Insectarium 8046 Frankford Ave.; 215-335-9500. www.insectarium.com. Thousands of mounted & live specimens, interactive exhibits, movie room, children's activities & more. PA State Insect Event - Uncover interesting facts about fireflies. 7/11 1 pm. $7; free for children under 2. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm.

Kix & Giggles Children's Playground 9356 Old Bustleton Ave.; 215-677-4140. www.kixandgiggles.com. Attractions include a wrap-around gym, a rock wall, soft-play section for babies & toddlers, an outside seating area & more. Mondays 10 am-3 pm are reserved for children with special needs & their families. See website for more info. $6.95. Tue.-Thu. 10 am-8 pm; Fri.-Sat. 10 am-9 pm; Sun. 10 am-8 pm.

Please Touch Museum Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic; 215-581-3181. www.pleasetouchmuseum.org. Hands-on museum featuring 6 interactive exhibit zones: Roadside Attractions, Flight Fantasy, City Capers, Wonderland, River Adventures & Centennial Exploration. The Heart Gallery Philadelphia - Compelling photos of foster children awaiting adoption in Philadelphia. Closes 7/31. Getting There - Prop & puppet-filled tale about the history of transportation. Closes 8/9. $15; free for children under 1. Mon.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. 11 am-5 pm.

Sesame Place 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne; 215-752-7070. www.sesameplace.com. Share in the spirit of imagination at this theme park, which features whirling rides, water slides, colorful shows & furry, familiar friends. $50.95; $45.95 seniors; free for children under 2. Fri.-Thu. 10 am.

*FREE* Smith The Kids Play Place in the Park Above Kelly Dr. near the intersection of 33rd & Oxford Sts. in E. Fairmount Park; 215-765-4325. www.smithplayhouse.org. 6-acre playground for children 10 & under featuring one-of-a-kind equipment including the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide. 3-story "play mansion" for children 5 & under. Children must be accompanied by adult. Tue.-Fri. 10 am-4 pm; Sat.-Sun. 10 am-7 pm (thru 8/30).

Literary Calendar

Book signings & readings

Big Blue Marble Bookstore 551 Carpenter Ln.; 215-844-1870. www.bigbluemarblebooks.com. Rabbi Jill Jacobs: There Shall Be No Needy. 7/16 7 pm.

Chestnut Hill Gallery 8117 Germantown Ave.; 215-248-2549. www.chestnuthillgallery.com. Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno: Slamming Open the Door. 7/12 2 pm.

Free Library of Philadelphia 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322. www.library.phila.gov. Harold Varmus: The Art & Politics of Science. 7/14 7:30 pm. Jennifer Weiner: Best Friends Forever. 7/15 7:30 pm. Stephen L. Carter: Jericho's Fall. 7/16 7:30 pm.

The General Store at Historic Whitesbog Village 120-34 Whitesbog Rd., Browns Mills; 609-893-4646. www.whitesbog.org. Karen Riley: Voices in the Pines. 7/12 noon-2 pm.

Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences 120 Long Beach Blvd., Loveladies; 609-494-1241. www.lbifoundation.org. Susan Shapiro Barash: Tripping The Prom Queen. 7/14 7:45 pm.

World Cafe Live 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. www.worldcafelive.com. Randall Grass: Celebrating Great Spirits. 7/14 5:30 pm.

Poetry & lectures

Essene Market & Cafe 719 S. 4th St.; 215-922-1145. www.essenemarket.com. Preserving Your Philadelphia - A lecture on the preservation of local neighborhoods. 7/15 7 pm.

National Mechanics 22 S. Third St.; 215-701-4883. www.nationalmechanics.com. Cold Hard Science - Discussion of fossils in the Canadian Arctic. Science on Tap event. 7/13 6 pm.

Peter Wentz Farmstead 2100 Shearer Rd., Worcester; 610-584-5104. www.peterwentzfarmsteadsociety.org. The Pennsylvania German Tradition of Pies - Historian Nancy Roan will discuss some of the older traditions of pie-making in this historic locality. Donation suggested: $2. 7/11 1 pm.

Warwick County Park 382 County Park Rd., Pottstown; 610-469-1916. www.chesco.org/ccparks. Survivorman - Hands-on program run by naturalist Nick Zurga. $3. 7/12 2-4 pm.