It's no trick - don't cook tonight

Happy Halloween!! Hope you day is filled with fun and lots of treats all around. Here's a treat for ya? Don't feel like cooking tonight? No problem. Before going out trick or treating, take the family to Applebee's where tonight kids aged 12 and under eat free as their treat to parents. Or, head over to The Pop Shop in Collingswood, NJ where kids eat free all day from 8 am - 8pm with the purchase of an adult meal.

It's no trick - don't cook tonight

Halloween Weekend PhillyFun Picks

Halloween weekend is finally here. I don't know who is more excited - my daughter or me!! I LOVE Halloween - the decorations, the costumes, excited happy kids, oh and the candy? Bonus!! If you're hosting a party or heading out, why not try this pumpkin cream cheese dip recipe? I made it for my playgroup's halloween party and served it with cinnamon raisin bagel crisps (but I think Stacy's cinnamon pita chips would work great, too) and all the mommys went crazy for it. Plus, there is just so much to do it's almost overwhelming. How do you choose with all that's out there for families this weekend? Well, lucky for you here's our line-up of select Halloween events that are free (or mostly free) and fun for the whole family. Have a wickedly wonderful weekend!

P.S. Hey, did you hear that Philly is ranked #16 in the nation for best cities to trick or treat by real estate site Zillow? Yay Philly!


Cleo-cat-ra and Bark Antony Pet Contest
Franklin Institute steps at 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Sat. Oct. 30
1-3pm

Halloween is for the dogs (and cats!) this Saturday Oct. 30th from 1-3pm where costumes aren’t just for people at The Franklin Institute’s Cleo-cat-ra and Bark Antony Pet Contest event. Dress your precious pet up in the best Egyptian gear you can find to enter fluffy in the costume contest for a chance to win a $500 cash prize (2nd place is $250 cash and third place winner gets 2 tickets to Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt exhibit. Humans encouraged to dress up as well and face painting for the kids will also be available. Registration begins at 1pm. Judging starts at 2pm. Advanced registration is required for all pets 215-448-1152, or email ssanto@fi.edu. Free!


Rittenhouse Row Annual Halloween Celebration
The Shops at Liberty Place
Philadelphia, PA
Sat. Oct. 30
10am - 5pm

Liberty Place is the place to be on Saturday morning for some indoor celebration and trick or treating in the Rittenhouse Row Annual Halloween Celebration to include a costume contest from 10-11am. Music from 95.7 BEN FM, games, prizes and of course, trick or treating from 10am-5pm along the shops. Other kid friendly activities available on the trick or treat route include kids costumed yoga, free face painting and $5 children’s Halloween themed manicures. Kids can pick up bags and maps for participating vendors in the Rittenhouse Row Trick or Treating celebration inside Liberty Place.


Manayunk Costume Trick or Treat and Pumpkin Painting
Canal View Park
Manayunk, PA
Sat. Oct. 30
12-4pm

Enjoy the Manayunk Costume Trick or Treat and Pumpkin Painting celebration and costume parade for kids and pets in Canal View Park in Manayunk this Sat. Oct. 30th from 12-4pm. Costume parade starts at 2pm. All kids who participate in the parade get a free ice cream cone! Face painting and more fun, too!


Halloween at Smith
SMITH The Kids Play Place in the Park
Philadelphia, PA
Sat. Oct. 30
10am - 1pm

It’s not just Halloween weekend, it’s also the last weekend of Playground Season at SMITH so head on over to this 6 acre playplace for kids in the middle of East Fairmount Park for some free Halloween Fun. Kids 10 and under can enjoy a costume parade, crafts, self face-painting special goodies and more at this FREE event with the Junior League of Philadelphia. Parade starts at 11am. Don’t forget the costumes!

Beck’s Cajun Halloween at Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market
12th and Arch
Philadelphia, PA
Sat. Oct. 30
11am - 3pm

Ok so this might be more for the adults than the kids but I promise you it’ll be worth it!! Get your whole family to Reading Terminal Market on Saturday Oct. 30th for Halloween fun like you can only find in the Big Easy but right here in Center City. It’s Creepy Crawly Cajun Halloween at Beck’s Cajun Café in Reading Terminal Market from 11am-3pm where you can enjoy a visit from the Swamp Man and the Voodoo Lady plus Creole singing and storytelling from Kent Courtney. But most importantly grab some grub while you’re there because it is frightfully good. I can personally recommend “The Train Wreck” Po Boy with andouille sausage, steak, salami, cheese, and onion - a heavenly and happy melding of a Philadelphia cheesesteak with a spicy cajun PoBoy. (See? I told you this was maybe a little more for the adults than kids, right?) Don’t worry – kids will love to munch on the monstrously good bread pudding and maybe even take part in the Bread Pudding eating contest for a chance to win $150 in gift certificates. Free!

