Nicole O'Donnell

Nicole O'Donnell is a marketing and social media expert with over 20 years of media experience and a proud mom to twin girls. A fan of writing, yoga, and exploring Philly, Nicole loves sampling the city's best treats with her girls in tow.

Latest posts by Nicole

Christmas Weekend 2024 in Philly Top Things To Do: Jolly Trolley, Selfies with Santa, Menorah Parade, and more.

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Fri, 12/20/2024 - 7:31am

Bring the family to Main Street all season long for Holiday Light Nights. Photo courtesy of Manayunk

Looking for the best things to do in Philly this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

The countdown to Christmas is in full swing! Snap a Selfie with Santa for a good cause before the big night. Don't miss the Jolly Trolley in Manayunk for your last chance to shop on Main Street before the holiday. Drive on over to Cherry Hill for the annual Car Menorah Parade. If you love history, We love to take is slow at the Fairmount Park House Holiday Tour and take in the beauty and history of the houses. For more history during the holidays, Washington Crossing the Delaware is the place to be on Christmas day.

Best Pixar Movies in Order, As Ranked By Kids & Parents!

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Tue, 12/17/2024 - 9:43am

Finding Dory is a classic Pixar film! Image courtesy of Pixar/Walt Disney Pictures

The beauty of Pixar movies is that kids love them and parents love them! But do parents and kids love the same movies? Disney Pixar’s films are known for making kids giggle and parents cry. Is there a perfect Pixar movie to watch that everyone will love?

Spoiler alert: Yes! We asked parents and kids to rank their favorite movies, and then had our Philadelphia social media manager compile the results and ask her Pixar-loving daughter for her take on why kids loved the ones they picked. Read on to discover the one Pixar movie everyone can agree on...

Whether it's a holiday gathering, a sick day at home, or family movie night, it's great to have more movies the whole family will love ready to watch. We compiled the 75 Top Family Movie Night Ideas, 100 Best Kids' TV Shows of All Time, and more in our Guide To the Best Movies and TV Shows for Kids and the Whole Family.

Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend Best Things to Do in Philly with Kids

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Fri, 10/11/2024 - 7:46am

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at Shackamaxon (Penn Treaty Park). Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Philadelphia during this holiday weekend? Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up all the can't-miss fun in the Delaware Valley.

Philadelphia is once again observing Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day. City public schools are off, and kids can join the IPD Philly celebration at Penn Treaty Park to honor Native American cultures. Stay in the spirit of autumnal fun at Elmwood Park Boo at the Zoo or Daytime Hayrides at Colonial Gardens. Spookier events are creeping onto the calendar, and if your older kids like a good fright, take them to Pennhurst Asylum or Lincoln Mill Haunted House.

Check out our top Free Halloween Events for Philly Kids and the Best Things to Do in Philadelphia in October with Kids.

Coolest Halloween Inflatables and Inflatable Costumes for Kids: Bluey, Hello Kitty, and More

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Thu, 10/03/2024 - 7:13am

The Bluey can really vamp it up! Photo courtesy of the Gemmy store on Amazon

Halloween inflatables are an awesome invention, whether you're on the lookout for inflatable Halloween costumes for your kids (or yourself!) or inflatable Halloween decorations for the yard. They're huge and eye-catching, but they also fold down to almost nothing, for storage in the non-spooky seasons!

We've gathered the coolest options available to purchase online and have shipped directly to you! Here are our favorite Halloween inflatables, at a variety of price points, that will make trick-or-treaters' eyes pop out of their heads!

For more at-home Halloween fun—from the best kids' Halloween movies to easy pumpkin carving ideas and more—check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

My Unpopular Opinion: Kids Shouldn’t Have Cell Phones

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Tue, 09/24/2024 - 12:00pm

How should parents navigate children’s exposure to technology?

Here is my unpopular opinion: kids shouldn’t have cell phones.

As much as a kids' cell phone might seem like the ultimate tool for staying connected, a growing body of research shows that a cell phone for kids—especially a smartphone—can have negative effects on brain development, mental health, academic performance, and more.

"But my kid NEEDS a cell phone to keep them safe." I strongly disagree! Read on to see why I think that...and how to solve these problems without a cell phone.

Best Halloween Weekend Trips: Hershey, Cape May, and More

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Sun, 09/08/2024 - 8:00am

Looking for a Halloween weekend getaway that’s fun for the whole family? Philadelphia parents can explore a range of thrilling destinations just a short drive away. Enjoy spooky hayrides, haunted attractions, and eerie tours that offer both chills and family-friendly activities. From festive parades to charming coastal towns with ghostly tales, there’s something to delight every age group. These exciting trips provide a mix of thrills, scares, and fun that will create lasting Halloween memories for you and your kids.

Looking for more Halloween fun? Check out our Halloween Activities Guide for more spooky things to do!

Why the All-Inclusive Barcelo Maya Grand Resort is Awesome for Families

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Sat, 08/24/2024 - 12:00pm

From pools and water sports to a fantastic kids club, Barcelo Maya Grand Resort has tons of family-friendly activities.

If you're on the hunt for an unforgettable family vacation, look no further than the all-inclusive Barcelo Maya Grand Resort. Located along the stunning Riviera Maya coastline in Mexico, this all-inclusive resort is packed with fun and relaxation for everyone. My family recently stayed there, and we can’t stop talking about how amazing it was.

The Barcelo Maya Grand Resort has fantastic family-friendly accommodations. The rooms and suites are spacious, often with separate areas for kids and adults, so everyone can spread out. Plus, with the all-inclusive package, you get unlimited access to dining, refreshing drinks, and tons of activities without worrying about extra costs.

Read on for all the details about the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort and why it's the perfect all-inclusive resort for families. Then use our Mexico Family Travel Guide, including our list of things to do in Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya with kids, to plan the perfect family vacation in Mexico.

100 Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader Questions

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Thu, 08/22/2024 - 12:00pm

Test your family's knowledge with this fun list of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader questions.

Are you smarter than a fifth grader? You may be, but are your kids? Find out with these fun trivia questions!

Do your kids love learning and testing their knowledge? Are you looking for a fun and educational way to spend time together as a family?

Look no further. We've compiled a fantastic list of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader questions that will challenge your little ones and bring out their inner scholars. From history, geography, and math to animals, nature, and science, these questions are perfect for kids from first through fifth grade.

Once your kiddos have tackled these 100 Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader questions, challenge them further with our list of 100 trivia questions for kids. Then find even more brain boosters in our Boredom Busters for Kids guide.

Nicole O'Donnell

Latest posts by Nicole

Pages