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
Witnessing the Atlanta cherry blossom bloom is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, which is part of what makes these delicate flowers so very special. The beautiful varieties of pink and white flowers only bloom for about two weeks in early spring (mid-March), depending on weather and other factors, so it's a fleeting moment of spring magic.
Throughout Atlanta and the surrounding area, there are great spots to see cherry blossoms and celebrate the rebirth of spring. From parks and gardens to family-friendly festivals devoted to cherry blossoms, we've collected some captivating places to enjoy and see cherry blossoms near Atlanta.
Orlando baby stores offer a trip to a wonderland of cuteness. Not only do these baby boutiques offer helpful baby gear and baby clothes for parents, the merchandise is just so dang cute it's hard not to smile at everything. Perusing aisles of baby products can be overwhelming, but by shopping at baby stores with trained employees, it makes the experience way more fun. Whether you need strollers or sippy cups, breast pumps or binkies, we love these Orlando baby stores ready to help everyone who visits.
The pandas are coming...the pandas are coming to Atlanta! Panda Fest is exactly what you think it is — a panda-themed festival celebrating the traditions of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) cultures. Occuring across three days, April 4-6, this New York-based event makes its Atlanta debut with activities, food stalls, live performances, a market fair, and more. Check out the details below and get ready for an awesome spring festival!
It's time to start narrowing down summer camp options in Orlando as the weather warms up. With Central Florida being such a kid-friendly area, it's no surprise that we have the best day camps in the country! We've put together a list of our top Orlando camps sure to keep kids engaged and excited this summer.
Looking for more options, like specialty camps, such as sports or art, or overnight camps in Florida? Make sure to visit our Orlando Summer Camp Guide for helpful information on making the most of your child's summer break!
Preschoolers and young kids need to stay busy during the summer, and preschool camp is the perfect way to introduce new interests and develop socialization skills. Luckily, Atlanta offers many summer camps for preschoolers and young children!
Our list of day camps for preschoolers allow parents to choose a summer camp that aligns with age-appropriate interests and schedule. We've included Atlanta summer camps that offer a little bit of everything, as well as camps specifically for sports, dance, drama, and more. Register early: Spots fill up quickly, and some preschool camps offer an early-bird discount.
Phoenix, Arizona is where I grew up. Though I traded Phoenix's dry heat for the humidity of Atlanta after college, I still regard myself as a Phoenician for life. With family and friends still there, we get to enjoy so many fun things to do in Phoenix whenever we visit. And what's really nice is now that I'm a mom, I get to revisit some of my favorite childhood attractions with my kids and discover awesome new things to do in Phoenix.
A trip to the Valley of the Sun makes for a perfect sun-soaked family vacation. Kids love all of the fun things to do in Phoenix, from the Phoenix Zoo to the Phoenix Art Museum. And for the adults, the resort spas are out of this world!
Here are the 50 top things to do in Phoenix with kids, including some great family-friendly restaurants and hotels. Check out our Western US Family Travel Guide for even more adventures out west, including our list of 51 top things to do with kids in Arizona.
Save money and sanity while planning your next Walt Disney World vacation with clever tips and tricks. We sat down with Melissa Mullett, director of operations at David's Vacation Club Rentals (DVCR), to get the inside scoop about the best ways to plan a trip to Disney World -- thinking smarter and more economical. Learn how to make the most out of a Disney trip by following our great advice below!
With a nickname like the "Sunshine State," it's obvious that Florida is THE place to enjoy fun under the sun. With year-round warm weather, averaging in the mid-70s, 825 miles of accessible beaches, fantasically varied wildlife, and one-of-a-kind habitats like mangroves, swamps, and marshes, Florida offers amazing outdoor options for visitors and residents alike. And don't get us started on the world-famous, kid-friendly attractions and theme parks! Visit picturesque Key West, the southernmost point in the continental U.S.; always-happening Orlando; the diverse Florida Everglades; the panhandle's fun beach cities; and everywhere in between.
Take a look at our list of the best things to do in Florida and let us know what you've visited and what you have yet to discover!
Pages