Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia International Flower Show starts tomorrow and runs through March 7th. If you decide to take the kiddies, be sure to stop by the Fisher Price Family lounge for crafts and other activities for the wee ones. Check out the family ticket deals too.

Philadelphia Flower Show

The Circus is Coming!

With more snow on the way, hope you got the kiddies out today for a last hurrah. If not, why not consider going to the circus once you dig out.

Today marks the start of the Circus Barnum's Funundrum at the Wachovia Center. The Funundrum tour marks the first time Ringling Bros and Bailey circus perform at the Wachovia Center in 13 years so don't miss the fun. It runs from 2/24 - 2/28.

If you arrive one hour before the show starts all ticket holders can enjoy the All Access Pre-Show! See animals up close, visit with performers, get autographs, try on costumes and enjoy the circus fun.

AND you can go behind the scenes at the Animal Open House. Open to all ticket-holders, one and 1/2 hours prior to showtime. Learn about circus animals, see how they eat live and play.

Tickets range from $10-$90. Receive $4 off weekend tickets by entering the coupon code "MOM" in the Promotion Code box.

www.comcasttix.com
800-298-4200

The Circus is Coming!

Tuesday 2/23 is National Pancake Day

Don't forget to bring your little ones and stop in to your nearest IHOP between 7am-10pm for a free shortstack (3 buttermilk pancakes) to help celebrate National Pancake Day. If you do take part, IHOP is asking for a donation to help support local Children's Hospitals - sounds like a great reason to eat some pancakes!!

Tuesday 2/23 is National Pancake Day

Kids Explore Africa

There have been a lot of wonderful activities in the city underway in February to help celebrate Black History Month. If you have missed most of them (like we have) here's one more that should be sure to be a blast for you and your kiddies:

Kids Explore Africa
Sunday February 28, 2010 from 3-6pm
Crossroads Music, Calvary Church, 48th and Baltimore Ave
CoSponsored by All Around This World and Crossroads Music

Presents a series of hands-on presentations for little kids (ages 1-7) and their families to help us all explore African culture. There will be drumming, dancing, storytelling and songs from all over the continent.
-- African songs and rhythms with multi-instrumentalist Mogauwane Mahloele
-- Ghanaian dance and drumming with Adwoa Tacheampong and Chuckie Joseph of the Mewa-Nesoromma Dance and Drum Ensemble
-- West African and African diaspora instruments with Adimu Kuumba
-- African stories as told by Debra E. Johnson
-- Song and dance from around Africa with Penn African Performing Arts

For the detailed schedule see http://www.allaroundthisworld.com/events.html

Cost is just $6 for each child (accompanying adults and All Around This World students are free)

Register now (space is limited) at the Crossroads Music website

Kids Explore Africa

If tickets to N'awlins are not in your future

The multi-holiday weekend is officially over. Hope you and your families were able to enjoy some of the many fun events going on in and around the city this past long weekend. Somehow we ended up at the Jersey Shore on Valentine's Day. Ended up having a great day culminating in candy shopping in It's Sugar (a huge candy store which just about blew our toddler's mind) and a perfectly lovely dinner in an Irish Tavern in Ceasar's Pier in Atlantic City (which was quite the unexpected hot spot for families as it turned out). Not exactly where I expected we might end up but certainly a fun and exciting day for the whole family.

Now that the holiday weekend buzz is over, there's still lots going on this month in Philly. I am really looking forward to heading over to the Please Touch Museum soon to check out their new storytimes in the Story Castle and also to partake in their month-long 18th Annual Junior Jazz Festival. Highlights include Philadelphia's Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble (Feb. 20-21) and Putumayo Kids and a Big Band Swing Dance Party on Feb. 28th. And on the museum's playhouse stage running through the month is Scat Cats: A Jr. Jazz Jamboree (M-F 11am, 1pm and 3pm). All events free with admission ($15). If, for whatever reason, you can't take your kiddies to the real deal Jazz Festival in N'awlins yet (and really what IS the perfect age to begin exposing your children to drive through daiquiri joints and throngs of music and food enthusiasts enjoying their 5th, 6th or 15th Abita and some alligator on a stick) then this is the next best way to get in the spirit and provide some musical exposure and excitement for your little ones.

