Snow finally arrived and now it's time for . . . summer camp? Say it ain't so! This is the weekend to start thinking about how to keep the kiddos busy during the months of summer and sand. Or, head out to West Philly Grows Again to find some amazing deals for your growing bump. Some of your little one's favorite characters will be popping up all over the region: from Bad Kitty to Clifford to Aladdin and Max and Ruby, there's bound to be a one-of-a-kind smile when you sit down in the theatre or get cozy for story time. Enjoy your week!

Weekend Spotlight:

The West Philly Grows Again consignment sale is here! Browse thousands of quality, pre-screened children's items at thrift store prices. The sale benefits St. Mary's Nursery School programs, scholarships, and activities. Event begins runs from 9:30 am – 2:30 PM on Saturday, cash only. It’s a Super Summer Camp Fair at the Conshohocken Marriott sponsored by Metro Kids. Meet with over 50 representatives of day, residential, and specialty camps and summer programs. Enjoy hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and goodie bags for the first 100 kids attending. Fair runs Sunday from 1 – 4 pm and is free.

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Saturday, January 26th:

Meet the beloved Bad Kitty at Children’s Book World in Haverford. Join Bad Kitty as she campaigns for president. She’ll be kissing babies and shaking hands from 10:30 – 11:30 am and again at 2 – 3:00 pm. It’s an artfully fun morning at the Little Treehouse in Chestnut Hill. Join Young Rembrandts for a free art session from 11 am – noon. Cost is free for members, admission rates apply. Then, walk across the street to O’Doodles Toy Store for a Hot Wheels Auto Show. Race your Hot Wheels on O’Doodles 6 lane raceway from 11 – 3 pm in celebration of the Philadelphia Auto Show. Peanut Butter and Jams hosts Bill + Tammy’s Children’s Music World Express. Enjoy worldly, traditional and original songs infused with ethnic sounds and beats, using instruments from Greece, Africa, India, South America, Middle East and Asia. Show begins at 11:30 am, cost is $7 - $10. Valley Forge Educational services invites all to their Special Kids Expo. Learn about regional summer programs and camps that support youth who learn differently. Offerings include part-day and full-day programs, academic programs, day camps, residential camps, therapeutic programs and community resources. Expo is free and runs from 1 – 4 pm.  The Malvern Prepatory School performs Aladdin Jrat 3 pm. Discover a whole new world for little ones in this entertaining performance by the middle school. Cost is $17 pp.

Sunday, January 28th:

Take a day trip to New Hope in Bucks County for their 2012 Winter Festivalthat includes live ice carving, a chili cook-off, a dinosaur moon bounce, arts and crafts, sport stations, snow folk art exhibit and more. Most children’s activities take place at New Hope-Solebury High School from 9 am – noon and are free. Fairmount Park welcomes beginning skiers with a trip to Spring Mountainand heavily discounted lessons. Pre-registration is required, departure begins at 9 am. The Main Line Art Center and Children’s Book World team combine for their Children’s Illustrator Book Fair. Celebrate the great art of children's books through the eyes of the illustrators as you meet with the artists, view their work and hear more about how they became an artist. Book fair runs from 10 am – 3 pm, pre-registration is highly recommended. Meet Max ofMax and Ruby at Please Touch Museum. This special meet and greet and story time will take place in the story castle. Readings begin at 12:30 and 3:30 pm, cost is free with paid admission to the museum. Put your own brush to one of Philadelphia’s murals at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Come for the dedication of the Henry Ossawa Tanner mural that the Mural Arts Program just completed and channel your own creativity into the faces and inspiring words of the smaller version of the re-created, on-site mural. Event runs from 2 – 3:30 pm and is free for Philadelphia School District and Charter School students and their families. Let the good times roll with Zydeco-a-Go-Go at Sundays on Stage at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Join this six-piece dance band that specializes in Zydeco, Cajun, classic New Orleans Rhythm & Blues and vintage Louisiana Rock & Roll for a one-of-a-kind free performance. Event begins at 2 pm.