The Witches of Narberth and Parade
Downtown Narberth
Forrest Ave. and Haverford Ave.
Narberth, PA
Sat. Oct. 30
1-4 pm witch hunt, parade starts at 6:30pm

It’s a friendly family Witch-Hunt right in downtown suburban Narberth on Saturday Oct. 30th!! Kids can pick up a game card at the corner of Haverford and Forrest Ave. with clues to help them hunt down the witches scattered throughout the borough’s shops. Once children find all 13 witches they head back to the starting point to claim a special Halloween prize. Witch-hunt runs from 1-4pm. Then stick around for the annual Narberth Halloween Parade starting at 6:30pm. Kids and their parents can parade through Narberth. Children receive treats and a goodie bag at the end of the parade. Both the Witch Hunt and Costume Parade events are free.

Midtown Village Celebrates Family Style Halloween
13th and Walnut
Philadelphia, PA
Sun. Oct. 31
12 Noon - 5pm

Sunday Oct. 31st from 12 Noon to 5pm Midtown Village is transformed into trick or treat haven for revelers of all ages with costumed merchants handing out cider, candy and other treats (and some tricks) for all! Halloween stroll starts at 13th and Walnut and continues through cross-streets. Complete list of participating locations available at http://www.midtownvillage.org/events.php?id=61. Free.


Wanamaker Grand Court Organ Halloween Spooktacular
Macy’s
1300 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
Sun. Oct. 31
2:30pm

Before heading out for trick or treating stop by Macy’s on Sunday Oct. 31st at 2:30pm for a free concert on the Wanamker organ by Gordon Turk from the Ocean Grove Auditorium. After the concert, families can stay for the rest of the Halloweeen Spooktacular to include a viewing of Phantom of the Opera accompanied live by organist Jim Riggs for $10. Refreshments and folding chairs will be available.



Trick or Treat at the Pop Shop
729 Haddon Ave.
Collingswood, NJ
Sun. Oct. 31
8am-8pm free kids meal for costumed kids
1-5pm trick or treating

Costumed kids can trick or treat at The Pop Shop in beautiful Collingswood, NJ and hit the many other shops along Haddon Ave for treats and goodies from 1-5pm on Sunday Oct. 31st. Kids ages 14 and under and in full costume dine free off the Squirts menu all day from 8am-8pm with the purchase of an adult meal. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner or all three meals at The Pop Shop as their special Halloween treat to Moms and Dads! Plus menu options include seasonal Halloween fare like Pumpkin milkshakes, Harry Potter’s Butter Beer, and Chocolate Covered Pickles. Free.

Halloween Arts Fest
Fairmount Arts Center
2501 Olive Street
Philadelphia, PA
Sun. Oct. 31
11:30am - 3:30pm

It’s the 4th Annual Halloween Arts Fest at the Fairmount Arts Center on Sunday Oct. 31st from 11:30am – 3:30pm. Costumed kids can make special Halloween themed crafts and enjoy oodles of art activities ranging from face painting, music and more. Free.


Kids’ Spook Fest
Ile Ife Park
2544 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA
Sun. Oct. 31
starts at 12 Noon

Enjoy KIds' Spook Fest, a free family festival hosted by The Village of Arts & Humanities at Ile Ife Park starting at 12 Noon on Sunday Oct. 31st. Festival includes arts, crafts, games and fun for kids of all ages. Free.

Halloween Weekend PhillyFun Picks

Opening Week at Freedom Playground

While we had a fabulous time at the Boo at the Zoo this past Sunday, we did miss the Opening Day of Freedom Playground amidst all the Halloween hoopla. But that doesn't mean we can't get there this week to enjoy this unique all-access play place during its launch week. What a great week to get out and enjoy this amazing new playground during such warm weather, too!

Freedom Playground, located in Havertown, PA, is built with Universal Design principles in mind. This means that children and adults alike will be able to use the playground regardless of their abilities. Children with disabilities frequently have very few places to play and often overlooked are the children of adults with disabilities as most playgrounds are not adapted for handicapped accessibility.

The playground uses composite lumber for both safety and longevity. The ground cover is “Poured In Place”, a solid cover similar to track and field tracks that is literally poured in place and troweled smooth. This provides accessibility for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers and crawling babies as well as providing more days of play per year since water drains through the material.

At Freedom Playground ALL children have the opportunity to go down a slide or play tag on the accessible ground cover. Freedom Playground provides a play place for children with varied disabilities, including physical, mental and sensory issues.

Opening Week at Freedom Playground

Wendys Pick 2 and Giveaway: There IS such a thing as a free lunch for one lucky winner

Ok, I am not going to lie to you.... When I was asked by The Motherhood to participate in a Wendy's Pick2 lunch for some area mommy bloggers, I got really excited. First off, I already had tried the new WendysPick2 Menu and it rocks! Second, I got to have a "free lunch" and meet some new friends in the process??? Double win!!

