Philly Parent Circle Blog

Best Weekend Activities for Philly Kids

Philly Parent Circle — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:54:54 -0500

It’s Monster Giveaway week at Philly Parent Circle where we’ll be giving away a Sesame Place season pass and admission ticket EVERY WEEKDAY for 8 days. Make sure you like us on Facebook and share with your friends. The more fans we have, the more giveaways we can run! This week enjoy a meeting with the Lorax at the Zoo, presidential arts, crafts and fun, and even some alligator wrestling!

Weekend Spotlight:

Visit the Treehouse at the Philly Zoo this weekend to meet Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax! Participate in a live reading, and have your photo taken with The Lorax while he makes appearances on the hour between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Don’t miss the chance to win tickets to an advance screening of Universal Picture’s Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, in theaters March 2. Celebrate Presidents' Day in historic Philadelphia with free events like chocolate-making at the Betsy Ross House, Presidential stories by Once Upon a Nation, and the Liberty 360 Light Show in the PECO theatre. Children will also have the opportunity to make unique presidential crafts inside the Historic Philadelphia Center. Come in from the cold to listen, share, and taste!

Get the best Philly events for families emailed to you directly every Thursday by signing up here. We include what's free, fun, and uniquely Philly for every day of the upcoming week. Our weekly events newsletter is free to all!

Top Weekend Activities for Philly Kids

Philly Parent Circle — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:36:51 -0500

Love in the air! Have you planned anything for Valentine’s Day? If not, read below and you’ll see Teddy Bear teas, “hearts” and crafts, romantic evenings for two and even some high flying Valentines from our friends at Philly School for Circus Arts. And if Cupid’s not your thing, there are plenty of other events happening this week from our favorite characters appearing all over the neighborhood, kid friendly disco, and fun on ice!

Weekend Spotlight:

Join the WHYY Kids Club this Saturday as they celebrate the power of L-O-V-E with Wonder Red and Alpha Pig! Enjoy making valentine crafts, playing games – like Alphabet Bingo and the Spelling Bean Bag Toss – and dancing and singing along to family-friendly songs with your Super friends!Smith Playground and the Junior League of Philadelphia will lead a fun and educational Love Your Heart event for kids 5 and younger this Saturday. Create their own valentines, listen to your heart, play a fun and active game of Musical Hearts, and enjoy more crafts and activities.

Get the best Philly events for families emailed to you directly every Thursday by signing up here. We include what's free, fun, and uniquely Philly for every day of the upcoming week. Our weekly events newsletter is free to all!

Top Weekend Activities for Philly Kids

Philly Parent Circle — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:09:49 -0500

Our favorite woodchuck has seen his shadow! For the first time ever, we’re thrilled he predicted six more weeks of “winter” weather. This weekend one of the most popular children’s performers, Bari Koral, takes the stage at World Café Live, Bank of America customers receive free admission to local museums, and Penn Museum celebrates the Year of the Dragon with their 31^st World Culture Day. From meeting Elmo at Please Touch, to exploring Van Gogh’s masterpieces, and a Black History treasure hunt, there is something for every family to explore this week!

Weekend Spotlight:

Bari Koral Family Rock Band’s catchy, pop-friendly tunes, interactive live shows and heavy rotation radio play have gained her band literally thousands of young fans. They perform Saturday at World Café Live. Ring in the Year of the Dragon at the 31st annual day-long celebration at Penn Museum. Bring the whole family and celebrate the New Year with a wide variety of music and dance performances, children's activities, storytelling, and arts & crafts.

Van Gogh Up Close Comes to the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philly Parent Circle — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:46:59 -0500

Van Gogh Up Close, a new exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is now open. We wanted to give you a brief look inside the exhibit that features over 45 paintings from the artist and share a few tips to get your little artist thinking like one.

