Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into Strasburg Rail Road for Day Out With Thomas: The Leader of the Pack 2011 Tour. All Thomas fans are invited to spend the day with their favorite from June 18th-26th, 2011. This nine-day event will include activities and excitement for the whole family.


There are lots of family friendly activities to do while at the Strasburg Rail Road

· Storytelling and video viewing

· Ride on the Cagney, a miniature steam train

· “Steer” the pint-sized Cranky Cars around a track

· Ride Strasburg Rail Road’s hand-powered Pump Car

· Shop a large selection of Thomas merchandise, including toys, books, railway sets, DVD’s, apparel and more

The train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every 30 minutes, rain or shine. Check www.StrasburgRailRoad.com for specific train times.

Advanced ticket purchase is recommended. Ticket prices are $18 for ages 2 and up (service charges and fees may apply). Purchase tickets for Day Out With Thomas:by calling Ticket Web toll-free at 866-468-7630, or by visiting www.ticketweb.com or www.StrasburgRailRoad.com.



For more information and directions contact the Strasburg Rail Road at 717-687-7522 or www.StrasburgRailRoad.com.

Discover. Learn. Inspire. Enjoy the Arts with Target.

Target invites you and your family to see more of the arts while spending less. As part of our efforts to support education in the communities we serve, Target sponsors free or reduced-price admission to arts and cultural events nationwide.

Don't miss the Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Event, July 16-18, at a museum or performing arts institution near you. Bring your family and enjoy the arts with Target!

Philadelphia Area Events

* Arden Theatre (Reduced-Price)
Arden Theatre, Philadelphia
Target 2-for-1 Family Series
Various performance dates
www.ardentheatre.org

* The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
Target Arts & Wonder
Sunday
Target Free Sunday
7/18/2010 from 3 to 5pm
www2.fi.edu
Free Admission

* The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
Target Community Night
3rd Wednesday of the month
www2.fi.edu
Free Admission after 5pm

* Please Touch Museum
Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia
Target First Wednesdays
1st Wednesday of the month
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/
Reduced Admission

For more information: http://sites.target.com
Location: various locations
This event is appropriate for:the whole family
Cost: free

WXPN'saward-winning Kids Corner radio show, will take over the Camden Children’s Garden during the 2010 XPoNential Music Festival. This annual summer festival, now in its 17th year, returns for a sixth year to Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront from Friday, July 16 through Sunday, July 18. The Kids Corner Garden will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18.

The Kids Corner Garden will feature live family music performances on the Kids Corner Garden Stage, hosted by Kathy O’Connell. Performances start at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Kids Corner Garden will also feature exciting amusement rides and indoor and outdoor garden exhibits including a butterfly house, Ben Franklin’s Secret Garden, a dinosaur garden, maze, tree house and several storybook gardens. In addition, Jane Kirkland of Take a Walk Books will host interactive nature shows throughout the weekend.

The following is the schedule of Kids Corner Garden Stage performers (subject to change):

Saturday, July 17 (gates open at noon)

* Steve Pullara & His Cool Beans Band (1:00 p.m.)
* Two of a Kind & The Give ‘Em A Hand Band (2:00 p.m.)
* Bubboon’s Tunes (3:00 p.m.)
* John Hadfield (4:00 p.m.)
* Yosi & The Superdads (5:00 p.m.)

Sunday, July 18 (gates open at noon)

* Joanie Leeds (1:00 p.m.)
* Billy Kelly (2:00 p.m.)
* Recess Monkey (3:00 p.m.)
* Ham & Burger (4:00 p.m.)
* John Flynn (5:00 p.m.)



For more information: www.camdenchildrensgarden.org/ or http://xpn.org/
Location: Camden Children's Garden, 3 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
This event is appropriate for: the whole family
Cost: 3 Day Festival Pass - Best Value!
WXPN Members - $45 | General Public - $65
Daily Tickets (Fri-Sun)
WXPN Members - $20 | General Public - $30
Kids (ages 2-12)
Just $5 per day (anytime)

Summer 2010 Family Fun in the City of Brotherly Love! Here are a few places you may want to visit this summer with the kids that won't break the bank!


