Weekend Phillyfun Picks: March 7-9

The sun is shining and the countdown to spring is officially on!! Don’t miss the final weekend of the Philadelphia Flower Show plus a kid-friendly flower show at Nest Philly, Star Wars Day at the Brandywine Zoo, celebrations of culture and so much more. And don’t forget to spring forward and change your clocks on Sunday too!

Peter Pan
Friday March 7th - Sunday March 9th
Radnor High School
130 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA

It’s a weekend to celebrate the boy who didn’t want to grow up with the Radnor High School production of Peter Pan running Friday March 7 – Sunday March 9th with evening and matinee performances the whole family can enjoy. Tickets $15 per person.

International Women’s Day 
Saturday March 8th - Sunday March 9th
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Road Suite 100
Cherry Hill, NJ

Enjoy a weekend long celebration of women’s achievements and influence through history and around the world with fun interactive activities this Saturday March 8th and Sunday March 9th at the Garden State Discovery Museum. Free with admission. $10.95 for adults and children ages 12 months and over.

Peanut Butter and Jams Welcomes The Verve Pipe
Saturday March 8th
11am doors, 11:30am show
World Café Live 3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA

Get your groove on this Saturday March 8th at World Café Live as Peanut Butter and Jams Welcomes The Verve Pipe - a family friend concert by this popular band. Doors at 11:00am, show at 11:30am. Tickets $12 for kids and adults.

Concerts For Kids: Music Speaks To Everyone 
Saturday March 8th
1:30pm
2212 Spruce Street Trinity Center for Urban Life
Philadelphia, PA

The Trinity Center for Urban Life presents Music Speaks to Everyone: A bilingual concert in Spanish and English with musicians from Independence Charter School on Saturday March 8th at 1:30pm. Stay after the concert to meet the artists and enjoy an ice cream social too. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for children, free for children under 2. 

Star Wars Day 
Saturday March 8th
12 Noon
Brandywine Zoo
1001 North Park Drive
Wilmington, DE

May the force be with you this Saturday March 8th starting at 12 noon at the Brandywine Zoo at authentic Star Wars characters (including Darth Vader, Storm Troopers and Boba Fett) invade the Zoo! Free with admission. $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-16 Under 3 free.

Iraqi Cultural Day
Saturday March 8th
1-4pm
Penn Museum
3250 South Street
Philadelphia, PA

Don’t miss the rich sights, arts, flavors, and traditions of Iraq both ancient and modern during Iraqi Cultural Day – a “One Book, One Philadelphia” Event happening on Saturday March 8th from 1-4pm at the Penn Museum. The day will include arts and crafts activities as well as a group reading of The Librarian of Basra, the children’s companion book to the 2014 One Book, One Philadelphia selection, The Yellow Birds. Free with museum admission. $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-17. Free for children 5 and under.

FORE The Planet Indoor Mini Golf 
Friday March 7th - Sunday March 9th
Linvilla Orchards
137 W. Knowlton Road
Media PA

Linvilla Orchards indoor mini-golf attraction FORE! The Planet Indoor Mini Golf continues this weekend Friday March 7th through Sunday March 9th offering 18 holes of serious fun. This highly interactive and playful exhibit is open daily from 9am – 5pm and features info on environmental issues paired with the kid favorite fun of mini-golf. $6.95 for ages 11 and older. $4.95 for ages 10 and under.

Dinosaurs Unearthed
Saturday March 8th - Sunday March 9th
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA

The Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit continues at the Academy of Natural Sciences this Saturday March 8th through Sunday March 9th. Guests enjoy roaring, moving, life-size animatronic dinosaurs inside the Academy of Natural Sciences in this multi-sensory experience for dino lovers of all ages. $3 for members, $5 for non-members plus general admission to the museum ($15 for adults, $13 for kids under 13).

Free Admission on Sunday Mornings
Sunday March 9th
9:30am - 12pm
Brandywine River Museum
1 Hoffman’s Mill Road Route 1
Chadds Ford, PA

Enjoy free admission to the beautiful Brandywine River Museum on Sunday mornings including this Sunday March 9th between 9:30am – 12pm. Free.

