Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

51 Things We Are Excited To Do with Philly Kids This Summer

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Fri, 05/17/2019 - 4:30pm

The dog days of summer are almost here! With less rigid schedules and more daylight hours, Philly families have time to create their own personalized Summer 2019 Bucket List, unique to their family. But, don't think you have to go it alone. Mommy Poppins has rounded up a ton of exciting summer activities such as nature programs, outdoor concerts, theater productions, educational opportunities (Bonus: The kids won't even realize they are learning) and free movies. There will be no time for children to be bored!

Be sure to browse our ultimate bucket list, 100 Things to Do with Philly Kids Before They Grow Up. Make this summer the best one yet.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Festivals, International Museum Day, Nature May 18-19

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 05/15/2019 - 10:15am

Photo by Meredith Edlow courtesy of Peddler's Village

Decision, decisions! What should Philly parents plan for family fun during this May weekend? From checking out festivals to exploring museums to getting outdoors, kids and grown ups alike are bound to have a smile on their faces with the activities found in our event calendar.

Begin by attending a local festival. Some celebrate Italian cuisine and culture while others feature red-ripe berries and tasty rhubarb. Still others showcase comic book fun. As if that weren't enough, there is a country fair, carnival, and even a circus happening this weekend! After indulging in delicious eats and festival excitement, retreat inside to explore one of the many museums taking part in International Museum Day throughout the city. Round out the weekend by flying a kite at Fonthill Castle, racing duckies in the Rubber Ducky Regatta, or showing a park some love at Cedar Grove.

So pack up the diaper bag, message some friends, and check out the fun happening in the Delaware Valley.

Mother's Day Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Festivals, Nature, Art

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 05/08/2019 - 10:05am

Photo courtesy of Shofuso Japanese House and Gardens

Philly Moms do so much for their families - grocery shopping, laundry, helping with homework, and chauffeuring kids to soccer practice and piano lessons. So why not treat the special mother figure in your life with some Mother's Day fun this weekend? Our events calendar is loaded with activities that are sure to put a smile on Mom's face while entertaining the kids too!

Plan on eating out at a delicious brunch held at Elmwood Park Zoo, Sesame Place, or Morris Arboretum. Construct a special picture frame for Mom at Independence Seaport Museum or explore nature with her by taking a hike and searching for birds. Pause in the afternoon for tea time on a train or in a tea house.

Looking for additional family options? Clark Park's Annual May Fair features live music, obstacle courses, and bounce houses, The Philadelphia Fleadh provides Irish music and entertainment, Brandywine Battlefield Park's Encampment Day allows guests to step back to colonial days and learn about the Civil War, and Tyler Arboretum welcomes families to learn about amphibians during its Froggy Madness event.

As you plan out the weekend, be sure to sort events using tags, location, and age filters. Everyone at Mommy Poppins Philadelphia wishes all the MOMMIES out there a well-deserved Happy Mother's Day!

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Renaissance Festival, Cinco de Mayo, Horses May 4-5

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 05/01/2019 - 10:00am

Photo courtesy of South Street Spring Festival

April showers bring May flowers as the saying goes. So, too, is our event calendar blooming with springtime fun. This weekend features many festivals and fairs celebrating spring and the new month of May, horse events, and cultural festivities recognizing Cinco de Mayo.

Kids can dance around the colorful Maypole and play colonial games at Pottsgrove Manor, explore the times of cannons, moats, and castles at the Philadelphia Renaissance Faire, play in the KidsZone at South Street Spring Festival, or watch artisan demos at Everhart Park's May Day Festival of the Arts. Children who love science can learn about DNA and watch experiments at the free Science Carnival along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Kids who adore horses can see the ponies jump in Radnor Hunt Pony Club Jumper Show or race on stick ponies at Winterthur's Point-to-Point. Round out the weekend with delicious food and rich culture of Cinco de Mayo at the annual festival in Kennett Square.

Make sure to text your friends and attend these events together. You know the saying, the more the merrier!

