Nicole O'Donnell

Nicole O'Donnell is a marketing and social media expert with over 20 years of media experience and a proud mom to twin girls. A fan of writing, yoga, and exploring Philly, Nicole loves sampling the city's best treats with her girls in tow.

Latest posts by Nicole

16 New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other Philly Celebrations for Kids

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Fri, 12/26/2025 - 7:28am

Countdown2Noon, Please Touch Museum’s signature New Year’s Eve event for kids, is back — with even more confetti! Photo courtesy of the museum

It's almost New Year's Eve in Philly and we've got all the festive things to do with kids to make it a memorable start to the new year.

Ring in 2026 with your kiddos before bedtime! There are plenty of family-friendly New Year's Eve festivities around Philly, from fireworks and balloon drops to community celebrations at playspaces and parks. Get ready for lots of laughter and fun as you wave good-bye to 2025 together.

Looking for ways to keep busy leading up to the big ball drop? Check out or list of 35+ Things To Do over Winter Break and browse our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events to make sure you've hit all the holiday highlights this season.

A Guide to Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary in the US with Kids (2026)

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Thu, 12/25/2025 - 10:56am

America turns 250 this year and there are extra-big celebrations all across the country! Photo by Kent Miller for Macy's Inc.

The upcoming year will be a big one for America—the country is celebrating America 250, its semiquincentennial (say that five times fast!). In easier-to-pronounce words, it's the US's 250th birthday—250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And there are so many ways to celebrate the America 250 anniversary 2026.

America's 250th celebration events will take place in all 50 states. Everywhere from big cities to small towns will host festivals, parades, special museum exhibits, some seriously next-level July 4th celebrations, and other amazing America 250 events. That means 2026 is the perfect year to take a family vacation packed with history, learning, and fun!

Read on for our ultimate America 250 travel guide for families, including the best places to celebrate America 250, handy travel tips, and answers to your biggest questions about this major milestone. And if you want to make America 250 part of a larger family vacay, our Family Travel Guide will help you plan the perfect patriotic trip!

Christmas Weekend 2025 in Philly Top Things To Do: Kwanzaa, Holiday House Tours, JUMP IN!, and more.

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 7:31am

All the classic characters are gliding and leaping around the rink at Disney on Ice's 'Jump In'. Photo courtesy of Disney on Ice

Looking for the best things to do in Philly this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Christmas is here! Fill in the blank on Christmas day at Being ______ at Christmas: Family Day at the Weitzman with live performances and more. If you love history, check out the Fairmount Park House Holiday Tour and take in the beauty of the houses. For more history during the holidays, Washington Crossing the Delaware is the place to be on Christmas day. If you need to entertain the little ones, Disney On Ice presents JUMP IN! could be perfect.

Christmas En El Barrio, Breakfast with Santa, Punk Rock Flea Market, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Fri, 12/19/2025 - 5:16am

One last weekend to see 'A Christmas Carol' at the Walnut Street Theater, you shouldn't miss this one! Photo by Mark Garvin courtesy of the theater

Looking for the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your must-do list.

It's almost Christmas, and there is still time to shop and celebrate. If you still want to dine with Santa, don't miss Breakfast with Santa at the Rothman Ice Rink & Cabin or Santa Dines for Breakfast at Hook & Ladder in Conshohocken. Have some last minute shopping? Check out the Punk Rock Flea Market or the Decemberfest Holiday Shopping Stroll in Mt. Airy. Enjoy some carols and community at Christmas En El Barrio. Whatever you do, don't miss a thing.

22 Best Things to Do in Philly December 2025 with Kids

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Sun, 11/30/2025 - 7:46am

The amazing Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular.display is back! Photo courtesy of the venue

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of things to do in Philadelphia as the holiday season kicks into high gear. Don't miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Philly this month.

Philadelphia is not just a city of delicious cuisine and crushing culture; it's also home to some truly spectacular holiday light displays! Take your family out for an evening stroll through the neighborhoods this month, from the The Miracle on South 13th Street to the Smedley Street Christmas Lights Spectacular, to the delightfully over-the-top West Chester Griswolds in the 'burbs. Glide on over to Flight on Ice, Delco's pop-up ice rink, or stop by for a skate at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. Before we say goodbye to 2025 forever, grab the kids and enjoy fireworks at Sesame Place to send the year off with a bang.

For more ways to keep the season merry and bright, check out our Holiday Bucket List which can be found in our Guide to Holiday Events and Christmas Activities.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar daily, so don’t forget to check it frequently. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 in Philly: Parade, Scuba Santa, and Christmas Village

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Fri, 11/28/2025 - 6:00am

Say hi to Santa on his deep sea dive at the Adventure Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

Looking for the best things to do in Philly this Thanksgiving weekend? We're grateful for these family-friendly activities and events to add to your holiday plans.

The annual 6 ABC 'Dunkin Thanksgiving Day Parade is a huge Philly tradition that viewers can enjoy from the warmth of their living rooms or bundled on the Parkway, this year includes appearances from Wé Ani finalist of the Voice and American Idol, Queen of Christmas Darlene Love, plus performances from the cast of "Elf: The Broadway Musical" from Walnut Street Theatre, the Philadelphia Ballet, and so much more. After your turkey day feast, enjoy ice skating with the family at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest.

This weekend is full of holiday cheer to kick off the season, including a A Very Furry Christmas, where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the season and hugs from Sesame friends and Santa. Get a start on your holiday shopping at the Christmas Village in Dilworth Park. Other events not to be missed that return this weekend are Wild Lights at the Elmwood Park Zoo and Holidays in the Wildwoods featuring bonfires, parades, light shows, tree lightings, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Find all the must-do activities of the season in our G uide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Philly, where you can browse our lists of top holiday activities and more. However you spend your holiday weekend, the team at Mommy Poppins Philadelphia wishes you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

41 Fun Facts About Christmas for Kids (Holiday Trivia & Surprising Traditions)

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Mon, 11/24/2025 - 12:00pm

There are so many fun things to learn about Christmas! Photo by Anastassiya Bezhekeneva via canva.com

Kids love learning silly, surprising, and magical tidbits about the holidays—and Christmas is full of them! Fun facts about Christmas are perfect for trivia games, long holiday car rides, classroom projects, or simply getting into the holiday spirit.

From reindeer fun facts and Santa Claus facts to trivia about history and Christmas traditions around the world, here are 45 Christmas fun facts for curious kids (and parents, too!). Our Ultimate Collection of Fun Facts and Mind-Blowing Trivia for Kids has even more fun facts, including our lists of fun animal facts and 125 fun facts for kids that will blow their minds.

18 Free Holiday and Christmas Events for Philly Kids

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Sun, 11/23/2025 - 7:02am

Rose Tree Park glimmers at night, welcoming visitors to enjoy a wintery walk at Festival of Lights. Photo courtesy of the park

The list of kid-friendly Christmas events is endless! There's no better way to spend time with family and friends than at an attraction that doesn't cost anything. All around the Philadelphia area, there are tons of places for families who want some holiday cheer without breaking their wallets. So we've put together this helpful list that will help you create memories this season.

For more ways to keep the season merry and bright, check out our Holiday Bucket List which can all be found in our Guide to Holiday Events and Christmas Activities.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar daily, so don’t forget to check it frequently. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

Nicole O'Donnell

Latest posts by Nicole

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