Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Chinese New Year, Nature, Theater Jan 30-31

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 01/28/2016 - 3:00am

As January ends this weekend and we welcome February next week, Philly families can enjoy this time of year with a variety of activities. This weekend, Penn Museum celebrates The Year of the Monkey at its Chinese New Year event. Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival is set to entertain with puppet shows, the rescheduled parade, and a theatrical performance. And, tarantulas invade the Academy of Natural Science of Drexel University as it opens this featured exhibit.

However, if you are tired of the cold and snow and are hoping to hear good news from Punxsatawney Phil, the famous groundhog in Pennsylvania on February 2, head over to John Heinz Natural Wildlife Refuge to learn about groundhogs at its Groundhog Day Family Festival.

Be sure to sign up to receive our Weekend Round up every Thursday and our Weekday Picks every Monday so they can be delivered directly to your inbox. Mommy Poppins Philly hopes you have a great weekend!

Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: Stories, Art, Animals Jan 25-29

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Mon, 01/25/2016 - 3:00am

As we shovel the snow from the Blizzard of 2016, it is time to focus on the week ahead. Since many Philly families were cooped up inside over the weekend, both parent and child are ready to get out. Thankfully, our Events Calendar can provide many options for the week.

Explore Morris Arboretum's Tu B'Shevat program, make a craft with Chester County Arts Association at Exton Mall's Mommy and Me, enjoy a winter walk at Briar Bush Nature Center's Magic Mornings, or listen to a Book in the Nook at Delaware Museum of Natural History. Be sure to check out indoor play spaces in Philly, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, as they can provide a much-needed escape from home this time of year.

Stay connect to Mommy Poppins Philly on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Enjoy the week ahead!

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Winter Fun, Shows, Parade Jan 23-24

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 3:00am

Winter is definitely here as Philly families can tell by the predicted snowfall and the even more predictable rush to the grocery store for bread and milk. Hopefully, the white stuff doesn't have to stop the fun that awaits, but be sure to check with venues directly for updated schedules due to the anticipated snow.

This weekend, there are a variety of activities families can enjoy. Take a winter hike at Riverbend Environmental Education Center, learn about ferrets at Elmwood Park Zoo or owls at Schuykill Center for Environmental Education. Celebrate wintertime at Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival's Parade. Or, for some extra-special fun, take advantage of the snow and plan a skiing and snowboarding day trip.

After spending time out-of-doors, find a seat at a family-friendly performance. Both Snow White at Delaware Children's Theatre and Peter Pan and Wendy: A Musical at The Media Theatre have shows this weekend. Or, start cleaning out those closets to prepare for the spring consignment sales. Spring dates are constantly being added to our comprehensive list.

Be sure to browse through our entire Events Calendar to see all there is to do. To narrow your search, select age, area, and type of activity. Whether we get a dusting or a foot, make it great!

Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: MLK Jr., Museums, Nature Jan 18-22

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Mon, 01/18/2016 - 3:00am

Whether you have off on Monday, or it is just another typical week in January, our Events Calendar is ready to provide many ideas on what to do with the kids. This week, Longwood Gardens hosts its annual OrKid Day, which is filled with discovery stations and children's activities. Many local museums offer free or discounted admission in honor of Martin Luther King Day, such as National Liberty Museum, National Museum of American Jewish History, and African American Museum in Philadelphia. And, outdoorsy types can find nature hikes and animal experiences this week as well.

Be sure to plan out all your winter fun with the help of our recently published 25 Things We Want to Do with Philly Kids This Winter post and our Ski & Snow Sport Guide. Stay connected to Mommy Poppins Philly on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Enjoy the week ahead!

Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: Theater, Nature, Stories Jan 11-15

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 01/10/2016 - 3:00am

The month of January can be grey and dull. But, it certainly doesn't have to be. Make it lively and exciting by filling your week with activities found in our Events Calendar.

This week, children can stay busy by learning about movement, taking in a theater production, or discovering interesting facts about owls. Or, take baby to a movie at Bryn Mawr Film Institute or bring the older kids to Bartram's Gardens for its Homeschooler Day.

To keep up with new events that are constantly added to our listing, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Make it a great week!

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Reptiles, Art, Science Jan 9-10

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 01/07/2016 - 3:00am

As January finally brings cold winter air into Philadelphia, many families retreat indoors, while others brave the plummeting temperatures. Whatever best suits your family, there are many ways to spend these cold winter days throughout the Delaware Valley.

If you are ready to experience brisk wintertime weather, participate in the Conservancy Cottage Winter Bird Count or learn about unique animal critters at Warwick County Park's Weird Wildlife workshop. However, if your family prefers to retreat indoors when the mercury drops, this weekend does not disappoint. Enjoy the Academy of Natural Sciences' Reptile exhibit, the Delaware Children's Museum's Try Science workshop, or The Michener Museum's Family Drawing Days.

Whether indoors or out, much fun awaits this weekend. To stay on top of the latest activities, be sure to sign up for our newsletter which is delivered to your inbox on Sundays and Thursdays.

Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: Nature, Stories, Art Jan 4-8

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sun, 01/03/2016 - 3:00am

School schedules, sports practices, predictable sleeping patterns... I am longing for normalcy to return to my home. To be clear, I love celebrating with family and friends while taking a break from our regular lives. But, I notice that my kids thrive when there is order and routine.

To settle back into the familiar, Philly families can count on our event calendar which features a variety of fun. Take your little ones to the library for storytime. Appreciate art at a local museum. Or, explore the outdoors during wintertime.

Read on for our top picks for the week. But, don't forget to browse our January GO List to help plan out fun for the entire month. Enjoy the week ahead. As for me, I'm looking forward to getting back to normal this week!

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Genghis Khan, Yuletide, Resolutions Jan 2-3

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 12/31/2015 - 3:00am

The first weekend in January has arrived, and families throughout Philadelphia are trying to keep to their New Year's resolutions such as exercising more, losing weight, or becoming more organized. However, if your resolution is to experience more of Philly and its surrounding suburbs in 2016, our Events Calendar can help.

Explore the Franklin Institute and learn about Genghis Khan as this special exhibit which concludes this weekend. Catch one of the last performances of Jack Frost Saves Christmas at The Media Theatre. Or, savor the beauty of the duPont mansion as Yuletide at Winterthur finishes another season.

Mommy Poppins Philly is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest so be sure to follow us. Make sure to sign up for our newsletters which are delivered straight to your inbox on Sundays and Thursdays. Together, let's make 2016 a year full of new and exciting experiences!