Cait Sumner

Latest posts by Cait Sumner

Best Swimming Lakes near Philadelphia

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 05/12/2023 - 8:00am

Bass River State Forest. Photo courtesy NJ State Park Service

Swimming lakes are the perfect summer destination that combines loads of water sports and fun with a day in nature.

There are no two ways about it: Kids love swimming! Lake swimming is perfect when the beach or the pool is too crowded, or when you just want to mix it up a bit. There are quite a few lakes in the Philadelphia area that offer great little beaches, picnic areas, and, of course, swimming. As an added bonus, most of these lakes are located in state parks, which offer lots of other great activities, including camping and hiking. Most lakes are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. So get your bathing suits on, load up the car, grab the sunscreen, and head out to one of these great local swimming lakes.

Looking for more summer fun? Check out our favorite Jersey Shore Beaches, or browse our roundups of Where to Go Camping with Kids and Kid-Friendly Places to Go Hiking. For all the best area swimming spots, our guide to Beaches, Pools, Spray Pads, and Water Parks has got you covered.

Best Water Parks Near Philly for Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 05/05/2023 - 11:02am

Enjoy water slides and water rides galore at the biggest outdoor waterpark in PA. Photo courtesy of Camelback Mountain Resort

Water parks are a great way to beat the heat in the summer, and the Philadelphia area has so many awesome places to make a splash. From water slides, lazy rivers, tubing thrill rides, surf simulators, toddler splash areas, and even swim-up bars for the adults—we've got you covered for all the best water park attractions near Philadelphia. So grab your swimsuit, towels, and sunscreen, and get ready to keep cool and carry on.

For more ways to water-play with less of a plunge and more of a spritz, check out our favorite local splash pads and spraygrounds, or browse our roundup of free swimming pools in Philly, both of which you'll find in our Philadelphia Guide to Beaches, Pools, and Water Parks.

Holiday Break in Philly: 35+ Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year's Eve

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 12/18/2022 - 7:33am

Wild Lights at the Elmwood Park Zoo is winter break fun for the whole family. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Winter break is almost here, and the kids are going to need full-time entertainment. After they've binged the best kids' Christmas movies or have had their fill of Hanukkah happenings, it's time to get them up and off the couch for all the winter adventures they can handle. We've got everything you need to fill your winter break bucket list, from holiday lights to winter excursions and more. So plan an entire week's itinerary with our picks below, and don't forget to browse the Best Holiday and Christmas Events near Philadelphia.

Traveling over the holiday break? We’ve got whole sites dedicated to the best things to do with kids in most major US cities—heck, even if you’re traveling abroad, we’ve got you covered! Be sure to browse all of our Mommy Poppins sites to keep those kiddos busy wherever you are.

Best Places to Trick-or-Treat near Philadelphia

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 10/14/2022 - 7:46am

Before the sun sets, or after, the Philly neighborhoods on our list are great spots for trick-or-treating. Photo courtesy of Chestnut Hill

Looking for the best places to trick-or-treat near Philly? We've got you covered with all the best neighborhood haunts.

Whether you're looking for spooky decor, full-size candy bars, or an epic Halloween block party, we've found the best Philly neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. Local parents, caregivers, and candy-givers have weighed in to help us roundup Philly's best neighborhood haunts, so get moving on those costumes and get ready to pound the pavement.

School night or not, Philly is here for the sugar rush on the big day, but there's still plenty of Halloween fun for little kids and haunts for big kids too virtually every day of October. Visit our Guide to Halloween in Philly to fill your calendar with tricks and treats.

Sesame Place: An Amusement Park for Every Preschooler's Must-Do List

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Wed, 05/04/2022 - 10:00am

Sesame Place is one of the best toddler amusement parks in the Philadelphia area.

Whether you grew up watching it, or you're just watching it with your kids now, Sesame Street is truly something special to share with little ones. Sesame Place, the theme park in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is no different!

The amusement park and water park offers rides, slides, parades, shows, plenty of meet-and-greets with your favorite Sesame characters, including Elmo, Big Bird, and Abby Cadabby—and yes, a dose of nostalgia for us parents. Read on for our review and top tips for attending with toddlers and even bigger kids in tow.

As you plan your summer getaways, don't forget to check out our guide to the best amusement and water parks across the country.

12 Places to Host a First Birthday Party Near Philadelphia

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 08/27/2021 - 7:00am

Let little kids be the star with a birthday party at the Play Arts play space.

The day is here: Your Philly baby is turning 1, and it's time for a kids' birthday party.

Family and friends are excited to celebrate this child who has grown and developed so much over 12 months. Your baby might even be walking by now, and it's a great time to get together, eat cake, and have fun. Celebrate this significant milestone for both parents and their little ones with these extra special kids' birthday party spots in and near Philadelphia.

For more birthday party ideas, be sure to browse through our Birthday Party Guide for Philly kids.

20 Awesome Art Classes for Philly Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 08/15/2021 - 6:30am

Enjoy visual arts classes, dance, theater, and more at Allens Lane Art Center. Photo courtesy of the center

Art classes are a great way to help kids hone their creativity, to discover new talents, or even just de-stress. There are so many great places in and near Philly to discover art, and many of them offer classes for aspiring young artists. Some even offer homeschool classes for kids who learn at home and are looking to socialize with their peers.

Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up some great nearby art classes. Many are still fine-tuning their fall schedules so check their websites often for the most current information. For more ideas, browse through our Guide to Classes for Kids in Philadelphia, which is filled with many options.

20 Family Road Trips Under 10 Hours Away from Philly

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 07/04/2021 - 10:00am

Pack up the car and get ready for summer fun.

Taking a vacation with kids can be tricky, especially when it comes to traveling. Flying can be stressful and expensive, and if you're anything like me, it's your least favorite method of transportation even without kids.

Sometimes, half the fun and adventure of a vacation is getting there! Road trips can be a great way to bond with your family, so we've rounded up a few awesome places that are less than a 10-hour drive from the greater Philadelphia metro area. As an added bonus, you can travel to a few of these places by train, too!