Christ Church

Christ Church, located at 2nd and Market Streets, is open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday in June and July until 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Complimentary admission; donations are encouraged.



* Historic Christ Church Tours: Woven into guided tours of “The Nation’s Church” are stories about famous Revolutionary-era leaders who worshipped at Christ Church including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Absalom Jones. Daily; 20 minute tours throughout the day.



* Patriots and Heroes Church Tour: This guided tour emphasizes the military contributions of Benjamin Franklin and the Associators; Brigadier General John Forbes and Fort DuQuesne; and Revolutionary War heroes. Daily; 20 minute tours at 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.



* Storytellers from “Once Upon a Nation:” Hear compelling stories about those associated with Christ Church, including Peggy Shippen, Fanny Kemble, Alice, Jacob Duché and George Washington. “Once Upon a Nation” is Historic Philadelphia’s storytelling program. Daily; throughout the day.



* Colonial Music: Listen to the peaceful sounds of the dulcimer played by John Lionarons in the courtyard. Hours vary, weather permitting.

For more information call (215) 922-1695, 32 or visit www.christchurchphila.org.

Christ Church Burial Ground

Christ Church Burial Ground, located at 5th and Arch Streets, is open Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; weather permitting. Admission is $2 per adult, $1 per child and $10 for groups up to 25 people. All proceeds benefit the preservation of Christ Church and the burial grounds.



* Patriots and Heroes Burial Ground Tour: The burial ground is the final resting place of five Founding Fathers, including Benjamin Franklin. The guided tour features patriots and heroes with connections to Christ Church including military notables Commodore William Bainbridge, Colonel Edward Buncombe, Joseph Hews and General McCall. Daily; 20 minute tours on the hour, last tour at 3 p.m.



* History Hunt!: Children embark on an engaging hunt through history and solve the clues that can only be discovered at the graves of the seven signers of the Declaration of Independence buried on Christ Church grounds. Children who complete the History Hunt receive a special prize. Free with admission; Saturdays and Sundays in June and July, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.



* Fridays with Franklin: Have you ever wondered what stories Benjamin Franklin would tell if he were alive today? Join Dr. Franklin as he strolls the historic burial ground recalling stories of his life and of other revered and influential Americans buried on the grounds. Fridays in July and August from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., beginning July 9.


For more information call 215-922-1695 x32 or visit www.christchurchphila.org.

Sculptor Stan Smokler exhibits metal works inspired by the sea at Steel Currents, open June 4 through July 18 at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. Smokler's welded steel sculptures represent abstractions of a horseshoe crab, lobster, seaweed, nautilus and other marine life.


WHAT: Steel Currents: Sculptor Stan Smokler exhibits works inspired by ocean life with interpretation by the museum's curator of mollusks.

WHERE: Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807

DATES: Friday, June 4 - Sunday, July 18, 2010

HOURS: Monday - Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 12 - 4:30 p.m.


ADMISSION: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children (3-17), free for children 2 and younger.

INFORMATION: Call 302-658-9111 or visit www.delmnh.org.

Recently Fun Things had the opportunity to check out Delaware Museum of Natural History's new special exhibit Tree Houses. This cool exhibit will run through September 6th. Visitors can step inside an indoor tree house to discover hands-on activities that explore the many habitats trees provide for creatures large and small -- and people, too.

As you enter the tree house kids can look for signs of the animals that call the tree home. Kids and adults will love the wobbly bridge that you cross to enter the second tree house. My kids loved the forest sounds dance floor were you can move your feet to create forest sounds. After the kids have explored the tree house they can turn a tree into a house by scrolling through a film or build their own tree house using wooden building sticks.




WHAT: Tree Houses: Explore an indoor tree house and discover arboreal animals using stereoscopic viewfinders, tracking clues, natural artifacts, and sound. Sponsored by DuPont.

WHERE: Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807

DATES: May 29 - Sept. 6, 2010

HOURS: Monday - Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 12 - 4:30 p.m.


ADMISSION:$7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children (3-17), free for children 2 and younger.

