Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Earth Day and Museums Apr 18-19

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 04/16/2015 - 2:00am

Earth Day, which officially falls on April 22, is almost here and our Mommy Poppins Event Calendar is full of celebrations this weekend. Whether families want to gain a deeper respect for nature or make a difference by taking care of Mother Earth, there are activities for all ages.

Search for turtles and toads at Great Valley Nature Center's Pond Pondering & Nature Walk. Learn about the importance of trees at Briar Bush's Earth Fest. Help preserve our precious planet at Schuylkill Canal Park's Earth Day Clean-Up or Norristown Farm Park's Earth Week Habitat Restoration. (Note: Some events are rain or shine while others are not, so please check official websites for weather-related updates.)

After enjoying the great outdoors, consider exploring one of our local cultural institutions. Penn Museum is hosting its World Culture Series: Rome's Birthday event. The Barnes Foundation is offering Family Tour: ArtSee Highlights for its visitors. And the Delaware Children's Museum is featuring Grand Adventures created especially for grandparents and their grandchildren.

New activities are added to our Calendar every day, and you can even submit your own event if you're planning one. Be sure to subscribe to our FREE newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Acrobats, Frogs & Cherry Blossoms Apr 11-12

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 2:00am

Philly families have plenty to keep their children entertained this weekend. Our Event Calendar is filled with a variety of outdoor fun and indoor performances.

With a minimal chance of April showers, families can enjoy the great outdoors. Take in the beauty of the cherry trees at Morris Arboretum's Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival. Watch for birds and search for their nests at the John James Audubon Center's Saturday Bird Walks. Or discover the difference between frogs and toads at Tyler Arboretum's Froggy Madness.

Those looking for indoor activities have a plethora of events to choose from. The Delaware Museum of Natural History is hosting NanoDay featuring hands-on activities about the science of small. Or consider seeing a show. The Golden Dragon Acrobats bring Cirque Ziva to the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, John Cassidy: Balloon Freak takes the stage at the Sellersville Theater and Rainbowtown plays Act II Playhouse.

Read on for more of this weekend's top picks. If you haven't signed up for our FREE weekly newsletter yet, be sure to subscribe so you can have all of our posts delivered to your inbox. No matter what you decide to do with your family, have a great weekend.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids Mar 28-29: Fishing Derby, Play-A-Palooza and Easter Excitement

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 03/26/2015 - 2:00am

As the month of March comes to an end, is it safe to say spring is really here? There are no snowflakes in the forecast and daytime temperatures are predicted to stay above freezing. Sprigs of green grass are starting to appear, the days are getting longer and kids are finally able to play outside again.

With high hopes that winter is truly behind us, Delaware Valley families can look eagerly to the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar, which is jam-packed with activities to celebrate the spring. Cast a fishing line during Linvilla Orchard's Family Fishing Derby. Climb into a canoe at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education's Family Canoe Workshop. Or, explore Smith Memorial Playground at its opening weekend Play-A-Palooza celebration.

However, if the top thing on your weekend to-do list is catch up with the Easter Bunny, Mommy Poppins has you covered. Eat with the Easter Bunny at bunny brunches, lunches or teas. Ride along with the Easter Bunny on hayrides or train rides. Search for Easter Bunny treats at daytime or nighttime egg hunts.

Below are the top picks for the weekend. If you haven't signed up for our weekly newsletter, be sure to subscribe so you can have all of our posts delivered to your inbox.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids Mar 21-22: Egyptomania, Kids Corner MusicFest and Easter Fun

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 03/19/2015 - 2:00am

Astronomically speaking, spring begins on the March equinox which is Friday, March 20. And, despite the wintry mix predicted for that day, the Mommy Poppins event calendar sees hints of spring fun ahead. Spring Walks, Spring Consignment Sales (including the huge JBF Sale in Oaks) and Spring Celebrations fill the weekend's list.

But the surest sign of spring has to be the Easter events that are popping up throughout the Delaware Valley. East Passyunk Avenue's Easter Egg Hunt, Greater Plymouth Community Center's Brunch With the Bunny and Egg Scramble and a multitude of train rides with the Easter Bunny are happening this weekend.

On the other hand, if your family is looking for indoor fun, celebrate World Culture at Penn Museum's Egyptomania, get ready to dance about and sing along with the performers at World Cafe Live's Kids Corner MusicFest or see a show like The Frog Prince, Tony Kenny's Irish Celebration or Storytime: It's Snow White.

