Melanie Preis

Melanie Preis is a writer, editor, wife, and mom of three (including her beloved bernedoodle). Before joining Mommy Poppins, she worked at StyleBlueprint, Turner Broadcasting, and HowStuffWorks. She loves reading, anything Bravo, art fairs, and, of course, her bernedoodle.

Latest posts by Melanie

Atlanta Food Halls That Really Hit the Spot

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 02/18/2022 - 8:00am

Cheers to the variety of food options available at Ponce City Market (PCM)!

Let Atlanta's great food hall expansion continue! Whether you live ITP or OTP, we guarantee there is a food hall in your vicinity...or at least one about to open. Atlanta seems to be going through a food hall renaissance, with delicious spots intown as well as in the surburbs. And these delicious food halls are perfect for families, especially those with picky eaters, varying dietary needs, and kids who just need to move around in a big space at mealtime!

So what is a food hall? It's sort of an elevated version of the mall food court you may have hung out in your teens, except better and more creative cuisine, upscale setting, and no Orange Julius. Or think of it as mini restaurants built as individual stalls? However you define them, food halls offer hungry patrons a chance to eat amazing dishes from a variety of chefs in a centralized locale.

Here in Atlanta, kid-friendly food halls offer both indoor and outdoor seating at large tables —great for meeting new people or dining in a large group. Some even have communal games, like corn hole and oversized chess sets, that kids can play and safe areas that younger diners can explore while their parents eat. Food halls offer a great opportunity to expose children to different cuisines...and if necessary, bribe them with something sweet as almost every food hall has at least one dessert stall.

Grab your appetite and fork because here's a look at kid-friendly food halls in Atlanta!

Black-Owned Restaurants, Retailers, and Landmarks to Discover in Atlanta

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 02/04/2022 - 11:27am

The TEN Spot beauty bar in Morningside offers mani parties for kids of all ages. Photo courtesy of The TEN Spot

Atlanta has and remains a crucial piece of African American life—the birthplace of the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King Jr.; now a utopia for successful black-owned businesses, practices, restaurants, and more. Atlanta pays homage to King's work and the fight for equality at various museums and landmarks throughout the area. The city's African American roots continue to extend, as today's Atlanta attracts bright minds and great leaders from around the world, including younger generations attending notable historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) of the Atlanta University Center consortium.

In honor of Black History Month, we're spotlighting black-owned restaurants near Atlanta, black-owned shops, and African American historical sites and important locations in Atlanta. This round-up only scratches the surface of the many black-owned businesses worthy of a visit; but it is a reminder for our community to support locally-owned businesses, large and small, owned and operated by people from all races, religions, and backgrounds.

Orlando Kids Will Love These Birthday Party Entertainers

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 01/23/2022 - 10:34am

Bubble Bus Orlando enhances any birthday party with bubbles...lots and lots of bubbles! Photo courtesy of Bubble Bus Orlando

Whether your child is into magic, sports, princesses, clowns, or something else entirely, there are birthday party entertainers to satisfy even the most narrow interests. Orlando kids (and parents) love these birthday entertainers because they keep the kiddos engaged and happy during the special day, and mom and dad can take a break to actually enjoy the party. Yes, Orlando has some fantastic birthday party venues throughout the area, but sometimes it's nice to bring the entertainment to your own home or neighborhood.

We at Mommy Poppins have rounded up some of the most interesting, sought-after birthday party entertainers in Orlando. These creative, family-friendly folk will make sure to enhance Orlando kids' birthdays with a huge amount of fun!

Free Indoor Playgrounds for Kids in Atlanta to Let Loose

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 01/14/2022 - 9:22am

The High Museum's Greene Family Learning Gallery is a magical space full of color and shapes. Photo by CatMax Photography, courtesy of the museum

Free indoor playground time in Atlanta means exciting (and warm) hijinks for the kiddos and a load off the wallet. Atlanta is boiling in the summer, icy in the winter, and a wet mess during the rainy season, so free indoor playgrounds can offer relief for kids to run around without hefty fees and entrance costs. And besides the happy moment of watching your children run off that pent-up energy in a place other than your own house, it's also a perk to have saved some cash in the process.

25 Things To Do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama with Kids

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sat, 10/30/2021 - 11:35am

The white sand is perfect for sandcastles at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Photo courtesy of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama are the perfect places to take kids on a beach vacation. Nestled along Alabama's Gulf Coast, this family destination is bursting with a ton of water activities, can't-miss attractions, and an unending amount of tasty treats. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama have been popular for years among those from Southern states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida; however, the appeal of its white, sandy beaches and family-friendly vibes now attracts visitors from across the country.

Visiting the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach isn't like taking any other beach vacation. Besides the pristine, soft sands of the beach, visitors can also head to the back bays of the area, perfectly suited for fishing, kayaking, observing coastal wildlife, and other outdoor adventures. Kids love exploring the back bays and surrounding trails, discovering the natural habitat of this diverse ecosystem. In fact, if you really have an outdoorsy child, think about camping for a few nights in the area.

No matter what your family's interests are, we promise everyone will enjoy their trip to Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Be sure to check out our Family Travel Guide for more fun family vacation ideas!

Best Art Classes for Kids in Orlando to Unleash Creativity

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 09/12/2021 - 9:08am

Kids enjoy plein air classes at Crealdé School of Art, expressing creativity outside.

Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and all genius artists share something in common—they were once children! Before they became masters in their field, they were just little Claude and Vincent fingerpainting and tiny Pablo doodling in the dirt. Further your own child's artistic talents by enrolling him or her in art classes for kids. Orlando art classes cover a variety of mediums -- pottery, drawing, painting, sculpture, and many more—and welcome all ages, from young children all the way to talented teens (and even adults).

Enriching children's lives with art provides a well-rounded education, promotes creativity, teaches independence and decision-making, unlocks an appreciation of the surrounding world, and helps develop fine motor skills. Oh, and keeps your child entertained, happy, and messy! We've put together some of our favorite Orlando art classes for kids for budding artists in need of unleashing their creative talents.

Best Atlanta Dance Classes for Kids: Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap, and More

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 08/29/2021 - 8:59am

The highlight of Atlanta dance classes for kids is the elaborate recital production. Photo Mommy Poppins

Atlanta dance classes are great places for kids to let loose, train with skilled teachers, and make friends. From adult-child classes, where parents can dance in class with their children, to advanced dance classes, where children can perfect their form, Atlanta dance classes run the gamut of interests and skills. If your child isn't sure which type of dance he or she wants to try, don't worry —many Atlanta dance studios offer a variety of classes, including ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, acro, and more so children have the option to try multiple genres and see which are their favorites.

Candytopia: A Candy Playground Pop-up That's Totally Sweet

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 08/13/2021 - 10:01am

Playing with your food is an important rule at Candytopia.

Candytopia, an immersive, candy-themed pop-up experience is back to give the whole family a sugar rush of fun. Returning to Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Houston this summer, Candytopia has been a reliable source of indoor fun and a chance to momentarily live like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The experiential art exhibit is part Instagram-fodder, part sugary/rainbow explosion, with more than a dozen rooms featuring interactive displays, games, and candy to sample. Candytopia has toured the country previously—stopping in major cities and amassing selfie-snapping fans as it goes—and now it's time to close out summer once again with this tasty experience!

Melanie Preis

Latest posts by Melanie

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