President's Day Fun for You and the Family

In case you missed the commercials for huge retail sales this weekend, Feb. 20 is President’s Day, and, depending on the district, your child may have off from school on Friday, Feb. 17 and Monday, Feb. 20.

But don’t panic: We’ve got some boredom-busting suggestions to keep everybody happy this long weekend!

1. Hit the slopes! It’s been a fairly warm winter, but the snowmakers at area ski resorts have been hard at work to bring you good ski conditions. Spring Mountain, in Schwenksville, is open on Friday and Monday for skiing and tubing. Rates and rentals vary, due to the holiday.

If your kids are experienced skiers and they need more of a challenge, Bear Creek, in Macungie, which also offers skiing and tubing, in addition to daily events and spa treatments. Ski rates and rentals vary. Tubing is $24 on Friday, and $29 for the rest of the weekend, including Monday.

2. Brush up on your history. Valley Forge National Park has special President’s Day events scheduled on Feb. 20. Join the Continental Army from 11 a.m. to noon. Young recruits will receive enlistment papers, and be issued dummy muskets to learn techniques and maneuvers necessary to be a soldier. All weekend, from Feb. 17-20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., VFNP will celebrate the 280th birthday of America’s first President (George Washington). For more information about the park, and help planning your visit, click here.

3. Make science fun! The Franklin Institute, in Philadelphia, has something for everyone. Even better, they make science fun, so your kids won’t realize they’re learning.

Check out the planetarium, KidScience Workshop, Changing Earth and many more continuing exhibits. And, of course, don’t miss Franklin Institute’s most famous exhibit, Giant Heart. Traveling exhibits include Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs and Design Zone. Admission is $16.50 for adults, and $12.50 for children 3 to 11. IMAX and certain attractions have additional costs.

4. Make it a matinee. No matter what the weather outside, it’s always warm and dry inside your local movie theater! Most theaters offer special matinee rates for daytime movie showings, so you and your family can take in the latest blockbuster without needing a second mortgage. As an added bonus, the theater will probably be less crowded during the day.

5. Act like an animal! Elmwood Park Zoo, in Norristown, will host Presidential Pets on Feb. 20, at 12:30 p.m. Learn about the presidential pets throughout history. Check out a zoo map, and learn about the zoo’s many exhibits, featuring animals from North and South America. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children 2 to 12 and seniors, and free for children under 2.

If you have a suggestion for a great way to entertain during this short school break, please share by commenting below!