Kids Philadelphia - November 16, 2009

Creature Comforts

Peculiar Pets Stuffed Animals

Ever since Junior figured out the TiVo, your household’s been one big Bugs Bunny fest.

Before you go looney tunes, introduce him to some new entertainment.

Peculiar Pets stuffed animals provide hours of old-fashioned fun. Artist Michelle Lyon constructs the quirky creatures (rabbits, dogs, cats, more) from repurposed vintage textiles. A former chef, Lyon salutes her love of food by sewing on kooky images of mint jelly jars, fish bones, and the like.

Each critter is one of a kind, so you can collect a bunch.

As for the TV?

That’s all, folks.

Available at Scarlet Fiorella, 113 South 13th Street (215-922-1955 or scarletfiorella.com). To see styles, go to peculiar-pets.com.

HIKE
Wissahickon Rocks
What: Budding naturalists (ages 6 and up) go for a guided trek and learn to identify a variety of local stones.
Why: Set ground rules.
When: Sat., 2-4 p.m.
Where: Valley Green Inn, Valley Green Rd., at Wissahickon Creek. Register in advance at 215-685-9285 or e-mail wec@phila.gov.

CELEBRATE
Big Blue Marble Bookstore Birthday Party
What: Readings of Robox and Archie and the Pirates, plus themed parties (robots, pirates) fete the store’s fourth year.
Why: Another chapter begins.
When: Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Robot party, Sat., 3 p.m.; pirate party, Sun., 1 p.m.
Where: 551 Carpenter Ln. (215-844-1870).

REJOICE
Let’s Get Lit
What: Kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting, caroling, and hot chocolate.
Why: It’s far from ho-ho-hum.
When: Fri., 6 p.m.
Where: Christ Ascension Lutheran Church, 8300 Germantown Ave. (215-247-6696).

Photo: Courtesy of Peculiar Pets

  Crafty, Ecofriendly, Good for Gifts