Manderach Memorial Playground

 

Location: Swamp Pike & Ziegler Rd., Limerick, PA 19468

Bathrooms: Two Restroom Facilities (Porta Potty near the playground)

Eating area: Yes, under covered pavilions

Attractions: 70 acre park with castle themed playground with two long tunnel slides, baseball field, basketball, 2 sand volleyball courts, 1.1 mile paved walking/running track (see aerial map)

Around the Area:  Philadelphia Premium Outlets (approx. 10 minutes from park)

Fee: Free

This weekend's Sunday drive took us to Limerick, PA to check out Limerick Community Park and its famous Manderach Memorial Playground. In just about an hour, we reached our destination. Squeals of excitement erupted from the backseat when the kids saw the 30 foot high castle named "Lisa's Lookout" with two loooong tunnel slides protruding from the top floor of the castle.

The kids ran straight for the stairs to climb the castle and attempt the tunnel slides. Believe me, half the fun of the slide is the climb to the top! Little ones will need assistance as it is quite a hike!  The steps to the top are roomy enough for adults to climb and the slide is big enough to allow adults to ride down with kids. Yes, I couldn't resist and I had to ride the slides too! When my son reached the bottom of the slide, he exclaimed, "That is the best slide ever!" and I completely agree!

As my kids repeatedly climbed the tower, rode the slide, and then ran to get back in line, I was able to sit back and truly look at "Lisa's Lookout." It is quite an impressive structure dedicated to Lisa Manderach and her 19 month old baby, Devon, who were horribly murdered in 1995. The two long tunnel slides look like two long arms reaching out to the children in a symbolic hug; welcoming all who enter and encouraging smiles and laughter amongst such a painful past.   It is a beautiful, and fitting, tribute to a mother and child whose memory will be forever remembered.

Surrounding the castle tower slides are saucer swings, a tire swing, and a large castle themed playground equipment with lots of climbing equipment.  This side seems to be dedicated to the older kids, while on the other side of the tower is the area for younger children.  This side has more traditional swings, and a smaller castle-themed playground, just the right height for little ones!

What I really liked was that the entire playground complex was completely surrounded by a large fence and allowed for only one way in and out.  That makes monitoring the kiddos a lot easier!

Take a break from all the fun by eating your lunch in the covered pavilions, or using the vending machines to grab a drink. There is also a concession stand, that wasn't open when we were there, but purchasing food might be possible on special days. There are two bathroom facilities available, but the one closest to the playground had a porta potty...not my favorite.  However, you could take a little walk and use the facilities a little further away from the playground.  Either way, bring some wipes, and sanitizer!

This park was given the title of Best of Philly 2006: Best Playground (Montgomery County) and it is a well deserved title! We will definitely be visiting again. It was clean, well kept, and made the kids (and adults) really happy!

Tips: 

• The playground is CLOSED the first Monday of every month from 7am to 2pm for inspections and maintenance. 
• Bring a towel for the tunnel slides, the older kids say it makes the slide really fast
• Bring bikes, scooters, etc to ride the trail
• Bring sporting equipment to play in the surrounding fields
• There were a lot of people there and  I felt comfortable having my husband and grandparents with me to help monitor the kids.  Even though there is only one way in and out, I think you need to bring at least two people, at least for younger ones, to help monitor the kids.
• Pack a lunch and make a day out of it!
• Plan this visit combined with some shopping at the Limerick outlets and you can definitely make this a day trip! 

 Enjoy!

It's Christmas Time in the City!

Ahh, there is nothing like Christmas in the city. Something about the hustle and bustle, the decorated store windows, and numerous festivals and events that to make the holidays feel extra special. A favorite family tradition of ours is to visit Philadelphia to get into holiday mood! The magic of Christmas is always around and will leave everyone smiling and feeling festive.

The Macy's Grand Court Light Show 
13th and Market Street
Show is every hour on the hour
FREE 
http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/xmas.php 
Friday, Nov. 25 - Friday, Dec. 23: 10am-8pm
Saturday, December 24th: 10am-5pm Christmas Day: Closed
Monday, Dec. 26-Friday, Dec. 30: 10am-7pm
Saturday, December 31: 10am-5pm.
Crowds are thinner Mon.-Thurs. and after 4pm Fri. thru. Sun. 

