Delaware Parks & Recreation: Summer 2015 Events

Philadelphia and Jersey aren't the only places with free movies in the park programs!

Check out these movies in Delaware parks:


Milton Memorial Park

Drop by with your picnic blanket and catch a free film! Films begin at 8:30.

6/11  Frozen Sing-Along
6/25  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
7/9  Monster University
7/23  Big Hero 6
8/13  Dolphin Tale 2
8/27  Into the Woods


Elsmere Town Hall, Wilmington

6/19  Dolphin Tale 2
7/17 When the Game Stands Tall
8/21  Happy Feet
9/18  The Goonies


Okay, so I only found 2 free spots. It seems there are lots of towns in DE who charge for outdoor movie screenings. But don't worry--there are plenty of free Movies at the Beach in Delaware!





*If anyone has a link to other counties in DE let me know and I'll add them. 

Review: Smith Memorial Playground

Smith Memorial Playground is one of those best-kept secrets in the area. It never ceases to amaze me how many mamas have never heard of it, because when you go there are tons of kiddos and their parents. That's not a problem though, because the playhouse is literally a mansion. It is 16,000 square feet of fun for little ones.

Outside the playground is the size of 6, yes 6, football fields. So no matter how crowded the parking seems, there is plenty of room for everyone to play!

It is located in East Fairmont Park in Philadelphia and is a free, yes free, place for kids to play the day away. Donations are accepted. The playhouse is recommended for kids 5 and under, while the playgrounds are recommended to kids 10 and under. Parties, field trips, and groups pay a small fee to utilize the space. The facility is always closed on Monday's.

Playground hours:

April 1- September 30

Tues-Fri, 10-6

Sat-Sun, 10-7

October 1 - December 31

Fri-Sun, 10-4

Playhouse hours:

April 1 - September 30

Tues-Fri, 10-4

Sat-Sun, 10-7

October 1 - March 31

Tues-Sun, 10-4

The playground is hands-down the best playground I've ever seen. It has some fun and unique play structures. One is the giant wooden covered slide. You can zoom down the slippery slide (they wax it) on a burlap sack. I'm telling you, even as adults my hubby and I could not get enough of the slide!

Tri-State Hot Spots gives Smith Memorial Playground
3 out of 3 thumbs up!

Freebies for Parents: Parents Magazine

Today's freebie is a FREE one year subscription to Parents magazine, which is one of my favorites. It's chock full of parenting advice, fun things to do with the kiddos, and much more.  Click here to sign up to get yours!

Movies on the Beach, DE

The NJ shore isn't the only place with Movies on the Beach. Oh, no--there are some at the Delaware baches, too! Check them out below...

Dewey Beach (at Dagsworthy Street)

Movies begin at around 8:30, so bring a blanket and some snacks

6/15 An American Tale
6/22 The Lego Movie
6/29 The Box Trolls
7/6 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
7/13 The Little Rascals
7/20 Big Hero 6
7/27 The Goonies
8/3 Annie (the new one)
8/10 Jumanji
8/17 Maleficent
8/24 Muppets Most Wanted

Fenwick Island (on the beach)

Flicks start at dusk, and get here early with your chairs because seating is first come, first served

7/7 The Lego Movie
7/21 Frozen
8/4 Muppets Most Wanted

Bethany Beach (off Garfield Parkway)

Movies begin at dusk, so grab your chairs and get there early

6/15 Happy Feet
6/22 Curious George
6/29 Paddington
7/6 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
7/13 Earth to Echo
7/20 Sleeping Beauty
7/27 Madeline
8/3 Big Hero
8/10 Cinderella (new)
8/17 Frozen
8/24 Disney-Pixar's Planes: Fire and Rescue
8/31 Finding Nemo
9/11 Disney's The Kid
9/18 Muppets Most Wanted
9/25 The Boxtrolls

Boom, Hiss, Pop! Summertime Fireworks 2015

Summertime is almost here and there will be fireworks aplenty in South Jersey and area!

