The Academy of Community Music is a non-profit community music school providing music lessons, music therapy, and group classes for families, children, and adults.

Music offerings include Suzuki music groups, Broadway style song and dance groups, music theory, and instrumental ensembles. Private and group music lessons are offered with Suzuki and traditional instructors on instruments such as piano, violin, guitar, percussion, woodwinds, brass, and voice. Lessons occur at the Academy's Fort Washington facility and in studios throughout the Philadelphia area.

Family music programs for parents and children ages one and up offer a happy entrance into the world of music and exposure to various musical instruments through singing, movement, and rhythm activities. Participants receive a CD filled with songs to sing at home, as well as a musical activity book for families.

The Academy also offers individual music therapy and adapted private music lessons for people of all ages with disabilities. Music therapists conduct individual assessments to determine the best placement for each student.

The school year at the Academy runs September through early June, with lessons available Monday through Saturday. Summer Session runs from mid-June to early August, with lessons available Monday through Thursday. All students are required to make an initial non-refundable payment of $200 before the start of the school year; students participating in summer lessons are required to pay a $10 registration fee, plus the full cost of the summer session.

Baby Boot Camp offers a variety of stroller-based fitness classes for moms and babies. Classes combine strength-training exercises with pilates, yoga, and cardiovascular drills. The stroller, resistance tubes (and even your child!) are used as an integral part of the workout.

A variety of class formats are available to meet individual fitness needs, including indoor, outdoor, prenatal and express. The structure of all Baby Boot Camp classes follows guidelines set by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Council on Exercise.

Visit the Baby Boot Camp website for a complete list of classes the Philadelphia area.

Baby Boot Camp offers a variety of stroller-based fitness classes for moms and babies. Classes combine strength-training exercises with pilates, yoga, and cardiovascular drills. The stroller, resistance tubes (and even your child!) are used as an integral part of the workout.

A variety of class formats are available to meet individual fitness needs, including indoor, outdoor, prenatal and express. The structure of all Baby Boot Camp classes follows guidelines set by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Council on Exercise.

Visit the Baby Boot Camp website for a complete list of classes the Philadelphia area.

Berks East offers quality gymnastic instruction for boys and girls, tots through teens.

A variety of classes are available, including a parent-toddler class, and a free trial class is offered. Enrollment is ongoing.

Birthday Parties can also be held at the gym - highlights include the zip-line into the marshmallow pit and the bouncy house.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Day Camp for Little Kids in Philadelphia, Briar Bush Nature Center provides environmental education to individuals and groups of all ages.

The 12-acre nature center includes trails that pass by a windmill-fed pond, the Griscom Bird Observatory, native wildflower gardens, woodlands, and meadows. The museum contains a simulated Pennsylvania crawl-through cave, hands-on exhibits, reference library, children's Reading Hollow, live animal displays, observation beehive, indoor pond, and Discovery Den for the youngest visitors and their parents.

The Briar Bush Nature Shop is stocked by Wild Bird Center of Willow Grove with items for babies, toddlers, children, and adults.

Family membership packages begin at $40 and offer many benefits.

Birthday parties, available to BBNC members, offer an hour-long nature program led by Forest Friends educators followed by an additional hour in the private family party area. Briar Bush facilities can also be rented for other events, such as meetings, parties, showers, weddings, etc.

Briar Bush Ecology Kids Summer Camp programs are one week long - with half-day sessions for younger participants - and range from Itty Bitty Briars (for kids age two with parent or caregiver) to the Adventurers, an overnight camp for kids in sixth to ninth grades. Half-day camps remain onsite and explore Briar Bush. Full day camps include field trips in BBNC's 15-passenger van.

Cantemos Juntos (Let's Sing Together) music classes feature music written in Spanish that's designed to help young children learn Spanish in a fun, festive environment. Each class includes songs, instruments, egg shakers, parachute games, and more.

Center City Jewish Preschool is a Jewish early childhood center that nurtures and educates children ages 18 months to five years. The center blends Judaic and secular subjects into a program dedicated to meeting each child's physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual needs.

Mommy & Me parent/child classes and summer camp programs are also available.

Club La Maison, an upscale sports and fitness club, caters to children - tots to teens - with special programs throughout the year.

