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

Hiring A Reliable Babysitter

by Cecily Kellogg

April 13, 2009

So, did you survive Spring Break? No? Me either.

Our daugher only spends nine hours a week (three mornings from 9am to Noon) at preschool, but those nine hours are a LIFESAVER (especially when I have Savvy Source Parenting Philadelphia columns to write, heh). Not only was my daughter's preschool closed all week last week for Spring Break, they are also closed today for Easter Monday. What the heck is Easter Monday?

We tried to find a babysitter to come to the house last week, but the young woman we hired called out sick the first two mornings and then decided to not show up today. ARG. Finding reliable babysitters seems to be incredibly difficult, so I thought I'd post a few local and national resources to help. Please offer any suggestions you have in the comments section as well!

Craig's List. This awesome free classified service is a great place to put an ad for a sitter. We've used it successfully; last summer when our daughter's preschool was closed we were able to find a woman that was a Philadelphia-school-district music teacher looking to keep herself from being "bored" for the summer. For a whopping $75 a week, she came and played with our daughter three mornings a week. It was wonderful. Sadly, it's not 100% reliable as that is where we found the sitter that no-showed today as well.

Sittercity. Complaining about our sitter situation on Twitter lead me to this awesome site that came up with over 12,000 babysitters in my "immediate" area. The greatest feature is that the sitters are screened by the site! We are planning to use this site to find someone for this summer.

Sitterfinder. Similar to Sittercity, this site is slightly easier to navigate, and lists babysitter's rates right up front. That is pretty awesome.

Other than using my mother or my best friend, it really is challenging to find someone you can trust with your children. What do you do?

Great Family Events: Weekend of April 10, 2009

by Cecily Kellogg

April 09, 2009

Well, we know it's Passover and Easter this weekend. So what else is there to do around town? Here's a handful of some of the best family events in the area this weekend.

Friday, April 10

Cheer! See the sheer althetisism and skill of some of the nation's best "cheerleaders." At the Pennsylvania Convention Center all weekend.

Shake the sillies out at the new Kix & Giggles indoor playland in Northeast Philadelphia.

For outdoor playing fun, enjoy the just re-opened for the season Smith Playground!

Saturday, April 11

Hoppin' Kids Easter Festival! Arts & crafts, music, gifts, food & pictures with the Easter Bunny. Ages 10 & under. Cheltenham Art Center.

Hayrides to the Easter Bunny! Take a hayride to meet the big rabbit! Duffield's Farm.

Fun family music by Ernie and Neal! Considered to be "parent-friendly" music for the kids. At World Cafe Live.

Sunday, April 12

Eco-Egg Hunt! Led by a Montco Naturalist. Start times vary depending on age of child. Ages 3-5 should bring a small basket. Green Lane Nature Center.

Unusual Spots To Find The Easter Bunny

by Cecily Kellogg

April 07, 2009

Sure, your local community, the zoo, and other kid friendly haunts are expecting a visit from the Easter Bunny. But where else can you find the big rabbit that will surprise and delight you and your kids? Here's a few spots you might not have thought of.

Trains!

Yep, the Easter Bunny visits most of our local tourist rail lines! So if your child (or husband, ahem) is into trains, this is a great place to kill two eggs with one, er, visit. The New Hope & Ivyland Railway has the Easter Bunny Express running Friday, Saturday and Sunday (in New Hope, obviously). The Strasberg Rail Road near Lancaster, PA also has the Easter Bunny Train running all weekend including Friday. In Wilmington, Delaware the Wilmington & Western Railroad has an Easter Bunny Express on Friday and Saturday. Ride the rails while the bunny hops down the center aisle! Most trains include photos with the Easter Bunny as an option.

Boats!

The Spirit of Philadelphia is offering a lunch cruise complete with a visit from the Easter Bunny on Easter Sunday. See a unique view of the city while your kids enjoy hanging out with Mr. E. Bunny himself.

Hayrides!

Head on out to Linvilla Orchards to visit the Easter bunny and also pick up some of the best local produce you can imagine. In Media, PA. 

Celebrating Passover

by Cecily Kellogg

April 06, 2009

It's that time of year again -- time to break out the gefilte fish and the matzohs. The story behind Passover is a grisly and powerful one; in the book of Exodus the story is told of ten plagues being inflicted on the Egyptians, but the Jews were told to mark their doors with the blood of a spring lamb so God in his vengeance would "pass over" those homes, sparing the Jews.

While many families gather for this sacred holiday in their own homes, luckily Philadelphia offers a variety of interesting events that can deepen the experience. First of all, if you aren't interested in cooking, there are two excellent family-friendly restaurants offering Seder dinners; Alison Two in Fort Washington (chocolate covered matzoh, oh my!) and Zahav in Center City. Save yourself the dishes and help the (somewhat ailing) restaurant industry in our city.

While the family is gathered, consider heading outside to enjoy the beautiful spring weather by visiting some local gardens and arboretums or other fun spring spots!

I'm afraid I don't celebrate Passover so I don't have any other great suggestions to help celebrate; most of the local Jewish Community Centers in the area are closed for the holiday and of course the National Museum of Jewish History is still under construction in Center City, so I got no ideas from those folks.

Maybe you could share with me your favorite Passover Traditions with your family. I'd love to know more!