INFORMATION:Call 302-658-9111 or visit www.delmnh.org.

All aboard for the best birthday party ever! Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into Strasburg Rail Road for Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010. All Thomas fans are invited to spend the day with their favorite engine and celebrate his 65th birthday from June 12-20, 2010. This nine-day event will include activities and excitement for the whole family.

* A 22-minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine
* The opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt™, Controller of the Railway
* A Thomas & Friends™ Imagination Station, featuring stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts and crafts activities and coloring sheets
* Storytelling and video viewing
* Ride on the Cagney, a miniature steam train
* “Steer” the pint-sized Cranky Cars around a track
* Ride Strasburg Rail Road’s hand-powered Pump Car
* 2010 commemorative merchandise and giveaways, including a mini-view finder giveaway that tells the story of Thomas’ upcoming adventure, Misty Island Rescue
* Shop a large selection of Thomas merchandise, including toys, books, railway sets, DVD’s, apparel and more

Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010 will welcome roughly 40,000 fans to Strasburg Rail Road during the June, September and November visits. Pulling out of the station for its 15th consecutive ride on the rails, Thomas will make stops in more than 45 US cities. This year also marks Thomas the Tank Engine’s 65th publishing anniversary and fans will participate in many Thomas-themed celebratory activities! Children can make birthday cards for Thomas at the Imagination Station and then upload them on the official Thomas and Friends website. Kids will also receive a discovery map during their visit. As they visit each activity center they will receive a stamp. Once the discovery map is full of stamps the kids will receive a Thomas and Friends prize!

The 22-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine. Check www.StrasburgRailRoad.com for specific train times. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended. Ticket prices are $18 for ages 2 and up (service charges and fees may apply). Purchase tickets for Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010 by calling Ticket Web toll-free at 866-468-7630, or by visiting www.ticketweb.com or www.StrasburgRailRoad.com.

To purchase tickets or view a detailed train schedule, visit www.StrasburgRailRoad.com or call 717-687-7522.

OutWithTheKids.com presents: Randy Kaplan

Randy Kaplana singer-songwriter with seven solo albums, Randy has turned his prodigious talents to children's music with resounding success. His 2nd album, Loquat Rooftop has been named to numerous top ten of 2008 lists, notably, NPR's. With his storyteller's flair, his accomplished folk guitar, and his light-hearted tone, Randy Kaplan's two charming albums for children overflow with charm, musicality, and kid appeal. Like a slightly quirky pairing of Dan Zanes and Arlo Guthrie, Randy Kaplan's music has won over critics and kids alike with it's presentation of a broad range of authentic folk stylings, shaggy dog stories, and smart original tunes, all delivered with a wink and a smile.This show is appropriate for ages 3 - 8 years of age.

Tickets $8 in advance
$10 on the day of show

For more information: OutWithTheKids.com
Location: The Kennett Flash is located at 102 Sycamore Alley in downtown Kennett Square, PA
This event is appropriate for: ages 3 - 8 years of age.
Cost: Tickets $8 in advance
$10 on the day of show

Saturday May 8, 2010


11am-4pm

Amtrak hosts a National Train Day celebration that includes an expo with a variety of train exhibitions and equipment, live musical performances, special guests, raffles, giveaways, a train marketplace, and more. An AmtraKids Depot offers a dance party with the Radio Disney Road Crew, interactive games, magicians, face painters, hands-on educational activities, and appearances by real Amtrak employees such as train engineers and conductors.


For more information: Details and a complete entertainment schedule are available online: http://www.nationaltrainday.com/
Location: 30th and Market Streets Philadelphia, PA 19104
This event is appropriate for the whole family
Cost: free

Join IKEA South Philadelphia in a unique family event designed especially for new and expecting moms!

Saturday, May 8, 2010 - 11:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Meet "mompreneurs" at the Happy & Healthy Mom Fair and interact with local service providers and find resources that will make your busy life a little easier. Admission is FREE and includes a fabulous goodie bag filled with samples!