If tickets to N'awlins are not in your future

Feeling the Love?

Hope you and your families are enjoying a very Happy Valentines Day (and Chinese New Year and Presidents Day weekend) whether you are out and about in the city enjoying many of the wonderful things to do today or are just at home in your jammies making heart-shaped pancakes and enjoying this love-filled day with your little ones.

Feeling the Love?

Big fun this weekend

Ok so I've been pretty focused (alright maybe even a little obsessed) with finding fun Valentines Day activities for the under 2 yr old set (you'll notice several of the activities below are geared to older kids) this weekend but of course it's also President's Weekend and Chinese New Year so lots of big fun in and about the city for all. Here's a brief list of other things going on that you might want to check out with your kiddos!!

Saturday Feb. 13, 2010

*** It's really happening! After two days of not being able to speak to a live person due to Snowpacolypse II 2010, I got in touch with the Philly Zoo on Wheels program today and this FREE Valentine's event is on for tomorrow people!! Horray! ***

Philadelphia Zoo Visits Smith Playhouse in the Park
Saturday Feb. 13 10am - 1pm

This weekend, the Philadelphia Zoo is stopping by Smith’s Playplace in the Park for a mini Valentine’s Day celebration. From 10am to 1pm, the Philadelphia Zoo’s ‘Zoo on Wheels’ program is setting up a booth with a traveling naturalist, giving visitors the chance to interact with live animals. Children can join in conservation-related Valentine craft-making, and can send them to their favorite polar bear.

The event is totally free and open to the public.
Smith’s Playplace in the Park
33rd St & Oxford St, Philadelphia, PA 19121
(215) 765-4325
www.smithkidsplayplace.org


Pancake Breakfast & Maple Sugaring Celebration at Tyler Arboretum
Saturday Feb 13, 8am - 1pm

Take one of their ongoing tours and demonstrations of the maple sugaring process and learn how sap is turned into syrup. Once you've whet your appetite, meet in the Barn to help yourself to their famous all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast, complete with steaming hot coffee and cocoa. (Note: Snow date Feb. 20)

http://www.tylerarboretum.org/
515 Painter Road Media, PA 19063
This event is appropriate for all ages
Cost:Adults: $10, Kids (ages 3-12) $5, Under 3 FREE

President's Day Celebration
Saturday Feb 13, 12 Noon
National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
At this week-end long event, learn about the role of the President and the history of the Executive Branch, make crafts, go on special tours and play the American President Quiz Show.
Free with admission ($8-12)
www.constitutioncenter.org

My Fuzzy Valentine
Saturday Feb 13, 12noon
Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne
Celebrate Valentine's Day with visitors in characters, a kid-friendly lunch and a sing-a-long with the Sesame Street gang.
$16-$22, pre-register www.sesameplace.org or 1-800-GO-4-ELMO


Saturday Afternoon Valentine's Tea
Saturday Feb 13, 1pm
Radnor Hotel, 591 E. Lancaster Ave, St. David's
Afternoon tea includes a traditional tea, stories and music time to create a special Valentine's gift. Each child receives a storybook gift. Ages 3-8. $49.95 for 1 child and 1 adult
www.radnorhotel.com 610-341-3191

Valentine Tea and Craft Party
Saturday Feb 14, 2pm
Big Blue Marble Bookstore
551 Carpenter Lane, Phila
Special tea party for kids includes real tea sets and heart-filled crafts. Ages 3-10.
www.bigbluemarblebooks.com 215-844-1870
FREE

Sunday, February 14, 2010


New Year's in Chinatown
10th and Race, Philadelphia
Sunday, February 14th: 11am
(or Saturday, February 13th: Midnight but not sure I'd recommend bringing the kids to this one)

Join the residents of Chinatown (and one billion of their dearest and closest friends) this weekend to welcome in the Year of the Dragon. Lions and dragons will parade the streets, accompanied by the sweet sound of fireworks. Head to the corner of 10th and Race for the parade (first parade is at midnight Saturday, February 13th) on Sunday at 11am.
FREE