Nest Flower Show
Sunday March 9th
3-5pm
Nest Philly 1301 Locust St
Philadelphia, PA

The Nest Flower Show happening Sunday March 9th from 3-5pm is the perfect kid-friendly way to welcome spring with opportunities for little ones to burn some energy in Nest’s open gym as well as get their hands dirty by painting their own flower pots and then filling them with flowers. Plus enjoy tissue paper flower crafts and other fun flower themed activities. $20 per family.

Lower Merion Orchestra Symphony Free Performance
Sunday March 9th
3pm
Lower Merion High School 
315 E. Montgomery Ave
Ardmore, PA

Head to Lower Merion High School on Sunday March 9th at 3pm for a free performance by the Lower Merion Orchestra Symphony. Free.

Weekend Phillyfun Picks: March 7-9

Philadelphia Flower Show

In case you weren't aware, the Philadelphia Flower Show is in town this week and is bringing a taste of spring to the city at a time when we so need it most! Experience the combination of art and horticulture as the 185th PHS Philadelphia Flower Show celebrates everyone from Michelangelo to Monet, Picasso to Pollock, and da Vinci to Dali. ARTiculture was unveiled on Sunday 3/1 and runs through this Sunday March 9th!

For the first time, the nation's first, largest and most beautiful Flower Show will join with the country's most exciting art museums to create ARTiculture! Art and horticulture are part of a mutual admiration society that has been played out across centuries by the Masters both gardeners and artists. Whether in a Wyeth landscape or a sweeping vista of bulbs blooming in colorful combinations, inspiration flows from both worlds to create a masterpiece on canvas and on the land. This year’s Flower Show celebrates and joins together these highly regarded museums with some of the nation’s finest landscape and floral designers to create a living canvas in ARTiculture.

Order your tickets online in advance and save with the Family Fun Pack ($70 plus $4 service fee). Includes two adult tickets and two kids tickets for general admission to the flower show for a single day visit plus a FREE 1 year membership to the Philadelphia Horticultural Society.

If you go: 
The Philadelphia Flower Show runs March 1st - 9th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia PA. Be sure to check the full schedule of events, hours, and ticket info at http://theflowershow.com/ before you go!

Philadelphia Flower Show

Weekend Phillyfun Picks: Feb. 28 - March 2

Hooray for the last weekend of February and the first weekend of March! While the winter weather still won’t seem to leave us at least March brings the hope of spring and warmer weather to come! Lots of fun to be had both inside and out this weekend go grab the kiddos and enjoy everything from Dr. Seuss celebrations to Mardi Gras parties fit for families to maple sugaring events, free museum admission and so much more!

Annual Sapsucker Festival 
Saturday March 1st
9am - 2pm
John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove
1201 Pawlings Rd.
Audubon, PA

Head to the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove on Saturday March 1st from 9am – 2pm for the Annual Sapsucker Festival (formerly known as the Maple Sugar Festival) with a pancake breakfast, maple sugar making stations, a Kid’s Corner with crafts and games, bird conservation stations and more. Admission is $5 per person. Children ages 5 and under free. 

Carnaval Brazil 
Saturday March 1st and Sunday March 2nd
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Road Suite 100
Cherry Hill, NJ

Enjoy a Mardi Gras celebration with a South American twist this Saturday March 1st and Sunday March 2nd at the Garden State Discovery Museum as part of their Passport to Discovery 2014 program. Free with admission. $10.95 for adults and children ages 12 months and over.

Sound All Around Woodwinds 
Saturday March 1st
Academy of Music Ballroom
240 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA

The PNC Arts Alive sponsored family program Sound All Around continues this Saturday March 1st at 10am and 11:15am with Sound All Around Woodwinds featuring an interactive concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra and award-winning storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston. Concerts are 45 minutes long and a perfect way for kids and families to have fun while learning about music. Tickets $10.