In 15-minute workshops you can learn how to make organic baby food, create baby videos at home, and so much more! Confirmed participants: BellyButtonBoutique.com, Before, During & After Doula Care, Premier Baby Concierge & Premier Sitter Services, Linda Morrow Photography, ModernMeBaby, Nicck Townsend Makeup, Mama's Little Helper, Nutritionist Chrissy Fink, K. Fonville Culinary Designs, Hot Mama Gowns, Kt Steppers, LLC, Belmama and Cherub, Maternity and Post Delivery Chiropractor Ohm Chiro, Nurture, BabyMeTV.com, BeautiControl, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist Amy Borrelli.


For more information:http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/philadelphia/activities
Location: 2206 South Columbus Blvd.Philadelphia
Cost:free to attend

The 2nd Annual Healthy Kids Day will be held on May 22, 2010, at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This celebratory event is free to the public.

Come and enjoy:

* Concert performance by The Laurie Berkner Band and a special guest
* Healthy food and drinks
* Children’s activities
* New youth walk/run

Ask experts about nutrition, vaccines, managing asthma, injury prevention and much more.

Pre-register for Healthy Kids Day now!


Anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult to attend Healthy Kids Day. The Mann Center for the Performing Arts is located at 5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA.

Schedule of events
Healthy Kids Day Youth Walk in Fairmount Park

8:00 a.m. - Check-in begins (Mann Center for the Performing Arts)
8:30 a.m. - Warm-up
9:00 a.m. - Walk begins
11:00 a.m. - Event ends

Healthy Kids Day and Concert at the Mann Center

12 p.m. - Healthy Kids Day gates open
12 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Games, rides, education for families, cooking demonstrations, exercise, music, exhibits, face painting, magic, music, meet-and-greet, arts and crafts and more!
1:00 p.m. - Seating begins for the program and concert
1:30 p.m. - Healthy Kids Day program and concert

For more information: www.chop.edu/about/chop-in-the-community/government-affairs/healthy-kids-day/
Cost: free
Location: 5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA.

Welcome spring with a weekend full of family fun at the 41st Annual Peddler’s Village Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival is held rain or shine. Admission and parking are always free.



Taste strawberries prepared in every way possible from chocolate-dipped, smoothies and fritters to shortcakes, pastries and pies. Pick up some fresh berries and jars of chunky preserves to take home. Contestants will compete for the blue ribbon each day at 3 pm on the Main Green in the Strawberry Pie Eating Contests. More than 40 of the region’s finest artisans will exhibit and sell unique handcrafted works on the Street Road Green. Live musical entertainment throughout the Village and creative activities in the children’s crafts areas round out the weekend’s activities.




For more information: www.peddlersvillage.com or call 215-794-4000.
Location: Routes 202 and Street Road in Lahaska, Bucks County
This event is appropriate for the whole family
Cost: free to attend

During Spring Break Fun Things had the chance to visit the Atlantic City Aquarium at the Historic Gardner's Basin . This is a smaller Aquarium, but that was the best past about it, we could get an up close view of all the aquatic life. Our favorite part was petting the Rays in the touch tank, they were like little puppy dogs that kept coming back for more attention!


If you are spending time down the Jersey shore this summer you may want to check the Atlantic City Aquarium, there are other activities to do during the summer months at the Historic Gardner's Basin like boat rides, crafters village and shopping.



For more information: www.acaquarium.com
Location: 800 North New Hampshire Ave. Atlantic City NJ
This event is appropriate for the whole family
Cost: Adults $7
kids $4
3 and younger free

Disclosure: My family and I received free admission to research this review

Last month I had the chance to check out the Saturday Play date sponsored by Kids In Center City at the Comcast building. This was a great family field trip because we took the train into the city and since it was the weekend when we were having torrential downpours we never had to step foot outside!

We got to meet Kelly and Chica from the Sprout Channel, my youngest is a huge fan! Also The Franklin Institute, The Art Museum, The Constitution Center and The Philadelphia Art Alliance will have kids friendly activities.

Here's a clip of last months fun:



This Saturday April 17th there will be another Play date and a chance to meet Chica and participate in more kids friendly activities.


