Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

Summer Art Camps for Philly Area Kids

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 03/24/2024 - 10:17am

Summer Art Camp is back to its full schedule at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine arts historic landmark building and studios! Photo courtesy of the academy

Summer will be here before we know it, and many parents are starting to think about camps. If you have a budding artist in your family, there is no shortage of camp options available in the Philadelphia area. From museums and neighborhood art leagues to paint-your-own ceramic studios, we have assembled a list to fit all levels of artistic ability. Read on for our ideas and get your children registered for a new art experience.

Be sure to browse our camp directory for horseback riding, STEM, and sports camps.

Best Sports Summer Camps Near Philadelphia: Soccer Camps, Baseball Camps, Tennis Camps, and More

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 03/10/2024 - 11:05am

Make lifelong friends at ESF Camps. Photo courtesy of the camp

Pick a sport, any sport—there's a sports summer camp in Philly that fits the bill. Children can burn off energy and use the offseason to refine their skills at any number of sports summer camps around Philadelphia for kids, tweens, and teens. Whether they'd love shooting hoops at basketball camp, scoring goals at soccer camp, or serving aces at tennis camp, we've got the best sports summer camps in Philly and the suburbs, including summer day camps in Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Delaware County.

For more summer camps in Philadelphia, including picks for the best STEM summer camps in Philly. Be sure to bookmark our Philadelphia Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

12 Winter Festivals for Philly Families: Fire and Ice, Maple Sugaring, and More

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 12/24/2023 - 10:00am

Enjoy ice carving demonstrations and lights galore at Fire & Frost Fun at Peddler's Village. Photo courtesy of Peddler's Village

Before cold winds, freezing temperatures, and shorter days lead to the wintertime blues, Philly families can enjoy some of the many amazing winter festivals to keep spirits high while we await warmer weather. We've rounded up some of our favorite festivals held in the area this time of year. So, bundle up and browse through our list to find the perfect festival for your family to enjoy this winter season.

If you're looking for more seasonal fun, check out our roundup of nearby snow tubing spots, or visit our Winter Activity Guide.

Breakfast with Santa in Philly

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 11/12/2023 - 7:51am

Santa visits KOP for breakfast. Enjoy story time with Santa, face painting, a balloon artist, and delicious food. Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

It's that magical time of year again. Philly tots, tweens, and teens have been on their best behavior as they anticipate the jolly ol' elf from the North Pole's visit to the Delaware Valley. Of course, many Philly parents head to the mall so their children can share their wishlists with St. Nick. However, if you are looking for something special, consider taking the family to see Santa at a breakfast, brunch, or lunch.

Many venues from zoos to museums welcome Mr. Kringle. Some provide games, crafts, and stories, but you can be sure all events include photo ops so bring your phone or camera. Read through our list of upcoming events and schedule your breakfast with Santa today! Many of these are quite popular and often space is limited.

We're always updating our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Philly, so be sure to check it twice for posts like the best holiday activities for Philly kids, our favorite outdoor skating rinks, and more.

Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Start Time, Parade Route, and Info

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 10/19/2023 - 7:37am

The balloon brigade will be out at this year's 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Revelers can once again line the city's streets for this year's Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. Celebrating more than 100 years, the Philly parade is one of the oldest local holiday traditions. Giant floats of every variety, bands, dancers, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, will join the route to help the City of Brotherly Love kick off the holiday season. Venturing out on Turkey Day morning to watch the show march through the city is a family Philly bucket list experience––but it definitely requires some planning and preparation.

For key details including the 6abc Dunkin' Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade start time, route, and more, read below for our comprehensive guide. Visiting from out of town? Check out these top Philly hotels for families.

Not-So-Scary Halloween Events for Philly Preschoolers

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Fri, 10/06/2023 - 9:15am

Join the Morris Arboretum a costume and candy parade and a walk along the Trick or Treat trail. Photo courtesy of the arboretum

Check out these not-so-scary Halloween events for preschoolers and toddlers who prefer more treats than tricks.

Halloween is the centerpiece of this spooky season, but lots of kids would rather eat their candy without a side of fear. Certain activities can feel a bit unsettling for little ones, with scary themes and decorations that leave preschoolers (and even some school-aged kids) rattled. So if your family is looking to celebrate a Halloween with more treats than tricks, we've got age-appropriate attractions that maintain the spirit of the holiday and keep small children feeling happy and safe.

Be sure to browse our Guide to Halloween Fun for more ideas to make the most of the season, or check out our Top Halloween Events for Philly kids.

Philadelphia's Best Summer Camps for Preschoolers

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 04/09/2023 - 8:00am

Celebrate at Burn Brae Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Selecting the perfect summer camp for Philly children can be challenging under normal circumstances. But when looking for a location that offers options for especially young tots, it can be particularly difficult.

Thankfully, Philly parents can turn to Mommy Poppins Philadelphia to round up destinations for the littlest among us. Whether your family needs care all summer long or you just want to provide a change of scenery and stimulation for your toddler or preschooler, we've found lots of fantastic summer camps in Philadelphia and throughout the Delaware Valley. While many camps start accepting campers at age 4, some even accommodate kiddos 3 and younger.

Need a camp for older kids? Be sure to check out our Summer Camp Guide and our posts about t raditional day camps, STEM camps, free and affordable camps, and more.

Best STEM Summer Camps for Philadelphia Kids

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Mon, 03/13/2023 - 7:04am

GSK Science in the Summer offers various locations around Philly. Photo courtesy of GSK Science in the Summer

Camps that focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or STEAM (including Art) give kids the best of both worlds: a great learning experience and summertime fun. STEM activities boost brain power, creative thinking, and problem-solving while kids have fun designing video games and building Lego robots.

There are many STEM-themed summer camps to keep children engaged, entertained, and educated throughout Philadelphia. If you have a kid interested in science, you are in luck. We have rounded up some options sure to excite the minds of the future.

Looking for more summer camp options? Browse our Summer Camp Guide and learn about camps from traditional day camps to our list of free and affordable summer camps.

Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

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