So off to Wendy's I went with my 2.5 yr old and my 5 month old to have a tasty lunch and meet up with some other local mommy bloggers and their friends.

The Wendy's Pick2 Menu gives you 28 delicious combinations to choose from - PERFECT for an indecisive girl like myself. I almost got something different but then I decided to have the same combo I had last time because I liked it so much - a half of a BLT Cobb salad and an order of chili. It was, once again, delicious!! I am a hungry girl and I like to eat and frankly I hate ordering salad out because it never fills me up but this was perfect because I got the BLT Cobb (which I love) AND a nice hearty cup of chili. It was so much food, I had to get a bag to take some home and it was just as tasty as I remembered. Maybe next time I'll get a little more adventures and try a different salad (like the Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad or the Baja Salad or maybe the Apple Pecan Salad) or a different side (like a Baked Potato or Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or a Chicken Go Wrap). Mmmmm... the possibilities. And the Wendy's Pick2 lunch is only $4.99 - total bargain, right?

As if the yummy lunch wasn't enough, I was delighted to see Joey of Real Mom in the Media, Sarah of Genesis Moments, and Linda of Frugal Philly Mom again. And so happy to meet new mommy bloggers (in no particular order) Tara of BabyMommaBlog, Stephanie of Montgomery County Moms, Melissa of GirlyMamma, Shannon from Philly Burb Moms, Julie of Just Precious, and Mindi of Moms Need to Know.


(me, Sarah and Joey)

And last but not least, I am happy to share the love by giving away two giftcards for $7 each to Wendy's (that's $14 worth of Pick2 happiness, people!) for one lucky winner to go and try out the new Pick2 menu, too. To enter, leave a comment below by next Monday Nov. 1st at midnight Eastern. The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on Tues. Nov. 2nd . Increase your chances to win by following us on facebook and/or twitter (and then leave another comment below to say you are now following us). If you already follow, just leave another comments below that you already follow us. And if you tweet about the contest using the hashtag #phillyfun4kids, you get another chance to win. Make sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win. Good luck!!

Congratulations to Nicole-Lynn!! You are the lucky winner of our Wendy's Pick2 Giftcard giveaway!! Now you can try that Apple Pecan Chicken Salad - YUM! Thanks to Nicole-Lynn and everyone who entered!

Disclosure: The Motherhood and Wendy's provided me with a complimentary meal and a stipend and giftcards for giving away for participating in this lunch. All opinions expressed about the deliciousness of the meal or my joy at seeing and meeting these mommy bloggers are all my own.

Wendys Pick 2 and Giveaway: There IS such a thing as a free lunch for one lucky winner

Weekend phillyfun picks for Little Ghouls & Goblins

With only a week to go 'till the big Halloween event, the frightful fun sure is plentiful this weekend. Grab your little goblins and head out for some of these select fabulous Halloween events in and around the Philadelphia region this weekend. There is so much to do don't you wish the weekend lasted longer so you could enjoy them all???

Frankenstein’s Birthday Party
Sat. Oct. 23rd
10am and 1pm
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman
Pitman, NJ

Take the kids out for a special treat this Halloween to The Broadway theatre of Pitman to see the children’s production of Frankenstein’s Birthday Party. Good ' Ol Frankenstein and his gang of ghoulish buddies will have a blow-out birthday bash complete with the Monster Mash on Saturday Oct. 23rd at 10am and 1pm (Friday Oct. 22nd am tickets sold out). General admission tickets are $9 and available at the box office in advance or day of the show.

Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival
Sat. Oct. 24th
10am - 4pm
Reading Terminal Market
Philadelphia, PA
Free!

And where else can you get your last minute pumpkins and gourds for the week’s festivities to come? Right to the source at Reading Terminal Market of course! This Saturday Oct. 23rd marks the 10th anniversary of the Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival from 10am - 4pm. Filbert Street will be transformed into an urban farm, so if you can’t get out to Lancaster County you can still feel the joys of fall on the farm right in center city. Take a hay ride around the Market, guess the weight of a gigantic pumpkin, participate in festive craft-making, join in pie-eating contests, and, enjoy a bevy of delicious seasonal foods. Vendors will offer locally made, seasonal foods such as hot apple cider, candy apples, donuts, fudge, sausage sandwiches, barbecue, and more! Entertainment by local bluegrass band, Special Delivery. Admission to the festival is free.

Boo-Ha!
Sat. Oct. 23rd - Sun. Oct. 24th
Philadelphia Art Alliance
Philadelphia, PA

Enchantment Theatre Company presents the First Annual Boo-Ha! – a magical Halloween celebration this Saturday Oct. 23rd and Sunday Oct. 24 to include mask-making make and take crafts, a magic workshop and show and a Halloween costume parade. Children can come in costume and each child will get a goody bag of treats, too! Tickets $10 plus a $1.50 fee. Free for younger than 2 yrs. Credit cards accepted in advance. Cash only at the door. Tickets available at 215-496-9160 or online.