Free Things to Do with Philly Kids in May

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Tue, 04/30/2019 - 12:00am

Photo courtesy of Center City District Parks

The month of May provides perfectly mild weather, the kind of weather that puts even the grumpiest toddler or moodiest teen in a pleasant, hopeful mood. Similarly, Philly parents are sure to be delighted with both the weather and the free (or nearly free) events that can keep the entire family entertained. From playground trips to picnics at city and suburban parks, families can make lasting memories while being budget-friendly.

We have rounded up some of our favorite economical options including free admission festivals, nature exploration opportunities, musical experiences, and deeply discounted museum discovery. Of course, we can't forget about Mom so be sure to carve out some time mid-May to celebrate Mother's Day by making an art project together or hiking through scenic Lorimer Park. At the end of the month, it's time for the red, white, and blue! Honor those who have served at local Memorial Day parades in Warminster, Downingtown, or West Grove.

Free fun is always best with family and friends, so gather up the crew and get ready to entertain on a budget!

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Science, Earth Day, BrickFest April 27-28

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 10:45am

Photo by Kyle Gronostajski courtesy of The Franklin Institute

Mommy Poppins Philadelphia's events calendar is exploding with fun this April weekend. Throughout the Delaware Valley, families can expect scientific exploration, outdoor experiences, and LEGO fun.

Begin with the annual tradition of the Philadelphia Science Festival. Activities start on April 26 and run through May 4. There are plenty of venues hosting events, most of which are free. On Saturday, kids can participate in hands-on STEM activities at Clark Park and Hunting Park or learn about pond ecology at Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education while Sunday offers the chance to Be a Scientist! at local venues throughout the region or play with bubbles at Rail Park. After participating in science fun, clean up planet Earth during events hosted at Fonthill Castle or Norristown Farm Park. Delaware Museum of Natural History is also hosting an Earth Day event. Then, head to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center for Brick Fest Live! Grown ups and kids alike can enjoy building cars for the BrickFest Speedway, play games in the Video Games Arena, and help create the world's largest LEGO® mosaic.

Planning ahead for summer vacation? Be sure to check out our latest post on family road trips and recently updated family-friendly campground post.

New Summer Camp Opportunities in the Philly Area

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Mon, 04/15/2019 - 10:00am

Every Philly parent wants their kids have a fantastic summer. One way to make sure that kids' minds are stimulated (and they are not BORED) is by registering them at summer camps that provide opportunities for learning and growth. There are many local camps with new offerings for 2019. Some programs have expanded their schedule to include younger or older kids while others have incorporated new themes to keep campers engaged. Several even provide early bird discounts to save some extra money too! Keep reading to discover the new camp fun that awaits Philly kids this summer.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Outdoors, Museums, Egg Hunts, Consignment Sales April 13-14

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 04/10/2019 - 10:06am

This springtime weekend brings outdoor fun to the Delaware Valley. Philly families can visit an arboretum to see the spectacular cherry blossoms or participate in an education program to learn about water. Kids can dig in the dirt at Newlin Grist Mill's Public Archaeology Day or explore interactive displays about planet Earth at Ambler's Earthfest. Support furry friends by running (or walking) in a 5 K (or 2 K) or get creative and enter the Children's Daffodil Contest at Winterthur.

On the other hand, discover something new at one of the fabulous museums in the region. For starters, it's opening weekend for Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes Exhibit at Franklin Institute. Mercer Museum presents its annual Dolls Day Out, Science History Museum hosts a free workshop through TechGirlz on how to Save the Planet through Crowdsourcing, the Academy of Natural Sciences welcomes Animal Superheroes, and Penn Museum features the theme, Cards, Dice, and Dominoes, during its Second Saturdays event. Other indoor options include Family Fest at Parkway Central Library and the Literacy Carnival at South Philadelphia High School.

Don't forget to purchase deeply discounted new-to-you spring clothes at local consignment sales and hit a few of the fantastic egg hunts around town, many of which are free. Read on for more ideas and make it a great weekend!