Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Philadelphia, PA

Gardening With Your Little Ones

by Cecily Kellogg

March 16, 2009

Okay. I am NOT an expert at this. I barely garden. When I say garden, I mean buy some already blooming plants, put them in the little space in front of my porch, and then water them until they, well, die. I usually stay super simple like, oh, impatiens. Or begonias. Really, for years and years all I've had are those two flowers.

But now my daughter is hurtling toward being three years old and I know that it is time to take advantage of the coming spring and start to teach her a bit about plants and growing stuff and seasons and that sort of thing. In fact, yesterday we were hanging out at our favorite place (the playground at Clark Park) and she saw some volunteers putting water bags around the trees. She asked me what they were for, and I told her they fill them with water and that helps the trees grow. 

She then promptly sat down to watch the tree grow. Yes, really. She sat for ten minutes. And she NEVER sits for ten minutes at home, much less at the playground.

So we have some learning to do.

I think what we will do is head to a store and buy some seeds first. I've never planted right from seeds, so I'll have to do a bit of research, but I know that means we'll get to watch little tiny shoots come up and that will be a delight for my daughter. We have to pick plants that do well in shade (our front yard is blessed with a massive beautiful maple tree, and we are in full shade all summer long). But we have a couple sunny windowsills inside that we can grow the little starter plants in, so I think that will be great fun. 

Have you done this before? I'd love to hear suggestions, etc. I also would love tips for the best spot to buy seeds! Please, let me know what you know. I'm begging you. :)

This Weekend's Events

by Cecily Kellogg

March 12, 2009

What to do on an almost-spring weekend? Here's some fun stuff to check out.

Friday, March 13th, 10-4pm: Feeling buggy? Check out the various exhibits at the Insectarium in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. See a working beehive, check out some funky beetles, and more at this fun spot. 8046 Frankford Avenue. $7 Admission.

Saturday, March 14th, 2pm: Take in a show and feel the Velveteen Rabbit love at the awesome Appel Farm Family Matinee. While there, be sure to pick up information on this summer's Arts Festival!

Sunday, March 15th, 10-5pm: Go Green Expo. Head on out to the Pennsylvania Convention Center to enjoy an all day symposium on going green! While you're at it, head into the Reading Terminal Market next door for a wonderful breakfast or lunch!

If you are interested in featuring your event here, please post a comment below and I will email you directly.

A Nice Walk In The Woods, Without the Mud

by Cecily Kellogg

March 11, 2009

We've had some lovely spring-like temperatures this week, and it looks like we have more coming up this weekend (hey, I don't know about you, but 50 degrees looks AWESOME to me after this long and dreary winter!). But there is one tricky issue; it is MUDDY out there as snow thaws and spring rains begin encouraging those early flowers. So where can you go to enjoy the nice weather (and the new longer day -- man, I am LOVING the new early Daylight Savings Time change)? Here are my favorite spots to stroll and explore without having to ruin your favorite sneakers.

1. Kelly Drive and West River Drive. Both of these lovely roads have ample parking areas and expansive paved trails running long both sides of the Schuykill River from the Art Museum out to East Falls. The whole route round-trip comes in at just about eight miles, so it makes for a lovely bike ride as well. They used to close West River Drive on the weekends to cars entirely but apparently that is up for debate this year; it's too bad. It was a great safe spot to teach children to bike in the city.

2. Valley Forge National Park. This amazing park has miles and miles of paved trails roaming through gently rising and falling hills. Many of these trails have no tree cover so they are nice and sunny, perfect for this kind of in-between-season weather; even if it's a bit cool out you can still stay toasty if it's sunny. Another great place to bike as well, plus you get the American history lessons as a bonus!

3. Ridley Creek State Park. This lovely park in Delaware County features a lovely five-mile paved trail that loops throughout the park. For a challenge go up the "hill of doom" from the creek and you will feel the burn, I promise. On the flip side, that same hill makes for a blast of speed when you are on a bike! 

4. Pennypack Park. This charming park in the Northeast section of Philadelphia features a paved path from Pine Road to the Delaware River. Plus with access to the Fox Chase Farm and the Pennypack Environmental Education Center, you can add some excellent education elements into a nice walk.

5. Parvin State Park. This southwestern Jersey treasure offers not only a 4.1 mile paved path, but a nice 5K path that is used by local track teams every day so it stays nice and hard-packed. This spot is an overlooked treasure!

Protecting Creativity

by Cecily Kellogg

March 09, 2009

This week's Savvy Expert article highlights a subject I spend a great deal of time thinking about: how do I nurture and protect my daughter's natural creativity? For instance, just in the last week my husband picked up a coloring book that prominently features the Little Mermaid. Suddenly, my daughter, the kid that explores every inch of the page when she draws and paints, is trying to color within the lines.

Gulp.

I don't know why that makes me panic; it's perfectly fine to honor my daughter's current mermaid obsession (sigh). I restrict her access to the Disney; she's seen clips of the songs but not the actual original movie (I am so not down with the whole "give everything up for your man" philosophy of the movie) but she still insists that I not refer to her as "Tori" but instead as "Mermaid." 

I like the suggestions that the Savvy Expert articles makes, but I have certain dilemmas. For instance, my house is pretty small. I don't have a "create and get dirty" spot that is available all the time; I couldn't possibly. It would take over a quarter of our living space (and trust me, my kid takes up PLENTY of our living space already). So I have to be sure to set aside time for things like Play-Doh and paintings and drawing. She of course has access to blank paper for painting and drawing so that she can't always draw within the lines; but I still want to encourage her to create her own stuff, not follow someone else's rules.

This summer she'll finally be old enough to start attending some local art, dance, and sporting classes (she'll be three in June). Will regimented activity like that help her creative pursuits or simply channel them into a specific course? I really don't know. But I know how much she loves creating, so I will do whatever I can to foster growth in that area and keep her from people that tell her she's doing it "wrong." She's such a bright little bugger, I do not want her inner light dimmed.

What do you do to keep your children's creative juices flowing?

Elmo! And Other Hot Events For A Cool Weekend

by Cecily Kellogg

March 05, 2009

Well, actually, it won't be all that cool this weekend. We're expecting a nice warm up that will hopefully melt all this snow (whew!), so be sure to get a jump start on spring and get outside with your little ones! Speaking of jump starting spring, this weekend is the big time change (I know, already!). Don't forget to Spring Ahead on Sunday!

Friday!

Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up. Unless you live in a cave, you already know about this one. But tickets are still available, so it's not too late! At the Wachovia Center at 10:30am and 5:30pm every day this weekend. Tickets range from $12 to $48. 

Saturday!

Sound All Around: The Philadelphia Orchestra. A great way to introduce your little ones to various music intruments, plus hear a great story by storyteller Charlotte Blake Aston. At 10am at the Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce. $8.50.

Astrograss For Kids at The World Cafe Live. This awesome series called Peanut Butter and Jams is scheduled for most Saturday mornings and always features an awesome fun band for kids. With a great dance floor and an included lunch, this is one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning. At World Cafe Life at 31st & Chestnut. Adults $10, kids $7.

Sunday!

A Year With Frog & Toad: Arden Theater. This lovely play based on the famous series of books by Arnold Lobel is fun for the whole family, and you can't get a better small theater space than the Arden. At the Arden Theater Company, 40 N. 2nd Street at 10am. Tickets $10-$15.