For more information: www.kidsincentercity.com
Location: The Market and Shops in the Comcast Building
This event is appropriate for the whole family
Cost: free

If you are looking to take a field trip, try checking out the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in Philadelphia this weekend.The Japan American Society of Greater Philadelphia celebrates the arrival of spring and the beauty of delicate, pink cherry blossoms with the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, held at venues throughout the Philadelphia area. Many events are free, but some do have fees associated with them.


If you visit on Sunday April 11th it is Sakura Sunday,which is a day of picnicking and performances favored by families in the Delaware Valley. Sakura Sunday will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Fairmount Park’s Horticulture Center, Sakura Sunday is a daylong extravaganza of art, food and entertainment. Visitors can enjoy cultural and martial arts demonstrations, sudoku, and live musical performances. Shofuso, a 16th Century Japanese house and garden beloved by Fairmount Park visitors, is also open throughout the day. A $5 donation for adults, free for children under 14.

Click here for a list of the days events



For more information: www.jasgp.org/cherryblossomfestival/
Location: venues throughout the city
This event is appropriate for the whole family
Cost:it depends on the events, check website for details

The buzz is building as word spreads about The Great Train Robbery rumored to take place at the Strasburg Rail Road April 17, 2010. Passengers aboard the 4 p.m. train should be on guard for a gang of robbers targeting the Strasburg area. To protect the passengers, law enforcement will be on hand to keep the peace and see that justice is served. Passengers should be warned that this trip is filled with theft, scandal and plenty of laughs.

Guests aboard this Strasburg Rail Road train will recognize the robbers by their early 20th century dress. The robbers, who are really improvisation actors from Act 1 Productions, will be mingling with guests at Strasburg’s train station, shops and on board the train. The unsuspecting passengers will be given “loot” to carry on the train, only to have it taken from them during the ride.

As the robbers move from car to car, they will interact with the passengers and try to swipe some loot. As the passengers give up their loot, they can also hand over real cash – all for a good cause. All money collected on the train is donated to the Penn State Hershey Four Diamonds Fund to support its mission of conquering childhood cancer by assisting children treated at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital and their families through superior care, comprehensive support, and innovative research.
There are three opportunities to enjoy this exciting ride.

When: April 17 at 4:00 pm, July 25 at 5:00 pm and October 23 at 4:00 pm.

Tickets: Coach prices: $17 adult, $10 kids 3-11, $3 kids under 3.

Where: Strasburg Rail Road, Rt. 741 East, Strasburg, PA

(GPS Address: 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA 17572)

Tickets: www.StrasburgRailRoad.com, 717-687-7522

The Delaware Museum of Natural History will celebrate Earth Day early at Worms, Slugs, and Bugs: Earth Day Every Day this Saturday, March 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

* Land snail races
* Red wiggler worms to touch
* Indoor composting tips
* Butterfly life cycle obstacle course
* Puppet shows
* Crafts
* Live animals

What: Worms, Slugs, and Bugs: Earth Day Every Day

Where: Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807

When: Saturday, March 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3 through 17), $6 for seniors, and free for children 2 and younger and museum members.

More information: Call 302-658-9111 or visit www.delmnh.org.

The Philadelphia Zoo and Walmart have kicked off a limited time $10 Walmart Wednesdays promotion available on March 10, 17 and 24. The promotion, which features a $10.00 ticket, includes admission and parking at the Zoo on these dates and represents an approximate 60% discount for individual guests.

The Philadelphia Zoo is located at 3400 West Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, PA and operates from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM everyday. For more information on the Philadelphia Zoo and the $10 Walmart Wednesdays promotion please visit www.philadelphiazoo.org.

Celebrate Spring at the Brandywine Zoo! Each day will be full of spring fun such as live entertainment, fun animal games, animal arts and crafts, discovery cart with hands-on animal biofacts! FREE ADMISSION!!!





For more information: http://www.brandywinezoo.org/events.html#spring
Location: 1001 North Park Drive Brandywine Park Wilmington, Delaware 19802
This event is appropriate for all ages
Cost: FREE