Play-a-Palooza at SMITH Playground this Sat

The weather might still have a chill but you know it's spring again when Smith Playground re-opens its 6 acres of outside play areas complete with more than 50 pieces of age appropriate outside play equipment for children up to 10 years of age. Smith also has the Giant Wooden Slide which your kids will delight in riding down and then climbing back up the walk with their burlap sack to ride it over and over and over. We LOVE Smith and the best part is - it's FREE! So head out this Saturday April 2nd for the official re-opening of SMITH Playground during their Play-A-Palooza with games, crafts and lots of fun. Co-sponsored by the Junior League of Philadelphia there's fun just waiting to be had this Saturday from 10am - 1pm. Hope to see you there!

Play-a-Palooza at SMITH Playground this Sat

Madeline Coming to the Keswick and Mary Poppins at the Academy

Madeline is coming to The Keswick Theater this Friday April 1st at 10:15am as part of The Keswick's Young Audience Series. Enjoy this classic children's character in ArtsPower's production of Madeline and the Bad Hat, an original musical based upon the much-loved book. The musical captures the blithe yet touching spirit of Ludwig Bemelmans's Madeline series. It traces the adventures of a young Parisian girl who – despite starting off on the wrong foot with a mischievous new neighbor – eventually learns that first impressions aren't everything. Recommended for grades 1-3. For just $8.50 children get admission to the show plus a small bottled water and pretzel pack.

And of course don't miss the production of Mary Poppins by producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh. One of Philadelphia’s most eagerly awaited stage productions, Mary Poppins runs at the Academy of Music through April 17 as part of the Broadway Season. Tickets for Mary Poppins start at $20 and can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce streets (open daily 10 am to 6 pm) or at the Academy of Music box office (open during performances only).

Madeline Coming to the Keswick and Mary Poppins at the Academy

Don't miss this one!! Imagination Movers Tix on Sale for Rue La La Members

Ok ladies... I signed up for Rue La La some time ago because I thought I might find a fashion score one of these days but turns out I got something even better!! DEEPLY discounted tickets to the wildly popular Imagination Movers show coming up next month at the Tower Theater!

I'd been thinking about whether or not to get tickets to take my almost 3 yr old who, of course, LOVES the movers but at the price of $67 dollars a ticket, I just couldn't justify the expense of three tickets knowing that at any moment my sensitive little Imagination Movers fan might get completely freaked and we'd need to leave without ever seeing a single minute of the show.

Look no further - Rue La La Philadelphia has a deal that ends in 22:48:26 no wait... 22:48: 25... well ... you get it... for tickets for only $35 each and they are great seats (Orchestra Level) and include a Special Edition Package of two-item food and soft drink coupons and a Special Edition Imagination Movers Tour poster.

Get 'em while they're still available!! You must be a member of Rue La La to get the deal so click here to get them via the phillyfunk4kids personal invite.

See ya at the Movers' show!!

Don't miss this one!! Imagination Movers Tix on Sale for Rue La La Members

FREE! Romp n" Roll Classes for Babies and Toddlers

It's Babypalooza at Romp n' Roll!!

Romp n' Roll of Willow Grove invites all children 3-18 months of age (and their grown ups) to try our Babies and Toddlers classes* for free all week from March 28 - April 2!

Romp n' Roll curriculum is specifically designed with the needs of early learners in mind. Every week you and your child will experience opportunities to enhance their motor development, social skills, and cognitive skills in a clean and safe environment designed exclusively for kids under 6.

Their Spring Session Schedule can be found by clicking HERE!

Call to reserve your space in a class today - 215-659-1025.
Reservations are required for classes and availability is limited based on class size.

*Free classes valid only for new customers. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

FREE! Romp n" Roll Classes for Babies and Toddlers

Japanese Story Time at the Lansdowne Public Library

Not sure how to do your part for helping the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami? Now you can educate your kids about Japanese culture and provide a little financial relief as well!

Enjoy Japanese Storytime at the Lansdowne Public Library this Wednesday March 23rd at 6:30pm or Thursday March 24th at 10:30am. Guest reader will share a bit of her culture in addition to bilingual storytime and crafts. There will also be a Japanese Culture Display on view at the Lansdowne Public Library through April.

Donations are also being accepted through the Lansdowne Public Library's Reach Out To Japan efforts. Make checks payable to "American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund" with the memo line that states "Japan earthquake" which ensures the money is used for Japan relief. Drop off your check when you visit the Lansdowne Public Library and they'll send them off to the Red Cross.

One World Many Stories is the theme theme for the 2011 Summer Reading Program. The devastation in Japan is a story we share as part of One World.

And of course don't miss the events of the wonderful Subaru Japaese Cherry Blossom Festival this year running March 4th through April 15th.

