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

MLK Weekend 2025 in Atlanta: 18 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 9:54am

Join Halcyon for a special and free MLK Kids Club Day (pantry item donations encouraged)! Photo courtesy of Halcyon

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

Atlanta families can enjoy MLK weekend with many options for quality time and fun; after all, MLK Day celebrations in Atlanta are abundant as our city is the birthplace of Dr. King. Families honor his legacy by volunteering as part of the MLK National Day of Service and attending MLK parades and events in Buckhead, Atlanta, Acworth, Lawrenceville, and more cities. If your kids haven't had the pleasure of ice skating this season (or want to do it again), this is the final weekend at many outdoor rinks, including Atlantic Station, S andy Springs, and Avalon.

Fun, Free Activities for Kids in January 2025: 16 Free Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 12/29/2024 - 11:21am

The Atlanta History Center is offering a free event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, the Saturday before MLK Day. Photo courtesy of Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center

Coming off the holiday season, Atlanta parents truly appreciate free things to do in January. After all, creating holiday magic isn't cheap and our bank accounts could use a month to catch up. Luckily, we've found free events and activities in Atlanta throughout the month of January—from MLK Day parades to Atlanta Motor Speedway's Open House and free storytimes in between.

Besides our list of fun, free events in January 2025, we also have an entire guide dedicated to saving money and having fun: Free Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids. This Atlanta catalog has the best scoop on Free Museum Days in Atlanta, Free Things to Do on Cold and Rainy Days, and much more! Happy savings for the New Year!

All-Inclusive Hyatt Sunscape Coco Punta Cana Resort is the Perfect Sunny Family Vacation

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 12/29/2024 - 7:20am

Go from the pool to the beach and back again without ever leaving the resort.

If you're searching for an affordable, all-inclusive resort for a family vacation in a tropical paradise, I have a new favorite: Sunscape Coco Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. On a recent vacation, my family loved the family-friendly activities, which are perfect for all ages. We also loved that the resort is on the smaller side, and while it provided all the amenities, it was more intimate and easy to navigate.

We always appreciate the all-inclusive style resorts, because you get unlimited access to dining, refreshing drinks, and tons of activities without worrying about extra costs. My husband always says he loves putting his wallet in the safe and not getting it out until it's time to go home! And this resort skimps on nothing.

Read on for all the details about the Sunscape Coco Punta Cana Resort and why it's the perfect all-inclusive resort for families. Check out more of our favorite all-inclusive resorts for families and also our favorite warm and sunny family vacation ideas. They're both in our Family Travel Guide.

New Year's Eve Weekend 2024 in Atlanta: Balloon Drops, Hanukkah Events, and More Fun Things to Do with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 12/25/2024 - 8:29am

Celebrate Hanukkah with Menorah lightings around Atlanta, taking place December 25 - 30. Photo by Jacob Ross

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

It's New Year's Eve weekend of 2024, which means it's the last call for popular holiday events like Lights of LIFE in Marietta and the Coca-Cola Holiday Express Pop-Up. Hanukkah celebrations are everywhere this weekend with menorah lightings in Decatur, Peachtree Corners, and Alpharetta, plus the Giant Gelt Drop in Smyrna on Monday! On New Year's Eve, families welcome 2025 with plenty of kid-friendly (i.e. early) events like Zoo Year's Eve and Noon Year's Eve at Skyline Park.

However you choose to celebrate, have a happy New Year from everyone here at Mommy Poppins!

18 New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, Drone Shows, and Other Atlanta Celebrations for Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 12/22/2024 - 9:16am

Kids and parents can party into 2025 at the daytime New Year's Bubble Bash at Children's Museum of Atlanta. Photo courtesy of the museum

Usher in the new year as a family with kid-friendly Atlanta New Year's Eve events! We've got the details on New Year’s Eve and Noon Year’s Eve activities in Atlanta—many of which end early since the kids usually can't last until midnight. Another fun way to celebrate the new year? Driving or walking through one of Atlanta's many holiday light shows! It's your last chance to catch some of our favorites like Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park.

For more inspiration over New Year's weekend, read our Fun Things to Do Over the Christmas Vacation with Atlanta Kids, as well as our Winter Activities Guide in Atlanta. And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletters to stay in the know of all the 2025 kid-friendly events and activities in Atlanta!

Christmas Weekend 2024 in Atlanta Top Things To Do: Santa Visits, Holiday Lights, and More

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 12/20/2024 - 7:15am

The dazzling Glow Light Show offers a leisurely drive through illuminated installations for all ages. Photo courtesy of the event

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

Christmas weekend is almost here, and kids in Atlanta are bursting with anticipation. Luckily, we here at Mommy Poppins have lots of ways for your family to make amazing memories all Christmas weekend long. Meet Santa, for last-minute gift requests and photo opps, at his Post Office at The Battery and Georgia Aquarium. It's also a great time to drive through Cosmic Sleigh Ride by World of Illumination, Glow Light Show, and Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park. We also have the scoop on all the best Atlanta Homes with Spectacular Christmas Lights!

And make sure to enter the Wiggles Bouncing Balls! Tour Giveaway! This month, we're giving away a family four pack of tickets to The Wiggles Bouncing Balls! Tour concert. You can enter to win by signing up for our newsletter here!

What's Open on Christmas Day in Atlanta: A List of Awesome Things To Do

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 12/15/2024 - 8:43am

Millions of twinkling lights completely transform the Atlanta Botanical Garden into the magical winter wonderland of Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Photo courtesy of the garden

Get out of the house during the holidays and visit great places open on Christmas in Atlanta.

Cirque du Soleil Brings Acrobatics and Holiday Magic to The Fox

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Tue, 12/03/2024 - 10:54am

Cirque du Soleil's first holiday show, 'Twas The Night Before... is a classic Christmas story about rediscovering the magic of the holiday season. Photo by Michael Last

Atlanta families can see the incredible acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, with a holiday twist, at The Fox Theatre. ‘Twas the Night Before… is Cirque du Soleil’s first Christmas show, and it's at The Fox November 29 - December 15, 2024. Based on the classic poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore, the show features Cirque's mesmerizing acrobatics, familiar Christmas songs, and a heartwarming tale. The show is a perfect Christmas event for the whole family!

Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

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