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

Trunk-or-Treats in Connecticut for Halloween 2023

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 10/13/2023 - 1:00pm

Enjoy some trunk-or-treats in Connecticut, and pack tons of Halloween fun in one candy-filled spot! Photo courtesy of the Colchester Parks and Recreation Facebook page

Kids love trunk-or-treats in Connecticut, and the Nutmeg State is happy to oblige! Halloween is coming faster than you think. But don't worry about pre-planning your route through local neighborhoods. With trunk-or-treating events in Connecticut, you get one location to go car-to-car—in some cases truck-to-truck. Miniature goblins, ghouls, Barbie's, and Batman (Batmen?) can find a spot nearby for a one-stop candy explosion.

For more Halloween activities, explore our full Halloween Guide for Connecticut Kids and get our picks for best Halloween events. Happy trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating!

Free and Cheap Afterschool Programs in Connecticut

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 08/20/2023 - 6:34pm

Afterschool programs offer Connecticut children the opportunity to participate in flexible (and fun!) learning activities, get physical exercise and establish friendships with peers. They also fill up those afternoon hours during which kids need afterschool care while parents are at work. Many programs will bus the student directly from the school. Some are even held on school grounds–an ideal solution for working parents!

Be sure to peruse our calendar which is updated weekly and check out the Connecticut Fall Fun Guide for more fun with school-age children.

Best Classes for Preschoolers and Toddlers in Connecticut

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 08/13/2023 - 12:09pm

Get those little ones engaged with the best classes for preschoolers and toddlers in Connecticut. When children are young, every single experience they have is formative and exciting. Toddlers beam when they see animals, and preschoolers are proud when they create art. These youngsters also enjoy playing with new children and seeing nature all around them. And these classes help preschoolers and toddlers explore their growing world. There are just so many fun things to do before naptime!

Still looking for interesting classes for tiny learners? We have just the thing right here: Mommy and Me Classes for Babies and Parents in Connecticut.

Top Swimming Lessons in Connecticut for Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 08/06/2023 - 10:46pm

The top swimming lessons in Connecticut teach kids valuable skills, boost confidence, and provide serious fun! Photo courtesy of Children of the Sound

When the time is right, you want a trusted place to take swimming lessons in Connecticut. You may have a little fish or even a child who is scared around water. Either way, swimming lessons are important for teaching kids to be comfortable and safe at Connecticut's many pools, lakes, and beaches. There are many venues that offer Mommy and Me swim classes in Hartford and Fairfield Counties, as well as ongoing skill-building lessons in the water.

Still looking for splishy-splashy fun? We also have a list of Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks and Water Playgrounds in Connecticut. And check out our picks for the best enrichment programs in our Guide to Kids' Classes in Connecticut.

20 Things To Do with Preschoolers in Connecticut Before They Turn 5

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 08/04/2023 - 6:09pm

You'll feel warm and fuzzy after all these fun things to do with preschoolers in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of the Lutz Children's Museum

There are so many things to do with preschoolers in C onnecticut. This age has always been my favorite. Every new thing they try is a brand-new,eye-opening moment. And Connecticut has so many cool experiences for them to sink their little fingers into. Moms are looking for hands-on museums where their toddlers are allowed to touch or places where kids can stretch their little muscles to gain confidence. And kids love those places where the animals they read about really come to life. Connecticut has it all for families with toddlers and preschoolers!

If you are looking for even more toddler-oriented things to do, go on one of our selected Toddler Approved Hikes For Families.

CT's Best Parks and Playgrounds for Kids Birthday Parties

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Mon, 07/31/2023 - 1:11pm

Summer is the season for kids' birthday parties at Connecticut's best parks and playgrounds. If your child has a summer birthday, we have good news for you. You can avoid expensive entertainment centers, cleaning your house, and then cleaning up again after the party. These fun parks and playgrounds right here in Connecticut offer great picnic areas, shade, playgrounds, and more for a memorable birthday.

Still need more help planning your party? We have a list of Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas for Summer Birthday Parties for you to browse through and get some great ideas. And our Connecticut Kids' Birthday Party Guide is packed with our top picks for celebrating in style!

Berry Picking and Peach Picking at Connecticut Farms

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 07/07/2023 - 9:30pm

How much can you bring home when you go berry picking and peach picking in Connecticut? And how many berries will sneak their way into your little ones mouths? There are several types of delicious berries and fruit on farms all over Connecticut. Bring your kids and strap a bucket around their necks so they can "help." Peaches, rasperries, blueberries, and even nectarines and plums are ripening right now. So pull out your favorite recipe and hop in the car!

In, July blueberries and blackberries are ready for eating. Late July and August are perfect for peaches. If you decide to make jam with your pounds of pickin's, try this Homemade Pop Tart Recipe. And for more great summertime ideas, browse out Connecticut Summer Fun Guide.

Note: Due to a freeze, 2023 is not a great year for peaches; some farms lost their pick-your-own crops.

Top Connecticut Playgrounds That Families Will Love

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 04/16/2023 - 1:11pm

Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons

The top Connecticut playgrounds provide outdoor fun, from Fairfield to Hartford and from new Haven to Stonington. With Spring's arrival, the fresh air, sunshine and reawakening natural world is becoming more and more enticing to Connecticut kids. There are plenty of modern and well-maintained playgrounds to play on for families. There are ones with unique, one-of-a-kind features, tube slides, sandpits, zip lines and all kinds of climbing apparatus'. Many of them have spots to sit down and eat a fun picnic lunch too.

If you're looking for more local fun, check out our favorite neighborhood playgrounds in the Hartford and New London areas. Be sure to sign up for our newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

Jenny Coe

Latest posts by Jenny

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