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Reuse, Reduce and Upcycle for Earth Day!


Macaroni Celebrates

Earth Day is Monday April 22nd and a good reminder for me at least to try and be more conservative about what I throw away, reuse and recycle. Here are some things I've been working on!

Three uses for newspaper 
(after you've read it!)

1.
  Use several layers under your mulch as a weed barrier.

2. Shred and add to your compost pile...it counts as the "brown". If you don't have a shredder, simply tear newspaper lengthwise and it will tear in nice long strips.

3 ...

Happy Birthday, Pigeon!


Sponsored Content

Can you believe that Pigeon has been asking (nicely, I might add!) to drive the bus for ten years? TEN YEARS!! Sure, he's also asked for hot dogs, to play with puppies, to stay up late, and for a cookie, but what he REALLY wants for his birthday is to drive the bus!

In honor of Pigeon’s birthday and the book that started it all, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, be sure to download the free 10th birthday celebration activity kit. Click here for party ...

This Week's Picks:


Saturday, April 20 - North Light Family Fun Day

Meet the staff and take a tour of the North Light Comunity Center.There will be games and crafts for the kids, along with lunch!
Where: North Light Community Center
175 Green Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19127
When: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Who: Kids, Families
How: Parking available in St. Mary's lot on Carson Street.
Cost: FREE
For more info: For more information, call 215-483-4800.

Saturday, April 20 - Science Carnival on the Parkway

You've never experienced an outdoor carnival like this one! The Philadelphia Science Festival carnival features more than 150 exhibitors offering non-stop, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, and a packed line-up of live entertainment. Enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream, make gak, meet live zoo animals, check out the inner-workings of robots, take a tour of a helicopter, extract DNA from a strawberry, test a “crime scene” for forensic evidence, and so much more!
Where: The Carnival will take place in the following location--Aviator Park, on 20th Street (between Race and Winter Streets), on Winter Street (between 20th and 21st), on 21st Street (between the Parkway and Winter Streets) and on the Outer Drive of the Ben Franklin Parkway (between 20th and 22nd Streets).


When: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Who: Kids, Teens, Adults
How: We encourage you to take public transportation as roads will be closed around the Carnival site, which may lead to traffic. The event is a short walk from Suburban Station and easily accessed from 30th Street Station.
Cost: FREE
For more info: For more information, click HERE.

This Week's Calendar:


April 1st through April 26th

Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 30 - Morris Arboretum - David Roger's BIG BUGS Exhibit

Visitors to Morris Arboretum may think nature is playing an April Fool’s joke on them as Big Bugs spring to life all over the Arboretum’s 92-acre garden. These amazing ‘bugs’ are the creation of Long Island sculptor, David Rogers. Made mostly from found materials, primarily trees and plants that have fallen and died, each Big Bug is a unique creation with its own whimsical character.

The 11 Big Bugs on display will be: 3 Big Ants, 1 Praying Mantis, 1 Dragon Fly, 1 Damsel Fly, 1 Spider with web, 1 Assassin Bug, 1 XL Lady Bug, 1 Grasshopper, and 1 Daddy Long-Legs.*
Where: Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 E. Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
When: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (April-October: Weekends until 5:00PM; June-August: Thursdays Open Until 8:30PM)
Who: Children, Teens, Adults
How: *Visitors will have to explore the entire Morris Arboretum garden to discover them all. The bugs are designed to awe and to educate, reminding us in a big way about the vital role that insects play in the environment, and of their diversity. The Big Bugs by David Rogers exhibit it made possible by the Madeleine K. Butcher Endowment.
Cost: FREE with admission.
Members, PennCard holders & Children under 3 - Free; Youth (3-17 years), Student and Active Military (must have ID) - $7.00; Adult - $16.00; Senior (65+ years) - $14.00.
Hike, Bike, or SEPTA - $7.00 (Kids:$3)
For more info: For more information, click HERE.

Saturday, April 20 - PNC Arts Alive Family Day at the Opera

Join Opera Philadelphia as it opens its doors to area families for the PNC Arts Alive Family Day at the Opera, a chance to journey behind the scenes of the company’s productions and learn about the magic of opera. Geared towards children aged 5-10, attendees will be permitted to tread the stage of Philadelphia’s historic opera house and explore the Opera's elaborate sets, visit the stars’ dressing rooms, and participate in engaging interactive sessions in the Academy’s rehearsal hall and ballroom.
Where: Academy of Music
240 South Broad Street
Philadelphia,PA 19102
When: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Who: Geared towards ages 5 - 10.
How: Registration is required, either online or in person at the event.
Cost: FREE
For more info: For more information, click HERE.

