Holiday Garden Railway Opening on Friday!

Holiday Garden Railway Grand Opening 
November 26 from 1pm – 3pm
Kick off the season with carolers and crafts activities while enjoying the holiday garden railway, out in the winter garden at the Morris Arboretum.  This is a treasured holiday event!

Remembrance and Fun on Memorial Day

Though it can feel like just another well-earned day off, Memorial Day is ultimately about fun and remembrance.  Here are some family-friendly activities around the city that will allow you to do both:

Port Richmond Memorial Day Parade: 9:45am.  Starts at Thompson St. and Allegheny Ave... people start lining up along the route before 9am.

Lawn Games in Franklin Square: 12pm-3pm.  Free!  Located on Old City at 200 N. 6th St. on the grounds of one of the best playgrounds in the entire city and right across from the rich history of the Betsy Ross House.
http://historicphiladelphia.org/day/franklin-square/

Memorial Day at the National Constitution Center: 10am-3pm.  Free with regular admission.  A day filled with events to help children understand the importance of remembering.
http://constitutioncenter.org/

And if you're staying close to home or celebrating with friends, consider making flags, having your own parade, or using the holiday as an opportunity to talk with your child about the true cost of war.

Let's Celebrate: Valentine's Day Fun

The little ones are sure to love a holiday involving chocolates, but there is much more to do this Valentine's Day than munch on heart-shaped goodies. Here are some local V-day celebrations for kids to choose from:

Saturday, Feb. 14th:

The Valentine's Day Prince and Princess Party

The Franklin

11am to 3pm 

free with museum admission

"Attention All Princes and Princesses! You are cordially invited to The Franklin's Valentine's Day Prince and Princess Party! Come one and Come all - to see The Chronicles of Narnia and have a ball!

Join us to celebrate Valentine's Day like the Prince and Princesses of Narnia would—all kids who dress like royalty get free Prince Caspian Poster (while supplies last)!

Learn the art of ballroom dancing and make your own crown. Meet Rinky and the Skate Squad from the River Rink at Penn's Landing and Buzzbee and the B101 crew to play Plinko and win prizes! Watch the exciting live science show "The Chronicles of a Thunderstorm" and make a Valentine's card for your own prince or princess!"

Valentine's Day at the Elmwood Park Zoo

11am-2pm

Free with zoo admission

"Bring your sweetheart to the Zoo! Celebrate Valentines day by bringing the one you love to the Zoo and enjoy two for one admission.

Elmwood Park Zoo's animals will receive Valentines treats from the EPZ staff, but not the old standbys of chocolates and roses! Selected animals will enjoy heart-shaped treats made of fruit, Jell-O, and more! There will also be question and answer sessions at each of these selected exhibits.

As animals receive their treats, guests can also enjoy a question and answer session at each exhibit. Face Painting and crafts will also be available."

Enrichment Times: 11am, 12pm, 2pm
Live Animal Encounter: 1:15pm

Chocolate Lovers' Story Time
Upper Dublin Public Library in Ft. Washington, PA
2-2:45pm
FREE

"Children (and their caregivers) can celebrate Valentine's Day by learning about all things chocolate. The session includes chocolate history, handouts, holiday stories, and cupcake decorating. Advance registration is required."

The Valentine's Day Soul Jam
The Liacouras Center
8pm
$35.50-$67.50 per person

"The best of soul music comes to the Liacouras Center during the Valentine Soul Jam. Advance ticket ticket purchase is available online (link above)."

Sunday, Feb. 15th:

Daddy Daughter Dance
Urban Education Center in Haverford, PA
4pm
$30 per person. Call 610-721-6757 to order.

"Daddy Universe City is inviting all fathers and father figures to bring their princess out for a night on the town! This event changes the life of any aged girl with dinner, dancing, conversation, and fun. The ginger ale will be flowing all night and there will be prizes and roses for participants."

Also: The Kimmel Center is offering half-price tickets for select performances of upcoming Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway Series shows. The discount can be obtained by using the promotional code "SWEETHEART" when ordering tickets by phone or online by 2/14.

*Kids' Valentine's Day events at Sesame Place, World Cafe Live, and the Philadelphia Zoo appear to be sold out (no longer listed on their websites).

Let's Get Outside This Weekend: Winter Fun at the Morris Arboretum

This post is also published in this week's issue of The Chestnut Hill Local, in the column, "Take the Kids."

Winter Fun at the Morris Arboretum

I know we've all been avoiding going outdoors for any length of time, so many of us have probably not been to the beautiful Morris Arboretum in a while. This weekend is the perfect opportunity to visit again, with two days of activities planned for families. So, grab your hats, scarves, and boots and let your kids get a good dose of sunlight while they learn and play.

Cupid's Valentine's Centerpiece Workshop
Saturday, February 7
1:00pm – 3:00pm

Bring your kids (ages 5 to 12) and watch them create their own centerpiece made from fresh flowers for Valentine's Day. Everything is included in the cost ($30 for members, $33 for non-members). Your children will love bringing their beautiful centerpiece home to place on your kitchen table or to give as a gift to someone special. Make sure to bring along a box to place your arrangement in for the trip home.

Tu B’Shevat Family Day
Sunday, February 8, 2009
1:00pm - 3:00pm

Celebrate the Jewish New Year of Trees at the arboretum. Kids can make “tree buddies” and seedling plantings to take home. The tree seedlings will produce birch beer if they are well taken care of! Attend special interactive demonstrations about what trees produce - Date, Palm, Olive, Pomegranate and Fig. Activities are free with regular admission.

