Play-A-Palooza

Smith will celebrate its annual Play-A-Palooza event on Saturday, March 25, from 12-4 pm. Families will experience science and art activities, bookmobile, event games, nature play, live performances, food trucks, and more. Admission to Play-A-Palooza is $10 per child or free for Smith members, and access card holders Purchase advance tickets and memberships here: Click the link to purchase!

Playground Spring and Summer Kickoff Begins, March 26

Playground season is around the corner! Beginning Sunday, March 26, the Playground and Playhouse will be open for extended visiting hours for free family visits!

Playground

Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 6pm

Saturday – Sunday, 10am – 7pm

Playhouse

Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm

Saturday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm

Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month

We are excited to welcome the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute to Smith for a two-part workshop. The first will occur on Wednesday, April 12, at 11:00 am, focused on providing caregivers with tools to recognize and act on suspected developmental delays, led by Dr. Ashley de Marchena, Assoc, Professor at A.J. Drexel Autism Institute.

The second, on Saturday, April 29, will start with a sensory-friendly morning held by Smith from 9-10 am for families with children on the spectrum, followed by the workshop at 10 am that will dive deeper into Facilitating Play and Early Learning in Autism, led by Dr. Giacomo Vivanti, Assoc, Professor, and Program Area leader at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. Look out for registration details!

Community Baby Shower

Did you hear? The Maternal Wellness Village and Oshun Family Center are hosting a community baby shower at Smith! Join us on Saturday, April 15, from 12- 4 pm. In addition to parent education, nutrition tips, food, games, community vendors, and free giveaways, you’ll also have a chance to share your birth story. Parents and children are welcome! Register here: Click the link

Be My Neighbor

WHYY’s Be My Neighbor is back! Join us at Smith on Saturday, April 22, for a day of exploration and adventure with Daniel Tiger from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on PBS. It’s a day of crafts, outdoor play, and meeting people from our communities. Time and event details to come.

Party in the Playground

Party in the Playground is back for its 15th year! Celebrate with us on Saturday, May 20, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Purchase a sponsorship or tickets today.

Sponsorship benefits include promotional recognition on-site and through our social media channels, e-newsletters, and website, which reach over 25,000 followers, 15,000 subscribers, and 11,000 monthly website viewers. Party in the Playground also draws significant media coverage from print, online, and broadcast outlets.

Thank you to our 2023 Party in the Playground Sponsors!

PRESENTING SPONSORS

Kathy Ochroch and Peter Hilton-Kingdon

ANN NEWMAN GIANT WOODEN SLIDE SPONSORS

Anonymous

Calling All PIP Volunteers

Join our event team to help with check-in, activity stations, and other day-of tasks. All volunteers will receive a free ticket to celebrate with us. To sign up to volunteer, email danielles@smithplayground.org.

Stay Connected

There are many ways to stay connected to Smith. Follow us on social media and sign up for our bi-weekly electronic newsletter to stay current on our events and programs. Visit www.smithplayground.org to learn more about family membership, volunteering, and donating to Smith.

Facebook.com/SmithMemorialPlayground

Twitter @smithplayground

Instagram smithplayground

Party in the Playground is back for its 15th year! Celebrate with us on Saturday, May 20, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Purchase a sponsorship or tickets today.

Benefits of sponsorship include promotional recognition on-site as well as through our social media channels, e-newsletters, and website, which reach over 25,000 followers, 15,000 subscribers, and 11,000 monthly website viewers. Party in the Playground also draws significant media coverage from print, online, and broadcast outlets.

We are grateful for our Party in the Playground 2023 sponsors:

Register by May 1, 2023, to ensure that your support is included in printed materials.

Presenting Sponsor: Creating joyful and meaningful interactions through play
$5,000 and up:

• 12 event tickets
• Reserved table
• Recognition in the event program, on-site signage, and Smith’s e-newsletter
• Logo and hyperlink on the Smith website
• Listing in all press materials
• Special recognition in PIP event remarks, and opportunity to participate in award presentation

Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide Sponsor: Inclusiveness and access to play for all
$2,500

• 10 event tickets
• Reserved table
• Recognition in the event program, on-site signage, and Smith’s e-newsletter
• Logo and hyperlink on the Smith website
• Listing in press materials

Build Adventure Sponsor: Play in nature to cultivate a love of and responsibility for the natural world
$1,000

• 6 event tickets
• Recognition in the event program, on-site signage, and Smith’s e-newsletter
• Logo and hyperlink on the Smith website
• Recognition in Smith’s e-newsletter

Straz Land Sponsor: James “Straz” Strazzella was a law professor at Temple University and a civic volunteer who led the Playground’s Board of Directors for 10 years. When the playground fell into disrepair, his efforts ensured that Smith was saved, spearheading full-scale restorations of the Tot Lot and Giant Wooden Slide.
$500

• 4 event tickets
• Recognition in the event program and on the Smith website
• Recognition in Smith’s e-newsletter

Smithville Sponsor: Promoting play as a way to nurture hearts, minds, and bodies.
$250

• 2 event tickets
• Recognition in the event program and on the Smith website

General Admission: $100 per person or $150 per couple

For questions, contact Danielle Smith, Director of Development: danielles@smithplayground.org

Join us on Saturday, March 25 from 12pm to 4pm for Play-A-Palooza, an outdoor extravaganza with activities for kids of all ages! Enjoy science and art activities, bookmobile, nature play, live performances, food trucks, and more. This event kicks off our spring and summer season. Beginning the day after Play-A-Palooza (Sunday, 3/27), Smith’s hours will change to 10am-7pm.

Thanks to our partner Labakcare, we will have an on-site vaccination clinic for both adults and children. Get your tickets and sign up for a vaccine or booster. Tickets are $10 per child. Admission is free for adults, Smith members, and access card holders. Click here to buy your tickets today!

We are proud to partner with: Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, Tree House Books, Read by 4th, Philly Counts, Parent-Child Plus, School of Rock, Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, Brains and Early Experiences, Pinks Cold Treats, and Dos Hermanos.

Volunteers needed! Join our event team to help with check-in, activity stations, and other day-of tasks. To sign up to volunteer, email jim@smithplayground.org.