The Museum describes the selected works on display as “bringing familiar subjects such as landscape elements, still lifes and flowers into the extreme foreground of the composition; focusing on them in ways that are entirely unexpected." Which is a wonderful theme for children to explore: what’s beautiful about everyday objects? Maybe the pattern of dirt on a sneaker or, like Van Vogh, the intricacies of a sunflower. Van Gogh focused on segments of a picture to create his masterpieces. So, for example, what part of your child’s favorite character or place would they draw? Perhaps Elmo’s nose? The hat on William Penn above City Hall?

12 Tips to Childproof Your Home

Philly Parent Circle — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:26:53 -0500

Keeping your child safe is every parent’s concern. That’s why we went to one of our partners, Kidproteq, to find 12 tips to keep your child safe from hidden in-home dangers. Did you realize that to baby electrical outlets look like smiley faces or that hard-mounted gates should be used for upstairs? We didn’t either.

1. When you bring home clothing from the dry cleaner, remove all plastic bags before putting clean items in the closet. These bags are a suffocation hazard.

2. Bundle loose wires from TV’s, DVD Players, Stereo’s, Computers, Monitors, Phones, and similar item with plastic ties.

3. Make sure that small throw rugs are tacked down to avoid slips and slides.

4. Many plants are poisonous if chewed or swallowed, keep out of reach.

5. Window cords and baby monitor cords should be no longer than 7” and placed far enough away from the crib that they cannot be reached or grabbed by little arms.

Can Philly Parents Change the School District of Philadelphia?

Philly Parent Circle — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:05:09 -0500

Christine Carlson is a Center City resident that graciously shared this letter with us. We, at Philly Parent Circle, support her efforts to engage parents to "help sustain our schools as vibrant places of learning and community anchors." If you would like to join Christine, please find her email address on our discussion boards.

The news coming out of the School District of Philadelphia is very troublesome, leaving many Center City families wondering if they should pull up stakes and head for the suburbs. I admit the thought has crossed my mind, but I'm not willing to give up and move away from where I want to live and raise my children. As a parent of young children who attend one of the elementary schools in the city, I know I'm not alone in believing we have great public elementary schools in Center City. My public elementary school is an enriching and comfortable place. The principal is engaged and dedicated. My children are happy with their teachers, have terrific friends and there is a real community inside and outside the building. The amenities of Center City speak for themselves.

There's no doubt that our schools could be even better, and that in these financially challenging times, our schools may be asked to make more sacrifices. For that reason, parents and community members will need to come together and help sustain our schools as vibrant places of learning and community anchors. Many of us are dedicated to doing whatever it takes.

Top Weekend Activities for Philly Kids

Philly Parent Circle — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:28 -0500

Snow finally arrived and now it's time for . . . summer camp? Say it ain't so! This is the weekend to start thinking about how to keep the kiddos busy during the months of summer and sand. Or, head out to West Philly Grows Again to find some amazing deals for your growing bump. Some of your little one's favorite characters will be popping up all over the region: from Bad Kitty to Clifford to Aladdin and Max and Ruby, there's bound to be a one-of-a-kind smile when you sit down in the theatre or get cozy for story time. Enjoy your week!

Weekend Spotlight:

The West Philly Grows Again consignment sale is here! Browse thousands of quality, pre-screened children's items at thrift store prices. The sale benefits St. Mary's Nursery School programs, scholarships, and activities. Event begins runs from 9:30 am – 2:30 PM on Saturday, cash only. It’s a Super Summer Camp Fair at the Conshohocken Marriott sponsored by Metro Kids. Meet with over 50 representatives of day, residential, and specialty camps and summer programs. Enjoy hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and goodie bags for the first 100 kids attending. Fair runs Sunday from 1 – 4 pm and is free.

Top Weekend Activities for Philly Kids

Philly Parent Circle — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:07:32 -0500

The temperatures are dropping but the activities are not! We've noticed that there are many bumps cooking at Philly Parent Circle and we hope to meet some of you in person at the Expectant Parent's Boot Camp at Please Touch this Saturday. And if we don't see you there, perhaps we'll catch you, your kids and our favorite monkey, Curious George at the zoo. This weekend we say goodbye to the Year of the Rabbit and hello to the powerful Year of the Dragon, so read below on ways to enjoy this cultural experience. Enjoy the week!