Swim, sport, and craft classes include a group swim lesson followed by a sport activity and creative crafts. Toddler tumbling classes teach tots exercise and basic tumbling skills on specialized equipment. Kid's yoga classes, offered for children ages two to six, practice stretching and strengthening little bodies, concentrating on breathing, balance, and coordination. Parent/toddler classes can get little ones used to the water with the security of their family around. Other classes include karate for ages three and up. Swimming classes and private lessons are also available.

Club La Maison also offers fun clubs with classes to help kids ages 11 to 15 get in shape. The Girls Club features spin classes, aerobics, yoga, weight training, and more. The Boys Club focuses on improving strength, agility, and flexibility through weight training and conditioning games.

Summer Camp is available for children ages three to ten years and offers both half-day and full-day options. Activities include a daily recreational swim, use of the KidzFit exercise facility, weekly field trips to local attractions, arts and craft projects, sports, and games. Extended care is available both in the morning and afternoon and a free t-shirt is given to all camp participants. Holiday camps are also available.

Fun, theme-based, birthday parties are available for all ages both in and out of the pool.

Enchanted Music Together offers music and movement classes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers.

Sessions are held at locations in Society Hill and the Queen Village/Bella Vista areas.

The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) is a very small, unique museum with rotating exhibits that focus on fabric design, use, and artistic qualities. It's a bright, open space with tall divider walls that hold the display cases. The maze created by these walls provides great running strips for little kids, so be forewarned!

Exhibits change often, so this is a good spot for short, frequent trips. Current exhibits are often accompanied by lectures and artist presentations offering a unique opportunity for discussion between the artist and audience.

FWM Family Programs feature hands-on activities designed to spark interest, arouse curiosity, and encourage children and adults to learn about art and culture together. Workshops allow families time and space to share in the creative process and expression inside and outside the museum walls

Call ahead if you are a large group and a special Study Tour can be set up. This interesting tour shows off the print studios, dye and pigment mixing rooms, current exhibition and is led by a knowledgeable guide. Study Tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Due to space limitations groups must be limited to 30 or fewer.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Artsy Class for Little Kids in Philadelphia, Fairmount Art Center (FAC) is a full-range art center, offering art programs for ages two through teen and music programs for ages infant through five years.

Art programs include classes, family workshops, school vacation day camps, summer camps, birthday parties, homeschooling classes, art therapy services, and
special needs classes. Music programs include music and movement classes for infants through age five, family music classes, and musical birthday parties.

Easy online registration, detailed program information,
teacher bios, and a student gallery is available on the FAC website.

Forever Making Music and More is a parent/child music program for children, from birth to Kindergarten. Music is learned through informal play and repetition, which reflects the unique learning styles of the very young. Parent/caregivers participate in class activities, and gather information to foster an enriched musical environment in the home.

Other class offerings include Mixed Age Class, Infant Class, and Music for Big Kids (ages four to six). Details and complete schedules of classes are available online.

Birthday parties by Forever Making
Music and More can be hosted at one of its four locations or on site at your home or party venue. Visit the website for more information or to reserve a date.

Forever Making Music and More is a parent/child music program for children, from birth to Kindergarten. Music is learned through informal play and repetition, which reflects the unique learning styles of the very young. Parent/caregivers participate in class activities, and gather information to foster an enriched musical environment in the home.

Other class offerings include Mixed Age Class, Infant Class, and Music for Big Kids (ages four to six). Details and complete schedules of classes are available online.

Birthday parties by Forever Making
Music and More can be hosted at one of its four locations or on site at your home or party venue. Visit the website for more information or to reserve a date.

Forever Making Music and More is a parent/child music program for children, from birth to Kindergarten. Music is learned through informal play and repetition, which reflects the unique learning styles of the very young. Parent/caregivers participate in class activities, and gather information to foster an enriched musical environment in the home.

Other class offerings include Mixed Age Class, Infant Class, and Music for Big Kids (ages four to six). Details and complete schedules of classes are available online.

Birthday parties by Forever Making
Music and More can be hosted at one of its four locations or on site at your home or party venue. Visit the website for more information or to reserve a date.

Inflatable bounces, slides, a ball pit, trampolines, interactive computers, and more make Fun Spot a, well, fun spot for children to go for active indoor play, learning, and interaction with their parents. On Fridays, from 6:30pm-7:30pm, Fun Spot offers costumed characters that are available for photos with visitors.