Read Across America Day Celebration
Saturday March 1st
Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Blvd.
Norristown, PA

Celebrate Dr. Seuss this Saturday March 1st at the Elmwood Park Zoo during their Read Across America celebration event from 11am – 3pm. Families will enjoy a book fair, concessions, special readings and even meet and greet and photo opportunity with the Berenstain Bears and Daniel Tiger. Free with Zoo admission. $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-12. Free for under 3.

Bank of America Museums on Us
Participating museums in the region

Bank of America again is sponsoring Museums on Us with free entry to many of the region’s best museums on the first full weekend of each month including this weekend this Saturday March 1st and Sunday March 2nd for valid Bank of America cardholders. Select participating museums from the region include African American Museum, National Constitution Center, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Allentown Art Museum, Garden State Discovery Museum, Wheaton Arts & Cultural Center, Noyes Museum of Art, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware Museum of Natural History, and Winterthur. Check the website for full list of participating museums. Free.

FORE The Planet Indoor Mini Golf 
Friday Feb. 28th - Sunday March 2nd
Linvilla Orchards
137 W. Knowlton Road
Media PA

Linvilla Orchards indoor mini-golf attraction FORE! The PlanetIndoor Mini Golf continues this weekend Friday February 28th through Sunday March 2nd offering 18 holes of serious fun. This highly interactive and playful exhibit is open daily from 9am – 5pm and features info on environmental issues paired with the kid favorite fun of mini-golf. $6.95 for ages 11 and older. $4.95 for ages 10 and under.

Dinosaurs Unearthed 
Saturday March 1st
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA

The Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit continues at the Academy of Natural Sciences this Saturday March 1st through Sunday March 2nd. Guests enjoy roaring, moving, life-size animatronic dinosaurs inside the Academy of Natural Sciences in this multi-sensory experience for dino lovers of all ages. $3 for members, $5 for non-members plus general admission to the museum ($15 for adults, $13 for kids under 13).

Free Admission on Sunday Mornings 
Sunday March 2nd 
Brandywine River Museum
1 Hoffman’s Mill Road Route 1
Chadds Ford, PA

Enjoy free admission to the beautiful Brandywine River Museum on Sunday mornings including this Sunday March 2nd between 9:30am – 12pm. Free.

Pay What You Wish Admission 
Sunday March 2nd 
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA

It’s the first Sunday of the Month so that means Pay What You Wish Admission at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this Sunday March 2nd. Enjoy the museum’s permanent and traveling exhibits and the world-renown art in one of the largest art museums in the United States.

Free First Sundays 
Sunday March 2nd
The Barnes Foundation 
2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Philadelphia, PA

First Sunday of the month means free admission to The Barnes Foundation this Sunday March 2nd. Enjoy the museum and all of its collections and exhibits plus family entertainment and informative seminars from 12-6pm. Obtain free tickets at 9am. Limited to two adults and two children per transaction. Free.

Weekend Phillyfun Picks: Feb. 28 - March 2

Our Disneyside @Home Celebration

This weekend we had the most fun showing our #Disneyside by having a party with some friends to celebrate all things Disney! Honestly, I am always game for any and all excuses to be thinking about Disney so when the opportunity to be a Disney Side @Home Celebration Host came up I was thrilled and grateful beyond belief to be selected to participate!

To help get our Disney Side parties underway Disney Parks and MomSelect sent us some fabulous supplies and awesome goodies in our Disney Side @Home Celebration Kits. My kids and I were so eager to see what was in our kits and couldn't wait to open it up when it finally arrived.

I immensely enjoyed planning the Disney Side party and trying to think about what surprises and Disney magic we could share with our guests. Because there's nothing quite like pinterest when planning a party or getting craft inspiration, I had a blast getting ideas from other Disney sites and fans there. Check out the Disney Side @Home pinterest board I created. Here is a wreath I made for the party to help welcome guests with a little Mickey magic!

Also take a look at the Disney Side Celebrations website for great inspiration, recipes, virtual tools, and so much more! You can even get cool Disney Side photo borders and effects by using the HP Photo Creations app available on this site, too. 