Japanese Story Time at the Lansdowne Public Library

Weekend phillyfun picks

This weekend, the Celtic celebration continues with more Irish fun for the whole family. Plus meet Minnie Mouse, celebrate Purim, Spring Equinox, the Holi Festival of India and more!

Minnie’s Masquerade Celebration
Saturday March 19th
11am - 2pm
King of Prussia Mall
JCPenny Court
King of Prussia

Celebrate the upcoming debut of “Minnie’s Masquerade” on the new Disney Junior Channel at the King of Prussia Mall this Saturday March 19th and Sunday March 20th starting at 11am. Kids can meet and have a photo opp with Minnie Mouse herself! Play Minnie’s Masquerade themed games with the road crew and decorate make-and-take masquerade masks while waiting. Presented by Verizon FIOS and Disney Junior. Visit Radio Disney Am 640 for more information. Minnie Mouse can only meet as many fans as time allows so arrive early to be sure not to disappoint your little ones! Free.


Irish Festival
Saturday March 19th
4:30pm
The Creative Living Room
Swarthmore, PA

Keep the St. Patty’s Day celebration going through the weekend at The Creative Living Room in Swarthmore starting at 4:30pm. Enjoy a festival of music, dance, stories, food and fun with performance by the McDade School of Irish Dancers. Crafts, face painting and light refreshments included. Tickets $6 per person. Reservations recommended. Call 610-544-5800.

Holi Festival of India
Saturday March 19th
12 Noon
Garden State Discovery Museum
Cherry Hill, NJ

Celebrate Spring at the Garden State Discovery Museum’s Holi Fesitval – an Indian festival of colors. Take part in dance and music from India and crafts and activities that highlight the country of India and the colors of the rainbow. Free with paid admission $10.95 for adults and children 12 months and over.

Tot Fair and Purim Carnival
Sunday March 20th
11:30am - 2pm
Temple Brith Achim
King of Prussia, PA

Get ready to celebrate the festival of Purim this Sunday March 20th with games, music, food, face-painting, prizes and more at the Temple Brith Achim from 11:30am – 2pm. Don’t forget to wear your costumes! Free.

7th Annual St. Baldrick’s
Sunday March 20th
11am - 4pm(ish)
Scottish Rite Ballroom
Collingswood, NJ

The 7th Annual St. Baldrick's Irish-themed family fun event at the Scottish Rite Ballroom this Sunday March 20th from 11am till 4pm will be sure to delight all ages with music, food, dancing, drinks, auctions, and more – all while raising money for pediatric cancer research. St. Baldrick’s is best known for its signature head-shaving events where volunteers shave their heads to stand in solidarity with the kids who typically lose their hair during cancer treatments. For those attached to their locks, however, head shaving isn’t a requirement for admission. Collingswood’s team, Collingswood Firefighters For A Kids' Cure, made of Borough firefighters and supporters has raised more than six figures for the foundation in prior years. They’ll go under the razors again, hoping to meet their fundraising goal of $100,000. $10 (includes food and beverage), free for ages 12 and under.


Rita’s First Day of Spring Free Ice Giveaway
Sunday March 20th
Participating Rita's throughout the Philadelphia area

Oh you know Spring is really here when the Rita’s Ice Giveaway is happening!! Take the fam, stand in line and get your free regular sized Italian ice this Sunday March 20th!

Weekend phillyfun picks

St. Patty's Week Fun

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone!!! The parades may be over but that doesn't mean there isn't still fun to be had for the milk and cookies crawl types... Check out these great St. Patty's Day options for the whole family!

Family Bounce - Irish Dancers
Wednesday March 16, 2011
5-8pm
Bounce U of Langhorne
Langhorne, PA

Enjoy Bounce U's Traditional Family Bounce with a little flair from 5-8pm at the Bounce U in Langhorne, PA. The dancers from the Ryan Kilcoyne School of Irish Dance will be entertaining us this evening from 6:00-6:30. Pizza will be available to order for $3.25 extra (includes bottomless soda). It will be a Night of Bouncing, Dancing, Food, Family and Fun! $10.95 per child.

Lucky Irish Story Time
Thursday March 17, 2011
1pm
Color Book Gallery
6353 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA

Kids can enjoy a reading of The Irish Cinderlad and then make their own pot of gold at the Color Book Gallery this Thursday at 1pm.

Giggle Gang Presents "St. Pat's Day Celebration"
Thursday March 17, 2011
10:30am
Springfield Mall
Springfield, PA

It's easy being green on St. Patty's Day! Join the Giggle Gang at the Springfield Mall at 10;30am for a Irish celebration. Dress us in your finest greens for an old Irish tale of luck and leprechauns!