Parties: Fun Spot birthday parties start at $219 (plus tax) for one to 10 guests, and include a party coordinator, an hour of open play, an hour in the party room, all paper goods and utensils, an appearance by a costumed character - such as Clifford, SpongeBob, or Blue from Blue's Clues - pizza, juice boxes, soda, and snacks.

Classes: Fun Spot offers a structured program in which children can interact with their parents in age-appropriate playgroups that incorporate physical play, sing-a-longs, story telling, and puppetry. One-hour classes run for six weeks and cost $99; there is no registration fee. Each paid program fee comes with a one-month, half-off discount for upstairs open play. Arts and crafts, music, and physical activity classes are also available for $55 per month with no registration fee.

Contact Fun Spot for additional details on classes and parties.

The Garden State Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum celebrating imagination through themed interactive exhibits including a newspaper office and TV studio, the Get Fit! sports area, the Check Up exhibit, a Pet and Vet Clinic, and the Silver Diner. The museum offers numerous exhibits, daily workshops, programs, and weekend events.

The sprawling, open, warehouse-style floor plan allows parents to keep an eye on several youngsters at one time. Small tykes will have to be dragged out of Little Discoveries, devoted to participants four and under, which includes a "pond" area open only to crawlers. Older kids can broadcast the daily news, scale a rock-climbing wall, put on a show in a large mock theater, and get inside a gigantic bubble. A Dressing Room in the Discovery Theater is complete with dressing tables, mirrors, and new costumes every month, offering little stars the opportunity to shine as they hit the stage for impromptu productions.

For such a hands-on kind of place, the exhibits are in good shape and staff members check frequently to replace wayward exhibit pieces.

Daily drop-in workshops (check the board as you enter), covering arts and crafts, zoo animals, etc., are free with museum admission and run at different times throughout the day. These also give parents great chance to take a rest!

Grandparents Day is the first Sunday of every month from 9:30am to 10:30am. Send the kids to the museum with their grandparents for a special morning together including coffee, juice, bagels and a craft project.

Programs and classes include interactive storytelling for kids ages two to four (with an adult) and science, art, and construction classes designed for ages five to seven. Classes for older kids allow you to sign up for either one or all the workshops in a series.

Discovery Parties at the museum ($12.95/child; 10 child minimum, 20 child maximum) are offered for all ages and include the use of a private party room for 90 minutes, a party host to help you with the celebration, free admission for one adult per child. Birthday parents and granparents attend free, and the birthday child gets a free gift when you register in the museum's Discovermore store. Double Discovery Parties ($16.95/child; 10 child minimum, 20 child maximum) include all of the above plus a hands-on arts and crafts workshop led by program staff, and an extra half hour in the party room. Party bags are also available, at varying costs. Call 856.424.1233, ext. 305 for additional information about parties.

Annual Family Membership ($99) includes free general admission for one year, 2 free guest passes, a subscription to the museum's newsletter, 10% discount on workshops, classes, and birthday parties, 10% discount in the Discovermore store, and savings on special events, concerts, performances, and summer camps. A Family and Friends Membership ($149) includes all of the above as well as free admission to nearly 150 museums around the country, free admission for up to 4 guests per visit, and a 15% discount in the museum store.

The small eating area offers light snacks and drinks, but bring your own lunch. Bathrooms are kid-friendly and include a family bathroom adjacent to the exhibit area.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of clothing stores for children, also offers classes in movement, art, music, and baby signs, and Fitness Fun, at levels for different ages (0-6 months, 6-12 months, 10-16 months, 16-22 months, 22-28 months, 28-36 months, and 3-5 years), enabling teachers to introduce activities that are developmentally appropriate.

Each program level incorporates fundamental, engaging activities that help to build a child's cognitive, social and physical skills. Designed by child development experts, each of Gymboree's seven levels focuses on and supports the specific developmental milestones each child is working towards at his or her age, from sensory explorations for young babies to cause and effect, two-way communication, "motor planning," imaginary play, and early listening and language skills.

Warm, caring, and knowledgeable teachers lead each class with an opening ritual, themed activities, and a signature activity for each level. The final activity for each class is parachute time, a favorite for kids of all ages.