Weekend Spotlight:

This weekend meet Curious George at the Philadelphia zoo. Join him for a special story time, craft activities, and lots of other monkey business in the Treehouse from 10 am – 2 pm. Event is free with admission and runs Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, get ready for baby with the Please Touch Museum’s Expectant Baby Boot Camp. This day for expectant parents includes healthy living tips, baby proofing advice and even communication tools for the most sleep deprived couple, preparing you for the most exciting time in your lives! Boot camp runs 10 am – 1 pm, cost is $50 pp or $90 per couple.

Elmo's & Big Bird's Birthday Bash - Sesame Place

Philly Parent Circle — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:07:36 -0500

All of us at Philly Parent Circle love Sesame Place and we are excited to share with you these great season pass events.

Purchase your Sesame Place Season Pass at the lowest price of the season and take part in these Season Pass Exclusive Events:

Elmo's Birthday Bash

Saturday, February 4, 2012 and Sunday, February 5, 2012 11:30AM and 2:00PM

2012 Season Pass Member Exclusive Event! Come celebrate Elmo's Birthday with your favorite Sesame Place friends. Enjoy our brand new Dine With Me! menu at an all you can eat lunch buffet featuring Elmo & friends, character sing-a-longs, Elmo's World Live! Show, shopping at Finder's Keepers and unlimited rides on our Sunny Day Carousel plus a party favor for each child.

Big Bird’s Birthday Bash

Saturday, March 10, 2012 and Sunday, March 11, 2012 11:30AM and 2:00PM

2012 Season Pass Member Exclusive Event! Come celebrate Big Bird's Birthday with your favorite Sesame Place friends. Enjoy our brand new Dine With Me! menu at an allyou can eat lunch buffet featuring Big Bird & friends, character sing-a-longs, Elmo's World Live! Show, shopping at Finder's Keepers and unlimited rides on our Sunny Day Carousel plus a party favor for each child.

Visit sesameplace.com for more details or call 1-866-GO-4-ELMO to make reservations.

Top Weekend Activities for Philly Kids

Philly Parent Circle — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:19:42 -0500

Old Man Winter seems to have arrived and is staying for a while. But don’t worry, read below for some of the area’s best indoor fun. This week, enjoy some of our favorite character visits, a day of monkeying around, and an important day of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Make sure to also visit our discussion boards to get your free passes to a Philadelphia Wings lacrosse game and/ or the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Penn Museum. Enjoy the week!

Weekend Spotlight: This weekend, meet Clifford the Big Red Dog and learn about why dogs make good pets at the Philadelphia Zoo from 10 am – 2 pm. Meet and greet takes place in the treehouse with stories, crafts, and more. The Garden State Discovery Museum is always monkeying around, but this weekend, activities are all about our friends that climb, crawl and fly through the rainforest. The Philadelphia Zoo on wheels also makes a stop. Event runs 12 – 3 pm, cost is $11 per person.

Philly Resources: Consignment Tips from West Philly Grows Again!

Philly Parent Circle — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:57:35 -0500

Are you ready for some football? Or, shopping that is! Although this time of year, both can be rewarding, entertaining and competitive. Jennifer, PPC member and consignment sale veteran shares her helpful hints to help you increase your chances of shopping success whether you're a seasoned shopper or a rookie! And don't forget to try out these tips on Saturday, January 28^th is the West Philly Grows Again , kid’s consignment sale fundraiser benefiting St. Mary’s Nursery School, which is sure to fill the gaps in your lockers with great bargains on clothing, baby gear and toys.

#1: Be Prepared: Be sure to dress comfortably, bring cash, and don’t forget your favorite shopping totes! If possible, shop without your kids. Consignment sales can be crowded and you’ll want to be able to focus on your game without having to manage youngsters. Going solo also helps keep your purchases a surprise if they’re intended as gifts. Make a shopping “wish list” and be sure to include current sizes, adjusting for seasons. Remember that not all brands’ sizes are uniform, so it is helpful to bring a piece of string the length of their current inseam and knotted off at their arm length to help you get a better sense of whether something will fit or not. Also keep in mind that these items will have been through the wash a few times so they may be pre-shrunk. If pants seem too skinny or large, check inside the waist for adjustable button bands. Looking for footwear? Trace current shoes to make an outline for comparison.

