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

Christmas

Merry Christmas (should that be your holiday)

December 25, 2008

Hope your day is full of cheer and good wishes! And that Santa makes your children happy. Lord knows we hope that's true at our house. Merry, Merry, Merry!  Read more...

Lights! Lights! Lights!

December 23, 2008

One of my favorite things to do each year is visit local neighborhoods and check out the Christmas light displays. In fact, my very favorite is South Philadelphia--something about those tightly packed row homes all fancied up and competing for best dressed house is truly awesome. The first year I lived in Philly, the big thing everyone had to decorate their homes were these plug-in plastic  Read more...

Best Local Holiday Performances

December 18, 2008

Philadelphia has plenty to entertain the preschool set during the holidays. I know I have my favorites, but there's something out there for everyone! Here's a few suggestions that are some of my favorites. 1. The Nutcracker. The Pennsylvania Ballet has been doing amazing, perfect performances of the The Nutcracker for years now--it's a must not miss event each Christmas season. A tip: go early  Read more...

Great Holiday Gifts For The Families You Know

December 16, 2008

Searching for just the right thing to give to your fellow parents? Instead of giving more toys (good GOD if we get more toys our house will actually explode), how about giving a gift that supports Philadelphia institutions AND gives your friends a place to take their kids when they need to get out of the house? Give a gift membership to one of Philadelphia's best places for families. Here are a  Read more...

Making Christmas About More Than Just Getting

December 15, 2008

We're hoping to instill in our daughter a great sense of charity and civic responsibility. Part of the reason that I feel so committed to this is that I really didn't get that much when I was growing up. My mother insisted on my being politically active, but because we were poor growing up we didn't have much of a chance to do any helping of those less fortunate (we were the ones getting the  Read more...

Our Favorite Christmas Things

December 11, 2008

We're still buidling Christmas traditions with our daughter, since she's still pretty tiny at two and a half. But there are a few things she's grown to love already, and I'm looking forward to finding more. She really, really LOVES homes that have holiday decorations. When we drive by houses that are lit up at night, she says, "Christmas lights! It's beautiful!" So we slow down when we can, roll  Read more...

Holiday Events for the family

December 09, 2008

You can enjoy many amazing activities around the Philadelphia area this season! I've already mentioned a few things here , but there's plenty more! Christmas Village in Philadelphia Medieval-style village featuring over 50 vendors offering crafts, international gifts & more. Holiday lights, Santa & live music. Daily 11 am-9 pm. Closes 12/23. Dilworth Plaza, 1400 JFK Blvd.;  Read more...

Best Local Santa & Tips To Make The Process Easier

December 04, 2008

It's a holiday tradition; dress up your kids and take them to sit on Santa's lap for an annual family photo. It's kind of ironic; there are no other circumstances in which you would not only allow but actually encourage your child to clamber on to a strangers lap! But each year, the malls are full of men playing Santa to the delight of children and parents. Nearly every local mall in the  Read more...

Philadelphia Christmas Traditions

December 02, 2008

Philadelphia has many wonderful Christmas traditions! This list comes from the lovely folks at the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, and most items on the list are free or very low cost. Enjoy! Macy's Light Show . After a makeover and new narration by Julie Andrews, the longtime favorite light show is bigger and brighter than ever. November 28-January 1 (show is on the hour,  Read more...

The Rituals of December Holidays

December 01, 2008

I love Christmas. No, seriously, I LOVE CHRISTMAS. Know this about me before I begin this month's posts. While I will make an attempt to include the vast array of holidays celebrated in December, I must confess that my own personal experience will come from Christmas themed-events. I apologize in advance for my obvious slant; it comes strictly from irrational exuberance. When it comes to holiday  Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in philadelphia

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Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

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Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

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Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

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Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

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A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

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The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

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The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

The Voice of Being Savvy philadelphia:
Cecily Kellogg

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