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
Thanksgiving celebrations may look different in 2020, but this holiday is still best spent gathered around a table with loved ones. If you're looking for places that will prepare a Thanksgiving meal for you—more appealing than ever, perhaps, this stressful year—look no further than these Connecticut restaurants offering turkey and all the trimmings for takeout or pickup dinner. Think roasted turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, kid-friendly mac and cheese, and, of course, pies of all kids.
If you are in the mood to cook (and learn a little history), consider rounding up your little chefs to try these old-fashioned, "first" Thanksgiving recipes that you can make with kids. Our Connecticut holiday guide has even more ideas for making your time at home and with family more festive and meaningful than ever in 2020.
Pumpkins are ripe for picking and leaves are ready for peeping! Now that fall has officially arrived, the Nutmeg State is ready to play. Here are our top picks for in-person events for Connecticut kids and families this week and beyond, from Firepit Fridays to Oktoberfest at Quassy Park.
Looking for even more seasonal fun? It's high time to go apple picking, get lost in a corn maze, or visit animals and sample cider at a local farm. Just remember to bring your mask and practice social distancing. If more enriching activities are what you're after, our Back-to-School Fair is still going on; catch the last few free demo classes this week, including Atlantic Acting and Coucou French.
As always, keep tabs on our Connecticut events calendar for daily updates on reopenings at favorite spots, and more local and virtual opportunities for family fun.
If there is one crafting material that you can never have enough of, it’s paper. We always keep a hefty supply of construction paper, card stock, tissue paper, paper plates, and toilet paper rolls in my house. When bedecked with a little glue, some colorful paint, and a few googly eyes, plain paper can be transformed into almost anything, from a fire breathing dragon to a sparkly unicorn. What's more, paper crafts are typically affordable, and are a great way to work on fine motor skills.
From a toilet paper roll monster to a construction paper crown, these 30 paper crafts will keep the whole family happily crafting all year long. Check out our list of 100 arts and crafts projects for more ideas for sparking creativity at home.
Between mask breaks, outdoor play, lunchtime, and snack time, our kids take their masks on and off at least a couple dozen times a day. Each time the masks come off of their face, there is the potential for it to get trampled on the ground, shoved in the bottom of a backpack, or lost and never to be seen again. These handy DIY beaded and ribbon mask chains will allow your kid to keep their mask safe and easy to access.
As we all embark on the weirdest school year ever, adding one of these DIY mask chains to your back to school supplies list might just be essential. It's also just a fun at-home family activity that works those fine motor and design skills.
There's more to Halloween than just trick-or-treating; Halloween parties packed with Halloween games allow for fun that doesn't (necessarily) involve candy! These Halloween games are a great way to celebrate all season long, up to and including Halloween night. And the best part is, even toddlers and preschoolers can play these games. Invite your kids' friends over to play these Halloween party games, make some spooky snacks, and watch your witches and monsters run off the extra energy dancing like zombies and limboing under a broomstick.
For bigger kids, we've got 25 Halloween Party Game Ideas for Tweens and Teens and so many more Halloween crafts, treats, and activities in our Halloween Guide.
For Halloween activities near you, check out our Local Halloween Fun & Activities Guide!
Oobleck is ooey, gooey, science fun. Even the youngest scientists can get hands-on STEM experience with this non-Newtonian substance.
It's a bit similar to slime, but Dr. Seuss fans will know that Oobleck gets its name from the book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, which dates prior to the slime craze. It only takes two ingredients to make Oobleck, so roll up your sleeves and let's get started on creating this state-changing substance.
Need more at-home science experiments and activities? Check out Mommy Poppins Guide to STEM Activities, from solar ovens to DIY rock candy to preschooler-friendly science.
This simple science experiment yields delicious results. With a pizza box, some tin foil, and plastic wrap, you can harness the sun’s power to cook up a storm. Solar ovens are the perfect way to spend a sunny day and sneak a little science in at the same time.
One of our 64 Easy Science Experiments for Kids, solar ovens are a great way to get first-hand experience working with thermal energy while repurposing some trash from pizza night.
Nothing is better than gathering up your loved ones and spending the night under the stars. With an extra dose of vitamin sea, beach camping brings your family adventure to the next level. Spend your days exploring the coastline and your nights around the campfire listening to sounds of waves gently crashing against the shore.
From Maine all the way down to Florida, the East Coast offers some of the most epic beach camping spots whether you choose tent camping or an RV trip. Find more family adventures in our US Travel Guide.
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