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
It's finally winter, and you know what that means as a parent, right? Get ready for soggy snow pants, slurping cocoa, building snowmen, taking the kids sledding, and all things cozy for the family.
But if the thought of another long winter spent hibernating indoors with the kids swinging from rafters, leaves you shivering in fear, we want to help. Whether you're planning fun indoor activities for a school snow day at home, or just looking to entertain the kids on another winter weekend, we've rounded up nearly three dozen fun things to do.
These super simple ideas (many of them FREE) will come in handy when cabin fever strikes and make it easy to avoid the indoor entertainment pitfalls of more screen time and complaints about boredom of which we're all so familiar. Get ready to turn the long, dark days of winter into a season the whole family can enjoy.
A family trip to Vermont in the winter months is like walking through a real-life winter wonderland. The natural beauty of the mountains and country terrain appeal to outdoor enthusiasts year-round, but when blanketed with a coat of snow, the Killington region really shines.
It isn't necessary to be an avid skier to enjoy this corner of New England come snowfall. The small villages and towns of central Vermont provide the perfect setting for winter activities for the kids and adults, both outdoor snow sports and even indoor arts and crafts. My family regularly visits the area, and though I hung up my skis some time ago, we're never bored.
Sure, you have amazing plans watching the clock strike midnight, but if your kids are anything like mine -- they will still be up at the crack of dawn on New Year's Day looking for something to do. Whether you choose to bundle up and head outdoors, or leave the coats at home and check out an indoor activity, there is plenty of excitement awaiting in every corner of the state. Spend a nice day with your family skating by the Sound, or take in the IMAX at the Maritime Aquarium. From First Day Hikes to the Connecticut cience Center, something on this list will ensure that everyone starts 2019 off right.
There have been a lot of changes around Fairfield County over the past few months. In case you missed it, many of the most popular cultural institutions got a little bit of a face-lift. These new exhibits breathe fresh air into the tried-and-true family favorites. Their renovated spaces, new animals, expanded exhibition spaces all offer state-of -the-art programming for Fairfield County families.
Maybe your daughter changed her mind about her Halloween costume for the bazillionth time. Or maybe your son got an invite to a last-minute Halloween party. Or maybe you're just a proud member of the Procrastination Club. Whatever your case may be, we’ve found the easiest Halloween costumes for kids that even a non-crafty mom or dad can pull together on the fly.
Most of the costumes on our list don't call for an arm's-length list of crafting supplies or Halloween props: Headbands, pom-poms, markers, solid t-shirts, and a glue gun can go a long way with a little imagination. In fact, these DIY kids' costumes are so easy, you might just have time to whip up a few frighteningly tasty Halloween treats, too.
And for Halloween activities near you, check out our Local Halloween Fun & Activities Guide.
There is a little something for everyone in Fairfield County this October. From trick-o-treating on a farm, to getting up-close and personal with real life creepy crawlies, these family friendly activities will leave you with a little more treats than tricks. My three year old daughter loves almost everything about Halloween except that she is absolutely terrified of things that go bump in the night. Now that the haunting season is upon us, check out the following activities around Fairfield County that are best suited for a younger crowd.
Relaxation and children’s activities don’t usually go hand in hand. This summer, we’ve enjoyed our fair share of adventure at arcades, trampoline parks, and all the indoor plays spaces that Fairfield County has to offer. But sometimes you just need to chill. As the seasons change and we head back to school, we're all feeling the need for a little R&R in a salt cave. Yup, a salt cave.
For a small state, Connecticut has its fair share of over-the top foods. You can slurp freakshakes, chow down on an insane ice cream creation, or bite into an over-the top cupcake. But these treats truly are the unicorn of photo-worthy foods! From bagels, to smoothie bowls, and everything in between, unicorn themed foods are popping up just about everywhere in our magical state.
Pages