A perfect family outing, the Christmas Light Show and Wanamaker Organ Concert at Macy’s is a Philadelphia tradition that dates back half a century. Come to the famous Center City store — housed in the historic Wanamaker Building — to watch snowflakes, ballerinas and reindeer float beyond the four-story-high velvet curtain of the Grand Court atrium. During the light show, more than 100,000 bright, energy-efficient LED lights combine to create fantastic holiday images. The lighting display is accompanied by festive music from the world-renowned Wanamaker Grand Organ.

Dicken's Village at Macy's
13th and Market St.
3rd Floor (Holiday Lane)
FREE
http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/xmas.php  
Friday, Nov. 25 - Friday, Dec. 23: 10am-7pm
Saturday, December 24: 10am-5pm
Christmas Day, December 25: Closed
Monday, Dec. 26 - Friday, Dec. 30: 10am-7pm
Saturday, December 31: 10am-5pm.

A Philadelphia tradition for more than 20 years, the third floor of Macy’s is transformed into “Dickens Village” for the holiday season. The 6,000-square-foot Village brings Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol to life with more than 100 fully animated figures reenacting 26 of the story’s most memorable moments.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular 2011
1701 John F Kennedy Blvd
One Comcast Center
10-8pm, on weekdays it is until 5pm
Show runs every hour on the hour, lasting 15 minutes
FREE
http://www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions/philadelphia/the-comcast-holiday-spectacular/ 

A holiday spectacle unlike any other! It is shown on the state-of-the-art Comcast Experience Video Wall and is filled with sights and sounds of the season. New this year, enjoy scenes from George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” performed by the renowned Pennsylvania Ballet along with updated scenes of the holiday.
The Holiday Spectacular also features a magical sleigh ride through the snow covered Pennsylvania countryside, the majestic sounds of a 64-piece orchestra, and more.

 
The Reading Terminal Holiday Railroad
12th & Arch Streets
Friday, November 25 – Saturday, December 31
Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm & Sundays 10am-5pm
Closed Christmas Day
Location: Piano Court in the Market
FREE
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/events/

Kids and adults alike will delight in this 500 sq.f. model railroad display with almost a third of a mile of track! Twelve working train lines rumble through a multitude of miniature scenery including Center City Philly, a Christmas Village, and snow-covered countryside.

Christmas Village
1500 Arch Street, LOVE Park

November 24 – December 24, 2011
Sunday-Thursday  11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday-Saturday  11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
FREE
http://www.philachristmas.com/28-0-About.html

Philadelphia will once again transform into European wonderland during the third annual Christmas Village at Love Park. More than 50 vendors from all over the world will occupy over 80 quaint, wooden booths for the month-long Christmas Village at Love Park. Browse for the perfect gift, like Christmas ornaments from Germany; enjoy European food, sweets and drinks, such as Bratwurst and “Lebkuchen (gingerbread); and watch to performances from area bands, dance groups and more.Don’t Miss the massive Kathe Wohlfarhrt tent features popular Christmas gifts from Germany, including glass ornaments, music boxes, nutcrackers and incense smokers.

Stellwag's Hidden Acres Farm

Location:116 Hartford Rd. Delran, NJ

Website: http://www.stellwagshiddenacresfarm.com/

Bathrooms: Yes

Eating area: Yes

Attractions: Rose Garden, animals for viewing, short hiking trail, garden center

Fee: $5 per person for the hayride to pick a small pumpkin.

Cost of the pumpkin is included in the $5 price.

Click HERE for the price guide to other pumpkin picking farms !

This past weekend the family and I took advantage of the nice weather and finally went pumpkin picking.  This year, we tried the much talked about Stellwag's Farm not far from our home. This was our first time on their hayride, although we have visited the garden center several times to purchase plants. We couldn't beat the price of only $5 per person,  including the cost of the pumpkin! Oh...and did I mention there was hot cider when we returned? Sweet!