Invitations to our big event were created using the HP Photo Paper that was included in our Celebration kits. Here they are! This is used with a photo we took in front of Cinderella Castle on our first trip to Disney World in 2012. This picture makes me ridiculously happy and I hope it helped conveyed to our guests some of the excitement of what was to come! 

After much planning and trips to Michael's and the party store and the grocery store (and the wine store!) our Disney Side party was this past weekend and we had about 40 kids and adults over to come show their Disney Side with us and just have a great fun time.

Guests were encouraged to come dressed up as their favorite Disney character or theme which I'm so pleased to say they embraced! One family even was decked out in a Star Wars theme with the mom wearing a Darth Vader tutu she hand created and a custom shirt she made herself. She also made her daughter a Minnie Mouse outfit with tutu and ears and everything - so cute! Other guests wore their Mickey ears or princess dresses or Star Wars shirts. It was great to see how everyone chose to show their unique Disney Side!

We had a Disney Frozen Sing-A-Long which was a huge (HUGE) hit. We also did pin trading and had a Disney Freeze Dance too. For food we tried to keep in theme and had Mickey Mac'n'Cheese, Minnie's Meatballs, Buffalo Bill Chicken, Mickey's Clubhouse sandwhiches (bread and cheese were cut with Mickey cookie cutters!), Princess fruit wands, and hidden Mickey Cupcakes too. Planning all the food and thinking about how we could incorporate Disney theming into every aspect was so much fun!

A good friend of mine even made these incredible custom wine glasses for the adults which were so much festive to use and each guest even got to take their glass home with them, too. Each family also got to go home with the so sweet "So This is Love" poster provided by Disney Parks as well as a pack of HP Photo Paper. Kids got to pick a pin for their lanyards and also went home with a fun goody bag I made with other great items that came in our Disney hostess kits like balloons or ESPN Sports bracelets and tattoos and stickers and other Disney themed items I either picked up at the dollar store or Michael's.

If you want to have your own Disneyside @Home Celebration anytime of year check out http://www.disneysidecelebrations.com/ for tips, suggestions and fantastic resources to get you started! And I'd love to know how you show your Disneyside - feel free to leave a comment below with ways you like to show your Disneyside and bring the magic home all year long!

Our celebration was such a blast and I'm so grateful to Disney Parks and MomSelect and all the wonderful sponsors (including Disney Parks, American Tourister, HP, Two Smiles, ESPN World of Sports, ABC's The Chew, Craisins, and Hanes) for the incredible opportunity to have fun showing our Disneyside! And of course big thanks to all of our family and friends who came out and showed your Disney Side too - we hope you had as much fun as we did! What do you think? Should we do it again next year?

Disclosure: I was provided with a #Disneyside @Home Celebration hostess kit that included many of the supplies used for the party. No monetary compensation was provided. As always all opinions expressed about all things Disney being magical are my own. 

Our Disneyside @Home Celebration

Weekend Phillyfun Picks: February 21st - 23rd

It’s a weekend to celebrate cultures including African-American culture and Irish culture, too. Plus try your hand at maple sugaring and enjoy an all you can eat pancake breakfast or learn to be a conductor! There’s lots underway for families to enjoy in Philly this weekend!

Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugaring Celebration 
Saturday February 22nd
8am - 1pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA

Saturday February 22nd is the annual Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugaring Celebration at Tyler Arboretum from 8am – 1pm. Bundle up and head out with the whole family to learn all about how sap is turned into syrup and then take turns tapping a tree. Afterwards enjoy the fruits of your labors in the historic Barn with a hot all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast. Adults $12, children ages 3-12 $6 , under three free.

Quest for Freedom 
Saturday February 22nd
2-3:30pm
Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent
15 S. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA

Explore the anti-slavery and Underground Railroad movements in Philadelphia with stories and exploration of documents and objects found in the museums on Saturday February 22nd from 2-3:30pm at the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent. $10 for adults, free for kids 12 and under.

