Ally Noel
Ally Noel has lived in Connecticut for over two decades. Before becoming a parent, she worked as an Educational Technology Specialist, helping schools and teachers integrate technology into learning. Now, she’s all about discovering the best family-friendly adventures, activities, and hidden gems. Share your tips, questions, or just say hi at ally@mommypoppins.com, and follow along for family fun at @mommypoppinsct.
Latest posts by Ally
Looking for a fun outdoor activity to pass the time this winter? (Which parent isn't?) Maritime Aquarium is offering their popular Seal Spotting & Birding Cruises on select weekends in 2021. Seals migrate from Canada to the warm waters of the Long Island Sound from around mid-November to April, and are most visible to humans when they “haul out” onto the rocky shores that make up the Norwalk Islands. On a sunny, cold Sunday in January, my daughter and I had a blast spotting the cute marine mammals as well as a variety of majestic winter waterfowl from the deck of the aquarium's spacious cruising boat. Of course, just the prospect of trading a day in the house or car for a day on the water was exciting, too!
Read on for details of our experience on the Seal Spotting & Birding Cruise, and find more of our favorite cold-weather adventures with Connecticut kids in our Winter Day Trips guide.
Discover 30 days of indoor activities to get your family through an entire month of at-home play with kids of all ages. Tuck it away for a rainy or blustery day, or break it out now if facing another round of stay-home orders. Find more indoor activities in our Stay-at-Home Activities Guide.
Buh-bye 2020, hello, 2021! I don't know about you, but we are so excited to turn the calendar and welcome in a new year. Even though all of our worries may not disappear at the stroke of midnight, let’s start 2021 off right by getting some fresh air with First Day hikes in Enfield or Sherman, or try out an outdoor scavenger hunt at the Nature Center in New Canaan. Or, take a step back (before leaping forward) in time: It's the last weekend to learn about ancient civilizations at Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed exhibit at the Connecticut Science Center.
Looking for more ways to celebrate the New Year? Grab a thermos of cocoa and hit the road for one last chance to check out Connecticut homes with spectacular holiday lights and decor. For some at-home fun, check out our Poppins@Home pages, including a new Virtual Escape Room series, a planting workshop, and a LEGO art and design workshop. If you're out and about, just remember to bring your mask and practice social distancing. Keep tabs on our Connecticut Winter Fun Guide for even more local happenings, and if you're snuggling in, check out these virtual storytimes, events, and classes to stream from home.
Don’t let a little cold weather keep you cooped up! With many indoor spaces closed right now, it's extra important to find fun new ways to get kids outside. There's a saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." Well, with the right winter gear (and a little ingenuity) there is plenty of fun to be had during even the shortest and coldest days.
Before a bad case of cabin fever sets in, try one of these 40 outdoor activities that are sure to get the whole family outside and moving. From backyard campfire cooking to outdoor science experiments, these activities help keep kids away from screens and devices and get them fresh air and exercise in these chilly winter months.
Planning holiday celebrations and activities might take some extra imagination this year. But doing things a little differently doesn’t mean sacrificing any of the joy, traditions, or family memories that come with Christmas celebrations. In fact, let the limitations on travel and gatherings in 2020 spur your creativity to greater heights. From festive fun with grandparents to innovative ways to keep annual traditions going with friends, we have rounded-up our favorite socially distant ways to celebrate the season. With traditional gingerbread decorating, a newly imagined Christmas lights caravan, and even a Nailed It! challenge kids adore, these ideas are so crowd-pleasing, we bet a few become new family holiday traditions.
For more great ways to celebrate the season together, don’t forget about these 10 fabulous any-day zoom activities for kids and grandparents, the most fun games kids can play virtually with friends, and all the best virtual holiday events for families!
Your holiday table may not be full of family and friends this year, but it can still be packed with delicious food made with love by a professional chef. These Connecticut restaurants will prepare a meal for Christmas or Hanukkah takeout (or in some cases, delivery) so you can kick back, relax, and tuck into prime rib, an Italian fish dinner, peppermint cheesecake or other treats while staying safe at home.
Might we suggest pairing holiday takeout with one our all-time favorite family Christmas movies? If you are in the mood to spread even more holiday cheer, check out out our Holiday and Christmas Fun Guide for Connecticut Kids.
Shopping mall Santas have been a beloved tradition since store owner James Edgar donned a red suit and snowy beard to entertain children in 1890. Even though many in-person holiday events are on hold this year, Connecticut kids can still have an audience with St. Nick this Christmas, as zoos, museums, farms, and, of course, malls are offering socially distant Santa activities in 2020.
For other ways to connect with Santa, make sure to check out our Safe Online Santa Visits and all our seasonal events in our Connecticut Holiday Fun Guide.
Thanksgiving week is finally here, and Connecticut families will be looking for things to do close to home. Kids can find turkeys on scavenger hunts and strolls, or turn their attention to all things reindeer: There's the annual Reindeer Festival in Greenwich and reindeer-themed train rides starting up in Essex. Holiday trains are leaving the station in East Windsor and East Haven, too. Christmas lights are turning on across the Nutmeg State; we'll be at Hubbard Park, which is all decked out for the fabulous Festival of Silver Lights.
Looking for even more seasonal fun to have with kids? It's time to plan that family ski trip at a local mountain or take advantage of the gorgeous crisp weather on a family-friendly hike. Get ahead on holiday plans by booking a holiday train ride with Santa or making a reservation to see a drive-thru Christmas light display. Just remember to bring your masks and practice social distancing whenever out and about with your family. If your snuggling in at home, make sure to check out our free November online events and classes to stream virtually. As always, keep tabs on our Connecticut events calendar for daily updates on local events and virtual opportunities to make memories with your kids.
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