Weekend picks for Philly families

    Looking for family fun this weekend?  Our top ideas are separated into Downtown and Northwest activities…

    Downtown Edition:

     

    Channel your Inner Indiana Jones

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    If you happen to have an aspiring archaeologist in your family who brings home bits of rock, pottery, and other treasure, come celebrate National Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 20, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. The Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) celebrates the occasion with an afternoon of archaeological adventure and some Hollywood-inspired fun, with Indiana Jones Day

    Cosponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America, Indiana Jones Day runs from 1:00 to 4:00 pm,  and honors the fictional explorer-archaeologist Professor Henry Walton Jones with a host of adventurous activities. The event is free with Museum admission ($12 for adults; $10 for seniors [65+] and military personnel; $8 for full-time students [with ID] and children [6-17]; and free for children under 6). Visitors wearing an Indiana Jones-style fedora receive $2 off the price of admission! 

    Huffing and Puffing at the Central Library
     
    What happens when the Big Bad Wolf wants to be the good guy for a change? This fast and furious collection of famous fairy tales performed by the Walnut Street Theatre investigates and answers that very question:Once Upon A Wolf   Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 2:00PM Central Library1901 Vine Street, 19103215-686-5322Cost: Free 

    Celebrate the Season at the Franklin Square Pumpkinfest

    Saturday, October 20, 201211:00am – 2:00pm Rain Date: October 21, 2012.  Enjoy cupcakes, costumes, candy, and (of course) PUMPKINS! Historic Philadelphia Inc.’s family fundraiser for Franklin Square! Pumpkin painting, cupcake decorating, a costume parade, fall favorites from SquareBurger, and more. All proceeds from the event will be used to help preserve Franklin Square as a community treasure.  

    Hang with the Elmo, The Count and their Furry Friends at Spooktacular!
     
    What better place to get in costume and enjoy the fun ahtn Sesame Place’s Halloween Spooktacular?  See the park decked out for Halloween, trick or treat at stations around the facility, bubble dance in Ernie’s big duckie pool, a rockin’ Halloween Parade, and enjoy cooler weather and shorter lines!  Saturday and Sunday Oct. 20-21. 
     
    Northwest Philly Edition:

    Fall Foliage Walk at the Schuylkill Center

    Take a walk on the Vibrant Side… Oct 20th, 2012 : Fall Foliage Walk from 8:30-10:00 am.  Take an early morning walk with the naturalists at SCEE to explore the changing hues of autumn in our woodlands. Why do trees turn color? The answers will be surprising! It’s a great morning of autumnal ecology and natural history.  FREE! 

    Big Backyard Annual Yard and Bake Sale!

    The Big Backyard Nursery School will host its annual yard sale on Saturday, October 20th from 9am-2:00pm. Over 20 families contribute to this sale. Always lots of kids clothes, housewares, electronics and toys. Enjoy a delicous scone or cookie while shopping. All proceeds benefit the Big Backyard.

    Scarecrow Walk at the Morris Arboretum:

    The scarecrows are coming! More than 30 designer scarecrows will be on display for three weeks along Oak Allée. Come vote for your favorite in both categories and help determine which ‘crows will be the prize winners!  Morris Arboretum, Free with admission.

    Penn-Knox Harvest Festival:

    Come join in the fun with music and art-making, children’s activities, a community potluck, and Germantown Story Slam!  Please bring a dish for the potluck and a wonderful Germantown poem or story to share too.  The festival is held at Penn & Knox Streets in Germantown from 12:30-Dusk.

    Northwest Philly Parents is a partnership between Newsworks and Germantown Aveneue Parents

     

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