Disney Frozen Sing-Along Area Theaters
Area Theaters

Disney’s smash hit two-time Oscar nominated Frozen continues in theaters in its new Frozen Sing-Along format this Friday February 21st through Sunday February 23rd. Kids of all ages can “Let it Go” and sing along to the bouncing snowflake. Should be a fantastic time for families! Check website for theaters, showtimes and tickets. 

Irish Festival 
Saturday February 22nd - Sunday February 23rd
11am - 3pm
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Road Suite 100
Cherry Hill, NJ

Head to the Garden State Discovery Museum for the Irish Festival happening Saturday February 22nd and Sunday February 23rd from 11am – 3pm as part of the Passport to Discovery 2014 program. Enjoy traditional Irish music and dance and a celebration of Irish culture and people. Free with admission $10.95+ tax for adults and children 12 months and over. 

Philadelphia Freedom Festival Community Jubilee “Let Freedom Sing” 
Saturday February 22nd
2-4pm
Mother Betehel African Methodist Episcopal Church
419 S. 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA

Don’t miss this free community Let Freedom Sing jubilee happening on Saturday February 22nd from 2-4pm presented by The Mann Center for the Performing Arts to commemorate the life and legacy of Octavius V. Catto. The event will feature invited ministers and their choirs for an afternoon of praise and workshop. Refreshments will be served after the event during a Meet & Greet with the Ministers. Free.

Ice Skating at the Piazza 
Friday February 21st - Sunday February 23rd 
The Piazza at Schmidt’s
1001 N. 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA

It's the final weekend to enjoy "ice-skating" at Skate, the pop-up skating rink at the Piazza at Schmidt's, this weekend at The Piazza at Schmidt’s running Friday February 21st – Sunday February 23rd from 11am – 9pm. $5 per adult, $3 per child, $1 skate rental. Don’t miss Family Day on Sunday February 16th with free admission for kids, too!

FORE The Planet Indoor Mini Golf 
Friday February 21st - Sunday February 23rd 
Linvilla Orchards
137 W. Knowlton Road
Media PA

Linvilla Orchards indoor mini-golf attraction FORE! The Planet Indoor Mini Golf continues this weekend Friday February 21st through Sunday February 23rd offering 18 holes of serious fun. This highly interactive and playful exhibit is open daily from 9am – 5pm and features info on environmental issues paired with the kid favorite fun of mini-golf. $6.95 for ages 11 and older. $4.95 for ages 10 and under.

Dinosaurs Unearthed
Friday February 21st - Sunday February 23rd
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA

The Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit continues at the Academy of Natural Sciences this Saturday February 22nd through Sunday February 23rd. Guests enjoy roaring, moving, life-size animatronic dinosaurs inside the Academy of Natural Sciences in this multi-sensory experience for dino lovers of all ages. $3 for members, $5 for non-members plus general admission to the museum ($15 for adults, $13 for kids under 13).

Free Admission on Sunday Mornings 
Sunday February 23rd
Brandywine River Museum
1 Hoffman’s Mill Road Route 1
Chadds Ford, PA

Enjoy free admission to the beautiful Brandywine River Museum on Sunday mornings including this Sunday February 23rd between 9:30am – 12pm. Free.

Curtis Family Concerts Presents Introduction to Composition and Conducting 
Sunday February 23rd
2pm and 4pm
Gould Rehearsal Hall
1616 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA

Families will enjoy the next Curtis Family Concert on Sunday February 23rd at 2pm and 4pm. Kids will learn about how music is written and what a conductors does plus get to try being composters and conductors themselves with this interactive introduction to classical music. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under (but best enjoyed by children ages 5 and up).