Goblins in the Garden Family Festival
Sat. Oct. 23rd - Sun. Oct. 24th
Camden Children’s Garden
Camden, NJ

Dress up your littlest goblins for some festive fun at the Camden Children’s Garden this Saturday Oct. 23rd and Sunday Oct. 24th from 12-4pm as part of the Goblins in the Garden Family Festival. Take a haunted train ride or meet costumed characters in the haunted maze. Enjoy the costume parade complete with trick or treating and celebrate the Mexican holiday of Dia De Los Muertos and much more for everyone. Free with paid admission $6 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-11, free for children 2 and under.


Haunted Seaport
Sat. Oct. 23rd
6-9pm
Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum
Tuckerton, NJ

Head to the Tuckerton Seaport, a working maritime village located along the Tuckerton Creek, to witness Haunted Seaport where pirates and sea captains long lost at sea return for a haunt and stroll the boardwalk for other frightful sights and sounds. The haunted fun at Tuckerton Seaport this weekend includes a Haunted Forest, hayrides, a phragmites maze, haunted boat rides, food, refreshments and a non-scary pumpkin patch for the little ones. Tickets General Admission $8, Hayrides $2 with paid admission. Black Pearl Haunted Boat Rides $10.00 per person.

Shiverfest
Sat. Oct. 23rd
4-9pm
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
Gladyne, PA

Children and families are invited to join the Riverbend Environmental Education Center for Shiverfest - a day of unforgettable, fun-filled, Halloween-themed activities including: reptile show, pumpkin decorating, crafts, storytelling by the campfire, haunted hike, costume parade/contest, and much more! Tickets $12, ages 2 and under free.


Boo at the Zoo
Sat. Oct. 23rd - Sun. Oct. 24th
10am - 4pm
The Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia, PA

Don’t miss The Philadelphia Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo’s final weekend for the season this Saturday Oct. 23rd –Sunday Oct. 24th from 10 from 10am-4pm. Dress up the whole gang and head to the Philadelphia Zoo for trick or treating, crafts, storytelling and special appearances all weekend long. And several times daily families can witness Beast Feast as the zoo animals get their own special harvest treats, too. Free with paid admission Adults $18.00, Children ages 2-11 $15.00, children under 2 Free.


Great Pumpkin Carve
Sat. Oct. 23rd
5-9pm
Chadds Ford, PA

Families can head out to the beautiful Brandywine Valley this Saturday Oct. 23rd from 5-9pm to see giant carved pumpkins come magically to life as they are illuminated and on display along the rolling Chadds Ford grounds for The Great Pumpkin Carve. Kids can enjoy hayrides and delicious food along with live entertainment and more. Tickets $5 for adults, $3 children 7-17, ages 6 and under free.

Free Halloween Party for Families
Sat. Oct. 23rd
3-5pm
Filter’s Square
Philadelphia, PA
Free!

Find your way to Fitler’s Square for a Free Halloween Party for Families Co-Sponsored by The Rosenbach Museum & Library and Fitler Square Improvement Association. Enjoy a free afternoon of fun for all including face painting, make and take Halloween crafts, live entertainment by The Cat’s Pajamas.

Costume Parade
Sun. Oct. 24th
12 Noon - 5pm
Linvilla Orchards
Media, PA
Free!

Take a drive out to Linvilla Orchards on Sunday Oct. 24th for their annual Costume Parade. Kids in costumes get a special treat. Fun prizes for various age groups. Dance party and Makin’ Music Rockin’ Rythms performance as well. Parade is free but other attraction ticket prices vary.

Free Family Halloween Concert
Sun. Oct. 24th
3:30, 5, and 6pm
MilkBoy Coffee
Ardmore, PA
Free!

At Milkboy Coffee in Ardmore, this Free Family Halloween Concert is specifically designed for Meridee Winters School of Music beginner to intermediate students - so they have an inspiring start to their journey of music making. Piano students play on a magic keyboard, conjuring a wide variety of sounds from twinkling bells to haunting strings and vocalists can perform songs from their favorite musical or artist – from Ode to Joy to Harry Potter, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies to High School Musical – their imagination is the limit! Free!


Pumpkins
Sun. Oct. 24th
7-9pm
The Highlands Mansion and Gardens
Fort Washington, PA

Take a drive out to The Highlands Mansion and Gardens in Fort Washington this Sunday Oct. 24th from 7-9pm to tour the elaborate pumpkin display via car with the whole family. Spectacular pumpkins carved to look like celebrities, cartoon characters and scary images are on display for all to welcome Halloween. $15 per car. All proceeds benefit the The Highlands Historical Society.

