I Have A Baby and Ten Dollars...Now What?

Photo by Flickr user Neeta Lind

We know this is short notice, but tonight's Community Night at the Franklin Institute and with dozens of great exhibits open gratis it's certainly worth the extra effort of a weeknight out. In what is, essentaialy, a sceince extravaganza, the Franklin is opening up the doors to all of their hands-on exhibits (including the Sports Challenge and the Giant Heart) as well as the IMAX and Planetarium for free. That's right. Tonight, starting at five o'clock, you can visit this awesome muesum and take advantage of all the extras for no charge. Live science shows, 3D movies at the Franklin Theater, access to the fancy observatory, it's all free. Just show up at 5:00, register at the desk, and you're in. Commuinty nights are monthly, so if you can't make this one, there's another coming up in mid-November. Visit the website for more information, and check back here with Phillyist for a reminder!

The weather washed out the Reading Terminal Market's big outside Fall Harvest fest last weekend, but good news—they're giving it another shot this Saturday at 10:00! Fillbert Street will be closed off and vendors are setting up shop complete with hayrides, a pumpkin patch, and hot apple cider. For more info, visit the always informative website or e-mail me directly because I love talkin' about food.

This Sunday's Family Gallery Tour at the Art Museum is entitled "Adventures in American Art" and with the museum's, shall we say, extensive, Americana collection the tour promises to be a blast. Aimed at kids ages 6 to 10, tickets to the tour are free after museum admission. With two tours, one at 11:30 AM and one at 1:30 PM, make sure to catch these great, infomative and—most important—fun little tours and introduce your children to the idea that art can be exciting.

This October marks the 25th anniversary of Philadelpiha's public Mural project and if you haven't taken part in any of the activites, take advantage this weekend. The month-long celebration wraps up with a family festival this Saturday at The Piazza at Schmidts (1000 N. 2nd St.). With mural tours begining at 11:00 AM and leaving every half hour (on foot, bike, bus, and trolly) along with interactive mural making activities,
like a children's coloring station, pumpkin (and face!) painting, live music and more. Give Philly murals the attention they deserve this weekend! Admission is free and
for more information about this and other mural based activities, visit the website or call 215.685.0739 for more information.

We've talked about the HeadHouse Farmers Market in Baby and Ten before. If you need another reason to visit 2nd street on a beautiful fall weekend, beginning at 10 AM on Saturday and wrapping up around 5 PM on Sunday, the Betsy Ross House is hosting its Autumn Craft Fair. With a special selection
of vendors, snacks (anyone familiar with this column knows how much I love snacks!), and seasonal crafts, The Betsy Ross House is a great place to consider a leisurely walk around with the family in tow. While you're visiting this lovely little corner of the city, make sure to stop by Head House Books. HeadHouse Books sports a surprisingly large children's section. Additionally, they run a children's hour every Tuesday and Friday at 11 AM. With privately owned bookstores becoming scarce, HeadHouse deserves your attention, not only is the personal service amazing, but if you need a book they don't have, they will hand deliver any books you may have to order.
For more information about the going on's over at the Ross house, call 215.686.1252 or visit the website for more information.

While this wraps up this weekend's actvities, I am well aware a big kid holiday is swiftly approaching and there a ton of local businesses who want to give you and your baby candy. Check for a special article on where to take your kids trick-or-treating here in Philly...and if you can think of a clever title, e-mail that in because all I can come up with is "Turning Tricks in Philly" and somehow I just don't think that's going to fly.

Help a mother out.