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
I remember receiving some electrical socket covers as a baby shower gift - the women around me were so excited, “You are going to need those” I heard several times. Then there was that time I texted a photo of my daughter rolling over and received a text from my mom stating something along the lines of “time to put up the baby gates”. “I’ve got time”, I thought to myself.
I realized I ran out of time when I shared some video of my daughter taking her first steps and the Internet responded with “now the fun starts!” Except, it wasn’t fun. All of a sudden my comfortable home became a deathtrap. I was sure that every edge of furniture would lead to my beautiful baby’s demise. Short of wrapping my baby girl in bubble tape, I knew it was time to call in the professionals. From fireplace guards to full blown playroom design, these local Fairfield County companies will ease your mind and provide a safe space for your child to develop and grow.
Before children, I would mock those parents who sat in their car waiting in the drive-through line at Starbucks. While I had the luxury of walking right up to the counter and ordering my foamed caffeinated beverage, they would sit in their cars and wait. On the way out, I would walk by and smugly think “beat ya”, to myself while they still waited in their cars.
My, how times have changed. Nowadays, if there is a drive-thru within a ten mile radius I will drive to it. When the nurse asked me which pharmacy I use, I automatically chimed “CVS, the one on Willard. You know, the one with the drive-thru”. Drive-thru dry cleaning? Sign me up! Stuck in the car during nap time? Curbside delivery it is! Thankfully, Fairfield County has its fair share of drive-thru, drive-in, and delivery establishments that go beyond Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds.
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies is the majestic town of Banff. Built as a tourist destination on the Canadian Pacific Railway, this charming mountain town has entertained the likes of royalty, presidents, and my entire crazy, extended family for a whole week. Our family trip to Canada was definitely one for the memory books.
In addition to being incredibly cool and thrilling—flips off the halfpipe! football-field-length ski jumps! a sport actually named skeleton!—the Winter Olympics offer a time to come together with family and friends and feel pride in our country's athletes. Most importantly, in the Olympic spirit, the Games allow us to connect with other cultures. I say that calls for a celebration of Olympic proportions! Here are 15 ideas for a kid-centered Winter Olympics party; we’ve chosen simple, inexpensive, and fun ways to get together and celebrate the excitement of the Olympics, cultural understanding, wintertime, and family time.
Trumbull Mall was one of my first outings as a new mom, I remember finding the Family Lounge and feeling like Indiana Jones when he found the Lost Temple. This is one of the most family friendly malls I have ever been to - they have tons of kid-friendly dining options, family parking, and a playspace (not to mention a carousel!). So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across the newly opened Kidz Club in Trumbull.
From Eli Whitney and his interchangeable parts, to the can opener and the frisbee, Connecticut’s history has always been one filled with game changing innovations. So it should be no surprise that the Maker Movement is alive and thriving in Connecticut! “What is the Maker Movement?” you may be asking. According to Make Magazine, “The Maker Movement embraces innovation, creativity, and learning to improve our communities and create a better future.Tinkerers, educators, parents, and professionals are included, because we are all Makers. That includes you.” If you have a child that builds Minecraft kingdoms in her dreams or is ready to take a trip to the science museum to the next level, then this list is for you!
We're no fans of the freezing, and even below zero temperatures, that have ushered in the new year. But we are fans of the new viral sensation to come out of this frigid nonesense: frozen bubbles!
We saw these mesmerizing bubbles popping up all over our feeds, and couldn't wait to give it a try IRL with real kids. Read on for the recipe and see our video of this DIY science experiment in Connecticut, a day after the dreaded "bomb cyclone," aka, Winter Storm Grayson.
Don't forget you can find more at-home fun, like 40 Things to Do Indoors on a Snow Day, in our Mommy Poppins Boredom Busters Guide.
Shopping mall Santas have been de rigueur since store owner James Edgar donned a red suit and snowy beard to entertain children in 1890. Today the tradition is alive and well in malls across Connecticut, including Stamford Town Center, Danbury Fair, and Westfarms.
If you're looking to mix it up with a Santa outing that's a little bit different, we have rounded up our 50 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. In a separate post we've also rounded up where to have a yummy breakfast with Santa. Don't forget to check our Holiday Fun Guide and events calendar often for more holiday happenings!
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