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

Weekend Fun: Porch Jams, Butterflies, and Wing Dings; June 8-9

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 06/05/2019 - 10:25am

Milford Pirates Day. Photo courtesy of Downtown Milford Business Association

Can you feel the excitement in the air? Summer vacation—and with it, loads of options for family fun—is almost here. It’s the last weekend of the school year and Connecticut is getting ready to party! Summer movies are starting, strawberry patches are ripening, and Summer Festival season has already kicked off. There is music in the air this weekend in Norwalk and Mystic, while Wing Dings are on parade in Bridgeport. Make sure to check out Connecticut Open House Day and take advantage of free or discounted admission to museums, parks, and galleries all across the state.

We update our Events Calendar frequently so be sure to check back for even more great suggestions. To keep up with the latest family-friendly events and activities, sign up for our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Enjoy the sunny weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend Fun for Kids and Families in Connecticut

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 05/22/2019 - 6:17pm

Memorial Day weekend begins with a bang at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum Revolutionary War Encampment. Photo Courtesy of Webb-Dean-Stevens Museum

Connecticut is celebrating the unofficial start of summer in a big way! Whether you are heading to the beach or the park, there is no shortage of family fun across the state for Memorial Day weekend. Families can take their pick of parading through town, cruis ing the coastline, or expanding your palate at a Food Truck Festival.

If you're looking for an educational way to honor the men and women who died in service to our nation, think about attending a kid-friendly parade or ceremonies, like the Revolutionary War Encampment in Wethersfield and the Decoration Day event at Mystic Seaport.

We update our Events Calendar frequently so be sure to check back for even more great suggestions. To keep up with the latest family-friendly events and activities, sign up for our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Have a fantastic long weekend!

Weekend Fun: Earth Day Celebrations, Flowers, and Festivals; April 27-28

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 8:32pm

Celebrate Earth Day at Grace Farms. Photo by Vanessa Van Ryzin

April is going out with a bang in Connecticut, and the last weekend of the month offers lots of ways to celebrate. Get your cotton candy and ride tickets ready, because carnival season kicks off this weekend in Meriden, Redding, and Fairfield. If you want to keep things more down to earth, make sure to check out the Spring Fling, Sheep Wool & Fiber Festival, and other Earth Day celebrations.

I’ve heard that this weekend many trees and bulbs in Connecticut will be in full bloom and the waterfalls will be flowing. Make sure you save some time to get out there and explore the natural beauty of the state we’re lucky to call home.

Weekend Fun: Bunnies, Fairies, and Egg Hunts; April 13-14

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 04/10/2019 - 8:18pm

There have been widespread sightings of a certain bunny hopping around Connecticut! The Easter Bunny sure is making his rounds! Just about everywhere has a brunch, breakfast, train, or hunt this weekend. Now that the weather has warmed up a bit, you can get the whole family outside and explore more. Our Spring Guide is loaded with seasonal fun from fairy signings in Putnam to Spring Play Dates in Greenwich.

This weekend also kicks off Spring Break for many public schools in the Nutmeg State. If the kids are home from school, make sure to check out our 20 Fun Spring Break Events and Family Day Trip Ideas. We update our Events Calendar frequently so be sure to check back for even more great suggestions. To keep up with the latest family-friendly events and activities, sign up for our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Have a fantastic weekend!

Weekend Fun: Roller Derby, Easter Bunnies, and Nature Fun; March 30-31

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 03/27/2019 - 8:39pm

Kids bond with trees—and one another—at the Mill River Park Scavenger Hunt. Photo courtesy of Mill River Park Collaborative

The birds are singing, the daffodils are poking through, and I have even seen some buds on the trees. March is coming in like a lamb, and Connecticut is greening up once again! It's a great weekend to explore the outdoors, and there are nature activities for kids in Darien, Weston, and Westport. The Easter Bunny is hopping through the state starting in Danbury. Plus, you can spend your whole weekend getting crafty at Java Jam, History Kids Craft Day, or Sunday FunDay Crafts. Looking for some faster-pace fun? The Connecticut Roller Derby Season Opener in Trumbull promises plenty of exciting action.

Family-Friendly Farm Stays: Meet the Animals and Work the Farm

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sat, 03/02/2019 - 1:17pm

Collect eggs, or just visit with the animals, during your farm stay. Photo by the author

Farm stays provide guests of all ages with a taste of farm life. Whether by milking cows and collecting eggs, or gathering fresh fruit from a pineapple plant for breakfast, families who choose to stay at a farm hotel, which might be cabin, house, or even a tent, will likely have more fun than Old MacDonald led you to believe is possible.

Time your farm stay with the kids for spring, summer, or even fall. Check out which seasonal activities might be going on before picking the dates of your farm vacation, as well as the location. We've rounded up 10 of our favorite farm "hotels" around the country, from Maine to Texas to California.

I've found that farmer-hosts have a strong desire to educate little farmers on how to live a more sustainable and balanced life. Unplug, relax, and enjoy the fruits of a hard day’s work around a campfire. Lessons learned on these farms will stay with you long after you return home.

Find more vacation ideas and weekend getaways in our Family Travel Guide, or check out your local Farm Fun Guide for local petting zoos, harvest festivals, and pick-your-own fun.

21 Wacky Ways to Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday with Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 02/18/2019 - 10:34am

“If we didn’t have birthdays, you wouldn’t be you. If you’d never been born, well then what would you do?” Thank goodness Dr. Seuss’ birthday comes once a year—and it always gives us great reason to cheer!

On March 2, we’ll celebrate literacy and Seuss with fun crafts, treats, and other activities in honor of the literary rhyming master. Dr. Seuss’ birthday kicks off a nationwide reading celebration known as Read Across America Day. Schools, libraries, and community centers across the country observe the day with read-alouds, crafts, and Seuss-a-rific treats!

Use this list of 21 zany activities to commemorate the day at home with the kids. Whether you want to start it off with some green eggs and ham or plan your next family vacation to the birthplace of Dr. Seuss himself, there is something for everyone on this list of Dr. Seuss-themed crafts, recipes, and activities—no matter how small.

Ice Castles NH: A Gorgeous Winter Playground Entirely Made of Ice

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 02/06/2019 - 10:00am

From the moment we drove down the road and saw Ice Castles NH gleaming on the horizon, it was love at frost sight. The castles are a beautifully detailed work of art that is a frigid feast for all your senses and a perfect family winter weekend getaway.

Ice Castles is a completely immersive experience that is currently located in six cities throughout North America. Professional ice artists work tirelessly to hand-place hundreds of thousands of icicles into stunning formations. The end result is a labyrinth of twisting paths that open up into gorgeous ice canyons, grand archways, and a fun surprise or two.

Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

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