#2: Shop Early / Shop Twice: The early bird gets the worm and with established consignment sales, those sale-savvy birds line up to get first peck on the deals! Know where the sale is located and the best way to get there, and how early you can get in. Many sales offer early shopping passes for shoppers who are also consignors, or volunteers . Most sales end with a reduced price window where you can scoop up more gear at half-price, making a second trip worthwhile. WPGA offers half-price on most items from 1:30-2:30PM.

#3: Look for Deals: Consignment sales are the best places to find yard sale or thrift store prices on merchandise that is in terrific condition. All merchandise at WPGA on January 28^th is screened by the sale organizers and will either be new or gently used. They don’t accept items that are torn, stained, or damaged. Individual consignors set their own prices, typically 30-70% off retail, but it pays to know the going price. If that $80 baby swing you’ve always wanted has a $25 tag on it, you’re best not to put it down or it might not be there when you come to your senses. Smart phones are great for checking prices but save that task for when you’re in line mulling over what to purchase and what to put back.

Hope to see you on game day – January 28^th – at West Philly Grows Again kid’s consignment sale fundraiser located at 3916 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA from 9:30am-2:30pm. At WPGA, consignors receive 50-60% of proceeds from items sold and the remaining 40-50% helps support St. Mary’s Nursery School, a non-denominational early learning center with nearly 50 years of history in the heart of University City! They’re currently full for non-consigning volunteers so those interested be sure to sign up early for the next sale.

For more information and how you can register to consign please visit here or the facebook page.

Top Weekend Activities for Philly Kids

Philly Parent Circle — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:25:44 -0500

Happy 2012! Hope you are off to a great start and keeping with your resolutions! We at Philly Parent Circle resolve to keep bringing you the best neighborhood resources, events and giveways! This week enjoy indoor mini golf, a discount on free play, free museum admission and lots of inside fun to burn off that energy in this chilly weather. Enjoy the week!

Weekend Spotlight: On the first full weekend of every month Bank of America credit card, ATM, and check card holders receive free admission to museums. In our area check out the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Garden State Discovery Museum, African American History Museum and more for free. This Saturday stop at Linvilla Orchards for a round of indoor mini golf. Fore! The Planet is a highly interactive and playful museum exhibit created by the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia! This exhibition pairs important environmental issues with the fun of 18 miniature golf holes.

Top Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve as a Family

Philly Parent Circle — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:06:59 -0500

If you’re at all like us, New Year’s Eve is the one holiday where we're always asking: what are we going to do? You know, without a doubt, that making it to midnight is very optimistic. And we are, of course, talking about the adults. It would be wonderful to book a reservation at a swanky restaurant, click champagne glasses and dance until it was time to head to our plush hotel room, but that was the stuff of two years ago. Or maybe never. We’re parents now! And celebrating New Year’s Eve in the middle of the day doesn’t sound half bad. In fact, it’s right up our alley. So we found six places for you to celebrate with your family. Break out the binkies and clink the sippy cups because these places have New Year’s Eve in Philly down for families.

Countdown to Noon at Please Touch

This fun, festive alternative to midnight is a must for parents and little ones. With ball drops at noon and 1 pm, your little party animal will feel like a big shot. The day includes special art and storytelling opportunities too. Plus, there’s a family dance party. The museum is open from 9 am – 3 pm. Countdown is free with paid admission.

New Year’s Even Countdown at Franklin Square

Starting at 5 pm, kid-favorite Franklin Square kicks off their New Year’s festivities. Grab a hearty winter meal from Square Burger, watch the “square” drop at 6 pm, and catch the fireworks from the Delaware River. Mini-golf and carousel rides will also be available for a fee.

