Cait Sumner

Latest posts by Cait Sumner

A Visit to Amish Country: 13 Fun Things To Do with Kids in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Wed, 04/26/2017 - 10:00am

A trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, offers a surprising number of family activities, from farm visits and more country fun to train rides and cool museums. My family, including two little ones, recently tried to squeeze as much of the area's top attractions into a day trip as we could, and we're already planning a return trip to see more.

Whether you love that rural vibe or are just looking for an alternative to the standard beach-type of family weekend getaway, I can assure you that Pennsylvania Dutch Country and Amish Country make for a sweet destination with kids in tow. It's not just fields, pastures, and cows!

Read on for the top family sights, including The Science Factory, Strasburg Railroad, Dutch Wonderland, and even a train-themed hotel.

Looking for more family getaways? Check out our travel guide with real parent reviews of resorts and destinations. Find more Pennsylvania family fun with our Poconos Guide.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Bakeries in Philadelphia

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 10:00am

Let's face it, lots of kids (and parents) have allergies and special diets, and sometimes satisfying that sweet tooth can be a challenge. Whether someone is the family has Celiacs and you've gone gluten-free or you're family is vegan (or lactose intolerant), there are still plenty of places in the area serving up delicious treats. From donuts to cookies, cupcakes and birthday cakes, you can find just about anything to fit your needs.

Car Seat Safety Checks for Philadelphia Parents

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Tue, 02/28/2017 - 10:00am

Installing a new infant car seat can be confusing. There are a lot of rules when it comes to car seat safety, and sometimes it can seem overwhelming. Is it in tight enough? Is it straight enough? Are the straps set correctly? Only about 5% of parents get it right on their own- and about half of the 95% who did it wrong have older kids and have done it before. Sometimes, just having a second pair of eyes looking at your baby's seat can alleviate all your concerns. Car seat safety checks are a great (and free) resource for parents. It never hurts to get checked out. That's why we've compiled a list of places in the area who offer free car seat safety inspections regularly, so you can have a little peace of mind. We recommend calling ahead of time as most are by appointment only.

Legoland Discovery Center Philadelphia Grand Opening Announced

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 02/24/2017 - 9:00am

The news is finally here from LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia! We've all been waiting for this HUGE announcement. When will it open? Legoland Discovery Center hosted a press conference earlier this week and finally spilled the beans. The Discovery Center also unveiled its first MINILAND Philadelphia display- Liberty Place.

Where to get Fasnachts, King Cakes, Paczki, and Donuts for Mardi Gras in Philadelphia

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Wed, 02/22/2017 - 10:00am

Whether you call it Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday, one thing is clear- the best way to celebrate is with some delicious sweet treats! The King Cake is a Mardi Gras tradition where a plastic baby is baked right inside the cake! Whomever receives the lucky slice, gets to host the next party (or at least get next year's King Cake). The Pennsylvania Dutch celebrate Fasnacht Day by getting rid of all the fat in the house before Lent, which means yummy donuts (and the tradition states that if you don't eat one, you won't have a very good year). Paczkis are the Polish version of the pre-Lent donut. No matter what you call it, we've found all the best places around town to grab your special treat.

Leap into Something Fun with Frogs: a Chorus of Colors

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Mon, 02/06/2017 - 10:00am

Does your little one love frogs? You're in luck; The Academy of Natural Sciences is hopping with tons of these amphibious friends! There are over 4,000 species of frogs living on every continent except Antartica, and you can see a few of them on display at the museum right now! Frogs: A Chorus of Colors is presented in conjunction with Clyde Peel's Reptiland and is on display Feburary 4- May14, 2017. Read our review and leap on over to the museum to learn more about these awesome creatures.

Where to Get Your Chocolate Fix in Philly

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 02/03/2017 - 10:00am

If you love chocolate, Philly has no shortage of this sweet treat. Chocolate shops and even chocolate restaurants abound in the city of brotherly love. Just in time for celebrating Valentine's Day, we've got some great places to enjoy this delicious treat. Because what kid (or parent) doesn't love chocolate?

6 Places to Try Thai Rolled Ice Cream in Philly

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 10:00am

Whether you've heard about it or not, there's no denying it sounds intriguing: Thai rolled ice cream (also known as smash ice cream). The name itself describes it pretty well, but the process is just as fun to watch as the ice cream is to eat. Just watching videos of it is pretty mesmerizing. Liquid ice cream is poured onto a cold metal sheet and then expertly shaped and formed into a perfect rolled cylinder about the size of a roll of quarters. It resembles something like a Swedish roll, but it's made entirely of delicious, sweet ice cream. You can make it even more unique and yummy by adding mix-ins and toppings. We've rounded up some great places in the city to try this delectable new phenomenon! It's the perfect way to celebrate or to finish out a fun day of adventures.