Welcome to Philly Parent Circle!
Welcome to philly parent circle, the most comprehensive resource guide for parents and parents-to-be in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Our mission is to help you spend more time playing and less time searching. Please join our community to find nannies, playgroups, and an expanded section of preschools and camps... and of course to have fun sharing your opinions, discussing what's on your mind and hearing what's on everyone else's. Enjoy the site!
We are also pleased to announce that we will offer a free trial membership until July 5th. Until then, you will have access to everything on this site, including discussion boards, preschool and camp information and the ability to read and write reviews. Sign up now!! You will receive reminders to join before the trial period ends. Please note that no payment information will be taken before July 5th. Enjoy the site and happy searching!!
our favorite free outside "kid" activities in philadelphia (and surrounding)
and they are not just our favorites because they are free! here are some hidden (or not so hidden) gems that let you get out of the house and enjoy the best time of the year! And if you don't see anything here that strikes your fancy, check out our outdoor section. You're sure to find something fun to do with the kiddos!
1. Smith Playhouse, Fairmount Park: what's not to love about a giant 40 foot wooden slide? Kids and adults alike will slide down on [provided] burlap sacks again and again... and when they (or more likely, you) tire of it, there is a newly re-done (6 acre!) playground with separate areas for tots and bigger kids. And if that wasn't enough, there is an indoor 24,000 sq foot playhouse for the 5 and under set with wheeled toys, trains, and other age appropriate toys.
2. Linvilla Orchards, Media, PA: farm animals, 1 acre playland featuring a brand new playground, festivals, concerts, pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, hayrides, a stocked pond for fishing… and the list goes on for this 300 acre farm in Media. OK so not ALL of it is free but still, this is a must do!
...and some of our favorites that have a price tag but we think are still so worth it…
1. Adventure Aquarium, Camden, NJ: ok, so this is not a hidden gem. But while we know it's quite popular but how can we not mention this amazing space where you can stand in a glass tunnel and have sharks swimming all around you? And if sharks aren't your thing, check out the interactive exhibits, kids touch labs, and the less fierce but equally amazing creatures (the glowing jellyfish tank is our favorite).
2. Morris Arboretum, Chestnut Hill: tons of space to run around and find delightful surprises including an amazing "out on a limb" tree adventure exhibit where you are standing on nets 50 feet above ground, a beloved (and large) train layout that can captivate toddlers/ preschoolers for hours (ok fine, maybe minutes, but we'll take it), and beautiful swan pond. Great events throughout the year as well – a less well-known PPC favorite.
Beat the Heat! Places to splash splash splash your summer away!
Go figure. The same kids who refuse to take baths seem to never be able to get enough time in the water. So… lead them to the nearest watering hole! See below for some of our favorite local water-playgrounds and pools and for those who are looking for a bigger outing/ adventure, here are some day-trip worthy water parks as well…
Happy swimming!! (don’t forget to check out classes) to find swim lessons for your little ones. Don’t forget to check out what others are saying about these and other places in the area.
Herron Park Playground, 2nd and Reed: stay cool in this fantastic city water-sprayground equipped with water that shoots from the ground and from the sky at volumes suitable for both big kids and the littlest ones. And if water is not your thing, they have great playgrounds with new, state-of-the-art equipment as well.
Swann Memorial Fountain, 19th and Logan Square: turtles and frogs that shoot water and a 50 foot geyser right in the center. Who wouldn’t love that? While swimming in the fountain is no longer allowed, it is still a perfect (and beautiful) spot to cool off (and if you dip your feet, we won’t tell!).
Baby’s Day Out.
You’ve gotten through the hard part… pregnancy, labor, delivery… ok, so that wasn’t really the hard part. But congrats on meeting an important new milestone. Taking your baby out!!! You can do it and we’ll help you. Here are some great places to take those baby steps (no pun intended) out the door…
Movie Moms: Loews, Cherry Hill, NJ: Don’t get nervous about the NJ address – it’s just over the bridge and it’s worth it. Think air conditioning, popcorn, and 2 hours of zoning out in front of a new release… ahhh, bliss. Oh and for the not-so-blissful moments, there is a changing table right in the theater, the lights remain slightly up, the volume is turned slightly down. Nursing, burping, wailing (the baby or you) welcome.
Yoga Child, 9th and South Street: A wonderful place to get a little exercise, stretch, relax and meet some other new moms and their pre-crawling babies. Anything goes in this class – one week you might get to complete an entire sun salutation, other weeks you might sit on the sidelines and nurse your little. No matter what, you’re sure to meet others going through the same things as you and maybe even enjoy an hour of yoga.