Jenny Coe

Jenny Coe is a longtime Mommy Poppins writer and contributor and full-time mom to three boys. Jenny has also been a contributor at Patch and The Reminder (Hartford Courant). Here at Mommy Poppins, Jenny writes about great things for kids to do in Connecticut and New England, affordable fun, and nature experiences (her favorite!).

Latest posts by Jenny

25 Free Things To Do with Kids in Connecticut this Winter

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 01/02/2022 - 10:00pm

Winter is a great time for a trip to the Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

After the holidays, when the decorations are all put away, the cookies have been eaten, and the new toys have lost their novelty, moms and dads start looking for fun things to do with their kids. But what if they could find something fun and FREE? Look no further, because we have done all the footwork to collect a wide-ranging list of things for you do with your little artists, astronomers, and historians this winter.

To get more free fun at home and in your town delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters—and discover all the free events and activities near you in our Connecticut Free Things To Do with Kids Guide.

A Visit to Riverside Reptiles: Reptile Encounters for Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 10/03/2021 - 11:00am

Look through the glass, or get up close and personal with snakes, reptiles, turtles and more at Connecticut's new living reptile museum. Photo courtesy of the Riverside Reptile Education Center

A one-of-a-kind destination has opened in Northern Connecticut that is unlike anything else your kids have ever seen, offering reptile encounters and more. For kids who love reptiles, you can now find tropical slithering snakes, ambling turtles, and sauntering alligators all in one place. This serpentarium—a living reptile museum—offers exhibits, educational programming, live shows, and a chance to hold reptiles.

For more places to see animals up close, explore our list of petting zoos and farms.

Best Art Classes for Kids in Connecticut

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sat, 08/21/2021 - 12:00pm

Children love to express their creativity and Connecticut offers art classes for kids of all ages.

The arts are essential in stimulating creativity and confidence and developing innovative thinkers. Whether it’s through sculpting, drawing, painting, or crafting, children crave the opportunity to express themselves through art. Take advantage of some of the great classes for kids available all over Connecticut and avoid those messy "glitter-tastrophes" on your kitchen table.

For more kids programs, toddler classes, and after school activities, explore our updated Guide to Kids' Classes in Connecticut.

12 Connecticut Campgrounds That Are Extra Fun for Camping with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 07/16/2021 - 6:50am

Cozy up to private fire pits at Mystic KOA. Photo courtesy of the campground

A family camping trip is fun anytime, but a getaway to the great outdoors is especially appealing this summer. We have found several Connecticut campgrounds with fun weekend themes and great kid-friendly amenities for families to enjoy on a camping trip.

Don't forget to check out Mommy Poppins' Day Trip Guide for Connecticut, our list of short hiking trails and longer hiking trails, and our entire summer fun guide for more outdoor adventures.

50 Free Things to Do in Connecticut This Summer with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 06/18/2021 - 10:20am

Lack of fun-money doesn't have to keep families stuck inside and bored during the best season of the year: summer! For those on a budget, there are plenty of great places to visit right here in our state. This blockbuster list of free things to do in Connecticut has plenty of ideas for having fun while bonding and making memories during summer vacation.

A Visit to the New England Air Museum in Connecticut with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 04/16/2021 - 2:58pm

Staff members are on hand to explain the historic aircraft. Photo courtesy of the New England Air Museum

Whether they're excited about Amelia Earhart, the Wright brothers, or Buzz Lightyear, a visit to the New England Air Museum in Connecticut is a thrill for most kids with an interest in planes or flying.

Located in Windsor Locks, not far from Hartford and just yards away from the roaring planes that land and take off daily from Bradley International Airport, this aerospace museum is home to more than 100 historic aircraft on display and plenty of hands-on, interactive exhibits sure to fuel their love of science and exploration.

Maple Sugaring with Kids in Connecticut: Maple Syrup Festivals, Sugar House Tours, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 02/19/2021 - 11:00am

Photo courtesy of the Sharon Audubon Center

Warm days and cool nights start the sweet, sweet maple syrup season. Right about now, sugar houses across Connecticut are busy collecting and evaporating clear sap into tasty, golden syrup. The traditional maple sugaring season extends from late February until late March. Here, we share the latest information on maple syrup activities and sugar house tours for Connecticut families during this year's syrup season.

Make the most of the next couple months by checking out our favorite snowshoeing spots and snow tubing areas in our Connecticut winter fun guide.

10 Things To Love About the Connecticut Science Center

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Mon, 02/08/2021 - 10:00am

Hands-on features make a museum visit memorable. Photo courtesy of the Connecticut Science Center

For local families with curious kids, the Connecticut Science Center is one of the best places to spend a chilly or rainy day. Kidspace, the Engineering Lab, Invention Dimension, and Our Changing Earth are just some of the exhibits and activities that simultaneously entertain and educate youth of all ages. Also, there are traveling exhibits that change regularly, making it worthwhile to come back to the Connecticut Science Center more than once during the year. Add in take-home projects and school vacation enrichment programs, and it's no wonder that a visit to this brainy museum is one of our favorite things to do in Hartford with kids.

Read on for our 10 favorite things to do at the Connecticut Science Center—including the new dinosaur exhibit—and don't miss our Connecticut Museum Guide for more enriching outings with kids.

Jenny Coe

Latest posts by Jenny

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