Crafty Kids: Flowers for Valentine's Day
Sunday Feb 14, 1:30pm
Tyler Arboretum, Media
Create a beautiful flower arrangement from winter greens, berries, and flowers to give to a special person in your child's life. Ages 7-9, adults are welcome to accompany children.
$10, pre-register
www.tylerarboretum.org
610-566-9134


Chinese New Year Gala
Sunday Feb 14, 1pm
Great Valley High School, 225 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern
Main Line Chinese Culture Center presents this event, which includes a show in the school auditorium, followed by a culture fair in the cafeteria, with exhibits and traditional Chinese New Year games and crafts.
www.mlccc.org
FREE

Monday Feb 15, 2010

Celebrate George Washington's Birthday
Valley Forge National Park
Monday Feb 15, 11 am
Meet portrayers of George and Martha Washington and enjoy cake, crafts and colonial singers. Kids have the opportunity to "enlist" in the Continental Army.
www.nps.gov/vafo



Natural Leaders: Presidents and Nature
Monday, February 15, 9:30am - 4:30pm
The Delaware Museum of Natural History celebrates Presidents' Day on Monday, February 15, 2010 with this family-friendly event features hands-on activities and crafts about presidents' roles in environmental conservation. Visitors will learn important facts about past presidents and their effects on the natural environment. Families can embark on a scavenger hunt around the museum to find animals discovered on Thomas Jefferson's Lewis and Clark Expedition. A matching game will explain Theodore Roosevelt's "natural" empire of national forests, parks, and preserves. A special display of duck stamps - along with live ducks - will highlight this conservation effort begun by Franklin Roosevelt. An exhibit of endangered species and polar bear activities will shed light on the accomplishments of more recent presidents such as Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Jimmy Carter.

Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE
$7 for adults, $5 for children (3-17), $6 for seniors, free for children 2 and younger. Free for museum members.
www.delmnh.org or call (302) 658-9111.

Big fun this weekend

Snowy ridiculousness

The snow in Philly has reached a level of epic ridiculousness. Thankfully, it seems to finally be slowing down but it has been so snowy and nuts all day I never even made it outside to take pictures. Maybe tomorrow we'll get bundled up for a little exploring once some of the paths and sidewalks are shoveled and the heavy snow and winds are over. We spent the day inside doing all sorts of fun things (playdough, jam band, karaoke, puzzles, coloring, finger painting) and of course some tv. I'm so very impressed with stay-at-home parents who don't put the tv on all day! What patient and creative beings you all must be. I was pretty strict about my daughter's tv habits until she turned about one year old. Then, I relaxed up a bit about it and we started off with Elmo. As it turned out, Elmo was the gateway drug and now, almost a year later she's full tilt into Barney, Dora, Blues Clues, and now even a show about a Forget Me Not flower named Fi-Fi. Good grief. But I digress and my whole point was that for a day cooped up inside all day I'm pretty impressed that she didn't watch too much tv and we were all in good spirits despite being stuck inside. Did you make it out with your kiddos? Brave souls!!

As for the ongoing quest for the perfect family Valentine's date, I have found a few more ideas through some more searching on the innerwebs.

First, this may or may not actually be happening but according to uwishuknew The Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels is bringing some animals to the Smith Playhouse this Saturday from 10am-1pm for a "mini-Valentines' celebration". The post claims that the Zoo is "setting up a booth with a traveling naturalist, giving visitors the chance to interact with live animals. Children can join in conservation-related Valentine craft-making, and can send them to their favorite polar bear." And it's all free. Sounds great, no? Well, the only problem is that the date on the post is listed as Saturday December 19th (not Saturday February 13th). So, while hopeful (because surely this would be way cool) I cannot yet confirm that this is really happening. I wasn't able to find any other mention of it on either Smiths' website or the Zoo and of course I tried calling today but both places were closed due to the snow. Once I can get to the bottom of this I'll surely clarify on phillyfun4kids whether this is a viable Valentines option for the kiddos but until then, consider it just internet hearsay.