We went to the farm at about 11am on a Sunday and found it to be very quiet. There was hardly any one there, and no lines to wait in. We paid our $5 for our hayride and pumpkins, and off we went. However, the ride to the pumpkin patch was a very different when compared to previous pumpkin patch trips.  You don't take a ride around a farm, but instead you ride through a heavily shaded wooded area.  It was so cool! The kids kept saying, "We're off to find the witch's house, which house? The witch's house!"  It wasn't scary by any means but it was shaded, making it darker and a retreat from the bright sun. Along the way, you will find various decorative scarecrows in the woods for some visual entertainment. I never knew that Stellwag's had that much property! I could imagine a hayride at night would be pretty awesome through the woods and I wonder why they haven't ventured into that market?

After the ride through the woods, the tractor stops at the pumpkin patch where loads of pumpkins are waiting to be picked.  I liked the fenced in area...perfect for little ones! So easy to watch them, they could run free and I didn't have to worry! The pumpkins were small, but again it was the perfect sized for my 3 and 4 year old to carry themselves. That was real nice! I imagine that these small pumpkins would not satisfy older children who hunt for the "great pumpkin," but I think it should satisfy most kids about 10 and under. Within the patch, there was even a setup to take pictures of your kids with their chosen pumpkin.

When you are finished picking, the tractor will take you back to the garden center/gift shop and you are free to explore the rest of the farm...for FREE!!  Yes, viewing the animals, the nature trail, and rose garden are all free! You will find goats, various pheasants, sheep, wild turkey, and more! Make sure to stop and smell the roses in the rose garden maze, and enjoy a nature trail that will take you over the a bridge and through the woods leading to the animal pens. There is also a covered area with picnic tables for eating. Make sure to call ahead if you need those tables, because that is also where the birthday parties are held.  You may be out of luck if there is a party. Also, the garden center does not sell food, so you do need to bring your own. Inside the garden center/gift shop you will find the restrooms.

If you are looking to pick pumpkins without breaking the bank, have little ones, and don't want to spend all day looking through a huge pumpkin field for pumpkins, then Stellwags is for you. Your kids will enjoy it, they will get a pumpkin, a hayride, see some animals, run through the woods....and you can just take it all in and relax. Everyone wins!

Happy Fall!

Just My 2 Cents: The Weekends Best Events (Oct. 8th and 9th)

So much to do this week! Here are just a FEW of my favorites. Make sure to check the Family Penny Pincher calendar for event details and for additional events happening this week! 

Great weekend to pick pumpkins! Before you go check out the pumpkin picking blog post!

Saturday Oct.8th

Haddonfield Farmer's Market. Haddonfield, NJ. 8am to 12pm. Free Admission. Enjoy a friendly market experience that’s fun for the whole family. The Haddonfield Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday, rain or shine, May thru October and Oct. 8th is the last day until it reopens in the spring! Supposed to be a beautiful day! After shopping the Farmer's Market take a stroll through downtown Haddonfield!

Autumn in Moorestown Festival. Moorestown, NJ. 9am to 4pm. FREE Admission. Downtown Moorestown will welcome the fall season in a big way - from fine arts and crafts to antique and classic cars, scarecrows and pumpkin painting - our Main Street business distict will be alive with activities for all ages and interests. Again this year, the Lakes Corvette Club will host the annual Antique and Classic Car Show along Main Street.

Apple Festival. Historic Kirby's Mill in Medford, NJ. 9am. FREE Admission. This is THE event for all apple-lovers! Enjoy home-churned apple ice cream, apple cider donuts, which are made right there at the festival, apple cobbler, and other yummy treats. Visit numerous unique crafters, live entertainment, and  tour the historic Kirby's Mill, the last operating commercial mill in New Jersey, operating right up until 1969!

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic. Local Lowe's Stores. 10am. FREE.  Build and Grow kid's clinics are a great way to help build kids' confidence! Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. This week create the Monster Machine, just in time for Halloween.

Rainbow Fish at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Collingswood, NJ. 1pm and 3:30pm. $5 tickets.  This is a brand new musical adaptation of the story of Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish in the ocean, based on Marcus Pfister's award winning book, "The Rainbow Fish".  With a  lively and refreshing musical soundtrack, and sparkling, specially created costumes, cute puppets and a wonderful underwater world, it's a musical presentation for the whole family.  A fun and lively story, with colorful characters for the young ones, and an interactive and funny script for the older ones.  And a lesson for all - young or old. Could combine theatre and dinner in Collingswood for the 2nd Saturday event!

