Danielle Smith

Latest posts by Danielle

The Best Free Swimming Pools in Philly for Families

Submitted by Danielle Smith on Sun, 06/25/2023 - 7:30am

Enjoy all eight lanes of Kelly Pool. Photo courtesy of Mica Root for phillypublicpools.com

The Department of Parks and Recreation’s outdoor pools, which include more than 60 pools around Philadelphia, offer a combination of open swim, family swim, lessons, and activities. There’s bound to be a wet and wild adventure not too far from home. So pack the towels and sunscreen in a bag, and head out for a dip.

Looking for more water fun this summer? We've got plenty! Check out some of the Best Water Parks Near Philly, or splash around at one of the areas Splash Pads and Water Playgrounds. If you'd like a more relaxing day on the water, you'll love these Swimming Lakes Near Philly.

Favorite Philly Area Alpaca Farms for Furry Family Fun

Submitted by Danielle Smith on Fri, 04/21/2023 - 11:00am

Meet Chevy at Little Lost Creek Alpaca Farm in Harleysville. Photo by author

If you haven’t been to an alpaca ranch, you’re missing out on one of the most unique experiences around. Luckily, we've got loads of choices for Alpaca farms to visit in the Philly area.

These furry and friendly camel cousins can be fed, petted, and walked at alpaca farms throughout Philadelphia’s surrounding counties, often free of charge. These soft, furry sweethearts are shorn in the spring, and their fleece is used to make everything from clothing to stuffed animals to dryer balls, and the products are for sale at most of the alpaca farms in the Philadelphia area listed below.

Check out some of our favorite places to get up close and personal with these amazing animals. There are plenty more great animal farms in the Philly area, all of which you can find in our Guide to Philly Zoos and Farms.

What is Juneteenth? Celebrating Juneteenth 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Danielle Smith on Thu, 06/02/2022 - 10:39am

Juneteenth's signature drink is red soda water, a strawberry soda served with meals at many Juneteenth get-togethers. Photo courtesy of the author

Juneteenth, the holiday that observes and commemorated the end of slavery in America, was designated a federal holiday in 2021, and celebrations are becoming more widespread as people come to understand the historical significance and importance of this day for all Americans. Juneteenth has long been marked by large family and community gatherings in the south, particularly in Texas. Now that it’s receiving more of the recognition it deserves, we’ve gathered a few ways for families to have discussions about the holiday and celebrate Juneteenth 2023 together.

For more ways to celebrate Black culture, browse our favorite 30+ Children’s Books to Celebrate Black History Month, and read on to discover and support a Black-owned business near you.

Why Ocean Club Resort Turks and Caicos Is Tops on Our Family Vacation List

Submitted by Danielle Smith on Sat, 05/07/2022 - 12:00pm

Enjoy the clear turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos.

With pillowy white sand, clear turquoise waters, and laid-back vibes, it’s no wonder that Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, is consistently voted not only one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, but one of the best beaches in the world. My family recently stayed at Ocean Club Resort Turks and Caicos, one of several resort options lining Grace Bay, and had an unforgettable time that left us wanting more.

Grace Bay resorts range from high-end luxury to budget-conscious, and Ocean Club Resort Turks and Caicos falls roughly in the middle price-wise. We found that it had everything we needed from activities to accommodations to keep our family of five happy throughout our vacation. Read on for our review of Ocean Club Resort Turks and Caicos.

25 Awesome Dance Summer Camps Near Philadelphia

Submitted by Danielle Smith on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 10:34am

Move to the music at Sound Space Performing Arts. Photo courtesy of Sound Space

Parents of tiny dancers and not-so-tiny dancers alike will find several options for dance summer camps near Philadelphia. Students who'd prefer ballet camp, jazz, hip hop camp, and more can enroll in dance summer camps for preschoolers, kids, tweens, and teens in Philly and the suburbs. We found 25 dance day camps near Philly, including dance camps in Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Delaware County. Read on for a list of camps where children can explore creative movement and refine dance techniques.

For more summer camps in Philadelphia, including picks for preschool summer camps around Philly and free and affordable summer camps in Philly, be sure to bookmark our Philadelphia Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

101 Conversation Starters for Kids to Help Get Them Talking

Submitted by Danielle Smith on Tue, 02/22/2022 - 12:00pm

Sometimes kids need a little push to start talking.

“Good.” “Fine.” If these are the only things you hear from your kids when you ask how their day is going or how school was, you're not alone. Pulling a multi-syllabic response is harder than pulling teeth! But kids' minds are full of questions, thoughts, and feelings that they don’t always know how to—or want to—express. If only you had the right questions to ask. That's where these conversation starters for kids come in.

This list of conversation starters for kids can be a helpful tool to open the lines of communication and learn more about how your children see the world. It includes great questions to ask your kids about school, friends, emotions, and—for the bravest among us—how we’re doing as moms and dads. These conversation starters will get your kids laughing, thinking, and even responding. Throw them out over dinner, in the car, or anytime you just want to check in.

We’ve got plenty more ideas for how to unplug, laugh, connect, and share in our Boredom Busters for Kids guide, where you’ll find the 100 Hardest ‘Would You Rather’ Questions for Clever Kids and 101 Fun Facts That Will Blow Your Kids’ Minds. For more fun ideas delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters.

Harry Potter Casts Spell on Philly: New Exhibition Premieres at the Franklin Institute

Submitted by Danielle Smith on Mon, 02/21/2022 - 10:33am

The Hogwart's Houses gallery sets the foundation for the exhibition experience. Photo courtesy of Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Prepare to be spellbound…Harry Potter: The Exhibition is finally open at the Franklin Institute, and it’s every bit as magical as fans of the franchise would expect. A collection of immersive experiences capture the Wizarding World kids have come to love from the stories and blockbuster films. Original props and costumes are displayed alongside themed interactive installations, giving Potterheads a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite characters, scenes, and settings.

Team Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw can all personalize their journey at registration kiosks before entering the exhibit. From there, some 18,000 square feet of Potter-themed galleries wow guests, including simulated wand duels, potion mixing, and of course, a game of Quidditch. The exhibition hops a broomstick and flies out of town in September, and we recommend booking tickets immediately as weekends are selling out fast.

11 Kid-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak Spots

Submitted by Danielle Smith on Sun, 02/20/2022 - 9:47am

Try a whiz-wit at Tony Luke's, a reliable Philly cheesesteak spot with multiple locations. Photo courtesy of J. Varney for GPTMC

Philadelphia has cemented its status as a world-class foodie destination, but we’ll always be known for the Philly cheesesteak, and that’s just fine by us. It’s impossible to raise kids here without introducing them to the iconic sandwich at some point, and for visitors to the city, a cheesesteak run is usually at the top of the bucket list. So we’ve made our own list—of the best places to get a Philly cheesesteak with kids.

If there’s one thing you don’t want to get Philadelphians started on (besides the Eagles), it’s where to get the best cheesesteak in Philly, and how to order when it’s time to chow down. There’s the Cheez Whiz crowd, the chicken cheesesteak crowd, and myriad debates over the importance of fried onions and various condiments. However you choose to order (Whiz wit? witout?), here’s a rundown of cheesesteak places in Philly where families can enjoy the City of Brotherly Love’s quintessential meal.