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
No one does winter fun quite like the charming countryside of Northern Vermont. And if you’re looking for the perfect destination for a Vermont family winter getaway, Smugglers’ Notch brings quintessential activities like skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and plenty of free hot chocolate to kids and adults of all ages. Plus, special offers and a range of inclusive packages make that dream family vacation all the more accessible.
Teach kids how to make rock candy for an edible rainy day activity. Making rock candy is also part science experiment, allowing kids hands-on learning with a few simple ingredients and kitchen tools.
Our easy rock candy recipe lets kids observe the crystallization process firsthand while making some pretty delicious treats. Sugar, water, and few more items found at home are all you need to turn your kitchen into a rock candy laboratory.
Read on for how to make rock candy with kids.
Just in time for some holiday fun: CAMP, a favorite of our NYC readers, opened its first Connecticut location in the new shopping and entertainment center, The SoNo Collection. At first glance, CAMP may seem like your regular toy shop, but there's a secret world of art and adventure behind the cheery storefront. With free interactive play areas, arts and crafts programs, and even a canteen to satisfy kids' cravings, CAMP is a place where kids can have a blast while you sneak in some shopping.
For more ideas to keep kids busy when the weather is chilly, check out our guide to indoor play areas around Fairfield.
Candy bars aren't the only Halloween treats to hand out this October 31. School kids across the country are getting ready to celebrate with Halloween parades and classroom parties, meaning you might be on the hook for homemade Halloween treats.
But there's no need to fear the sign-up email headed your way. I've planned more than a few Halloween parties and have put together a list of easy Halloween treats to help parents skip the last-minute scramble. These tried-and-true spooky snacks transform pretzel sticks into ghouls, mandarins into pumpkins, and make enough Monster Mash Brownies that will turn the entire class into sugar monsters.
For more Halloween fun, from Halloween jokes for kids to 75 fun Halloween activities 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!
Halloween seems to get bigger and better every year—and I'm not just talking about the size of the candy bars. Back in the day, we were happy just to trick or treat in our neighborhood, but now, you can find a fun Halloween event pretty much any day, all October long. Here around Fairfield, we have a huge variety of activities devoted to the spookiest holiday, from trunk or treat events to costume parades to pumpkin festivals. Our Connecticut Halloween Guide has you covered, but don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletters and keep tabs on our event calendar so that you won't miss any newly added Halloween fun.
Okay, there may have been Halloween candy in the stores for months already. But this weekend marks the beginning of the "Spooky Season," as my kids like to say, with haunted hay rides, haunted "isles", haunted graveyards, and other assorted things that go bump in the night...all happening in Connecticut this weekend!
For parents more interested in daytime or little-kid fun, check out the apacas in Voluntown, the Wee Faerie Village in Old Lyme, or Soupstock, an unexpected marriage of music and soup (yum!) There's also a fantastic, free outdoor movie night in New Haven, a celebration of New Canaan’s history at New Canaan History Day, and afamily-favorite Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off in Ridgefield.
To make sure that you don't miss any of the seasonal fun, bookmark our Connecticut Halloween Fun guide. You can also subscribe to our free weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Have some (spooky) fun out there!
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