A Ghoulish BRIDE Family Spooktacular
Sun.. Oct. 24th
2-5pm
Painted Bride Art Center
Philadelphia, PA
Free!

The Painted Bride hosts A Ghoulish Bride Family Spooktacular family playdate on Sun. Oct. 24th. Costumes optional but in this case, it’s better to come without so you can be decked out with monster face painting, ghoulish draping and blood effect make-up for all! Once you and the family are sufficiently spooky, head on to the dance floor to rock out to Michael Jackson’s THRILLER along with pro choreographer Rhonda Moore. Ghost stories and much more for all. Free!

Weekend phillyfun picks for Little Ghouls & Goblins

phillyfun4kids Friday picks

Looking for something to do with your kiddo this morning? Check out the We Kids Rock! free demo class in Narberth at 10:30am today Fri. Oct. 22nd. Class is 45 mins. long and features a teacher on guitar while the other leads as kids sing, clap, dance, play rhythm instruments and most of all HAVE FUN!! A great introduction to music for little “rockers” everywhere. We'll be there! Hope to see you too.

And because it's a week before Halloween there is no shortage of festive fun tonight:

Hauntless House
Blue Bell Play & Learn
Blue Bell, PA
Friday Oct. 22nd
6:00-7:30pm

If you have little ones that are too easily spooked, there is still plenty to do this Halloween season including heading to Play & Learn in Blue Bell, PA tonight for some non-scary Halloween fun. Kids can wear their costumes and enjoy fright-free games, music, treats and more. Admission and parking are free.

Gaggles of Ghosts & Ghouls
Peace Valley Nature Center
Doylestown, PA
Friday Oct. 22nd
6:30-9:00pm

Take a haunted hike led by teacher naturalists at the Peace Valley Nature Center in Doylestown this Friday night Oct. 22nd from 6:30-9:00pm. Meet some unearthly "creatures" along the way that will educate your little hikers about wildlife. Take a load off after your family hike by warming by the fire by toasting marshmallows to browned perfection. Walks are ongoing throughout the evening. No pre-registration necessary. Groups are welcome! Admission $5.


Great Pumpkin Carve
Chadds Ford Historical Society
Chadds Ford, PA
Fri. Oct. 22nd - Sat. Oct. 23rd
5:00-9:00pm

Families can head out to the beautiful Brandywine Valley this weekend for the annual Great Pumpkin Carve running through Saturday Oct. 23rd from 5-9pm. See giant carved pumpkins come magically to life as they are illuminated and on display along the rolling Chadds Ford grounds. Kids can enjoy hayrides and delicious food along with live entertainment and more. Tickets $5 for adults, $3 children 7-17, ages 6 and under free.

phillyfun4kids Friday picks

Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival

(photos by G. Widman for GPTMC)

This Saturday Oct. 23rd marks the 10th anniversary of the Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival from 10am - 4pm. Filbert Street will be transformed into an urban farm, giving those who can’t get out of the city a chance to enjoy all that fall has to offer.

Closed to vehicle traffic, Filbert Street will be filled with bales of hay and corn stalks, providing festival-goers with a true “country” experience. Visitors and shoppers alike are invited to climb aboard an authentic farm tractor for a hay ride around the Market, guess the weight of a gigantic pumpkin, participate in festive craft-making, join in pie-eating contests, and, of course, partake of delicious seasonal foods. Vendors will offer locally made, seasonal foods such as hot apple cider candy apples. There will also be donuts, nut brittles and fudge, sausage sandwiches, barbecue, and more!

Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by local bluegrass band, Special Delivery. Admission to the festival is free.

Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival

Fall Fun at Morey's Piers

Have you ever been to Morey's Piers in Wildwood before? Well I hadn't been in a long, long time. See, I'm not a Wildwood girl (been going to OC all my life) so I am not really familiar with all that Wildwood has to offer. Maybe I was there as a kid for a night having made the drive with family or something but I really didn't know much before a few weekends ago when I had the unique chance to check out Morey's Piers in Wildwood NJ with a bunch of other Philly area mommy bloggers as part of the first ever Morey's Piers Boardwalk Blogger Bash.

It was closing day so the place was packed but there was so much to do and it was so large, we almost didn't know where to begin. My 2 and a half year old and I rode the rides (teacups, hot air balloon ferris wheel, cars, boats and more). She had her face painted like a butterfly (and wouldn't let me wash it off for two days!!). We played games, had dippin' dots, ate the largest slices of pizza we've ever had in our lives and just generally had an amazing time. Frankly, I can't wait to go back next summer! If you haven't been to Morey's Piers in a while or if you've never been - I can honestly highly recommend the trip. Your family will have a blast!! They're closed now for the 2010 season, but start planning for next summer. You won't regret it!

