Cait Sumner

Cait Sumner is an editor for Mommy Poppins and the owner and photographer of Apiary Photography. Along with homeschooling their kids, Cait enjoys playing soccer with the Philly Falcons. Always on the lookout for fun, unique family activities, Cait loves bringing those ideas to life through Mommy Poppins.

Latest posts by Cait

Philadelphia Beer Gardens that are Family-Friendly

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 06/11/2023 - 9:02am

Spruce Street Harbor Park has two water features and tons of games to keep kids busy after a meal. Photo courtesy of Spruce Street Harbor Park

Philadelphia beer gardens are popping up just about everywhere. With delicious brews and cocktails alongside yard games and kid-friendly spaces, these spots are a perfect match for families looking to get out without paying for a babysitter. There are lots of great family-friendly (and pet-friendly!) beer gardens in and around the city that are perfect for a relaxing weekend.

If you're heading to a Fishtown beer garden, check out our recommendations for Things to Do in Fishtown with Kids. Looking for more ways to get outside? Check out the Best Playgrounds in Philadelphia for All Day Play or take a look at our Outdoor Activity Guide.

Sesame Place: An Amusement Park for Every Preschooler's Must-Do List

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Wed, 05/04/2022 - 10:00am

Sesame Place is one of the best toddler amusement parks in the Philadelphia area.

Whether you grew up watching it, or you're just watching it with your kids now, Sesame Street is truly something special to share with little ones. Sesame Place, the theme park in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is no different!

The amusement park and water park offers rides, slides, parades, shows, plenty of meet-and-greets with your favorite Sesame characters, including Elmo, Big Bird, and Abby Cadabby—and yes, a dose of nostalgia for us parents. Read on for our review and top tips for attending with toddlers and even bigger kids in tow.

As you plan your summer getaways, don't forget to check out our guide to the best amusement and water parks across the country.

20 Awesome Art Classes for Philly Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 08/15/2021 - 6:30am

Enjoy visual arts classes, dance, theater, and more at Allens Lane Art Center. Photo courtesy of the center

Art classes are a great way to help kids hone their creativity, to discover new talents, or even just de-stress. There are so many great places in and near Philly to discover art, and many of them offer classes for aspiring young artists. Some even offer homeschool classes for kids who learn at home and are looking to socialize with their peers.

Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up some great nearby art classes. Many are still fine-tuning their fall schedules so check their websites often for the most current information. For more ideas, browse through our Guide to Classes for Kids in Philadelphia, which is filled with many options.

Free Museum Passes and More Perks From Your Philly Area Library Card

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 01/22/2021 - 10:30am

Learn about early American history at the American Revolution Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for something FREE to do to entertain the kids? If you live in the suburbs, go to your local library and check out passes for you and your family to visit a number of great nearby museums, zoos, and gardens.

Each library has different policies for passes so be sure to call or check in at your local branch before reserving. Given the current COVID-19 situation, some venues may not be open so it is important to check with your local branch for availability. The list below may contain museums that are currently closed or do not have passes to offer at this time. To search for the most accurate options and what's obtainable, use the keywords "Museum Pass" in your library's catalog search.

You'll only be able to check out passes in your county and with your library card. In general, passes are reserved in advance and both picked up and returned to the original location. Passes must be returned when due to avoid a late fee. Some libraries have checkout restrictions based on the township in which you live. Scroll down to your county to see what great passes you can find.

March GoList: The Best Things To Do With Philly Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 02/23/2020 - 9:00am

Here comes the sun, Philadelphia! Spring is right around the corner. This month is full of the taste of sweet maple syrup, beautiful flowers, and we can't forget leprechauns! As the cold starts to break, we can count on plenty of ways to get outdoors and play this month.

Although, you never know, maybe we still have time to get that one big snow day in! Hurry up, and check all the winter fun off your list before it's too late with our Winter Activities Guide. As always, check our event calendar for even more fun things happening this March!

February GoList: The Best Things To Do With Philly Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 8:00am

We've had some frigid days in Philly this year, and we may be looking at quite a few more before spring finally arrives. Luckily, there's plenty of fun for Philly kids indoors, if you're not ready to brave the chills outside. Whether you're just looking for a place to drop-in, or trying to save a little money this winter, we've got a little something for everyone, including fun for even the littlest ones! So, stay warm and have fun this February, Philly!

Don't forget, there are tons more great events listed in our event calendar every day, and for indoor fun, check out our Indoor Activities Guide.

10 Play Places for Philly Siblings with an Age Gap

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 01/12/2020 - 8:02am

If your kids are separated by a large age gap, it can be hard to keep them both happy and entertained. What makes your baby happy can be boring for an older kid who wants to run and play. As they get older, your curious and easily distracted toddlers might not be able to keep up with your older kid's activities. Unless you can clone yourself to take each of your kids to different activities, finding something to keep them all entertained is key. Fortunately, there are amazing places that seem to know the realities of raising multiple kids with different interests. Here are a few we've tested with our age gapped kids that we think you'll love.

January GoList: The Best Things To Do With Philly Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Fri, 12/27/2019 - 7:04am

January is such an exciting time for Philly families! The new year has begun and new adventures await. Create new memories this year by checking out each of our GoLists every month to see what's happening near you. Don't forget to read our Annual GoList to find all the best events happening in 2020.

Mommy Poppins wishes everyone a happy and healthy 2020!

Be sure to subscribe to our email newsletter to see our weekly roundups of events as well!

Cait Sumner

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