This next one I absolutely can confirm: bring your families out on Sunday for a good cause at the Hyatt Regency's Hyatt Helping Haiti Valentine's family event from 1-4pm. The event features great family activities including, arts & crafts, a moon bounce, Magician, face painting, wii games, music, and a petting Zoo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo. There will also be Rockband Set with Stage, the Philaelphia Eagles Cheerleaders and some Mummers. As for food, the kid-friendly offerings include pizza, hot dogs, boardwalk fries, and other fun items that will make you feel less like you're in snowbound Philly and more like you're on the boardwalk at your favorite Jersey shore. And best of all, all proceeds benefit the American Red Cross' relief efforts in Haiti. Tickets are $25.00 per person with complimentary self parking. To purchase tickets see their ticketing website or call (215) 521-6503. What a great way to spend a Valentine's date with your whole family!!

Snowy ridiculousness

Seriously?? More snow?

Ok mommys... tomorrow is the day. Get your kiddies OUT OUT OUT before you are snowed in YET again. Me? I'll be taking my little one to the wonderful "Bibs and Books" local story hour for the under 3 set at my local library for songs, stories, and playing with her library "friends." Of course this is all before the insane obligatory trip to the grocery store to stock-up before the next big snow-in. (Yes, I am almost out of bagels and toilet paper and therefore have to go join the other panic stricken shoppers in the bread aisle.)

This week I'm also looking for a good Valentine craft. I found some neat ideas at FamilyFun magazine online. I had never even heard of this magazine until I got a copy of an issue from my mom a while back. I actually made my Peanut a little heart purse out of stiff felt that was in this magazine and it turned out really cute. Are you making any Valentines crafts with your little ones this week?

I'm a little surprised at the lack of "official" Valentine's activities in the kids calendar to be honest. I thought there would be more but there seem to only be a very small handful and many are for the older kids - not the rammy 2 year old set. This seems odd to me yet I guess most folks are inclined to find sitters and go out as a couple, not a whole family. So we haven't figured much more to do besides that pizza outing to Stella on Sunday. Maybe we'll hit the Art Museum before hand... who knows. Shouldn't there by Valentines parades? Or, maybe screenings of special Valentines films or something for the little ones? There should be more for families - not just couples - on Valentines Day. Oh well, maybe we can work on organizing something for next year.

Seriously?? More snow?

Welcome Purple Stork!

Can I hear a woot woot? We are thrilled to announce another fantastic sponsor, Purple Stork. Haven't heard of them? They help you create gorgeous, unique birth announcements (and holiday cards and invitations and...). I used Purple Stork for my daughter's birth announcements (see below) and I loved them!! They were such high-quality and the process of creating them was indeed "thrilling from start to finish" as their site claims. They included little freebies in the order and their designers were top-notch. Turnaround time rocked, too. Anyway, if you're in the market for such things, check them out! Many thanks to Purple Stork for joining the phillyfun4kids community - we're so glad you're here.

Welcome Purple Stork!

Our first sponsor, Earth & State

We're so excited to announce phillyfun4kids' first local sponsor. Check out Earth & State in nearby Media, PA. It's a wonderfully unique local and international crafts and artisan goods store run by two amazing people. A super-fabulous kid-friendly place to shop with an eclectic collection of baby and kid toys, gifts, collectibles. Welcome (and thank you) Earth & State!!!

Our first sponsor, Earth & State

Valentines Dates for the Whole Family

Ok, so Valentine's Day is fast approaching and in my particular case we have tapped my poor sister in-law too much this month to ask her to sit again on Valentine's so my hubby and I can head out for a "grown-up" dinner anywhere. Sooo of course I am now on the quest for the perfect "family date" to which a 22 month old would be a welcome addition.

I haven't gotten very far in my planning yet but it just occurred to me that maybe we could try out the new Stephen Starr pizza joint restaurant, Stella, for our meal. It is *supposed* to be kid-friendly and easy on the wallet so I suppose it's a contender. Have you been? What'd you think? Now, to find a pre-date Valentines activity for the whole fam, too...

If you have older children, check out this great idea from the Philly School of Circus Arts (right??? who knew?!?) - Parent's Night Out on Valentines where you can drop off your kid(s) age 5-12 for three hours of food and fun circus-school style while you and your beloved hit the town for a romantic night out. Brilliant!!

What are you and your families doing this Valentines Day?

Valentines Dates for the Whole Family