Weekend Phillyfun Picks: February 21st - 23rd

Guest Post By Sarah Donza-Hughes and the Preeclampsia Promise Walk this May

Today I am so honored and happy to be able to bring you all this guest post from my friend and fellow blogger, Sarah Donza-Hughes. Sarah is one of the volunteer organizers of the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia and has helped to raise thousands of dollars to raise awareness about and aid funding to find a cure for this disease over the last three years. Recently, Sarah was my angel when I found out that a dear friend of mine had preeclampsia. She was about 37 weeks pregnant and I got the call that she had been hospitalized and they were still running tests but most likely it was preeclampsia. I was so scared for her. I knew she was in the hospital and so was obviously in the best possible place to be monitored but it was absolutely terrifying. Sarah was a rock of comfort and good sound information to help ease my concerns but also understand this potentially fatal disease better. I'm thrilled to say that my friend and her beautiful baby are both doing fine! Thank you so very much, Sarah, for being there for me and for all that you do for women and families that deal with this disease! xoxo

Guest Post by Sarah Hughes, Volunteer Organizer of the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia 

I woke up one morning and knew something was wrong. It was only 5 days after my second child was born so I wasn’t surprised to be feeling exhausted, but this seemed different. I was having a hard time catching my breath and just couldn’t seem to focus clearly on anything I would look at. I told my husband that I felt off and he insisted I call the doctor. His insistence worried me so I called. Then my doctor told me that I needed to get to the emergency room right away which really worried me.

After many hours in the hospital, with blood pressure readings like 220/120 a nurse told me “Sarah, you are suffering from Postpartum Preeclampsia” What? There I was, an educated mother of two being diagnosed with a disorder of pregnancy that affects 1 in 12 pregnancies YET it was something I had only briefly heard about and had no idea it could happened postpartum. I was hooked up to a Magnesium Sulfate IV to prevent seizures or a stroke. Petrified I might die, confused about what was really happening to me; the magnesium made me feel so sickly, I was on oxygen, I couldn't get out of bed and cried for three days straight wanting to see my babies again.

When I was discharged I decided to research what happened to me. That is when I found the Preeclampsia Foundation. Reading the boards on their site I realized what happened to me was actually somewhat common. What I still didn't understand was HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT PREECLAMPSIA??? HOW??? If 1 in 12 women suffered from preeclampsia how did I not know more about it. This is why I decided to bring the Promise walk for Preeclampsia to the Philadelphia Area. I wanted to raise awareness. I wanted to give back to other mothers since my preeclampsia story didn't harm my beautiful baby girl.

Have you heard of preeclampsia? 

According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, thousands of women and babies die or get very sick each year from this dangerous condition called preeclampsia. It is a life-threatening disorder that occurs in up to 1 in 12 women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Preeclampsia and related disorders such as HELLP syndrome and eclampsia are most often characterized by the presence of protein in the urine and a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure and death of the mother and/or baby. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms.

Typically, preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks gestation (in the late 2nd or 3rd trimesters or middle to late pregnancy), though it can occur earlier and up to 6 weeks postpartum. Proper prenatal care is essential to diagnose and manage preeclampsia. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and toxemia are outdated terms for preeclampsia. HELLP syndrome and eclampsia (seizures) are other variants of preeclampsia.

On Saturday, May 3rd 2014 we will host our 3rd Annual Philadelphia Area Promise Walk for Preeclampsia at Challenge Grove Park in Cherry Hill, NJ. It is always a morning of hope and promise. As the walk coordinator I have met so many amazing women and their families. We come together one morning a year to bring hope, to raise awareness and to feel less isolated in what we went through. We mourn those that left us too soon due to preeclampsia. It is my hope that one day we will find a cause and a cure, I pray that my children never have to worry about preeclampsia. Please help us raise awareness by sharing the signs and symptoms with someone you know.

To learn more, register for the Promise Walk or donate to the Preeclampsia Foundation please visit http://www.promisewalk.org/.

