Alyce Wilson

Alyce Wilson is a write-at-home mom who somehow also finds time to write poetry, edit an online literary magazine, do genealogical research, and teach aqua fitness classes. She lives in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Latest posts by Alyce

Best Summer Camps in Philadelphia

Submitted by Alyce Wilson on Sun, 03/05/2023 - 7:32am

Spend your summer with Sesame Rockwood Camps & Rockwood Adventures Teen Travel. Photo courtesy of the camp

We've found the best summer day camps for kids in the Philadelphia area.

With the warmer weather comes dreams of summer. Get ready by enrolling your kids in one of Philly's many day camps. We've rounded up some of the area's best traditional summer day camps, from the city, to the burbs, to South Jersey, where your kids can get fresh air, stay active, enjoy nature, and keep busy while school's out.

For more summer camps in Philly, including s ports camps and f ree and affordable summer camps, be sure to bookmark our Summer Camp Guide and Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour in Philly for Kids

Submitted by Alyce Wilson on Fri, 02/10/2023 - 7:06am

Try your hand at being a ninja warrior at Reach Indoor Climbing and Fitness.

We've found the best Indoor gyms and parkour places in Philly where your kids can channel their inner ninjas.

High-energy teens and tweens often seem to be running obstacle courses as they bounce, bop, and weave through the day. Channel that energy, and build valuable physical fitness skills at these ninja warrior gyms, obstacle courses, and parkour facilities in the Philadelphia area.

Lots of these spots are great for for birthday parties too--visit our Birthday Party Guide for Philly Kids for more ideas. For more ways to get those kids off the couch to let off some steam, check out our list of trampoline parks and bounce house play zones, which can be found in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones.

Best Sports Classes for Kids in the Philadelphia Area

Submitted by Alyce Wilson on Mon, 09/19/2022 - 9:00am

Practice your serve at Legacy Youth Tennis and Education. Photo courtesy of the center

Keeping your kids active once the school year kicks into gear is easier than you might think. Enroll your school-age child in a Philly sports class and help them to build physical skills, plus learn team building and increase confidence. We've rounded up some of the best sports classes, including gymnastics, soccer, baseball, and tennis, in the area and are adding more to our list all the time.

For more of our favorite classes, from dance to swim, visit our Guide to Classes for Philly Kids.

Swimming Lessons for Kids in Philly: The Best Swimming Classes in Town

Submitted by Alyce Wilson on Sun, 08/14/2022 - 12:32pm

Goldfish Swim School has swim classes for kids up to age 12. Photo courtesy of the school

Swimming classes can be a great way to keep kids active, as well as teach them important skills. Of course, in warmer weather, swimming lessons also provide a much-needed opportunity to cool down! If you're looking to enroll your child in swimming classes to get them water safe as soon as possible, check out this list of the very best swimming lessons in the Philadelphia area.

If you're looking specifically for baby and toddler swimming lessons, we rounded up the best places that teach babies as young as a few weeks old! And you can find more great classes for kids, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our Philadelphia Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

9 Walkable Neighborhoods near Philly for Family Outings

Submitted by Alyce Wilson on Sun, 05/22/2022 - 1:53pm

Take a bikde ride through Doylestown. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Not all family activities need to lean into the "active" part. Sometimes, just taking the squad for a leisurely stroll to get some fresh air, browse a few shops, and grab a bite to eat can make the perfect weekend outing. One great way to enjoy the warmer temperatures outdoors is to find a walkable neighborhood with a cute downtown district or Main Street lined with family-friendly stores and restaurants to pass the time. We found 9 great walkable Philly neighborhoods to do just that on lazy Sundays, Saturdays, or any day.

For more kid-friendly places to take the crew a little farther out, browse our Day Trips and Weekend Getaways Guide. For more family activity inspiration, sign up for our newsletters.

Explore Local History in Lights at the Neon Museum of Philadelphia

Submitted by Alyce Wilson on Fri, 04/15/2022 - 9:59am

Neon Signage provides a bright blast from the past at the Neon Museum of Philadelphia

Most people are aware of the world-class Philadelphia museums scattered along the Ben Franklin Parkway, but some of the most rewarding places to visit with kids are those lesser-known gems tucked away into the corners of the city that focus on specific artistic genres. One of those gems is the Neon Museum of Philadelphia, where families can investigate the colorful history of local businesses, and appreciate the unique creativity of neon signage.

Located in Kensington's NextFab building, the Neon Museum opened in 2021, inhabiting a large white-walled space right next to jewelry and textile studios, metalworkers, woodworkers, and a bicycle shop. There's nothing else like it in the city, making it a favorite entry on our list of 10 Unique and Unusual Museums in Philadelphia for Teens and Tweens. Read on for everything to see and do at the Neon Museum of Philadelphia, and find more ways to dive into Philly's art and science scenes in our Guide to Philly Museums for Kids.

Newlin Grist Mill: Where Nature and History Come Alive

Submitted by Alyce Wilson on Sun, 04/04/2021 - 10:30am

Delight in the calming waters of the mini-waterfall.

As you seek out fun and educational activities for your family, consider one of the Philadelphia area's little-known gems: Newlin Grist Mill, a 160-acre park in Glen Mills that combines opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploring history and the environment. Whether you're interested in hiking the eight miles of nature trails or learning about Colonial Pennsylvania, you can craft an excursion for anywhere from an hour to an afternoon for everyone from toddlers through adults.

It's an ideal addition to our Spring Fun Guide and yet another thing we are excited to do with kids this spring.

Alyce Wilson

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