(Credit: CBS Philly)
2013 Atlantic City Boat Show
It’s the final days of the Progressive Insurance 2013 Atlantic City Boat Show this Friday, February 8th – Sunday, February 10th. Kids and adults alike will enjoy boatloads of fun including a Swampmaster Live Gator Show, a Nautis Boating Simulator, workshops, demos and more. For the little ones don’t miss free face painting and caricatures, Blackbear the Pirate storytime and book-signing with author Steve Buckley, kids’ boating, toy boat building and much more. Tickets are $15 for adults. Kids 15 and younger free.
Manayunk on Ice
The annual Manayunk ice-carving expo takes places this Friday, February 8th through Sunday, February 10th on Main Street in Manayunk. Families will love viewing the techniques and ice sculptures from ice carvers from around the world. Plus don’t miss carving competitions, an ice bonfire and lots more icy winter fun. Free.
21st Annual African American Children’s Book Fair
Gymnasium of the Community College of Philadelphia
The 21st Annual African American Children’s Book Fair takes place this Saturday, February 9th from 1p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Community College of Philadelphia’s gymnasium. Come out for this free day of family fun featuring authors and illustrators making presentations and holding story times. Plus, games, prizes, giveaways and lots of outstanding African American children’s books will be available for purchase. Free.
Alexander & The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Kids will love this live musical performance of the bestselling book Alexander & The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day running at Walnut Street Theatre starting this Friday, February 1st through Saturday, February 9th. Everyone who has ever had a bad day can identify with poor Alexander who wakes up with gum in his hair along with other misfortunes and decides he’s better off moving to Australia! Show runs 60 minutes. Tickets $10-$16.
FORE! the Planet Indoor Mini Golf
Linvilla Orchards’ indoor mini-golf attraction “FORE! the Planet” continues this weekend and offers 18 holes of serious fun. This highly interactive and playful exhibit features info on environmental issues paired with the kid favorite fun of mini-golf. $6.95 for ages 11 and older. $4.95 for ages 10 and under.
Chinese New Year Celebration
The Elmwood Park Zoo hosts a family friendly Chinese New Year celebration this Saturday, February 9th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Kids will enjoy unique entertainment and activities to celebrate the Year of the Snake including snake and lantern making, live animal greetings featuring animals of the zodiac, authentic Chinese refreshments and, of course, a dragon parade (at 12:30 p.m.) where one lucky child will be selected to lead the parade and everyone dances and celebrates the new year. Free with admission $5-$7, ages 2 and younger free.
Colonial Chocolate Making
Colonial chocolate making returns to the historic Betsy Ross House this weekend on Saturday, February 9th and Sunday, February 10th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Come learn about the history of chocolate in America, from a symbol of freedom to a Valentine’s Day symbol of love. Families can watch a chocolate making demonstration by a historical interpreter using only hand tools and cacao beans. Demonstration is free with admission. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children and seniors.
Love Bugs
Philadelphia’s only insect museum hosts a day of love for these often unappreciated critters on Saturday, February 9th starting at 1 p.m. Kids can admire insects up close and make a buggy Valentine’s Day card, too. $9 admission, children under 2 are free.
In the Artifact Lab: Conserving Egyptian Mummies
This unique opportunity to explore a real working laboratory features a glass enclosed conservation lab allowing visitors to see the tools of the trade and observe real conservators at work on Egyptian objects including rare paintings, ancient funerary objects and of course mummies. Twice daily, visitors can speak with a conservator (Sat. and Sun. 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.). Free with admission $6 – $12. Ages 5 and younger free.
Sing Along with Mary Poppins
Don’t let the weather get you down – join Mary Poppins’ lovers at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields this Saturday, February 9th at 4 p.m. for a sing-a-long of this most heart-warming and magical film, Mary Poppins. The 139 minute Disney movie will be run with captions, so there’s no need to remember the lyrics if you don’t have the classic songs memorized. Popcorn and other treats will be available. BYOUmbrella. Family fun for all ages. Free.
Baby Loves Disco
The original family Valentine’s dance party returns to Philadelphia this Sunday, February 10th at Shampoo Nightclub from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Baby Loves Disco gets kids and their parents dancing to a real DJ and great tunes. In addition to the music, kids will also love the crafts, bubbles, activities and unlimited drink boxes. Plus adults can take part in the cash bar and dancing, too! $12 per walking human.
Jennifer Oxenford is a mother of two and the founder of phillyfun4kids, www.phillyfun4kids.com, your place to find free (and mostly free!) things to do with your kids in and around this great city of motherly love. You can also follow phillyfun4kids on Twitter at twitter/phillyfun4kids.
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