Open houses for a planned independent community school in West Philly begin this Saturday, Oct. 1.

Set to open in Fall 2023, the Roots and Branches School is recruiting kindergartners and first graders, according to experienced West Philly educator and the school’s director Rowan Machalow.

“Our vision is providing a broad and balanced elementary education to children from a range of cultural and financial backgrounds in the West Philadelphia community,” Machalow wrote in an email. “Our educational model supports educating the whole child through investigation and exploration in our academic curriculum and daily arts, music, and foreign languages, and movement.” Continue Reading

The 2022-2023 school year has begun today for tens of thousands of Philadelphia children and youth with the School District of Philadelphia welcoming students back into school buildings. For parents and guardians seeking free or low-cost afterschool or recreational activities for their kids, check out these two programs below.

LEAP at the Free Library of Philadelphia

The Free Library’s Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP) returns for a new school year at all libraries throughout the city with a playful learning focus for younger students and a focus on literacy and 21st century skills for all ages. LEAP is currently scheduled to be offered Monday through Friday at every library as staffing and operating hours allow.

The Library’s LEAP Out-of-School-Time Programming will offer Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) activities, literacy activities, slime making, and more. LEAP will offer homework assistance in-person during Library hours and live tutoring through Homework Help Online from 10:00 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week. Continue Reading

Several Philadelphia’s cultural institutions and agencies, including the Academy of Natural Sciences, The Barnes Foundation and WHYY, are offering free summer learning opportunities for children ages 5 and under and their families.

A number of activities and programs have been scheduled at various locations in West Philadelphia through mid-August (for more locations, check out the Summer Pod Brochure 2022):

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Discover, Play, Share: Summer Family Fun

When: July 23 and August 6, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Where: Mt. Vernon Park, 37th and Mt. Vernon St.

What: Outdoor storytimes, puppet shows, STEAM experiments, music, and movement. Take-home learn-and-play kits and snacks. Continue Reading

Here’s a great chance to spend some time after dark at The Woodlands and learn more about one of nature’s magnificent creatures – the firefly! A popular summer event, Firefly Night, will return this Wednesday, June 29, from 6 – 9 p.m. to 40th and Woodland as part of the Nature Nights series.

At the event, guests can watch for fireflies in The Woodlands after dark, all while enjoying a sweet treat from the Popalong Truck. You can also learn about The Discovery Center and have fun with a nature activity. Tangle Movement Arts will present a firefly-inspired aerial performance. After the aerial performance, there will be a chance to explore the Philadelphia Orchard Project (POP) learning orchard located near Woodland Avenue.

Don’t forget to pack a picnic and a flashlight! Continue Reading

With hot weather starting to set in in the area, Philadelphia Parks & Rec has opened spraygrounds around the city ahead of the summer public pool season which kicks off in mid- to late-June. The city has over 90 spraygrounds and sites with some water features, all of which are now open to keep residents cool, according to the Parks & Rec website.

Spraygrounds will stay open until Labor Day and will operate 7 days a week (with exceptions for inclement weather) with the following hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Here is the list of spraygrounds operating in West Philadelphia (for more locations, visit this page): Continue Reading

Here’s good news for our little neighbors: Some popular local Spring Egg Hunts will be held again after a two-year break. There’s also an egg hunt happening at a new location this year. Here’s what’s happening this Saturday and Sunday (if you know of an egg hunt that’s not on this list please post a comment below):

Saturday, April 16

Neighborhood Spring Egg Hunt in Cedar Park (50th and Baltimore)

Cedar Park Neighbors is hosting a Spring Egg Hunt from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Children accompanied by an adult are welcome to come find spring eggs filled with treats (see the flyer for more details).

Spring Egg Hunt at the Walnut Street West Library (40th and Locust Walk)

The Friends of Walnut Street West Library (Facebook page) are hosting the Spring Egg Hunt again on the green at New College House (on Locust Walk). The first egg hunt starts at 10:30 a.m. for children under 6 and the second starts at 12:00 p.m. for children over 6. There will be activities, take home craft kits, a storytime, and maybe even the Easter Bunny will make an appearance! Continue Reading