Shamrock Hunt
Thursday March 17, 2011
12:30-2:30pm
Bounce U of Langhorne
Langhorne, PA

This is Bounce U's normal preschool playdate for 7 and unders but with a St. Pat's theme. The playdate features 1.5 hours of bouncing followed by juice and snack during a cool down time. The cost is $8.95/bouncer (parents bounce for free!!) Reservation are requested.

And if you just want to stay in, here are some ideas for some last minute ways you and the kiddies can still celebrate at home. Loving these "stained glass" shamrocks featured on Teach Mamma. Or how about baking some shamrock cupcakes like these or cool rainbow cupcakes like these found on Disney's Family Fun Magazine?

St. Patty's Week Fun

Family Nights at the International Flower Show

Family Nights at the Philadelphia International Flower Show
Friday March 11th - Saturday March 12th
Family Lounge Open till 8pm
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philadelphia, PA


So this is what we saw upon entering the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the Philadelphia International Flower Show earlier this week. What a sight! While it didn't completely measure up to the real Eiffel Tower, it certainly did make you feel AS IF you were almost there in Paris experiencing the tower for the first time. Folks were standing at the entrance ooohing and aaahhing at the tower as it lit up and played exciting french themed music. I danced with my daughter and was transported back to my incredible time in Paris where I first saw the tower and fell in love with not just Paris but the amazing Eiffel Tower and the shared experience of viewing it with others.

We had a good trip to the show. The entire experience (teething baby, sleepy toddler and forgotten Baby Bjorn aside) was quite wonderful and while the flower show always manages to transport me somewhere else that is is warm and full of sweet floral scents and vibrant winter-blah chasing visuals, this year in particular the show was pretty magical with a peek into Parisian life everywhere you looked.

I think *my* favorite display was the reflecting pool with the statue at the end and the blue illuminated panels. I don't know why but it was absolutely mesmerizing. The carousel stage was beautiful and the music was energetic, french and fun. Little peeks into cheese shops, cafes, pateseries everywhere you looked - along with beautiful floral displays just was pure heaven.

The Philadelphia International Flower Show with its magical French themed displays is in town this week and now more than ever the whole family can enjoy all that it has to offer. This year families can relax in the special Family Lounge where kids can create crafts, watch movies, play with toys and puppets and more. On Friday and Saturday March 11th -12th the lounge will be open until 8pm with special performances by French entertainer Ruthanne Annekey and her marvelous marionettes and music.

Tickets $15-$30. Be sure to print out the Family Fun Pack on the Flower Show website before you go for special savings!







Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society generously provided us with two tickets to the show however we would have bought them ourselves to not miss it anyway! All opinions expressed are my own.

Family Nights at the International Flower Show

Relaunch of You and Me Playdates at The Please Touch Museum

The Please Touch Museum, the Children's Museum of Philadelphia, has re-launched its popular You & Me Playdates series this spring with four months of creative parent-child play sessions. The workshop series offers parents and children an opportunity to join together to create music and art in joyful and innovative workshops facilitated by museum educators.

The 2011 season kicks off in March with Instrument Safari, a four-week session (Mondays, March 7, 14, 21 & 28) where parents and children can explore the wide world of musical instruments. Each week we will discover and play with a new instrument family. Everyone will be surprised by some of these unique music makers. All sessions include a fun instrument to take home so you can continue the music and learning wherever you are.

Let your creativity shine in Storybooks Art and Illustration (Mondays, April 4, 11, 18 & 25). Learn about the art of storytelling and create some of your own art during this interactive, literacy-based workshop series. Explore creativity, self-expression and imagination through special story times and art experiences.

Bebop and boogie your way through May with Jazz for Juniors (Mondays, May 2, 9, 16 & 23). Join the cool cats as they come out to play and learn about all things jazz! This You, Me & Music Playdate incorporates art, stories, dance, character visits, and take home activities, all with a musical focus with highlights jazz.

Parents and children can find inspiration in Please Touch Museum's collections objects by creating art using toys this June with Young at Art (Mondays, June 6, 13, 20 & 27). Families will have a "hands-on" interaction with the museum's collection of toys and an opportunity to explore a diverse set of new painting materials. This workshop series is all about toys, art and of course, play!

Playdates take place on Mondays for one hour, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m., and all prices include museum admission for one child and one adult. Additional fees apply for each additional child. Workshop sessions are $20 per session or 4 sessions for $75 for members and $25 per session or 4 sessions for $90 for nonmembers. Multiple child discounts are $5 per child for members and $10 per child for nonmembers. See the You and Me Playdates page for full details. To reserve a space in any session, call 215-581-3178.

