Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: Storytimes, Movies, Nature August 14-18

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 08/13/2017 - 10:00am

Whenever a carefree August day presents itself, a family 'go-to' activity is to read a book. Luckily for Philly families, this week offers a variety of opportunities to do just that. From listening to stories under the trees at an arboretum, among the animals at the zoo, at a neighborhood bookstore, or even at a grist mill, children can dive into the world of imagination through interesting characters.

If your crew prefers to watch a movie, there are plenty of spots throughout the Delaware Valley to indulge in film. Penn's Landing and Water Tower Recreation Center feature Beauty and the Beast, Aston Community Center presents The Good Dinosaur, Miles Park showcases Finding Dory, and Oxford Memorial Park welcomes folks to watch Sing. Those looking to escape screens for a bit can turn to nature and our latest round up of parks, gardens, and other open spaces. Be sure to plan a visit to one or two of them before the summer ends.

But, the real question is... have your started your back to school shopping? Believe it or not, consignment sales are starting to pop up on our events calendar. Grab some great deals or prepare to make some extra cash by reviewing our consignment sale tips. Now, continue reading for our top picks for this week.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Peaches, Insects, Trains August 12-13

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 08/09/2017 - 9:30pm

Philly families are in store for a peachy weekend! Peddlers' Village, Linvilla Orchards, and Oasis Family Farm host festivals in honor of this sweet summertime fruit. Some events feature pick-your-own opportunities while other offer peach pies, cobblers, and ice cream as well as children's activities. Kiddos who love nature and animals are sure to be interested in the Academy of Natural Science's Bug Fest or The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association's Butterfly Festival. Families with train lovers can take a camping trip (sans sleepover) on Colebrookdale Railroad's Campfire Express or travel for a summertime picnic on the West Chester Railroad. Younger engineers can visit the famous little blue engine from the island of Sodor who makes his way down the tracks at Morris Arboretum all weekend long.

Trying to escape the August weather? Find reprieve in air-conditioning at Easton's Crayola Factory, one of many local museums, or your neighborhood library. For now, continue reading for some of the amazing activities found in our event calendar.

Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: Lighthouses, S'mores, Nature August 7-11

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 08/06/2017 - 10:00am

Every summer always starts the same way; Philly parents eagerly search for ways to keep children learning and growing during these school-free months. However, now that August is here, families may be looking for something new and different that they haven't done so far this season. Thankfully, this week provides plenty of options in our event calendar.

This August week features not one but two National holidays- a chance for extraordinary summertime fun! National Lighthouse Day is recognized on August 7th. If your family is visiting the shore, check out the festivities at Cape May Lighthouse or climb inside one of the many lighthouses along the coast. To celebrate National S'mores Day on August 10th, spend a summer evening roasting marshmallows by the fireside at Briar Bush Nature Center, Peace Valley Nature Center, or Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education.

If summer has you strapped for cash, head to Sister Cities Park for its free Story Art or Grow Up Green programming, find wildlife in a creek, visit a local 4-H Fair, or take a moonlight walk. Plan out the rest of the month with free fun found in our latest round up. Now, keep reading for our top picks and make it a great week!

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Festivals, Fairs, Theater August 5-6

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 8:01pm

A wild and exciting August weekend awaits Philly families. From festivals to secret spies to theater productions, young and old alike can experience summertime fun.

If you're looking for festival fun this weekend, there's plenty of it. The 2nd Street Festival features food, music, and street performers sure to delight the entire family. The Philadelphia Museum of Art's animal-themed Family Festival is set to entertain young ones with a movement workshop and art experience. Visitors to the Goshen Country Fair can twirl and spin around on amusements such as the Zipper, Carousel, or Orient Express. Festival goers headed to the ACANA Festival can discover the beauty of African culture through dance, music, and food. Or, sneak a little education onto your family calendar by learning about General Washington's spies at Valley Forge National Park, 19th century colonial pets at Peter Wentz Farmstead, or the ancient Japanese tradition of nature printing. Round out the weekend with a theatrical production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame or Alice in Wonderland.

Still looking for more fun? Go on a picnic, play a round of paintball, or take a spontaneous family trip. For now, continue reading for this weekend's top picks.

Free Things To Do with Philly Kids Before Summer Ends

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Mon, 07/31/2017 - 8:00am

Summers in Philly are filled with swimming excursions, camping trips, and family vacations to the Jersey shore. But by summer's end, kids are bored and already worried about the start of a new school year. You might be looking to get out of the house and break that cabin fever for a few hours without breaking the bank! We've rounded up some of the best free events around Philly happening in August. To see additional upcoming events, check out our event calendar. For more free fun, be sure to check out our free outdoor movie post and free outdoor concert post!

Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: Nature, Crafts, Performances July 31-August 4

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 07/30/2017 - 10:00am

Ok, Philly families, it's time to get serious; August arrives this week and you know what that means... the start of school is just around the corner! Before sharpened pencils, summer homework assignments, and back-to-school clothes shopping infiltrate your free time, make these last weeks of summer count.

Search for ladybugs, paddle along Perkiomen Creek, or wander through a magical fairy garden. Use your imagination by creating art at A.C. Moore, Exton Square Mall, or Monkey Fish Toys. Watch a performance such as Family Stages' The Jungle Book or Broadway for Kids at the Dennis Flyer Theater. Be sure to make time for an outdoor movie at Wentz Run Park, Fischer's Park, or Parkside Place Park and watch some family favorites under the stars.

Don't let summer slip away! Browse through our event calendar which is filled with great activities for the entire family.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Car Show, Fantastic Beasts, Outdoor Fun July 29-30

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 9:30pm

As the month of July slips away, Philly families can savor plenty of summertime fun that can be found in our overloaded event calendar.

For families interested in music, check out Camden Waterfront's weekend-long XPoNential Music Festival with an extensive line-up of talent taking the stage throughout the weekend. Love classic and custom cars? Then, be sure to head to South Philly for the annual Car Show & Street Festival. Tween and teen fans of the book, Fantastic Beasts, can dream up their own magical worlds while little kids can listen to mystical stories at the Big Blue Marble Bookstore's Fantastic Beasts Weekend.

Perhaps your clan wants to get outdoors. Put on a life jacket and paddle down the Schuylkill River. Show off speed and agility at Your First Mud Run at Morey's Pier. Grab some binoculars to look for feathered friends in the sky or wait until nightfall to view stars and other celestial bodies. Finish up the weekend with delicious ice cream treats at Reading Terminal Market.

Still looking for a quick day trip or weekend getaway? Consider exploring a local waterfall or underground cavern, swimming in a nearby lake or a free Jersey beach, taking a road trip to Pittsburgh, or crossing the river for some amusement park fun. Whatever you choose, make it a great weekend!

Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: Balloons, Magic, Fairs, Carnivals July 24-28

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 07/23/2017 - 10:00am

Summertime means laid-back schedules and no schoolwork for Philly kids. However, for Philly parents, this carefree time of the year can present a dilemma... How can I keep the kids occupied (especially if there's no camp this week)? Leave it to Mommy Poppins Philly to round up some great ideas for the week ahead.

See entertaining balloon tricks at the Colonial Theater or watch spectacular juggling and magic acts at White's Road Park. Try your luck at carnival games at the Midway Fire Company Carnival or the Cochranville Fire Company Carnival. Head to the Kimberton Fair for rides, 4H demonstrations, and even pig races! Sing and dance along at an outdoor concert held at Narberth Playground, Central Park, or along the Camden Waterfront.

Need more ideas? Browse through our event calendar to find all the summer fun that is to be had.

Kristen Sullivan

Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

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