Kristen Sullivan

Latest posts by Kristen

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Tall Ships, Outdoor Concerts, Nature June 27-28

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 06/25/2015 - 2:00am

Ah, the summertime bucket list. You know, activities that every family plans to do over school break? Since this weekend concludes the month of June, it's a wake-up call to start crossing a few off your list with the help of our Event Calendar.

Hit a summer fest such as the New Castle County Ice Cream Festival. See an outdoor concert at Roxborough's Gorgas Park, Bryn Mawr's Gazebo or Media's Rose Tree Park. Or explore nature with a trip to the Schuylkill Environmental Education Center's 50th Anniversary Picnic or Riverbend Environmental Education Center's Stream Stomp.

Read on to see the rest of our top picks for the weekend so you can make every moment of summer count. Have fun!

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Flag Day and Nature Activities, June 13-14

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 06/11/2015 - 2:00am

Our nation celebrates Flag Day this Sunday. Since Philadelphia is the birthplace of our flag and its creator, Betsy Ross, it's fitting that we highlight Old Glory in our weekend post.

Throughout Historic Philadelphia, families can learn about the history of our country's flag. Festivities begin at the Betsy Ross House, where a 13-star flag is raised. Afterward, watch the Grand Parade as it marches from the National Constitution Center to Independence Hall, learn flag etiquette and enjoy a performance by the Spirit of Liberty Sky Diving Team.

In addition to flag fun, families can enjoy the outdoors in many ways this weekend. Have a Victorian-style picnic at Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, search for Awesome Amphibians at Upper Perkiomen Valley Park, examine trees in The Millennium Grove at Norristown Farm Park or watch the Brandywine Polo Club play a match.

Be sure to check out our Event Calendar and our June GoList for even more options. However you choose to spend your weekend, make it a memorable one!

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Fairs, Festivals and Races May 2-3

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 04/30/2015 - 2:00am

April showers bring May flowers as the saying goes. However, May also brings a variety of spring celebrations and festivals to the Philadelphia area. This weekend you can enjoy South Street's Spring Festival, the Peddler's Village Strawberry Festival and Pottsgrove Manor's Annual Colonial Fair, which are all full of family fun.

You can also watch or run races this weekend. Families can visit Winterthur to see professional steeplechase races at Point-to-Point, while kids can participate in a variety of children's activities including stick pony races. Or cheer on the ten-mile Broad Street runners, and then hit the Kids' Fun Run, where children can watch a magic show, check out a petting zoo and participate in a "Fun" Miler.

Free activities in the area include the Delaware Museum of Natural History's Bank of America Museums on Us (free for Bank of America card holders), a Mother's Day-themed Home Depot Kids Workshop and Horn's Punch & Judy show at Sundays on Stage.

Find more options in our Mommy Poppins Event Calendar, and check out our top weekend picks below.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Earth Day and Museums Apr 18-19

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 04/16/2015 - 2:00am

Earth Day, which officially falls on April 22, is almost here and our Mommy Poppins Event Calendar is full of celebrations this weekend. Whether families want to gain a deeper respect for nature or make a difference by taking care of Mother Earth, there are activities for all ages.

Search for turtles and toads at Great Valley Nature Center's Pond Pondering & Nature Walk. Learn about the importance of trees at Briar Bush's Earth Fest. Help preserve our precious planet at Schuylkill Canal Park's Earth Day Clean-Up or Norristown Farm Park's Earth Week Habitat Restoration. (Note: Some events are rain or shine while others are not, so please check official websites for weather-related updates.)

After enjoying the great outdoors, consider exploring one of our local cultural institutions. Penn Museum is hosting its World Culture Series: Rome's Birthday event. The Barnes Foundation is offering Family Tour: ArtSee Highlights for its visitors. And the Delaware Children's Museum is featuring Grand Adventures created especially for grandparents and their grandchildren.

New activities are added to our Calendar every day, and you can even submit your own event if you're planning one. Be sure to subscribe to our FREE newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Acrobats, Frogs & Cherry Blossoms Apr 11-12

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 2:00am

Philly families have plenty to keep their children entertained this weekend. Our Event Calendar is filled with a variety of outdoor fun and indoor performances.

