This spring features a number of fun activities in the Delaware Valley to get families excited for the warmer weather, whether you want to learn to swim, see some beautiful spring sculptures made of Easter candy or check out a festival devoted to strawberries.
Family Fun at Peddler’s Village
Located in Bucks County, just an hour from the heart of Philadelphia, Peddler’s Village has two reasons to visit in April and May which celebrate the season.
As the spring begins to thaw out the Pennsylvania frost, Peddler’s Village will host a display of PEEPS that places the beloved Easter candy center stage now through April 27. The PEEPS in the Village display features the soft and sugary candy in a variety of creative displays by local artists and candy engineers.
Past installations have included displays centered around the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, the TV show “Friends,” the Mona Lisa, Barbie, Charles Schulz’s Peanuts, “Hamilton,” “Where’s Waldo?,” Deadpool and more. All ages can appreciate the fun, simple art, as well as the use of a delicious (yet, admittedly, polarizing) candy like PEEPS.
In May, the annual Strawberry Festival returns to Peddler’s Village, with the beloved berry back in the spotlight on May 3 and May 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be strawberry-themed food and beverages, as well as live music, food trucks, kids’ activities and more. If you can’t make it for the big weekend, return to Peddler’s Village through the end of May, as its restaurants and eateries will be featuring plenty of strawberry specials. Parents can get into the spirit of strawberry season with a sun-kissed sip of strawberry wine as they listen to live music. No doubt “Strawberry Fields Forever” will be played at least once, but there is no word on exactly how many times it will reach the speakers.
Adaptive Swim Lessons
Big Blue Swim School, which has a handful of locations in the Delaware Valley, recently announced that its Paoli location is now offering adaptive swim lessons for children with disabilities alongside a company that specializes in adaptive swim training called Swim Angelfish.
“The sad reality is that drowning rates among children are on the rise in the United States,” says a spokesperson for Big Blue Swim School in a news release. “In addition, children with autism are more likely to face drowning than their neurotypical peers.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drowning is the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in this country, with drowning rates higher for that age group than for any other.
All Big Blue instructors are certified in the Swim Whisperers Method, created by a physical therapist and occupational therapist specifically to cater to the swim needs of those with anxiety, autism, ADHD, Down syndrome and other physical, emotional, motor and sensory challenges. The program focuses on a given swimmer’s personal needs based on 14 common roadblocks that those with disabilities face when trying to learn to swim.
The program will continue to serve area families as pools open up this spring and summer. For more information, contact Big Blue Paoli at 484-617-3825.
Philadelphia’s Sesame Place Celebrates 45 Years
Sesame Place Philadelphia, a children’s theme park and water park in Langhorne, celebrates its 45th anniversary this season, with a special kickoff celebration in April.
Since its opening in 1980 near the Oxford Valley Mall, the local theme park has distinguished itself with a few firsts. Sesame Place Philadelphia, one of two Sesame Place theme parks, is the first theme park in the world to be named a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. It received the designation in 2018. The park offers services and facilities for guests with autism and other disabilities. The park also opened the largest Sesame Street store in the United States in October 2023.
Starting April 26, the park will be awash with color: balloons, garlands and birthday presents galore. Everyone’s favorite Muppets will be dressed in their new birthday outfits for meet-and-greets and a festive parade.
In addition to the daily festivities, the park is hosting 10 days of celebrations from July 25 to Aug. 2, with celebratory fireworks July 30. Season pass members can expect exclusive giveaways, offers and more.
