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

Best Sports Summer Camps in Atlanta: Soccer Camps, Baseball Camps, and More

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 03/10/2024 - 10:02am

Fellowship Christian School summer camps introduce kids to a variety of sports. Photo courtesy of the school

Sports summer camps in Atlanta allow kids to burn off energy at summer camp, learn or improve skills, and stay out of their parents hair during the long break. Atlanta has tons of sports camps options; whether your kid is into soccer, baseball, basketball, cheer, or another sport, there is an entertaining sports summer camp for his or her interest! Or, for the kid who likes all the sports, Atlanta has oodles of multi-sport summer camps. We've narrowed down sports camps here, so you can spend less time researching and get right to registering.

Best Free & Fun Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids March 2024

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 02/25/2024 - 11:46am

The Atlanta Science Festival is an annual celebration of world-class learning and STEM career opportunities, featuring engaging events for kids and adults. Photo courtesy of the festival

From Purim to St. Patrick's Day to Easter, March is a great time to get out and enjoy free fun in Atlanta! Don’t miss our favorite FREE things to do in Atlanta with kids in March.

As we spring forward into March, Atlanta families can head to FREE events, especially leprechaun-friendly ones, like the Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade, Shake Your Shamrock in Buford, and Avenue Shamrock in East Cobb! Purim falls in late March this year and families can attend several events, including Purim Carnival with a Cause. Easter arrives on March 31, so that means Easter egg hunts all month long at free events like Egg-cellent Adventure in Doraville, Milton Community Egg Hunt, and the Easter Egg Hunt in Norcross.

Find more Atlanta spring fun, including activities, travel guides, and more in our Spring Activities Guide for Atlanta Kids!

30 Top Birthday Parties for Toddlers and Preschoolers in Atlanta

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:54am

Have a themed birthday party at We Rock the Spectrum for all children. Photo courtesy of the venue

Throwing a toddler birthday party is special, memorable, and let's be honest, chaotic! Your own preschooler is energetic enough and now you're tasked with entertaining their equally enthusiastic friends (and parents). Fortunately, many Atlanta birthday party venues for toddlers and preschoolers make the process easy.

Atlanta toddler birthday spots have something for every interest and budget when it comes to epic birthday celebrations. And best of all, most of these Atlanta birthday spots allow parents to relax while the staff sets up, cleans up, and most importantly, keeps kids busy. Read on for our toddler birthday party favorites and find even more birthday party inspiration in our Birthday Party Guide for Atlanta Kids!

Parents Confess: 50 Things We Pretend to Enjoy

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Tue, 01/30/2024 - 12:00pm

Let's see if they're still smiling after a long day at the amusement park!

Every week we here at Mommy Poppins ask our readers a question—things like, "What is your favorite donut place in your city?" or "Which would you rather have, a maid or a chef?" We typically get lots of great responses—some funny, some sweet, and some super insightful.

But rarely do we receive as much feedback as when we posed this question: "What are you convinced people are pretending to enjoy?" So many of you came to your keyboards for this one! We received hundreds of responses, with kale being mentioned the most.

Since this was such a hot topic, we decided to compile the best answers into one big list of 45 things we pretend to enjoy—and believe other people pretend to enjoy, too. Save this for the next time you're hanging out with other parents—it's sure to make for a lively discussion. Then check out our Parenting Guide for more parent talk, from funny animal memes to parenting tips from dads.

Best Free & Fun Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids February 2024

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 01/28/2024 - 11:11am

Bring the family for a community-style Valentine's Day celebration at Halcyon at Forsyth. Photo courtesy of Halcyon

Celebrate Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year, and more this month—there is plenty to love about February! Don’t miss our favorite FREE things to do in Atlanta with kids in February!

There's plenty of FREE things to do during February in Atlanta so save some money while entertaining the kids this month! February may mean more chilly weather, but we can get excited about Valentine's Day with fun, free events like Family Valentine's Party at Halcyon and Laurie Berkner's FREE Virtual Valentine's Concert. February is also Black History Month: Families can watch FREE movies at Atlantic Station, as part of its Black History Month Movie Series; or take part in Roswell Roots: Storytelling Sunday, where families enjoy interactive storytelling about black history and culture.

Find additional February and seasonal fun in Atlanta, including activity ideas, recipes, travel guides, and more — bookmark Winter Activities Guide for Atlanta Kids!

Best Mommy-and-Me Classes in Atlanta for Babies and Toddlers

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 09/10/2023 - 10:55am

Caregivers and kids dance and sing at Music Together. Photo courtesy of Music Together

Bond with your little one during Mommy and Me—or really, Parent and Me—classes that help caretakers spend quality time with their babies and toddlers. Moms and dads have so many options in Atlanta for parent-child classes. From dance and gymnastics to art and music, Atlanta parents can try out fun, cute ways to connect with their young kids.

A Guide to Truist Park & The Battery Atlanta for Little Atlanta Braves Fans

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 03/10/2023 - 11:00am

Atlanta baseball is a beloved activity, so cheer on those Atlanta Braves at Truist Park! Photo by Claire Robinson

When families visit Truist Park for an Atlanta Braves game, it's like living the song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," except so much more! Sure, the Truist Park has peanuts, Cracker Jacks, and a crowd, but it also has Chick-fil-A, pizza, and an interactive kids' zone. Visiting Truist Park for an Atlanta Braves game is an amazing experience on its own, and baseball fans (and non-sporty people) have an additional option to have fun at the surrounding Battery Atlanta. This entertainment district provides loads of fun for Atlanta families and visitors alike.

Located in the Cumberland neighborhood of Cobb County, Truist Park (originally SunTrust Park) opened in 2017 as the new home ballpark for Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves. This state-of-the-art facility sits next to The Battery Atlanta, which is open year-round for dining, shopping, and entertainment.

As baseball season approaches, cheer on the Atlanta Braves (winners of four World Series) with our helpful guide to Truist Park. And keep the party going by hanging at The Battery...or skip the sports part and just enjoy Atlanta's ultimate entertainment district!

Family Opportunities to Volunteer in Atlanta this Holiday Season

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 11/18/2022 - 10:03am

Stop by a Salvation Army Angel Tree and adopt an angel at locations throughout Atlanta or online.

Looking for new ways to connect as a family this holiday season? Volunteer in Atlanta together and spark the joy of giving in children of all ages. The holidays are a great time to inspire your kids to give back and volunteer in Atlanta. When children and teens help with hands-on projects like making food, donating toys, or delivering items to those in need, they start to realize the holidays are more than just getting gifts.

Elsa Simcik

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