Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

Philadelphia's Best Summer Camps for Preschoolers

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 03/02/2025 - 7:00am

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.

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 STEM camps and free and affordable camps.

Best STEM Summer Camps for Philadelphia Kids

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 02/16/2025 - 6:04am

This summer, encourage the awesome in your child at iD Tech summer programs. Photo courtesy of iD Tech

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. We have rounded up some options that are sure to excite the minds of the future.

Looking for more summer camp options? Browse our Summer Camp Guide and check out our list of free and affordable summer camps.

The Nutcracker Ballet and More Holiday Shows for Philly Families

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 11/10/2024 - 7:46am

The Philadelphia Ballet performs George Balanchine's holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Photo by B. Krist for Visit Philadelphia.

Catching a performance of The Nutcracker ballet is a seasonal tradition for many Philly families, who have plenty of options to watch the Sugar Plum Fairy and company dance across the stage. This time of year brings lots of familiar and festive shows to the theater, and taking the kids to see these stories brought to life is one of the best holiday and Christmas events to enjoy.

Aside from The Nutcracker, family favorites like A Christmas Carol and Elf the Musical return to delight audiences. Families will find different variations of classic shows that appeal to both younger generations and shorter attention spans. Peruse our comprehensive list of performances and choose one that will add some theatrical magic to your holiday season.

For more holiday fun, check out our list of 30 Must-Do Christmas Activities or our Holiday Guide.

The Best Ice Cream Shops in Philly and the Suburbs

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Fri, 06/28/2024 - 9:25am

What could be better than a tasty treat from Scoops de Ville?

The heat and humidity of the Philadelphia area can sometimes be unbearable. What better way to beat the heat than cooling off with delicious ice cream? We have rounded up some sweet ice cream spots to visit throughout the summer months. From cone and cups to sundaes and milkshakes, everyone in the family can find a refreshing treat.

Now the big questions: Which flavor will you chose, and more importantly, will you order jimmies or sprinkles to top it off? Read on to discover some of our favorite places to get frozen delights.

For other ways to stay cool, visit our posts on Best Swimming Lakes, Free Splash Pads, Spraygrounds, and Sprinklers, Best Free Swimming Pools, and Free Beaches in New Jersey.

Best Summer Day Trips from Philly: Quick Getaways for Families with Kids

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 05/05/2024 - 8:08am

Take a splashy day trip to Morey's Piers Ocean Oasis. Photo by David Howarth

When a summer day with no play dates, soccer practice, or camp presents itself, Philly parents love to hit the road and change the scenery. To make your mini getaway easier, we've rounded up some of our favorite summer day trip destinations, where you'll find everything from amusement parks to beaches.

To extend your daycation into a true vacation, check out our top ten weekend vacay ideas in PA, or browse our list of 20 family road trips under ten hours from Philly.

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.

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.

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.

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Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

Philadelphia's Best Summer Camps for Preschoolers

Best STEM Summer Camps for Philadelphia Kids

The Nutcracker Ballet and More Holiday Shows for Philly Families

The Best Ice Cream Shops in Philly and the Suburbs

Best Summer Day Trips from Philly: Quick Getaways for Families with Kids

Summer Art Camps for Philly Area Kids

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

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

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