Sunday, April 21 - Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts - Family Arts Academy Workshops

Family Arts Academy aims to strengthen initiatives in family development and art education. It’s also fun! Whatever shape your family takes, you are welcome to learn about, create and celebrate art with us

This week's theme is Terrific Terrariums. If you could make your own world, what would it look like?  Terrariums are a popular way of creating self-contained little ecosystems using natural and artificial materials.  Learn to create one of these intricate, dreamlike worlds and even sculpt fanciful little inhabitants to live inside your environment.
Where: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
When: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Who: Families
How: N/A
Cost: FREE for students and families in the School District of Philadelphia and Charter Schools. Children 12 and under are free with adult general admission.
For more info: For more information, click HERE.

Tuesday, April 23 - EAST FAIRMOUNT PARK - Ready, Set, PLAY!

Smith hosts a play group on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AM for infants and children 5 and under. As you interact with your child, learn more about how your loving, playful attentiveness is the key to learning that your child needs most! The group will explore ideas for sparking your child’s curiosity, imagination and creativity through play. While enjoying the wealth of play equipment at Smith, learn how kitchen items that your child can bang, nest, sort, open and close are perfect toys, along with pillows and upside down chairs for romping around.
Where: Smith Memorial Playground
33rd and Oxford Streets
(just above Kelly Drive)
Philadelphia, PA

Click HERE for directions.
When: 10:00 AM
Who: Children 5 and under along with their adult.
How: N/A
For more info: For more information, click HERE.

Wednesday, April 24 - Pay What You Wish Wednesdays at the Philadelphia Art Museum

The Museum’s main building will be open until 8:45 p.m. every Wednesday. Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday Nights are casual, exciting, and illuminating. Come on your own or with family or friends! Explore the Museum and its remarkable collections in inventive, interactive, and dynamic new ways.  Mini-film festivals will be screened showcasing international independent films and artist’s films as well as old favorites. Regional artists will offer in-gallery experiences or performance pieces. Once a month, visitors can play games inspired by the collection. ”Pop-up” programs will include sketching in the galleries and story-telling.
Where:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
When: 8:45 PM
Who: Appropriate for the whole family or some quality adult time!
How: N/A
Cost: Wednesday Nights are “Pay What You Wish” Museum Admission.
For more info: For more information, click HERE.

Wednesday, April 24 - WORTH THE DRIVE (BRYN MAWR)Going Gaga at the Movies

From the website, "Every Wednesday, the early matinee screening is intended for moms (and dads too!) with small babies in tow. These Going Gaga screenings feature one of the films that we are currently showing in the evenings, but with theater conditions adjusted to provide you with a more baby-friendly movie theater environment."
Where: Parents with small babies in tow.
When: 2:00 PM
Who: Bryn Mawr Film Institute 824 W. Lancaster Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
How: Admission required.
Cost: Tickets are $7 or $5 for BMFI Members. Babies are FREE.
For more info: For more information, click HERE.

Friday, April 26 - Wissahickon - Public Ice Skating

Open ice skating sesssions for the public at the Wissahickon Skating Club.

It is recommended that small children wear some head protection when they skate. It can be a hat or a helmet (bicycle or hockey). Gloves or mittens are required for younger skaters.
Where: Wissahickon Skating Club
550 West Willow Grove Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129
When: 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Who: Kids, Teens, Families
How: N/A
Cost: Admission - $9.00
Guest Card - $1.00
Skate Rental - $3.00
For more info: For more information, click HERE.

Library Storytimes


We are fortunate to have so many branches of the Free Library in the city. Our local branches provide many wonderful recurring programs on a weekly basis.   While we are happy to add special event programs to our calendar, you'll find your local library's recurring story times below:

Central Library

Chestnut Hill Library

Falls of Schuykill Library

Lovett Branch

Oak Lane Branch

Philadelphia City Institute

Roxborough Library

Wynnefield Branch


Use a Bottle Cap to Seal a Bag


Every now and then something comes along that makes you think, "MAN, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT!?!" Well, this was one of those things for me. It's not only clever, it's good for the environment, too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsF9ND9AURE

WHAT A GREAT IDEA. NO MORE TWIST TIES OR RUBBER BANDS. This method is WATER PROOF AND AIR TIGHT. GREAT! The guy who first thought of the idea should be given an award for originality!!!

Advertise Your Business in our Business Directory



If you are looking to reach your target audience, this is the perfect way.

The Business Directory lists the business name, logo image, link to your website, contact information and a brief business profile. It is linked from the main Macaroni Kid NW Philly page.

Contact Michelle at [email protected] for information on the Business Directory as well as other advertising opportunities.

 

 

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