More About Sarah
Sarah is a mother of two she spends her days working at a University and nights playing with her children. In her “free” time Sarah is a Shot@Life Champion, a volunteer walk coordinator for the Preeclampsia Foundation and a contributor at World Moms Blog. Visit Sarah at her own blog Finnegan and The Hughes, where she writes about parenting, kid friendly adventures and Social Good issues

Guest Post By Sarah Donza-Hughes and the Preeclampsia Promise Walk this May

President's Day Weekend Phillyfun Picks: Feb. 14 - Feb. 17

It’s a perfect trifecta of Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and an extra day off from school so get out and enjoy all that Philly has to offer families this long holiday weekend. There’s everything from Valentine’s Dance parties to lovable animal fun and free admission to all national parks all weekend long, too!

Tweetheart Social
Friday February 14th
4-6pm
Nest Philly
1301 Locus Street
Philadelphia, PA

Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Tweetheart Social happening this Friday February 14th from 4-6pm at Nest Philly. Families will have a blast together at this special Valentine’s Day soiree featuring heart shaped pizza for the kids, Wolf Street Catering and wine and bear foo the adults, a Valentine’s dance party, make and take Valentine’s crafts, a Kissing Booth and of course plenty of play in the playspace! Tickets $45 per family ($40 for members). All proceeds benefit CHOP.

Free Entrance to All National Parks
Saturday February 15th - Monday February 17th
National Parks Across the region

Celebrate the connections between our country’s leaders and the national parks by visiting any US National Park free during President’s Day Weekend Saturday February 15th – Monday February 17th. National parks in our region include the Independence National Historical Park, Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, Egdar Allen Poe National Historic Site and others. Check website for full list of parks and hours.

Paleopalooza
Saturday February 15th - Sunday February 16th
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA

Get your fossil on at the ever popular annual Paleopalooza happening this weekend at The Academy of Natural Sciences. It's a celebration of all things prehistoric with exciting and educational activities and games teaching kids about dinosaurs and more! Free with admission. Admission $15 for adults, $13 for children ages 3-12. Free for 2 and under.

My Fuzzy Valentine Lunch
Sesame Place
100 Sesame Road
Langhorne, PA

Treat your little Valentine's to a very special lunch with their favorite furry friends at My Fuzzy Valentine Lunch at Sesame Place this Saturday Feb. 15th and Sunday Feb. 16th. Enjoy a delicious hot buffet lunch complete with a themed dessert and lots of quality time singing and dancing at this fun party with popular characters from Sesame Street. $27 for adults, $17 for children ages 2-9, infants under 23 months free but require a reservation.

Baby Loves Disco's Annual Valentine’s Day Ball 
Saturday February 15th
11am
World Café Live
3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA http://babylovesdisco.com/

Get your groove on at the always-awesome Baby Loves Disco Annual Valentine’s Day Ball happening Saturday February 15th at World Café Live in Philadelphia starting at 11am. Kids and parents alike can dance their hearts out to a live DJ plus enjoy craft stations and snacks too. Tickets $14 per walking human.

Presidents Day Weekend at the National Constitution Center 
Friday February 14th - Monday February 17th
National Constitution Center
535 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA

The National Constitution Center is free courtesy of TD Bank on Monday February 17th but the President’s Weekend Celebration lasts all weekend long. Learn about the role of the president and what it takes to be commander in chief plus children can create their own campaign buttons and presidential seals at craft stations. And visitors can enjoy a special tour of the museum’s main exhibition plus much more. Tickets $8-$14.50. Free admission on Monday February 17th.

Disney Frozen Sing-Along 
Friday February 14th - Sunday February 17th
Area Theaters

Disney’s smash hit two-time Oscar nominated Frozen continues in local theaters in its new Sing-Along format this Friday February 14th through Sunday February 16th. Kids of all ages can “Let it Go” and sing along to the bouncing snowflake. Should be a fantastic time for families! Check website for theaters, showtimes and tickets.

Kiss & Tail 
Saturday February 15th
1pm
Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Blvd.
Norristown, PA

It’s a Valentine’s Celebration at Kiss and Tail at the Elmwood Park Zoo this Saturday February 15th at 1pm with crafts, dancing, animal enrichment and more. Free with Zoo admission (Winter Zoo admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children).