 Sunday Oct.9th

Eureka! Make Art Together. Abington Art Center. Jenkintown, PA. 11am to 3pm. $5/per project. Each month Abington Art Center hosts EUREKA! a fun workshop for families of any size, shape and artistic ability to play and make art together. This month's workshop will feature mask making! Come make a funny, scary or artistic mask. All art supplies will be provided. Drop-in anytime between 11am & 3pm! No reservations are required.

Lenape Village Tours. Churchville Nature Center. Churchville, PA. 1:00pm and 2:30pm. $5. Take a tour of the Lenape Village and experience a 1500’s era working village. The village is  a hands-on, living history exhibit that gives students and other members of the community the opportunity to experience first-hand what is was like to live in our area as a Native American, just before contact with European settlers. Each week there will be a different craft or skill featured.  Reservations are requested in advance. This weekend learn about Lenape cooking.

Have a great weekend!

Just My 2 Cents: The Best Weekend Events (Sept. 24th and 25th)

So much to do this week! Here are just a FEW of my favorites. Make sure to check the Family Penny Pincher calendar for event details and for additional events happening this week! 


Saturday Sept. 24th

Museum Day . Various Locations. All day and FREE. In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket...for free. View the list of 2011 participating museums.

Sculpture Saturdays. Along Kelly Drive, Philadelphia. 10am to 2pm. FREE family-friendly SCULPTURE WORKSHOPS, iPOD TOURS, and LIVE MUSIC along Philadelphia’s Kelly Drive.  hands-on activities for all ages, including artist-led sculpture workshops for kids, self-guided iPod tours, and live performances from The Adam Monaco Band, Trinidelphia, KyoDaiko and more. There’s something for everybody to enjoy while discovering public art in in Philadelphia. Live performances at 11:00 and 1:00pm.

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic. Area Lowe's Stores. 10am.FREE From project basics to giving your child the opportunity to say, "I built it!", Build and Grow kid's clinics are a great way to help build confidence! Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. This week create a firetruck with stickers and a working siren!

Oktoberfest. Saturday 12-8pm and Sunday 12pm -5pm. Huntingdon Valley, PA. FREE. German food, music, dancing, beer garden, activities and games, crafts, hayrides and pony rides. We went last year and had a great time. Some portions have a fee for participation.

Fall Family Fun. Terhune Orchards, Princeton, NJ. Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. $5, children under 3 are free. Come to Terhune Orchards every weekend this fall for great farm fun, great food and great music, celebrate the harvest with the  Mount family and see your neighbors and friends. Pony rides, tractor drawn wagon rides, pumpkin painting, visiting our barnyard of animals, the Corn Stalk Maze, and exploring the Farm Trail are some of the delights that await you each weekend.

Sunday, Sept. 25th

Hipster Henry Firetruck Tour. 4th and Girard (Northern Liberties) 10am. FREE. Kids grab your cameras, your parents and join hipsterhenry.com “A Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia” for a tour of the Engine 29 Firehouse. Meet the firemen and get behind the wheel of a real fire truck. RSVP by emailing henry@hipsterhenry.com so we know how many kid’s to expect! All families are welcome!

Eurkea! Art Workshop. Abington Art Center. Jenkintown, PA. 11am to 3pm. $5. Each month Abington Art Center hosts EUREKA! a fun workshop for families of any size, shape and artistic ability to play and make art together. This month’s art activity will be inspired by Lonnie Graham’s African photo journey.

Manayunk EcoArts Festival. Manayunk, PA. Saturday 11am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm. FREE.  A two day event along historic Main Street in Manayunk celebrating  artistic, sustainable, and local green initiatives where eco-minded artists, green businesses, and ecologically-concerned community groups gather to share resources and education about green and healthy living.

Just My 2 Cents: The Best Weekend Events (Sat. Sept. 16th and Sun. Sept. 17th)

So much to do this week! Here are just a FEW of my favorites. Make sure to check the Family Penny Pincher calendar for event details and for additional events happening this week! 