Independence Seaport Museum & Blue Cross River Rink

There are two places for families to have the best seats in the house for New Year’s fireworks over the Delaware River at 6 pm. At the Seaport, grab a complimentary party hat and noisemaker before heading outside to the second-floor terrace. Party begins at 4 pm. At the River Rink, enjoy one of the most spectacular views the city has to offer from 5 – 7 pm. After this, you’ll never waste your time with all of that midnight nonsense. Enjoy snacks, party hats, noisemakers, crafts, face painting and more. Tickets are $20 for spectators, $30 for skaters.

Best Car Tunes for Philly Kids

Philly Parent Circle — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:03:20 -0500

Over the hills and far away to Grandma’s house we go! Sounds lovely for the first 10 minutes right? Enter this familiar scene: Cheerios are all gone, the novelty of big trucks has gone away and the “Are we there yets?” are in full force. Well, we did a little researching of the most fun variety and found some great kid tunes to keep those kids happy and singing. That is, until the next potty break. Here are some of our favorite local tunes to keep your car rockin’! What are yours?

· Mama Mac: Smooth, soulful and a ton of fun. You may even forget you’re listening to kid friendly music. That is, until your kids start shouting “Bongo Baby!” at every red light.

· Cat’s Pajamas: Their newest release Backseat Driver couldn’t be more appropriately named and more fun! Be ready to put this one on repeat – luckily, you won’t mind one bit.

· Two of a Kind: Folksy, fun while delivering wonderful messages about the world to our kids. Enjoy singing along to these educational tunes and you may even learn a thing or two.

· Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band: Rock and roll, kid-style with an amazing blend of instrument, lyrics and message for kids. You’ll love the mix between kid voices and adult voice, which adds another hint of sweetness to the mix!

Look out for these bands performing in some of our favorite local spots! We are very lucky to call these kid-friendly favorites local!

philly kid picks: FREE classes at NEST during Winter Registration!

Philly Parent Circle — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:30:08 -0500

NEST Philly, Philly's newest children's enrichment center and playspace is now registering students for the Winter Semester. This brand new, eco-friendly and imagination filled space offers a wide range of classes and services that are sure to delight you and your kids! And for PPC members, they are giving away 2 FREE SPOTS in EACH OF the following classes. To grab a spot, email here with your name, contact information, child's name, child's age, and choice of class! Please note class times when choosing your class. NEST Philly will choose the winners by Friday December 16th and confirm admission to the class. Classes and times are:

Pop Hop: DANCE class for ages 4-7 years
Pajama Yoga: YOGA class for ages 4-7 years
Nesties Movement: MOVEMENT class for 6-12 months
Lil' Monsters Movement: MOVEMENT class for 24-36 months
Toddlers in Training: ENRICHMENT class for 10-15 months
Little Angels: ENRICHMENT class for 4-9 months
The 4th Trimester: ENRICHMENT class for 0-3 months

NEST Philly is located at 1301 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA

Philly Kids Whine or Dine: Front Street Fountain - Media

Philly Parent Circle — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:46:28 -0500

the good
Anyone who takes a stroll through downtown Media on a sunny afternoon will notice that the majority of the town’s population is either pushing a stroller or riding in one. Must be something in the water there...or in the ice cream? Either way, Front Street Fountain is the perfect kid-friendly restaurant to add to an already kid-friendly town.

My kids always request to sit in the back dining room because they know about the kid-sized tables, the massive chalkboard wall, and the TVs with cartoons on. The best part is that mom and dad are right nearby at a regular table and it’s easy to supervise the kids and enjoy your meal at the same time. Also, there are TVs mounted on opposite walls so we were able to have the kids facing the one showing cartoons while we watched college football on the other. If you end up in the main dining room, you still win because your kids can watch the train travel along the track above the soda fountain area.