Did you know it's the largest seaside amusement park in the Western Hemisphere? And did you know it was voted third best seaside amusement park by in the WORLD in both 2007 and 2008 by Amusement Today? It's an amazing place spanning four piers featuring over 100 rides and attractions, including two full-scale beachfront water parks. And it's not just fun for the kiddos either. Did you know you can have a gourmet breakfast 160 feet above sea level on the top of the Ferris Wheel as part of their Breakfast in the Sky package? Or that you can rent a cabana for your whole family to enjoy? Or that you can get spa services while your kids are off riding the rides? Yep. Now you do...

Disclaimer: Morey's Pier generously provided bloggers and their families free admission to Morey's Pier and a few vouchers for food and games for the Boardwalk Blogger Bash. Thank you, Morey's!! All opinions expressed about Moreys Piers and the family fun that ensued are my own.

Fall Fun at Morey's Piers

Weekend phillyfun picks

Enjoy these great weekend pix for some fall fun for the fam!


6th Annual Battle of the Soft Pretzel
Friday Oct. 15
Noon - 1pm
Independence Visitor Center

The dough battle begins and ends this Friday Oct. 15th from Noon -1pm as Philadelphia area pretzel makers compete in the 6th Annual Battle of the Soft Pretzel to see whose soft pretzel reigns supreme. Bring out the kiddos and enjoy savory samples from around the region ranging from the traditional Philly soft pretzel to some unique and tasty twists sure to delight. Come early, come hungry and be ready to help pick the champion Philadelphia pretzel maker. Free.


Scarecrow Walk and Fall Festival
Sat. Oct. 16 - Sun. Oct. 17
10 am - 5 pm
Morris Arboretum

It's the last weekend to enjoy Morris Arboretum's Scarecrow Walk so head out to cast your vote for your favorite scarecrow and enjoy the arboretum's beautiful grounds and exhibits. Check out more than 30 original designer scarecrows along Oak Alley in the Arboretum's Fall Garden. Free with paid admission Adults $14, children 3-17 $7, children under 3 free.


Boo at the Zoo
Sat. Oct. 16 - Sun. Oct. 17
10 am - 4pm
Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo’s much anticipated Boo at the Zoo has been extended to now include two weekends and kicks off this weekend. Dress up the whole gang and head to the Philadelphia Zoo for trick or treating, crafts, storytelling and special appearances all weekend long. Free with paid admission Adults $18.00, Children ages 2-11 $15.00, children under 2 Free.

Fall Festival 2010
Saturday Oct. 16
11am - 3pm
Schuylkill River Park

Head to the Schuylkill River Park for the Fall Festival 2010 this Saturday Oct. 16th from 11am-3pm to take part in the annual Fall Festival. There’s something for everyone at this year’s Fall Festival – families can enjoy music and dancing and other entertainment while kids can take part in fall games and crafts or get their face painted, and even the family dog can have fun too with a dog costume contest starting at 12 Noon and special doggie treats and canine activities sure to amuse. There will be raffles and silent auctions to benefit Friends of Schuylkill River Park. Rain date: Sunday Oct. 17th. Free.

Kinobe and the Soul Beat
Sunday Oct. 17th
2pm
Free Library of Philadelphia
Central Library Branch

This Sunday Oct. 17th at 2pm take the family to the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Central Library branch for a free performance event featuring Ugandian music, drumming and dance by Kinobe and the Soul Beat. Kinobe and the Soul Beat are on tour from Uganda with only one stop in Philly this Sunday so don’t miss your chance to experience a truly unique and totally free cultural event for the whole family. Free.


Pumpkin Days
Sat. 16th - Sun. 17th
10am - 5pm
Tyler Arboretum
Media, PA

Halloween is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than by enjoying Pumpkin Days at Tyler Arboretum this weekend. Pumpkin Days runs Saturday Oct. 16th – Sunday Oct. 17th and will include make and take pumpkin crafts, hayrides, face painting, walking jugglers and clowns and more. Kids can jump on Wizard’s Castle’s Moon Bounce and Bungee Trampoline. Special entertainment this weekend from Media’s own Makin’ Music Rockin’ Rhythms Band as well as Native American Performers, Toni Seaflower and Bart Standing Elk, accompanied by We Dubi Cung Drummers. Free with paid admission: $9 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-13, children 3 and under free.

Medieval Days
Sat. Oct. 16 - Sat. Oct. 17
Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation
Ridley Creek State Park
Media PA

Head a short drive out of the city to be transported in time – Medieval Time - in nearby Media, PA at the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation nestled on the Ridley Creek State Park grounds. Take the kids out to Medieval Days to see what medieval life was really like in the Middle Ages in Europe. Your kids won’t even realize they’re getting a history lesson as they traverse various encampments spanning from the Vikings to the age of Columbus spanning five hundred years of European peoples come to life. Light refreshments available for purchase. Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for children ages 4-12. Kids 3 and under are free.

