercise for the kiddos, creative stimulation, peer social opportunities, or just to escape the confines of the house, our list of indoor play spaces is certain to have a fit for every family.

Be sure to also check our lists of indoor play in Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Philadelphia. Many of these play centers are well worth the drive from Montco.