Saturday, Sept. 17th

 Sculpture Saturdays. Along Kelly Drive, Philadelphia. 10am to 2pm. FREE family-friendly SCULPTURE WORKSHOPS, iPOD TOURS, and LIVE MUSIC along Philadelphia’s Kelly Drive.  hands-on activities for all ages, including artist-led sculpture workshops for kids, self-guided iPod tours, and live performances from The Adam Monaco Band, Trinidelphia, KyoDaiko and more. There’s something for everybody to enjoy while discovering public art in in Philadelphia. Live performances at 11:00 and 1:00pm.

Touch a Truck. Silver Diner Parking Lot, Cherry Hill, NJ. 10am to 2pm. $7 p/p or $20 per family.  Fun for everyone! Construction vehicles, emergency vehicles, classic cars, big rigs, tractors and more! Access to over 30 vehicles, the Fun Bus, face painters, live music, auction items, food and drinks and more! To Benefit the building of Jake's Place Playground!

Apple Day. Terhune Orchards, Princeton, NJ. Saturday and Sunday. 10am to 5pm. $5 pp. Children under 3 are free. Fun for  the whole family, including face painting, pumpkin painting, pony rides and our popular corn maze.  Live music, homemade food, and pick your own apples. On Saturday, Herman Parish, local author of favorite children stories Amelia Bedelia, will be signing his new book Amelia Bedelia's First Field Trip as well as Amelia Bedelia First Apple Pie. 

Kids in Center City Playdate. The Market & Shops at Comcast Center, 1701 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia. 11:30 to 1:30pm. FREE. Enjoy a special Kidsincentercity.com Saturday Playdate with Sephora and Wilhelmina Philadelphia. Families can enjoy kid-friendly fashion focused activities, as well as a children’s fashion show. Children are encouraged to to wear their favorite fall inspired designs and participate in the children’s fashion show. Wilhelmina Philadelphia will be on site to take pictures and scout future models (Ages 5 years and up). Market Merchants will offer fashion themed kid-friendly treats and crafts. Parents should stop first to watch The Comcast Experience screen show before descending to the lower level Market area where the event will be held. 

Indian Acres Annual Septemberfest. Indian Acres Tree Farm, Medford, NJ. Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. fCraft Show with over 45 crafters showing off their unique Handmade crafts, and a kids' Fun Fair to benefit American Cancer Society (Relay for Life) of Medford. Featuring Live Music and a fun, FREE play area for the kids. Pumpkin picking wagon rides, barrel train rides, jumpin' pumpkin, face painting, pony rides, zipline, and more!

Sunday, Sept. 18th

Kidzfest. Challenge Grove Park, Cherry Hill, NJ. 11am to 3pm. Free entry. Fee for Participation in the fun-a-thon 3 event competition. Bounces, crafts, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, games. Hockey and soccer shootout, and basketball hoops. Appearances by Captain American and Iron Man! Fun for a good cause...help fight pediatric heart disease, cancer, and premature birth.      

My Gym Open House.  Cherry Hill, NJ. 9:30am to 11am. FREE. Everyone is welcome to attend.  Bring a friend and enjoy the gym.   Parents/Adults wear socks. There will be rides, games, swings, zip line and more.  Invite your friends. Also as a special bonus New York Life will be providing a Free Child Identification Card complete with photos and fingerprints to those parents who would like to have this free service. Check the site for additional open house times!

Exclusive Offer for Family Penny Pincher Fans!

 Click on the coupon for a larger image and to print!

Our good friends at Children-More are offering fans of the Family Penny Pincher a special dollar off coupon for their upcoming event!  Purchase your tickets at the link below and then bring your payment receipt and print out of the coupon above.  Thanks Children-More!

LET'S TALK COLORS! A MULTILINGUAL PLAYDATE

Wednesday, September 14

Kid Junction, Mt. Laurel

10am to 12pm

$8.00 per child, adults free (with the coupon..only $7.00 per child)

Enjoy learning about numbers in multiple languages through play.  Each family will receive a sample of EasyLearn's new book filled with at home activities for children. A great event to enjoy prizes, fun and learning! Light snacks and refreshments will be available.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Have a great time and thanks Children-More!