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
You weren't always looking for fun indoor places where your kids could hang out. It’s like you blink, and one day you have a teenager. Although there is always time for family time, sometimes teens and tweens need a little bit of freedom, and these spots are sure to do the trick. With a little spending money and a group of friends, these spots are Mommy Poppins-tested and teenager-approved! From Stamford to New Haven, and Hartford to Norwalk, there are a lot of family-friendly options for Connecticut families. But these spots truly go above and beyond to offer a little something extra for teens—even if it's just a good photo op.
Connecticut has so many fun indoor places to enjoy with the family. When it's a special celebration, regardless of the season, these fun indoor birthday party places for kids in Connecticut make a memorable day. And you can stretch those entertainment dollars with free museums in Connecticut to visit with kids.
Located in New York’s Catskills, Windham Mountain offers the perfect mix of fun adventures, stunning scenery, delicious food, and elevated accommodations for the entire family. Good food, fun activities, and a comfy bed are the perfect recipe for a fun family weekend getaway. After spending a lovely long weekend exploring Windham Mountain, we're here to share our highlights, which included skiing, tubing, cozy fire pits, delectable dining choices, family-friendly lodging, and tons of spots to get upstate and chill.
Read on for our top picks for the best things to do with kids at Windham Mountain and find more fun regional destinations to explore in our Adirondacks, Catskills, and Hudson Valley Guide and our Weekend Getaways Guide.
These Valentine's Day crafts and activities are great ways to spend time with kids and show them some love.
You will always be your kiddo’s first Valentine! Parents can show kids just how loved and adored they are by showering them with attention and extra special activities and treats. We rounded up our favorite Valentine’s Day crafts, treats, and other ways to celebrate together: Spend time together baking heart-shaped Valentine's Day treats, whipping up a batch of Valentine's Day crafts (we even found Valentine's Day STEM projects), and toasting your loves with a mocktail—every one of these ideas says “I love you!” loud and clear.
For more yummy sweet treats for your sweetie, check out our Easy Recipes Guide. And you'll find hundreds of ideas for crafts and activities for kids in our At-Home Guide for Families.
Celebrate the beauty of each and every one of the four seasons - yes, even the bone-chilling cold of winter - with fun snow adventures for kids that go beyond skiing and snowboarding! One of the best ways to deal with the frosty weather is to find exciting ways to get outside and enjoy the winter wonderland of fun. Although some families love to spend the winter months zipping down the slopes, there are a ton of ways to have fun without ever strapping on a pair of skis.
There are popular winter activities like tubing and skating, but we have found a bunch more ways to get your winter thrills. From snowmobile tours to tobogganing tracks here are some of the most thrilling ways to enjoy the bitter cold of winter.
Whether you have a special hot chocolate recipe you make from scratch or you grab a packet of cocoa from the pantry, there is nothing quite like cozying up with a nice cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day. Hot chocolate makes any snow day magical, warms up cold cheeks after a day of sledding, and is simply the perfect sweet treat.
Here are 11 hot chocolate recipes to satisfy any sweet tooth, from hot chocolate bombs to Mexican hot chocolate. No snow? No problem! We’ve found a few recipes for those warmer days, too, including a frozen hot chocolate recipe. So grab your mugs and get mixing—it's time to stir up something delicious.
For more even more fun kitchen creations, check out our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.
Riddles for kids is the answer. The question is: What is the perfect way to keep children entertained and their brains engaged without using a screen?
Riddles for kids are a great way to fight boredom, keep the conversation flowing, and laugh at funny jokes. Plus, the family will bond as everyone works together to puzzle over the answers to these tricky questions. From funny riddles to math questions to classic brainteasers, here are 25 fun riddles for kids and families.
For more ways to ward off the dreaded whines of "I'm bored" when the family is stuck at home, check out our favorite jokes for kids and more LOL jokes, riddles, tongue twisters, and more in our Ultimate Collection of Riddles, Knock-Knocks, and More Jokes for Kids.
When winter weather turns into a day off from school it’s time to head for the hills—sledding hills, that is. We're lucky to have more than our fair share of awesome sledding hills here in Fairfield County, from gentle dips for toddlers and preschoolers to dramatic slopes that draw brave 'tweens and 'teens. Grab a thermos of cocoa, your warmest mittens, and yes—this year, at least—your face masks, of course.
Here is a list of some local favorite spots to spend a couple hours burning off that cabin fever. If you live in central Connecticut, check out these Hartford-area sledding hills, and for a little bit more of an adventure, visit our Connecticut Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing Guide.
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