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
Out of the corner of your eye, you see it. The red suit and snowy white beard which signal the arrival of the very symbol of joy and giving during the Christmas holidays: Santa Claus! Today the tradition is alive and well in many, many different kinds of places from train stations, farms, and even on the water! If you're looking to mix it up with a Santa outing that's a little bit different, we have rounded up our 45 favorite Santa activities across the state.
Some events are free and require no preregistration, but many of those that do require advanced tickets are very popular and can sell out early, so you'll want to buy tickets as soon as possible. Check websites for updated mask and COVID-19 requirements. For more holiday and Christmas activities, see our list of The 15 Best Holiday and Christmas Events and Activities and our Holiday Fun Guide for Connecticut Kids.
If you are a “set it and forget it” kind of chef, this list of 10 easy Crockpot recipes is calling your name. Between keeping tiny humans alive, extracurricular activities, sports, and jobs, sometimes the very act of turning on the stove can seem impossible. These easy Crockpot recipes require very little preparation—simply toss the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning, go about your day, and return home to the delicious smell of a home-cooked meal waiting for your family. And with everything from Crockpot chicken recipes to gooey mac and cheese on this list, you'll find easy crockpot meals to please everyone in your family.
But these Crockpot meals are not the only way to save time on dinner. Check out our guide to easy recipes for kids, where you'll find everything from tasty Instant Pot recipes to quick sheet pan dinners that kids love. With so many simple and delicious options, you'll never have to worry about what's for dinner again.
Halloween is just around the corner which means it's just about costume o’clock! For many kids, the hardest part is choosing the perfect Halloween costume. For many parents, the hardest part is MacGyver-ing together kids' Halloween costumes at the last minute. If you are the DIY type, check out these Easy DIY Halloween Costumes. For the rest of us, this list of over 100 ideas will get your whole family excited to pick out, purchase, or put together the perfect Halloween costume. We’ve covered all your bases from family Halloween costumes to adorable baby Halloween costumes, too!
For more Halloween fun—from Halloween movies to easy pumpkin carving ideas and more—check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.
And for Halloween activities near you, check out our Local Halloween Fun & Activities Guide!
Connecticut kills it on Halloween: Kids and families are never far from a haunted house or ghost trail, a costume parade, or a trick-or-treat event. Towns and businesses get extra creative, planning spooky and sweet seasonal fun for families. Over the next few weeks, kids can experience walk-through haunted petting zoos, drive-thru Halloween events, and even some carving and costume parties to celebrate Halloween.
Be sure to browse our Connecticut Halloween Guide for more October fun, and our Fall Fun Guide for Families.
“New phone, who dis?” As they head back to school, your kids may have renewed their pleas for a cell phone. Of course they want one—cell phones and smartphones are omnipresent in our lives. While having a phone might be practical (and feel inescapable), many parents struggle to come up with rules that will not only keep their kids safe but will stop them from turning into zombies!
While experts all have their own opinions, I know that the best advice comes from the been-there done-that parents in the trenches. That’s why I turned to our readers and got their (your!) best tried and true tips and tricks for making sure your whole family is on the same page when it comes to those new cell phones.
Homemade butter is easy to make and requires nothing more than some heavy cream, a tightly lidded container, and a marble. It's fun to make, and kids love this at-home, rainy (or snowy) day project. We've made this homemade butter recipe several times, but really got into it during our covid-baking days. Give it a try! Not only does the butter taste fresher, you can evoke days of old without having to figure out how to make a butter churner. Plus, kids are super proud to serve butter they made by themselves.
Find more things to cook and create in our guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.
Remember the adage telling us to dance like there's nobody watching? One of the amazing things about kids is their propensity to do just that. If you've got a ballet dancer or a breakdancer on your hands, why not harness that creativity and sign them up for dance classes. The Connecticut dance studios below offer kids classes in ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, modern dance, and even Irish step for kids ranging from toddler to teen. Pick dance classes near you in Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven, or beyond; some studios even offer summer camps for kids who can't stop dancing when the heat is on.
And if your dancers have siblings who'd rather do something other than dance, not to worry: we've got them covered in our Classes and Activities Guide.
Toys are awesome, but homemade toys are even better, especially ones that are as easy to make as this toy parachute. Gather some commonly found household items to create your very own toy parachute in minutes. It's also a great hands-on science experiment for kids.
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