KidsInCenterCity.Com Saturday Playdate
Sat. Oct. 16th
11am - 1pm
The Market & Shops at Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA

KidsInCenterCity is celebrating one year of awesome fun-filled Saturday Playdates this Saturday Oct. 16th and you’re invited!! Come out this Saturday from 11am- 1pm with the kiddos for make and take crafts, stories and celebration complete with party hats, balloons and free cupcakes from Termini Bros. Bakery (for the first 200 kids). There will also be a kiddie friendly DJ as well as special appearances including The Mouse King from The Pennsylvania Ballet so be sure to bring your cameras. Presented by the Center City District at the Comcast Center. Free.

Weekend phillyfun picks

Baby Loves Disco in Philly TODAY!

Oh how I wish I could take my dancin' fool toddler to the long-awaited return of Baby Loves Disco in Philadelphia today - Wed. Oct. 13th at 5:30pm at Club Fluid. I have been wanting to take my DD to Baby Loves Disco for so long but sadly we can't make today's event (pediatrician appts for both girls this afternoon). So I hope YOU and your little dancing queens can make it out for a great time! Here are the details:

Baby Loves Disco returns to where it all started! This Wednesday, October 13 at 5:30- Club Fluid. Come out to celebrate the release of our brand new soundtrack and Alex's Lemonade Stand. Dinner for the kiddos and lots of dancing and activiites too! Get you tix now! We would love to see you come out and have some real fun! Hope to see you there!!!

If you have been living under a rock for the past 6 years in Philly, Baby Loves Disco is slowly but surely transforming the hippest night clubs, children’s hospitals, shopping malls and schools into child proof discos as toddlers, pre-schoolers and parents looking for a break from the routine playground circuit let loose for some post naptime, pre-dinner fun. Baby Loves Disco is an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun and mixed by real djs blending classic disco tunes From the 70s, & 80s guaranteed to get those little booties moving and grooving. Get their faces painted, arms tattooed, make a sock puppet and sign a get well card for all the kids that need it the most. And we can’t forget about mom – there will be mini massages and more for all that want. And what would a party be without snacks, of which there will be plenty along with juice boxes for our parched dancers! It’s a superdance-party special mission to spread awareness and raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

This year, the disco bus is on the road (thanks to H&M, leaving a fresh trail of fun and funk as we dance our way across the usa, raising our sippy cups in a toast to life & lemonade in support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand. The wheels on this bus are only stopping at some very special rockin’ cities this year, so please help us spread the love to help a VERY special cause. All Baby Loves Disco proceeds will go back to help Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

A Little Bit About the Disco: The fun spills out from all corners of the club/ mall/ playspace/ or hospital: bubble machines, baskets of scarves and egg-shakers, a chill-out room (with tents, books and puzzles), diaper changing stations, a full spread of healthy snacks and dancing, LOTS of dancing. But at it’s core, Baby loves disco is a community event that brings kids together with kids and parents together with parents! So please come have a playdate with us…all for a great cause!! Tickets are available online at www.babylovesdisco.com/events, but they are going fast, so get to it! Log on to see where our bus stops next**

Baby Loves Disco in Philly TODAY!

Pumpkin Days at Tyler Arboretum

Get ready for Pumpkin Days coming up this weekend at Tyler Arboretum!!

Pumpkin Days at Tyler Arboretum, a long standing local tradition, is better than ever and happening this Saturday Oct. 16th - Sunday Oct. 17th from 10am-5pm in Media, PA. Dance to music by Makin' Music: Rockin' Rhythms Band. New this year, authentic Native American Performers, Toni Seaflower and Bart Standing Elk, accompanied by We Dubi Cung Drummers. Local favorite, Penncrest High School Band. Additional fun includes:

Go Pound Sand! Say these words to master stand sculptor, Chuck Feld, and watch him do just that as he creates an Arboretum masterpiece.

Get spooked in the Haunted Barn, a teenage favorite, take a Hayride, bounce on the Wizard's Castle Moon Bounce and Bungee Trampoline, have your cheek painted, enjoy our roving juggling stilt walker, clowns, Wawa Goose and more.

Plus: Food Court, make & take crafts, activities, popular Pumpkin Patch, pumpkin painting, games and contests - wow!

Nature's Enchantment: Totally Terrific Treehouses is open through Sunday, October 31. Visit this seaon's exhibition with 29 interactive structures and displays.

Complimentary parking only at Penn State Brandywine Campus, just down the road on Rt. 352. Continuous FREE shuttle bus service brings visitors to the Arboretum's admissions area. Strollers welcome. FREE with regular admission; no pre-registration required. Members: $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 3 to 15. Non-members: $9 for adults, $6 for children ages 3 to 15. Kids under 3 admitted FREE. Open rain or shine. Guest passes, coupons and reciprocal admissions are not redeemable for this event.
Free with admission ($9 for non-member adults, $5 children 3-13 yrs, free for children under 3); no pre-registration required.