Relaunch of You and Me Playdates at The Please Touch Museum

Weekend phillyfun picks

Hooray for March – the true harbinger of all things spring!! Lots to do this weekend in and around Philly including getting up close and personal with the animals, tapping some maples, Mardi Gras mask making and more!

Elmwood Park Zoo Opening Day Extravaganza
Saturday March 5
10am - 4pm
Norristown, PA

Families can enjoy reduced $7 admission all day Saturday March 5th (usually $12 for adults and $9 for children) at the wonderful and often underrated Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, PA. During their Opening Day Extravaganza, Kids can take part in special “learning hubs” with unique animal encounters, demonstrations by zookeepers, a moon bounce, music and more! Open 10am – 4pm. $7. FREE on Saturday for Norristown residents with proof of residency.


Family Maple Sugaring Exploration
Saturday March 5
10:30am
Tyler Arboretum.
Media, PA

Head to Tyler Arboretum in Media, PA for a guided maple sugaring exploration this Saturday March 5th at 10:30am. Start your maple sugaring indoors with a background presentation and then head outside to see how trees are tapped and sap is collected and boiled to make maple sugar. Then, finally taste the sweet finished product. $8. Pre-registration is required. To register, contact Joanne Landau, Registrar at jlandau@tylerarboretum.org or 610-566-9134 x215

Animal Open House
Saturday March 5
10am
Briar Bush Nature Center
Abington, PA

Enjoy a free open house of Briar Bush Nature Center’s animals including rabbits, rats, skunks, snakes, chinchillas, tarantulas and more. Families can enjoy learning about these unique creatures during Briar Bush museum’s open house on Saturday March 5th at 10am.

Saturday Playdate
Saturday March 5
11:30am - 1:30pm
Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA

It’s the Saturday Kids in Center City Playdate event this Saturday March 5th from 11:30am – 1:30pm. Kids and their folks can enjoy music by The School of Rock, lunch specials provided by Comcast Center merchants and information and fun by many local museums and cultural attractions as well as Sprout. Free

Free Sunday Mornings at the Brandywine River Museum
Sunday March 6
9:30am - 12 Noon
Brandywine River Museum
Chadds Ford, PA

It’s free Sunday mornings at the Brandywine River Museum this Sunday March 6th from 9:30am -12 Noon. Enjoy regional and American art from masters including three generations of Wyeths. Free.

Story Time Sundays with Betsy
Sunday March 6
11am
The Betsy Ross House
Philadelphia, PA

Gather round and sit with Betsy herself at the Betsy Ross House as she shares a Colonial tale and leads a craft activity for kids at 11am this Sunday March 6th. Free.

Mardi Gras Masks
Sunday March 6
2-3:30pm
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA

Celebrate Mardi Gras family-style by taking your kids to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts this Sunday March 6th from 2-3:30pm for Mardi Gras Mask Making as part of its Family Arts Academy series. Participants will learn how to create their own Mardi Gras mask using beads, sequins, feathers, jewels and more. Free with museum admission. Children 12 and under free with paying adult. Free to students and families in the School District of Philadelphia.

Weekend phillyfun picks

Yoga for Kids

There are lots of great Yoga for Kids options in and around the city so why not try out one of these local places to take your wee ones for some downward dog and cat pose fun!!

Kids Yoga (ages 2-5) every Sunday at Cerca Trova Yoga from 10:30-11:15am in Havertown. Partner with your toddler in simple animated poses, games, art, music and breathing exercises that help to strengthen coordination and build body awareness. We'll bark in downward dog, hiss in cobra pose and flutter our wings in butterfly, while we take a yoga journey that your child will never forget! This fun class provides bonding between parent and child, while strengthening their growing muscles. Both Mom and Dad are welcome! Class is 45 minutes. $10 a class 2nd child half price!

Storytime Yoga will be Thursday March 3 and April 7th at the Newtown Public Library in Newtown Square at 10:15 amfor ages 3-5 limit 10 kids Free! Call Angela to register 610-353-4373. Listen to stories and retell them through yoga poses that build body awareness and flexibility while breathing in a way that will teach your kids to calm themselves from the inside out. Plant the seed that will give your children the tools to be happy, healthy and aware.

Karma Kids Yoga on Wednesdays at the Shanti Yoga Shala allows kids to participate in fun-filled yoga poses & breathing exercises. Play yoga by imitating animals & nature and by using creative expression, games, music, art & storytelling. 4:15-5pm for Ages 3-5; 5:15-6:15pm for ages 6-9. $7 per class.

And if you can't get out to a yoga studio with the kids, why not try some poses at home? You can get some cool Kids Yoga Packs of cards with different poses such as The Kids Yoga Deck and The Yoga Zoo Adventure for learning new poses and having a blast right at home!!

Yoga for Kids