Northwest

Hanukkah Events and Menorah Lightings for Philadelphia Families

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Mon, 12/19/2016 - 8:40am

Philly families can find many ways to celebrate Hanukkah throughout the city and surrounding suburbs as can be seen in our jam-packed events calendar. This year's celebration begins on the evening of Saturday, December 24th, and continues for eight days through January 1st. Throughout the Delaware Valley, families can attend menorah lighting ceremonies, listen to traditional stories, make seasonal crafts, watch puppet shows, and eat delicious latkes as they celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Holiday Parades in and around Philly

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Thu, 11/24/2016 - 2:00pm

If you're looking to start a new family tradition this Christmas (or keep up an old tradition), tree lighting ceremonies and Christmas parades are sure to fulfill your needs. From the beautiful dazzling lights, to visits with Santa, hot cocoa, and more, these events are sure to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit. If you're looking for more holiday fun, check out our guide as well as our events calendar to see everything happening in the area!

The Harry Potter Festival Returns to Chestnut Hill on October 22

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 10/14/2016 - 8:48am

Once a year, Chestnut Hill and all its local businesses transform into a magical place for the Harry Potter Festival. From Butter Beer, to sorting hats and quidditch, if you're a Harry Potter fan this event cannot be missed. You can even meet Harry and his friends! Here's everything you need to know before you go on October 22.

4 Awesome Places to Explore in Tree Houses Near Philly

Submitted by Becki Melchione on Tue, 07/26/2016 - 10:00am

With screen time, lessons, daycare, and school it doesn’t seem like there’s much time to explore nature and discover new places, but tell kids that there’s a special house built in a tree for them to discover, and watch their curiosity take over. Tyler Arboretum, Longwood Gardens, Morris Arboretum, and Treehouse World are perfect for kids of all ages because there's plenty of places to explore. Parents who have dreamed of building a tree house in the backyard will find plenty of inspiration, too.

Family Fun Along the Chestnut Hill East SEPTA Line

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Wed, 02/24/2016 - 3:00am

The Chestnut Hill East SEPTA train serves Chestnut Hill, Mt Airy, and Germantown. Rich in history and cultural experiences, this could easily become a favorite SEPTA line. In the summer, plenty of parks and playgrounds are worth checking out, as well as many fun family excursions. As always our events calendar is chock-full of fun times, but here are our top family activities along the Chestnut Hill East line.

Family Fun Along The Chestnut Hill West SEPTA Line

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Sat, 01/30/2016 - 3:00am

Northwest Philadelphia is full of history, and the Chestnut Hill West SEPTA line is your personal guide to many different historic sites, as well as the Wissahickon. Whether families are interested in a night at the theater, a winter walk, or even indoor play spaces, they'll find these activities (and more!) along the Chestnut Hill West line.

Shop Local for the Holidays: Independent Bookstores for Philly Families

Submitted by Maureen Rayburn on Wed, 11/04/2015 - 2:09pm

"Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks." —Dr. Seuss

Black Friday shopping is an annual tradition for many families, but what if big-box stores and deep discounts aren't your thing? With Small Business Saturday and the holiday gift-giving season approaching, it’s a great time to consider supporting our local, independent retailers.

Enter the privately owned bookstores in the area. Philly families love to visit their local libraries to borrow books and take advantage of the resources they offer. However, sometimes we just want to bring a book home to keep or give as a gift. In these cases, it's tough to beat the personal touch and charm of an independently owned bookstore. Knowledgeable, small shop owners are usually the most helpful with book suggestions for all levels of readers. They can also foster a love of reading among children though other book-related activities such as story times, meet the author events and book clubs. Some stores even have buyback programs where kids can trade in used books for a discount on new ones.

The shops on our list are either dedicated to children’s books or have large kids’ sections that offer programs tailored to the young ones.