With a minimal chance of April showers, families can enjoy the great outdoors. Take in the beauty of the cherry trees at Morris Arboretum's Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival. Watch for birds and search for their nests at the John James Audubon Center's Saturday Bird Walks. Or discover the difference between frogs and toads at Tyler Arboretum's Froggy Madness.

Those looking for indoor activities have a plethora of events to choose from. The Delaware Museum of Natural History is hosting NanoDay featuring hands-on activities about the science of small. Or consider seeing a show. The Golden Dragon Acrobats bring Cirque Ziva to the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, John Cassidy: Balloon Freak takes the stage at the Sellersville Theater and Rainbowtown plays Act II Playhouse.

Read on for more of this weekend's top picks. If you haven't signed up for our FREE weekly newsletter yet, be sure to subscribe so you can have all of our posts delivered to your inbox. No matter what you decide to do with your family, have a great weekend.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids Mar 28-29: Fishing Derby, Play-A-Palooza and Easter Excitement

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 03/26/2015 - 2:00am

As the month of March comes to an end, is it safe to say spring is really here? There are no snowflakes in the forecast and daytime temperatures are predicted to stay above freezing. Sprigs of green grass are starting to appear, the days are getting longer and kids are finally able to play outside again.

With high hopes that winter is truly behind us, Delaware Valley families can look eagerly to the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar, which is jam-packed with activities to celebrate the spring. Cast a fishing line during Linvilla Orchard's Family Fishing Derby. Climb into a canoe at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education's Family Canoe Workshop. Or, explore Smith Memorial Playground at its opening weekend Play-A-Palooza celebration.

However, if the top thing on your weekend to-do list is catch up with the Easter Bunny, Mommy Poppins has you covered. Eat with the Easter Bunny at bunny brunches, lunches or teas. Ride along with the Easter Bunny on hayrides or train rides. Search for Easter Bunny treats at daytime or nighttime egg hunts.

Below are the top picks for the weekend. If you haven't signed up for our weekly newsletter, be sure to subscribe so you can have all of our posts delivered to your inbox.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids Mar 21-22: Egyptomania, Kids Corner MusicFest and Easter Fun

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 03/19/2015 - 2:00am

Astronomically speaking, spring begins on the March equinox which is Friday, March 20. And, despite the wintry mix predicted for that day, the Mommy Poppins event calendar sees hints of spring fun ahead. Spring Walks, Spring Consignment Sales (including the huge JBF Sale in Oaks) and Spring Celebrations fill the weekend's list.

But the surest sign of spring has to be the Easter events that are popping up throughout the Delaware Valley. East Passyunk Avenue's Easter Egg Hunt, Greater Plymouth Community Center's Brunch With the Bunny and Egg Scramble and a multitude of train rides with the Easter Bunny are happening this weekend.

On the other hand, if your family is looking for indoor fun, celebrate World Culture at Penn Museum's Egyptomania, get ready to dance about and sing along with the performers at World Cafe Live's Kids Corner MusicFest or see a show like The Frog Prince, Tony Kenny's Irish Celebration or Storytime: It's Snow White.

Read on to find the rest of our top picks for the weekend. Don't see your event? Please feel free to submit it to our calendar.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids Mar 14-15: Pi Day, St. Patrick's Day Fun and Wizard Scavenger Hunt

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Thu, 03/12/2015 - 2:00am

Whether you are Irish or not, this weekend holds lots of fun for Philly families. Performances, science activities and St. Patrick's Day fun fill the Mommy Poppins events calendar.

There are many shows from which to chose. Hitting the stage this weekend are The Frog Prince in Melrose Park, Blue Man Group in Lancaster and Balloon Freak John Cassidy in Phoenixville. Science-related activities are in full force as well. The Delaware Children's Museum in Wilmington hosts its Try Science workshop and The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia honors pi, the mathematical constant 3.1415926..., on 3/14/15 with Pi Day fun.

Yet, for many, the month of March means one thing, and one thing only: St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Whether it is a St. Patrick's Day parade, treasure hunt, performance, run or hike, everyone can feel a little bit Irish this weekend. And secretly, everyone is wishing to find a leprechaun's pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Come on, admit it;)

Look below for our top picks for the weekend. Don't see your event? Please feel free to submit it to our calendar. And, don't forget to like us on Facebook to see our latest posts.