Ice Skating at the Piazza 
Friday February 14th - Sunday February 17th
The Piazza at Schmidt’s
1001 N. 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA

The frozen fun continues at Skate, the pop-up skating rink in Philly, this weekend at The Piazza at Schmidt’s running Friday February 14th – Monday February 17th from 11am – 9pm. $5 per adult, $3 per child, $1 skate rental. Don’t miss Family Day on Sunday February 16th with free admission for kids, too!

That’s Amore Italian Style Valentine’s Celebration 
Saturday February 15th - Sunday February 16th
11am - 3pm
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ

Celebrate love Italian style with Garden State Discovery Museum’s That’s Amore event this Saturday February 15th and Sunday February 16th from 11am – 3pm. Enjoy crafts, dances and activities focusing on love and Italian culture, too. Free with Museum admission. $10.95 + tax for adults and children ages 12 months and over.

FORE The Planet 
Friday February 14th - Sunday February 17th
Indoor Mini Golf
Linvilla Orchards
137 W. Knowlton Road
Media PA

Linvilla Orchards indoor mini-golf attraction FORE! The Planet continues this weekend Friday February 14th through Monday February 17th offering 18 holes of serious fun. This highly interactive and playful exhibit is open daily from 9am – 5pm and features info on environmental issues paired with the kid favorite fun of mini-golf. $6.95 for ages 11 and older. $4.95 for ages 10 and under.

Dinosaurs Unearthed
Friday February 14th - Monday February 17th
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
 Philadelphia, PA

The Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit continues at the Academy of Natural Sciences this Saturday February 15th through Monday February 17th. Guests enjoy roaring, moving, life-size animatronic dinosaurs inside the Academy of Natural Sciences in this multi-sensory experience for dino lovers of all ages. $3 for members, $5 for non-members plus general admission to the museum ($15 for adults, $13 for kids under 13).

Free Admission on Sunday Mornings
Sunday February 16th
9:30am - 12pm
Brandywine River Museum
1 Hoffman’s Mill Road Route 1
Chadds Ford, PA

Enjoy free admission to the beautiful Brandywine River Museum on Sunday mornings including this Sunday February 16th between 9:30am – 12pm. Free.

Judy Schachner Book Reading Skippyjon Jones! 
Sunday Feb. 16th
1:30-3:30pm
Lansdowne Public Library
55 S. Lansdowne Ave
Lansdowne, PA

Join the Animal Friends of Lansdowne and the Lansdowne Library to celebrate Love Your Pet month with a special visit by popular children’s author, Judy Schachner, who will read from her Skippyjon Jones series. Kids will enjoy the book reading plus a visit and book signing with the author and books for purchase too. Proceeds to benefit Animal Friends of Lansdowne. Free.

School’s Out President’s Day Camp 
Monday February 17th
9am - 3:30pm
Wayne Art Center
413 Maplewood Ave
Wayne, PA

Kids in grades K-5 will enjoy the President’s Day Camp at Wayne Art Center this Monday February 17th from 9am – 3:30pm. Come in for a half day or full day’s worth of creative fun including trying a number of different art styles including paining, drawing, collage, crafts, and more! $45 for half-day $80 for full-day.

Kitten Party 
Monday February 17th
11:15am
Tredyffrin Public Library
582 Upper Gulph Rd.
Strafford, PA

Kitty cat lovers won’t want to miss the feline fun at the Kitten Party at Tredyffrin Public Library on Monday Feb. 17th at 11:15am. Children ages 3 and up are invited to enjoy a short play, mitten game and light refreshments as they practice their own meowing and ultimately help the kittens find their mittens. Free.

Washington’s Birthday Party
Monday February 17th
10am - 2pm
Valley Forge National Historic Park
1400 North Outer Line Drive
King of Prussia, PA

Head to Valley Forge National Historic Park on Monday February 17th from 10am – 2pm for a celebration of our country’s first president, George Washington. Join George and Mrs. Washington and the members of the Continental Army to celebrate his 282nd birthday with crafts, games, re-enactments and of course birthday cake!

President's Day Weekend Phillyfun Picks: Feb. 14 - Feb. 17