I've Got A Baby and Ten Dollars... Now What?

We focus on moms a lot in this column. Classes, events, support, its all for mommies, and with good reason. Carrying around a watermelon inside of your body for those last two months of pregnancy is hard work and we deserve a little extra love, especially from Philadelphia-based blogs. However, Father's Day IS coming up, and Phillyist thought it might be time for us to spotlight some stuff for dads. So here it is, tons of stuff to do for Father's Day, all for the price of a horrible tie and weird looking mug your dad will say loves and then "take to the office" where it will never be heard from again.

This is a tip for parents with babies or older children. The Kimmel Center offers two great tours, a Building and Theater tour and an Art and Architecture Tour. While the theater tour is a great quick romp through the building, the Art and Architecture tour takes you through the center, the art collection featured, and highlights along the entire Avenue of the Arts. Offered weekly on Saturday mornings at 10:30, the walking tour lasts just about 90 minutes, which makes it perfect for older children who will enjoy seeing all the behind-the-scenes action of such a large theater and great for little ones you can still pop into the carrier. They'll love the lights, colors, and sounds of the Kimmel—believe me! My husband's graduation was there a couple of weeks ago and my four-month old was AMAZED. I'm not recommending this one for toddlers or really, any child under the age of 8 or 9. Where babies are easily portable and tend to fall asleep and older children with a flair of art or design will find this tour interesting, I cringe at the thought of chasing a bored four-year-old through the wings of the stage or carting a sleepy eighteen month old up and down the stairs. To sign up for tours, you can call 215-790-5830 or sign up online, or, if you're feeling chancy, you can sign up at the Information Desk the day of, but tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to 20 people per tour. I think its best to just call ahead.

Okay, so to make it up to all the parents of toddlers and young children I left high and dry on the Kimmel Center tour, I've got a GREAT tip for you. The Tyler Arboretum, home to ten incredible and interactive tree houses, is holding a "Going Buggy" event on Father's Day, this Sunday. Jon, the Bugman, will present his creepy, crawly collection of live and preserved bugs for two interactive shows (at 1:15 and 2:15). There will be tons of interactive activities ( i.e. make your own insect, calculating their carbon footprint, and recycling games), all focused on the preservation of our natural resources. The bug show, extra goodies and games are absolutely free with regular admission. Children ages three to fifteen can get in for only four dollars and kids two and under are free. For more information check out their website. Even if you don't make the big bug event, you have to check out these crazy treehouses! There is enough to do here to rundown even the most hyperactive four-year-old. Pack a lunch and the kids and ensure yourself some SOLID naptime.

Got a dad in your life with a need? A need for speed? Or what about a need for whirly helicopter propellers? Turns out, the American Helicopter Museum is about twenty minutes away in West Chester and they are having a huge Fatherfest on Sunday, June 21st. Starting at 11:00 and running until 3, it's an "anything with wheels or wings" enthusiast's wonderland. For younger children (think six and younger) the museum has thoughtfully shrunk everything an aspiring pilot could dream of. There's a control tower that has plenty of knobs, gadgets, and puzzles to keep little fingers busy, and no kid can pass up a chance to "fly" the child-size helicopter with its flashing lights and helicopter sounds. In Transportation Town, children can play with gears, design their own helicopter, or flip through books about helicopters. Families and groups can go on a scavenger hunt through the museum, and older kids will also enjoy the computer simulator where they can fly, design, and still be part of the family outing. Fatherfest is special because along with all usual aeronautical fare, the Helicopter Museum will be featuring classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles, and, of course, helicopter rides. So if you have some little (or big) people who want to play pretend inside real helicopters, this is the place for you. All the extra activities, snacks, and such for Fatherfest are free with purchase of a regular ticket which runs 7 bucks for adults and 5 for kids; and babies (2 and under) receive admission free of charge. Seniors and students both receive discounts with valid I.D. Any questions? Concerns? Call 610-436-9600 for details of visit their website. Good luck! And God speed!