Classes: Gymboree classes (from birth to age three) are conducted with a one to one child/adult ratio for safety and fun. Separate Family Classes are also offered; one adult can bring two walking siblings ages five and under. A drop off option is available for Fitness Fun and art, and music classes for preschoolers ages three to five. Parents (or caregiver) can drop their child off for class or stay and play. Classes run about 45 minutes and meet once a week; four sessions are held each year. Participants can enroll in the fun at any time, as long as there's space available. Bonus Playgyms - free play times in addition to regularly scheduled classes - are included with class enrollment. Consecutive session discounts start with the fourth consecutive session, and the 11th session is free! Free preview classes are available.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Parties include access to a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and an instructor-led Gymboree class.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of clothing stores for children, also offers classes in movement, art, music, and baby signs, and Fitness Fun, at levels for different ages (0-6 months, 6-12 months, 10-16 months, 16-22 months, 22-28 months, 28-36 months, and 3-5 years), enabling teachers to introduce activities that are developmentally appropriate.

Each program level incorporates fundamental, engaging activities that help to build a child's cognitive, social and physical skills. Designed by child development experts, each of Gymboree's seven levels focuses on and supports the specific developmental milestones each child is working towards at his or her age, from sensory explorations for young babies to cause and effect, two-way communication, "motor planning," imaginary play, and early listening and language skills.

Warm, caring, and knowledgeable teachers lead each class with an opening ritual, themed activities, and a signature activity for each level. The final activity for each class is parachute time, a favorite for kids of all ages.

Classes: Gymboree classes (from birth to age three) are conducted with a one to one child/adult ratio for safety and fun. Separate Family Classes are also offered; one adult can bring two walking siblings ages five and under. A drop off option is available for Fitness Fun and art, and music classes for preschoolers ages three to five. Parents (or caregiver) can drop their child off for class or stay and play. Classes run about 45 minutes and meet once a week; four sessions are held each year. Participants can enroll in the fun at any time, as long as there's space available. Bonus Playgyms - free play times in addition to regularly scheduled classes - are included with class enrollment. Consecutive session discounts start with the fourth consecutive session, and the 11th session is free! Free preview classes are available.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Parties include access to a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and an instructor-led Gymboree class.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of clothing stores for children, also offers classes in movement, art, music, and baby signs, and Fitness Fun, at levels for different ages (0-6 months, 6-12 months, 10-16 months, 16-22 months, 22-28 months, 28-36 months, and 3-5 years), enabling teachers to introduce activities that are developmentally appropriate.

Each program level incorporates fundamental, engaging activities that help to build a child's cognitive, social and physical skills. Designed by child development experts, each of Gymboree's seven levels focuses on and supports the specific developmental milestones each child is working towards at his or her age, from sensory explorations for young babies to cause and effect, two-way communication, "motor planning," imaginary play, and early listening and language skills.

Warm, caring, and knowledgeable teachers lead each class with an opening ritual, themed activities, and a signature activity for each level. The final activity for each class is parachute time, a favorite for kids of all ages.

Classes: Gymboree classes (from birth to age three) are conducted with a one to one child/adult ratio for safety and fun. Separate Family Classes are also offered; one adult can bring two walking siblings ages five and under. A drop off option is available for Fitness Fun and art, and music classes for preschoolers ages three to five. Parents (or caregiver) can drop their child off for class or stay and play. Classes run about 45 minutes and meet once a week; four sessions are held each year. Participants can enroll in the fun at any time, as long as there's space available. Bonus Playgyms - free play times in addition to regularly scheduled classes - are included with class enrollment. Consecutive session discounts start with the fourth consecutive session, and the 11th session is free! Free preview classes are available.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Parties include access to a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and an instructor-led Gymboree class.

This branch of the YMCA offers indoor and outdoor pools, a fully equipped fitness center, and a basketball court.

The indoor pool is Olympic size, with six lanes, 25 yards in length. The outdoor swim club is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Both pools have a youth swim team. Swimming lessons are available for children ages six months to 14 years. This instruction provides children with the opportunity to learn water skills and water safety.

Classes and lessons at this Y branch include gymnastics, for kids ages one to six years; dance, for kids ages four to five years; pre-teen fitness, for kids ages ten to 12 years; and aerobics, for kids ages ten to 13. Sports offered for kids include soccer, roller hockey, baseball, and basketball.

Adventure Guides and Princesses, teen nights, family nights, and family game nights are also offered on a frequent basis. Teens can participate in Youth in Government or Leaders Club.

Childcare Programs include half day preschool for children ages three and four years, full-day care (6:30am to 6:30pm) for children ages 18 months to five years, a Kindergarten program for children who attend half-day Kindergarten, and a Before and Afterschool program for children in grades Kindergarten through five.

