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
These easy Christmas crafts for kids will keep them busy until Santa comes! And when they get tired of crafting, we've got more Christmas games and at-home holiday activities, too.
Although some of us may wish it was Christmas all year long, the truth is there are only 25 days in December to squeeze in a whole lot of Christmas cheer. Get your holly jollies with a smattering of fun from our giant list of Christmas crafts, Christmas crafts for toddlers, Christmas games, and more. These favorite family Christmas activities will keep the smell of peppermint and pine flowing through your home all month long. We’ve got all the festive fun with a little bit of everything from sugar cube igloos to sock snowmen. So pour yourself a cup of cocoa (made from your homemade Hot Chocolate Bombs) and throw in a few more marshmallows for good measure. You are going to need all the energy to get through this giant list of Christmas crafts for kids!
For more Christmas activities for kids, from the best Christmas cookie recipes to easy Elf on the Shelf ideas—and more—check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for Families.
Elf on the Shelf is back! It's almost the holidays, so it's almost time for Elf on the Shelf. Elves typically arrive sometime after Thanksgiving and return to the North Pole on Christmas Day, giving families about a month to fill with hilarious Elf on the Shelf ideas.
Like any good house guest, your elf should be able to keep mischievous acts mostly mess-free and easy to set up. We've put together a list of 50 easy ideas that are also impressive elf antics that delight kids— including funny Elf on the Shelf ideas, easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, and last-minute Elf on the Shelf ideas for hectic mornings. Did we mention they don't take a lot of time to set up and require very few props?
Find more Christmas activities and crafts for kids, plus other fun things to do this season, in our Christmas and Holiday Fun Guide.
Our list of the very best kids' Christmas movies gives you the perfect way to enjoy the season without leaving home—for only the cost of the streaming service.
Whether you're looking for a classic Christmas movie you remember from your childhood, like A Charlie Brown Christmas, or a funny new holiday tradition that will have your family in stitches, like Spirited, you can stream these favorite flicks on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or Disney+. Unlike the naughty list, this list of the best Christmas movies to watch with kids is filled with positive messages, twinkling tales, and just the right amount of seasonal cheer. So, gather your snacks, make some hot cocoa, and enjoy a family movie night with one of these Christmas classics that are perfect for kids.
For more things to do with kids this holiday season, check out our guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids.
Explore our guide to the top neighborhoods in CT for trick-or-treating in 2025!
With its charming seaport and renowned aquarium, Mystic, CT offers year-round family fun.
Explore Connecticut's best free Halloween events for kids in 2025!
These Halloween activities, Halloween crafts for kids, Halloween treats, and more will keep your crew hauntingly busy until it's time to trick-or-treat!
Once you have picked out your costume and carved your pumpkin, what else is there to do? So much! We have rounded up our favorite family Halloween activities that will keep the pumpkin spice flowing all month long. We’ve got all your Halloween bases covered with a little bit of everything from spooky s’mores to learning how to dance the Monster Mash. So set up an outdoor movie and whip up a batch of scarecrow snack mix, and let's get this (Halloween) party started!
For more Halloween fun, from Halloween jokes for kids to the best Halloween movies for kids—and more—check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.
And for Halloween activities near you, check out our Local Halloween Fun & Activities Guide!
Fall fun awaits at the top pumpkin patches in CT for 2025!
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