Read on to find the rest of our top picks for the weekend. Don't see your event? Please feel free to submit it to our calendar.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids Mar 14-15: Pi Day, St. Patrick's Day Fun and Wizard Scavenger Hunt

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 03/12/2015 - 2:00am

Whether you are Irish or not, this weekend holds lots of fun for Philly families. Performances, science activities and St. Patrick's Day fun fill the Mommy Poppins events calendar.

There are many shows from which to chose. Hitting the stage this weekend are The Frog Prince in Melrose Park, Blue Man Group in Lancaster and Balloon Freak John Cassidy in Phoenixville. Science-related activities are in full force as well. The Delaware Children's Museum in Wilmington hosts its Try Science workshop and The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia honors pi, the mathematical constant 3.1415926..., on 3/14/15 with Pi Day fun.

Yet, for many, the month of March means one thing, and one thing only: St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Whether it is a St. Patrick's Day parade, treasure hunt, performance, run or hike, everyone can feel a little bit Irish this weekend. And secretly, everyone is wishing to find a leprechaun's pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Come on, admit it;)

Look below for our top picks for the weekend. Don't see your event? Please feel free to submit it to our calendar. And, don't forget to like us on Facebook to see our latest posts.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids Mar 7-8: Consignment Sales, Charter Day 2015 and PNC Grow Up Great

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 03/05/2015 - 2:00am

Many Philly families are tired of the cold, snow and ice. So, as we prepare to shovel out from the biggest snowfall of the season, let's look on the bright side. There are some definite signs of spring now that March is here.

Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend and Spring consignment sales are in full force. Longwood Gardens hosts its Family Community Read highlighting the great kapok tree and the PHS Flower Show delights visitors with breath-taking garden displays for its final weekend.

Many historical celebrations are happening in Pennsylvania this weekend too. Charter Day, the day that King Charles II of England granted William Penn the land that is now Pennsylvania, is being celebrated throughout the state. Brandywine Battlefield in Chadds Ford, Washington Crossing Historical Park in Washington Crossing, Graeme Park in Horsham and Pennsbury Manor in Morrisville all have free, family-friendly events on March 8.

If you are looking to acquaint your kids with the arts this weekend, introduce your children to musical theater at the PNC Grow Up Great event at the Kimmel Center or cultivate a love for classical music at the Kennett Symphony of Chester County's Annual Children's Concert and Instrument Zoo.

For additional ideas, check out the entire listing of weekend fun in our events calendar. Be sure to sign up for the Mommy Poppins weekly newsletter by clicking here. And, don't worry.. spring is just around the corner. That's what the groundhog said, right?

Kennett Symphony of Chester County's Annual Children's Concert and Instrument Zoo

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sat, 02/28/2015 - 7:51am

Are you tired of listening to The Wiggles, Kidz Bop or Nursery Rhyme CDs with your children? Then, why not open your kids’ eyes (and ears) to the sounds of the symphony!

The Kennett Symphony of Chester County is offering a family-friendly concert, Sunday March 1, 2015 at Lincoln University. On Sunday, March 8, 2015 the same concert is performed at West Chester University. Admission is only $5 per ticket. I have taken my three kids as well as my husband to this concert in the past and it truly is a wonderful experience for children of all ages.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids Feb 28-Mar 1: Maple Sugaring, Flower Show and Black History Month Celebrations

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 02/26/2015 - 2:00am

Mother Nature has been generous in giving the Delaware Valley lots of cold, record-setting temperatures in recent weeks. Thankfully, around this time of year she also provides us with a tasty treat, maple syrup! Tyler Arboretum in Media, Peace Valley Nature Center in Doylestown, Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association in Ambler and Churchville Nature Center in Bucks County all host maple sugaring events this weekend.

However, if your mind is dreaming about warmer days, there is a faint sign of spring as the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show begins this weekend at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Get a little taste of spring by seeing the beautiful flowers and gardens on display.

Additionally, Black History Month concludes this weekend and there are many celebrations to attend. Penn Museum hosts its World Culture Series highlighting African culture with music, crafts and cuisine. The African American Museum in Philadelphia presents Macy's Family Fun Day featuring trains and their impact on the lives of African Americans. Lastly, the National Liberty Museum's Black History Month Celebration, complete with a scavenger hunt and hands-on activities, ends this Sunday.

The rest of our top picks for the weekend are below. If you don't see your event, please feel free to submit your event information. And, don't forget to like us on Facebook to see our latest posts!

Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

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