And throughout the week of Sunday, February 8 - February 15, pre-K through 3rd graders will transplant a tree seedling to take home, learn how to care for their new tree buddy, and take a short tour of the Morris Arboretum. To schedule a group visit, call 215-247-5777 ext 157. 

Let's Celebrate: The Chinese New Year

This post is also published in this week's issue of The Chestnut Hill Local, in the new column, "Take the Kids."

Celebrate the New Year Again

Chinese New Year Activities

It is not only the new year of 2009, but it will soon be a new year on the Chinese calendar, the year of the Ox. And this new year celebration is not just one night of fireworks and a champagne toast, but two weeks of fun activities throughout the city leading up to the full moon on February 9, which is why it is also referred to as the Lunar New Year. This is a new year you can celebrate with the kids; they will love the parades, firecrackers, and dancing lions and dragons. The festivities in Chinatown begin on the eve of the new moon, January 25. But, the fun starts even earlier at other locations:

Philadelphia 2009 Chinese New Year World Culture Family Day
Saturday, January 24, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
Tickets: $8; Call 215-898-4890 for more information

This is the 28^th annual all-day celebration of the Chinese New Year at the museum. Bring the family for a day of musical and dance performances, storytelling, arts and crafts, children’s activities, and workshops on the martial and healing arts. The day ends with the popular Lion Dance parade. All activities are free with museum admission donation.

Philadelphia 2009 Chinese New Year Lion Dance and Parade in Chinatown

Sunday, January 25, 2009, 11:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 1, 2009, 12:00 noon
Sunday, February 8, 2009, 12:00 noon
Sunday, February 15, 2009, 12:00 noon
10th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA
Presented by Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
Call 215-772-0739 for more information

If you are okay with having the kids up late, don't miss the lion parade that kicks off this celebration, but you can catch it again during the day if you don't want to brave the late night. Encore performances of the Lion Dance will be presented at noon on the following two weekends through Saturday, February 7, 2009. Firecrackers are also set off every Sunday around noon.

Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday, January 31, 2009, 12-3 pm
Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tickets: $10 adult, $7 children 3 and above
Call 215-413-8655 fore more information

Ring in the Lunar New Year with an afternoon of fun and educational activities, including a traditional tea ceremony, Asian crafts and performances, tai chi demonstrations, and the dragon dance. This event is free with museum admission.

Children's Matinee Series at the Hiway Theatre

The Hiway Theatre in Jenkintown has a great Children's Matinee series held on school holidays. Kids are $5.00 and accompanying adults are FREE!

The theater is a great non-profit, member-supported venue that is over 90 years old. Comfy seats (including a love seat!), real butter on the popcorn, super friendly staff - a great movie experience all around!

Located on Old York Rd., they have a comprehensive parking map on their website.

During winter break, they are showing two movies:

A Christmas Story
Monday, December 29th, 2:30 pm
Rated PG, 93 minutes


Fly Me to the Moon
Wednesday, Dec. 31st, 2:30 pm
Rated G, 84 minutes
3-D glasses provided by Hiway!
See Charline's review here.

If you're a planner like I am, you can also mark your calendar for the next three Children's Matinee Dates: Jan. 19, Feb. 16, & Mar. 18

Treat Yourself: The Hill Tea Bar

Just east of Germantown Avenue, on Hartwell Lane in Chestnut Hill, you will find the cutest little tea bar. The Hill Tea Bar opened this year and features more than fifty varieties of tea, which can be served hot or cold. They also sell irresistible goodies such as cupcakes, cakes, scones (not the rock-hard kind!), and pastries.  If you are hungry for lunch, there are also sandwiches available.  And if you have a picky little one with you, you can even grab a bag of the ever-popular Pirate's Booty.

Make sure to visit the tea bar before the weather gets very cold, so that you can take advantage of their beautiful and serene garden. The garden is spacious and filled with tables and chairs. There is plenty of room for little ones to roam around on the grass while you eat, drink, and chat. Just beware that adventurous ones will be close to the road and that the garden is not fenced in, so you will have to keep a close watch on them, but there should be enough to entertain most. (My son was busy examining bugs and fallen berries on our last visit.)

If you are walking to the tea bar, plan to park any strollers out front while you place your order inside. The space is a bit snug, so be prepared to hold onto little hands because there are fragile items in the store that might be tempting. It is a good idea to come in pairs, so parents can take turns watching the kids outside!

There is indoor seating, so you can still enjoy your tea at the bar during the winter.  But, instead of trying to keep your eye on an energetic little one in the front of the bar, head to the back and you will find a door leading to a more private room with more space.  There is a toy chest full of things to keep your kids entertained.  The owner is even willing to put on a children's video if you would like.  And if you are able to get out without kids, take advantage of the free wi-fi in the tea bar.

The tea bar also hosts great events, including story times and wine tastings. For example, call now to fill one of the last spots for a Tour of Italy Wine Class to be held on October 17th, 7:30-9:30pm - cost, $40 per person. You will be tasting eight different wines paired with cheese samples provided by The Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop.

Or, if you don't have plans for yourself for Halloween just yet, adults can visit the tea bar from 7:30-9:30 on Halloween night for "A Night of a Thousand Wishes" storytelling event and "Mini Magical Tea Party" cost, $25 per person (adults only). To keep up with events at The Hill Tea Bar, check out their blog.

The tea bar is located at 6 East Hartwell Lane and is open on Tuesdays 10-6, Wednesday-Saturdays 10-7, and Sundays 10-3. For more information or to reserve a spot for an event, call the Hill Tea Bar at 215.381.2226.