What those kids do with clay

Experience how area student artists are breaking the mold Sunday during the Claymobile Creations exhibit and reception at the Clay Studio, where the ceramic creations of students from more than 12 Philadelphia schools will be displayed.

The exhibit in the Kathryn E. Narrow Center began last week and continues through Feb. 24. Featured this weekend will be student works from Kensington CAPA High School, Spruce Hill Christian School, and Archbishop Ryan, and from several special-needs schools, including Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

Claymobile is a mobile ceramic art program that partners with schools, community organizations and social-service agencies in the region in hands-on art education for underserved communities.

A free ceremony sponsored in part by Ikea will feature wheel-throwing demonstrations from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Visitors can meet with student artists and Claymobile staff members.

Cookies, sparkling juices, cheeses and chocolates will be available. The student artwork will not be for sale, but handmade ceramics and pottery from North American artists will be sold in the studio's gift shop.

Random House Children's Books and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind

Sesame Street,

believe 31/2 years of Elmo and the release of five new Sesame Street books are cause for celebration.

As part of a seven-city tour throughout February, the Third Annual Walkaround Elmo Birthday Tour will come to the area this weekend, stopping at Barnes & Noble in Fairless Hills and Children's Book World in Haverford for eight sessions of storytelling, activities, and meet-and-greets with Elmo.

Children can listen to readings of new Sesame Street books such as

B Is for Books!

and

Super Grover to the Rescue!

and color activity sheets. They can sing "Happy Birthday" to Elmo and snack on birthday-themed refreshments. Kids also can have their books stamped with Elmo's autograph and will receive a Sesame Street activity magazine as a souvenir.

Valentine's Day is Feb. 14 and the Philadelphia Zoo is already feeling the love.

In honor of the day, the zoo will host an hour of Critter Couples, a salute to the animal couples residing on zoo grounds. Families can learn about animals like penguins that are couples for life, and kids can make a card for their favorite animal valentine and go on a Critter Couples scavenger hunt.

At 7 p.m., the zoo will host the Snoring Safari Family Overnight, a campout in a zoo classroom, and a night hike. Guests at the animal-friendly slumber party will talk with a zookeeper and enjoy international games, crafts and activities, and next morning they'll leave with a souvenir passport.