Fireworks Throughout the Summer

Philadelphia, PA:

June 23, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, after concert
June 27, Penn's Landing
June 28, Central Park, Doylestown
July 1, Penn's Landing, after concert
July 1, 2, after Phillies game

Camden Riversharks Stadium, NJ:

Every Saturday after the game

Gloucester Twp., NJ:
June 6, Veterans Park, 9 pm

Wildwood, NJ:

Fridays, June 26-September 4

Point Pleasant, NJ:

July 3
and every Thursday night until August 31

Ocean City, NJ:

June 4
October 10

Fireworks for Independence Day Weekend

July 2
Bridgeport, NJ (at the speedway)
Medford, NJ

July 3
Woodbury, NJ
Barrington, NJ
Haddonfield, NJ
Shamong, NJ (Valenzano Vineyard)
Atlantic City, NJ
Jackson, NJ (Six Flags Great Adventure)

July 4
Pitman, NJ
Washington Twp., NJ
Camden Waterfront, NJ
Collingswood, NJ
Haddon Twp., NJ
Audubon, NJ
Evesham, NJ
Woodstown, NJ
Atlantic City, NJ
Cape May, NJ
Margate, NJ
Stone Harbor, NJ
Jackson, NJ (Six Flags Great Adventure)
Ocean City, NJ
Wildwood, NJ

Philadelphia Art Museum, PA

Riverfront - Wilmington, DE
University of Delaware Athletics Complex - Newark, DE
Dewey Beach, DE
First State Heritage Park - Newark, DE
Downtown Bethany Beach, DE

July 5
Jackson, NJ (Six Flags Great Adventure)

Rehoboth Beach, DE

*If you know of any other fireworks displays planned in the South Jersey, 

Phila, or DE area please let me know!

Special Needs Events for Special Kids & Their Families

There are more and more hot spots hosting special needs events in the area, so I thought I would share. These special events are great for children with a variety of special needs because they usually do stuff like let less people into the venue, dim the lights in places that are usually very bright, turn on the lights in places that are usually very dark, and limit music and other loud sounds as much as possible. Plus it is always nice to take your special needs child out without any judgment from others.

Here are some places that host such events:

Some AMC Theaters put on a Sensory Friendly Film screening. In South Jersey the participating theater is the Lowes Cherry Hill. In the Philadelphia area the participating theaters are the Franklin Mills 14 and Neshaminy 24. At this time there are none in Delaware. Click here for the upcoming schedule of movie screenings for children with special needs. My understanding is that these screenings cost the same as regular admission.

The Garden State Discovery Museum, in conjunction with Nemours duPont Pediatrics, hosts a handful of events every year especially for children with special needs and their families. They are held on select Sunday nights from 6-8 pm. Check out the schedule below. These events are FREE.

Sahara Sam's holds a special needs night on select Friday evenings from 6-9 pm throughout the year. They turn the arcade games off to avoid sensory overload. Click here for the upcoming events schedule. Tickets are available for purchase online and are $17.95 each.

Diggerland USA is one of South Jersey's hottest new amusement parks that is construction-themed. Special Abilities Nights at Diggerland (or SAND, as they call it for short) are offered several nights throughout the year from 5-8 pm. Click here to check for the nest SAND. Tickets are available for purchase online and are $17.95 each.

High Elevations Trampoline Park has a Special Needs Night on the 1st Monday of the month from 7-8 pm. Admission is $10 per child and includes the special socks required for safety reasons. Accompanying adults are $2. 

Review: Camp FAC (The Lake at Fellowship Alliance Chapel)

Fridays are lake days for our family! And our favorite lake is at Camp FAC.

Some years ago, Fellowship Alliance Chapel took over some old YMCA campground land in Medford. In the summertime they hold worship services there and host many community church picnics. Members of the church enjoy the lake daily, but it is open and FREE to the public on Community Days. These Community Days are held on Friday's beginning June 26th and will run through August 28th. They are open from 10 am to 7 pm.

The best part about this lake is that you need not bring your own chairs. Someone generously donated tons of adirondack chairs for the lake's sandy beaches. If you get there early enough you can even score a spot under an umbrella. There are certified lifeguards and the spring-fed lake is cool and refreshing. Pack snacks and lunch though, as there is no snack bar. There are barbecues available if you want to grill your lunch, as well as picnic tables. There are decently clean indoor bathrooms (no yucky port-a-potties here). And if you wanna rinse off your kiddos before you pack 'em back into the car, there is an outdoor shower.

In addition to swimming, kids who visit love to go boating. The lake has several canoes, rowboats, and kayaks. Last year they even added a couple of paddle boards. Lifejackets are available and required. The lake also has volleyball, basketball, tetherball, gaga, horseshoe pits, cornhole, and hiking trails. Kids love to hang out on the wooden bridge and docks to look for tadpoles, froggies, and dragonflies. You could never be bored at this lake!

For directions click here.

Tri-State Hot Spots gives Camp FAC
3 out of 3 thumbs up!