Elsa Simcik

Elsa Simcik has been freelance writing for 20-something years, covering a hodgepodge of fields--health & fitness, human interest stories, and even dating. After becoming a mom she segued into writing for local magazines and websites, focusing on parenting, fun things to do with kids, and travel. The travel part is fun, but not as glamorous as it sounds, because it's traveling with kids. Still, she'll take it.

Latest posts by Elsa

Tree Lightings, Georgia Festival of Trees, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 11/19/2025 - 12:10pm

Santa Claus is once again setting up shop at his post office in The Battery Atlanta starting this weekend through December 24. Photo by Rebecca Leffler

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

Get festive this weekend with many holiday events in Atlanta, including FREE, fun tree lightings. Choose from beloved favorites like Light the Station at Atlantic Station or the Lighting of Avalon in Alpharetta; or start a new tradition with Light Up the Season at Piedmont Park, which includes a 50-foot holiday tree, menorah, and kinara that will shine bright over Atlanta. Also this weekend, Georgia Festival of Trees opens at Gas South Convention Center. The event always has beautiful trees, live entertainment, children's games, Santa, and Atlanta's beloved Pink Pig! See below for even more fun things to do this weekend in Atlanta!

Veterans Day Weekend 2025 in Atlanta: 20 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 11/05/2025 - 10:21am

Honor U.S. veterans and pay tribute to this country by heading to the Atlanta History Center on Tuesday, November 11. Photo courtesy Atlanta History Center

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Veterans Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your weekend list!

It's Veterans Day weekend and families have lots of opportunities to celebrate and pay tribute to those who have served in the military with parades and events in Atlanta. A big favorite is the Georgia Veterans Day Parade, which travels through Midtown along Peachtree Street on Saturday. Six Flags Over Georgia celebrates local heroes and military with their new event, DC Heroes Fest, happening every weekend through November 30. It's beginning to feel a lot like the holidays in Atlanta, with some of our favorite seasonal events launching this weekend, including Stone Mountain Christmas and the gorgeous Cirque du Soleil Luzia.

27 Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 11:05am

Enjoy a day full of holiday activities followed by the epic Christmas tree lighting at Avalon on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Photo courtesy of Avalon

November brings plenty of things to do, as Atlanta gears up for holidays from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving and full steam ahead to Christmas. Don't miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Atlanta this November!

November in Atlanta means lots of fall fun with outdoor festivals like Chastain Park Arts Festival and Chomp & Stomp in Cabbagetown. Don't miss the 44th annual Georgia Veterans Day Parade in Midtown on November 8. Then suddenly, it's holiday time with tree lightings and popular events like Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden and Stone Mountain Christmas. We are especially excited about a new holiday event this year, Light Up the Season at Piedmont Park -- this new Atlanta tradition features a 50-foot holiday tree, a menorah, and a kinara that will shine bright over our city all season long.

Our Atlanta Fall Guide is full of ideas for family fun in November like farm destinations and cool getaways. We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so check it often. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters!

Halloween Weekend 2025 in Atlanta: Trick-or-Treat, Halloween Parades, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 10/29/2025 - 11:15am

These are the last days to celebrate Pumpkins at Callaway, which includes a corn maze, glowing pumpkins, and much more. Photo by Rebecca Leffler

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Halloween weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Halloween weekend!

Kick off Halloween weekend on Friday with fun Halloween events and of course, trick-or-treating! On Halloween, march through downtown Newnan for the annual Munchkin Masquerade; head to The Battery for Truck or Treat; and enjoy a safe, spooktacular Halloween in Acworth with the police force at the popular Safe-O-Ween. The party continues through the weekend with Trick-or-Treat on The Roof at Ponce City Market on Saturday, and the Chastain Park Fall Arts Festival both Saturday and Sunday!

From all of us at Mommy Poppins, we wish you a fun, safe Halloween!

The Best Hotels in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN for Families

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 10/26/2025 - 12:00pm

Stay right on Dollywood's property at the DreamMore Resort & Spa.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee and its neighbor, Pigeon Forge, offer a wonderful mix of outdoor adventure, yummy Southern food, and tons of family fun (Dollywood, here we come). Just read our post about 73 Fun Things To Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN to see all of the kid-friendly activities in these eastern-Tennessee mountain towns. It's no surprise, then, that there are also a ton of family-friendly Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge hotels with amenities like water slides, playgrounds, kids' activities, and on-site restaurants.

Tip: Check Sevierville, TN, just north of Pigeon Forge for more accommodations options.

Read on for our list of the best Gatlinburg hotels and hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN for families. While you're in vacation-planning mode, be sure to also check out our Family Travel Guide for more ideas for fun family getaways.

3-Day Itinerary in St. Kitts with Kids for Your Perfect Family Caribbean Getaway

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sat, 10/04/2025 - 7:32am

Your family and followers will know exactly where you're vacationing when you send them a pic at the St. Kitts sign at the Timothy Hill Overlook.

St. Kitts may only be a 69-square-mile island in the Caribbean, but it packs in a ton of family fun. I know this firsthand: I recently visited St. Kitts with my teenage son, and we did more in three days than we have ever done on other Caribbean vacations. St. Kitts is an ideal destination for travelers of all ages, offering a mix of outdoor adventure (hello, zip-lining through the rainforest!), picturesque beaches, and kid-approved food.

On our trip, we primarily stuck to St. Kitts, with a quick hop over to its smaller, just-as-beautiful sister island, Nevis. Read on to see our three-day itinerary for St. Kitts with kids, including my picks for the best family-friendly St. Kitts hotels and restaurants. Now you don't have to plan your vacation or worry about anything, as I tried it all out and have some great tips.

Want more ideas for your next family vacation in St. Kitts? Check out our list of 21 Things to do in St. Kitts with Kids. Our Caribbean Family Travel Guide has even more ideas for tropical adventures.

40 Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids October 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 09/28/2025 - 9:19am

Kick off Halloween at Duluth's Howl on the Green featuring food, music, and live entertainment, including fire dancers and aerialists! Photo courtesy of City of Duluth

Families are in for a treat this October in Atlanta with a packed calendar of fun events to enjoy, including Halloween and fall festivals!

Kick off October events in Atlanta with fried food, amazing rides, and spectacular shows at the Georgia State Fair and the Cumming Country Fair and Festival. The delicious Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay takes place across two weekends in October, so families have their pick...of apples and fun! Then it's Halloween with Boo at the Zoo, Goblins in the Garden, and sooooo many more Atlanta Halloween events and activities.

If you are excited about fall in Atlanta and want to make the most of it, check out our Atlanta Fall Guide, which includes tons of ideas for family fun like the best fall day trips from Atlanta and our favorite pumpkin patches.

Top Free Halloween Events in Atlanta 2025: Candy Crawl, Trunk-or-Treats, and More

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 09/26/2025 - 11:45am

Head to the Virginia Highland shopping district for the annual Candy Crawl that's fun, free, and full of candy. Photo courtesy Virginia Highland District

Halloween is fast approaching, but before fretting about the rising costs of Halloween costumes, candy, and decorations, check out our list of FREE Halloween events in Atlanta! Atlanta hosts tons of Halloween events that are completely free to attend. Our list includes Halloween parades, trunk-or-treats, and more. Many of these free Halloween events are hosted by fun cities and neighborhoods to explore, including Duluth and Virginia-Highland. If you plan accordingly, your family can freebie hop most weekends in October!

Need more ghoulishly good holiday fun? Check out the Atlanta Halloween Guide for great ideas to do with kids this spooky season.

Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

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