The Honey Hollow Environmental Education Center, the only agriculturally based National Historic Landmark in the United States, offers educational programs throughout the year. The Center is operated by the Bucks County Audubon Society.

InMovement: Gymnastics and Dance provides instruction in gymnastics and dance for children ages 15 months to 12 years.

Course offerings include parent and child classes, progressive gymnastics for beginner and advanced levels, creative movement, and cance/tumbling combo classes.

InMovement also hosts birthday parties.

Kids on 12th (also known as Philadelphia Kids Club) is Center City's first gym just for kids.

The facility provides fun and active classes for infants and kids up to age 15, including tumbling and gymnastics, swimming, art, music, Mommy Fit, ballet, sword fighting, hip-hop, magic, drama, tap, and more.

Kindermusik's flexible, gently structured program is designed to foster creative expression through musical learning through developmentally appropriate music and movement instruction for children in the early stages of development. Since a parent or caregiver must attend each session, it's also a nice way to meet other parents and find new playmates for your child.

Many sessions, ranging from one to 15 weeks in duration, are available for children ages 18 months to seven years in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. There is a materials fee of approximately $20 per session for a CD or tape plus handouts.

Free Kindermusik preview classes are available for new students. Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

Kindermusik's flexible, gently structured program is designed to foster creative expression through musical learning through developmentally appropriate music and movement instruction for children in the early stages of development. Since a parent or caregiver must attend each session, it's also a nice way to meet other parents and find new playmates for your child.

Many sessions, ranging from one to 15 weeks in duration, are available for children ages 18 months to seven years in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. There is a materials fee of approximately $20 per session for a CD or tape plus handouts.

Free Kindermusik preview classes are available for new students. Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

Kindermusik's flexible, gently structured program is designed to foster creative expression through musical learning through developmentally appropriate music and movement instruction for children in the early stages of development. Since a parent or caregiver must attend each session, it's also a nice way to meet other parents and find new playmates for your child.

Many sessions, ranging from one to 15 weeks in duration, are available for children ages 18 months to seven years in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. There is a materials fee of approximately $20 per session for a CD or tape plus handouts.

Free Kindermusik preview classes are available for new students. Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

Kindermusik's flexible, gently structured program is designed to foster creative expression through musical learning through developmentally appropriate music and movement instruction for children in the early stages of development. Since a parent or caregiver must attend each session, it's also a nice way to meet other parents and find new playmates for your child.

Many sessions, ranging from one to 15 weeks in duration, are available for children ages 18 months to seven years in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. There is a materials fee of approximately $20 per session for a CD or tape plus handouts.

Free Kindermusik preview classes are available for new students. Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

Little SPORT is an indoor play and sport facility that offers open play and sports-oriented classes for babies and preschoolers.

Little SPORT's bright, clean Open Play Arena - available for kids to play or practice what they've learned in Little SPORT classes - offers a mini alphabet track, a multi-sport field, a multi-hoop basketball wall, multi-sport cages, an interactive ball room, horse swings, and an "X-Games" climbing area. There is also a special area designated for crawlers only.

Classes: All Little SPORT classes are taught by a certified instructor in a visually stimulating training room, and most follow a similar routine that's adjusted to the participants' age group. Each class begins with a stretching routine and a starting cheer, followed by the introduction of the sports of the day; age-appropriate skills and drills are then taught and played. Two different sports are taught weekly in each 13-week session.

Classes are available for all preschool age groups, from SPORTBaby Classes for parents and babies ages 10 to 18 months, to Olympian Classes for kids ages four-and-a-half through Kindergarten. The Champions Class is designed for athletes with special needs. Champions uses the same structure as other classes, but is modified to the individual abilities of each participant. The Little Kickers Playgroup, available for infants and babies up to 18 months, is held the Open Play Arena, and offers a non-structured play environment where parents can interact with their babies and other parents.

Parties: Little SPORT offers several party packages. The basic Open Party ($12.95 per guest with a minimum of 10 guests) includes one hour of open play with the general public in the Open Play Arena with a Little SPORT associate, one half-hour in a private party room, party set-up and clean-up, a t-shirt for the birthday child, thank you notes, and paper goods, juice, and balloons for each guest. Food, Little SPORT favors, and customized cakes are available for additional fees. Private parties start at $300.