The food is pretty standard Philly fare from huge salad bowls to cheesesteaks and burgers. My favorites include the delicious, homemade chicken and tuna salads and the Turkey Florentine wrap.

the bad...

philly kid picks: arden theater’s charlotte’s web review

Philly Parent Circle — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:06:36 -0500

How does someone bring one of the most wonderful children’s classics whose main characters are largely a pig, a rat and an amazing spider to live theater and make sure that children of all ages can follow the story-line? Well, PPC favorite, the Arden Theater, has accomplished that in yet another magical performance on their stage. To be honest, I was a little concerned that my almost three and five year old would get easily confused with people playing animals but that was definitely not the case! Talk of stand-out Templeton the Rat and the rotten egg lasted way longer than the show did and Charlotte was so incredibly spider-like between the perfect casting, hanging from the rafters and general grace, there was actual little room for confusion. Even more exciting was the incorporation of the audience. Oh what delight that my son was chosen to “whack-a-mole” right on the stage and you could tell from the faces of the other children chosen at various parts of the show that the memory of being live on stage will last a long time to come. Best of all, we all walked away with the wonderful message about friendship, sacrifice and loyalty. Another wonderful way to show children the beauty of the arts and live theater as only the Arden Theater can.

Tickets for this show are available now through February 3. Also, as you think about the holidays and gift-giving this year, consider live theater with the Family Fun package!

Philly Kids Events: Narberth Dickens Festival + Latkepalooza and other Activities for the week

Philly Parent Circle — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:24:18 -0500

The weather is catching up to the calendar and there are plenty of activities to allow you to enjoy the cold brisk air of December and then the cozy and warm indoors. This week, avoid the dickens by joining Dickens. Dickens Fest in Narberth, that is. Enjoy latkes and more as we gear up for the Festival of Lights, rock out, sip cider, hang out with Santa in so many settings and so much more! Enjoy the week!

Weekend Spotlight: It's a Foodie Hanukkah with Latkepalooza in Philly. This insanely popular Hanukkah foodie tradition features gourmet lip-smacking latkes from some of Philadelphia's hottest restaurants complemented by live music from The West Philly Orchestra as well as a concert just for kids by Music Monkey Jungle. Stop by the new-this-year Holiday Bazaar too. Narberth puts on a must-see Dickens Festival that features live street performances by costumed Dickens characters, a scavenger hunt for kids, period vendors and street food, puppet shows, dance performances, horse and carriage rides, and much more.

Consignment in Philadelphia with West Philly Grows Again

Philly Parent Circle — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:10:35 -0500

It’s that time of year again and we’ve heard it all before: it’s better to give than to receive. So why not consign? It’s giving and profitable!

What is Consignment

Consigning is reselling your like new or gently used unwanted goods and turning them into cash for you and proceeds for the organizers with varying ratios between the two. West Philly Grows Again is a fundraiser that is organized by parents of St. Mary’s Nursery School in West Philadelphia. At WPGA sale, consignors receive 50-60% of proceeds from items sold and the remaining 40-50% helps support nursery school programs, scholarships and activities. As a consignor you set the sale price and, by volunteering, you increase your profits.

4 reasons to consign with West Philly Grows Again at their January 28th sale

Finding space

Reduce clutter in your home. Check your closets, drawers, garages, basements, and generally everywhere underfoot. As a parent, you’ll quickly discover many underutilized items taking up precious space.

Reusing & Recycling

Resist those frantic urges to just bag everything up on trash day and focus instead on the joy your items once brought, the space they would take up in a landfill and the cash you could turn them into.

Philly Kids Whine or Dine: Silver Diner - Cherry Hill

Philly Parent Circle — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:48:10 -0500

the good

The Silver Diner shines in the midst of a sea of malls and big box stores in Cherry Hill. I probably would not have spotted it but for the bright red beacon of light I could see from a mile away- a good thing because I find Cherry Hill to be the most challenging place on earth to make a left turn.

Once inside, I felt the stress and anxiety of the holiday shopping frenzy melt away as we were whisked off to a cozy booth and the kids were given activity placemats, crayons, and graham crackers to snack on. As a bonus, our booth had a jukebox which even had some kids’ tunes on it .

The menu at Silver Diner featured the type of food I like to cook for my family at home- simple, flavorful and healthy. My husband had a delicious turkey burger with a bun that looked heavenly while I opted for a grilled salmon with lemon sauce, served with salad, brown rice, and edamame.

the bad...