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

Visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA with Kids: What to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sat, 05/21/2022 - 12:00pm

Kids of all ages will have a blast at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins

If you're looking for a vacation that will provide thrills and fun for everyone in the family, an amusement park is a great bet. Most of the 40 top amusement parks in the US for a family vacation offer rides, attractions, shows, and other activities for everyone from toddlers to teens and their grown-ups. My family recently visited one of these theme parks, Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia, and had an absolute blast.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a European-themed park that's been voted the World’s Most Beautiful Amusement Park by the National Amusement Park Historical Association for over 30 years. The massive park is broken into nine villages that center around six countries—Germany, France, Ireland, Scotland, England, and Italy. Many of the rides, attractions, performances, and foods are themed around those countries. There are also animal habitats to visit. While there's enough to do at Busch Gardens Williamsburg to make it your sole destination, its proximity to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and other historical sites can also make it one part of a larger family vacation.

Here's what to know about visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA with kids.

Eco Exploring at Beaches in Connecticut: Find Sea Glass, Tide Pools, and More

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 05/15/2022 - 9:47am

Walking the beaches in Connecticut can feel like a treasure hunt.

My very favorite memories of summer fun include walking the beaches in Connecticut and gathering up every glittering shard of beach glass and shell while exploring the coast. I could spend hours mining through rocks and sand, collecting all of the little treasures left behind by the tides. Fortunately, we can enjoy the unique ecosystem of the Long Island Sound on many of our Connecticut Beaches. Each of the beaches on this list offers the perfect setting for your budding marine life expert. Make sure you check out the tide charts before you hit the road.

For more ways to teach kids how to protect and connect with our natural environment, check out our Earth Kids Guide. For more stories like this sent straight to your inbox, sign up for newsletters.

Walk through Rows of Brilliant Blooms at Wicked Tulips Flower Farm

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 05/08/2022 - 10:00am

Rows and rows of tulips arranged into bands of colors fill the landscape at the Wicked Tulips Flower Farm. During their U-Pick event, guests are encouraged to immerse themselves in a field of blooming bulbs and pick a bouquet (or two, or three…). Located in Preston, Connecticut (there's also a location about 25 miles away in Exeter, RI), Wicked Tulips is a feast for the eyes.

Tulip season is short and typically lasts just 2-3 bloom-filled weeks a year. Read on for the details about the annual u-pick tulip event and find more all-season farm fun in our Pick Your Own Guide to CT Farms .

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Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 04/17/2022 - 9:45am

There ain’t no party like a preschool party! Once your child reaches toddlerhood, they may have a more swinging social life than you do. Yes, your weekends might be filled with parties, but thankfully there are some pretty entertaining birthday party places in Connecticut for preschoolers. From ball pits to painting, and sundaes to splash pads, this list has all of our favorite spots for toddler birthday party places in CT that bring out the party animal in every guest.

Whether you're looking for the best Indoor Birthday Party Spaces in Connecticut for Kids or want the scoop on the best Birthday Freebies for Connecticut Kids, browse our Connecticut Kids' Birthday Party Guide.

Essex, Connecticut with Kids: Top 10 Things To See and Do

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 04/03/2022 - 10:47am

Essex has genuine appeal for every family. Photo by Ally Noel.

If you're looking for a nearby escape in the Nutmeg State, look no further. Colonial vibes and New England charm ooze out of the town of Essex, which is nestled on the banks of the Connecticut River. This quaint Connecticut town is home to one of the oldest continuously running inns in the country, a packed calendar of annual events, and tons of lovely shops and restaurants.

Time and time again, Essex has earned a spot as one of the Best Small Towns in America. Whether you grab a burger at The Gris, a cone of Essex Mud, or spend the day coasting down a historic railroad, this small New England town is anything but sleepy. Read on for the top 10 things to do in Essex, Connecticut with kids. For more cute towns and the best kid-friendly Connecticut activities, don't miss the Top Attractions in Connecticut for Families.

15 April Fools Memes: Funny Tricks and Jokes for Parents for April Fools Day

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 03/24/2022 - 12:00pm

Anyone in the mood for a fresh baked brownie? Photo by Ally Noel

It’s April Fools season, and you know what that means! April Fools Day is a time when parents get to turn the tables on their kids by bringing a little mischief—and a lot of laughter and fun—into their homes. If pranking your kids is not your style, you can also just wait for them to prank you. Either way, we promise you’ll get a giggle or two out of these hilarious April Fools memes.

When your finished with these April Fools Day memes, check out our lists of super easy April Fools Day pranks to play on your kids and hilarious jokes for kids to keep your family laughing all month long.

Best Debit Cards for Kids: Greenlight Debit Card, Chase Debit Card, and More Great Options

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 03/22/2022 - 10:33am

Debit cards for kids come with apps that have safety features like face or fingerprint recognition.

Greenlight cards are the buzz these days in parenting circles, and once you know a little bit about these debit cards for kids, it's easy to see why. Like most parents, I never have cash on me and am constantly handing my daughter little slips of paper as IOUs. As families figure out how to navigate an increasingly cashless world, it is still important to teach our children a sense of financial responsibility. There are several options out there that provide a safe banking experience for kids, including Greenlight debit card for kids and Chase debit card for kids; all of them offer a variety of family-friendly safety features like real-time spending alerts and financially-incentivized chore charts.

Read on to determine which debit card for kids is the right one for your family.

Best YMCA Summer Camps in Connecticut for Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 03/06/2022 - 9:30am

Take to the lake at the Camp Jewell YMCA camp. Photo courtesy of campjewell.org

YMCA summer camps in Connecticut have provided generations of families with a traditional day camp experience. Nationally, YMCA Camps have become the place to go for kids to unwind, make new friends, and learn new skills, all while spending time in nature. Luckily for Connecticut parents, there are likely some YMCA summer camps near you, but these options offer a little something extra. Pick from day camps, overnight camps, and specialty YMCA camps in Fairfield County, Hartford County, New Haven County, and beyond that will have your children counting down the days until school lets out.

For more summer camps in Connecticut, including picks for preschool summer camps in Fairfield County and the best summer sleepover camps around Connecticut, be sure to bookmark our Connecticut Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

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