And, don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a copy of "My Mommy Has Breast Cancer But It's OK" by 12 midnight tonight (Tuesday Oct. 12th).

Pumpkin Days at Tyler Arboretum

Phillyfun4kids Weekend Picks

With the rain gone and the temperatures hitting the high 70s this weekend, it should be a glorious fall weekend in Philly. Here are our top picks for phillyfun things to do with the family this weekend:

1st Annual Fall Festival
The Piazza at Schmidt's
Northern Liberties

The Piazza Farmers Market 1st Annual Fall Festival will take place this weekend in Northern Liberties Piazza at Schmidt’s. The Fall Festival will run from 10am-2pm on Saturday October 9th and will feature a no-utensils Pumpkin Pie Easting Contest, a pumpkin decorating contest for kids, a dog costume contest and more. Live music to include Port Richmond’s Trolley Stop, a Folk/Americana/Celtic band). Free.

Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival
Germantown Ave
Philadelphia

Head out to Chestnut Hill on Sunday October 10th for the Fall for the Arts Festival where you and your family can enjoy over 200 vendors of judged and juried arts and crafts, food courts, live entertainment and family fun including amusement rides and a free kids’ train ride. Festival begins at 11am and is free.

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(photo credit: Jack Ramsdale for Mural Arts Program )

How Philly Moves Open Studio
The Gallery at Market East
901 Market East
Gallery 1, Third Floor, Space 4141
Philadelphia

October is Mural Arts Month in Philly and to help celebrate, you can take your kids out to watch an exciting new mural being created and then to join in and help paint as well. The Mural Arts Program is pleased to join Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) for a two-day public opportunity to observe lead muralist Jonathan Laidacker and his team working on panels for How Philly Moves – an extraordinary new work of community-based public art designed by JJ Tiziou that celebrates the joy of dance and will permanently span the exterior of the parking garages at Philadelphia International Airport. The two-day open studio will take place this Saturday Oct. 9th and Sunday Oct. 10th from 12-6pm. Free.

How Philly Moves Community Paint
The Gallery at Market East
901 Market East
Gallery 1, Third Floor, Space 4141
Philadelphia

And on Saturday, Oct. 9th from 12-3pm, you and your kids can have a hand in helping to create this 50,000 square foot How Philly Moves mural by helping to paint panels that highlight Philadelphians dancing. What a wonderful hands-on way to introduce your kids to the nationally renowned mural arts scene in Philadelphia. No previous experience necessary and all supplies provided. Free.


Free Musical Snacktime
Milk & Honey Market
4435 Baltimore Ave
West Philly

This Saturday, October 9, from 2pm to about 3pm, there will be a free "Second Saturday" musical snacktime with our friend Jay from Around This World Music at Milk and Honey Market, 4435 Baltimore Ave. After a healthy Milk and Honey snack, Jay will be singing songs from Latin America, Africa and South and Central Asia and the Caribbean with you and your children (eight years-ish and younger). The snacktime is free and fun for everyone.


Kids’ Kitchen Comes to Life
Betsy Ross House
239 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA

Celebrate the new Kids’ Kitchen Exhibit at the Betsy Ross House this Saturday October 9th at 1pm with a cooking demonstration by City Tavern’s Chef Walter Staib. Kids can watch the celeb chef in action and enjoy tasty samples while pretending to cook colonial style in the new Kids’ Kitchen exhibit. Free with admission to the museum (suggested admission $3 adults/$2 children).


NBC 10 Day
Adventure Aquarium
Camden, NJ

NBC 10 and Adventure Aquarium are up to something fishy, and YOU'RE INVITED. On Sunday, October 10 head out to NBC 10 Day at Adventure Aquarium, where admission tickets will be just $10.00 all day (tickets are usually $17.95-$21.95). Guests of NBC 10 Day are invited to enjoy a fun-filled day of underwater exploration at Adventure Aquarium, as well as meet members of the renowned NBC 10 news team, who will be on-hand throughout the day to sign autographs, interact with fans and to help out with the Aquarium's live shows.


This Land is Your Land
Garden State Discovery Museum
Cherry Hill, NJ

Enjoy the day off with your kiddos on Monday by heading across the river to the Garden State Discovery Museum for the This Land is Your Land Columbus Day weekend event to honor Christopher Columbus and the spirit of exploration. Kids can make explorer related crafts and enjoy the discovery museum’s many exciting hands-on exhibits. Runs Saturday Oct. 9th – Monday Oct. 11th from 11am-3pm. Free with paid admission to the Museum $10.95.

Phillyfun4kids Weekend Picks