Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

Back to School Festivities and More Things To Do in CT this Weekend

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 08/23/2023 - 4:15pm

Back to School Concert at Castle Hill Farm will feature a performance by Poppi's Planet. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Looking for the best things to do in Connecticut this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Somehow we made it to the unofficial last weekend of Summer vacation. For many of us, school starts next week, but that doesn't mean you can't go out with a bang. Connecticut families can celebrate the beginning of the new school year at the Back to School Carnival in New Britain, a Back to School Concert in Newtown or Back to School Extravaganza at Hartford's Parkville Market.

Be sure and check out all the fun activities and events this month with the Best Things To Do in Connecticut August 2023 with Kids. And see our Ultimate Connecticut Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more ideas for fun in the sun!

Foxwoods Resort: A Mini Vacation for Families

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 08/11/2023 - 2:46pm

A trip to Foxwoods Resort can be a pretty sweet getaway for the whole family! Photo by @elidgoss courtesy of the Sugar Factory Facebook page

Foxwoods Resort for families...Okay, okay. We know what you’re thinking. Casinos are not for children. There’s the gambling. And then there are the bars. And then the nightclubs. Except that there actually are a number of kid-friendly things tucked into Connecticut’s beloved adult playground. We decided to check out the Eastern Connecticut casino midweek to see if Foxwoods Resort is a kid-friendly destination. And as it turns out, it absolutely is. There is so much more to Foxwoods Resort than gaming. Here’s what you can expect to find.

Not Your Usual Back-to-School Supplies List: Actually Useful Ideas from a Teacher

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 08/01/2023 - 12:04pm

Forget regular pencil cases, this "pop" one from ZIPIT helps with fidgets and nerves. My kids love it.

It's that time of year again – Back-to-School, which means it's time to go shopping for back-to-school supplies! There are plenty of boring back-to-school lists out there that have the typical pencil case, crayons, and a backpack. That's not what this list is.

This Back-to-School season, we've talked with a teacher and several moms to come up with favorite lesser-known items that we think deserve a place in your Back-to-School shopping cart. From noise-canceling headphones to erasable pens that really work, we come up with a list of unique essentials.

Whether your little one is starting kindergarten or heading back to elementary school, we've got you covered with a list of cool back-to-school supplies that will make the upcoming school year a breeze. For more Back-to-School ideas, like lunches kids actually like or first day of school traditions, check out our Back-to-School Guide.

40 Things To Do in Connecticut Before School Starts

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 07/28/2023 - 8:00pm

See some wonderful sights and find more things to do in Connecticut before school starts! Photo courtesy of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Before school starts again, explore all the things to do in Connecticut while the kids are still on vacation. Summer is ticking right along, and back-to-school time is looming for Connecticut kids. Use the last 5 weeks of summer to get out and experience some of the fun things to do for Connecticut families. You can meet alpacas, pick your own bouquets, go on a train ride, see hot air balloons and so much more.

Our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide has even more ideas for making the most of the shortest, but sweetest, season of the year.

Easy Hair Chalk Ideas for Kids, Plus How to Make DIY Hair Chalk

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 12:09pm

Punch up pigtails with some colorful hair chalk for kids. Photo courtesy of Magicat Premium Hair Chalk

If your child's hair needs a touch of pizzazz, hair chalk is the easiest way to dazzle it up. Whether your kiddo feels like being a mermaid, a witch, or just wants to add a little oomph to their everyday look, hair chalk for kids can open the door to endless creative possibilities.

Best of all: Hair chalk is not only relatively inexpensive, it's also temporary. Depending on the kit and the application, most hair chalk washes out between one and three days, making changing your kiddo's hair color as easy as changing their clothes.

Read on for some of our favorite hair chalk kits and designs for kids, then learn how to make DIY hair chalk. And if your kiddo wants to channel their creativity beyond their hair, our Boredom Busters Guide for Kids will help. There you'll find our lists of 100 awesome art projects, 50 genius things to do with cardboard boxes, and so much more.

Cape Cod with Kids: 60 Fun Things To Do on Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 07/11/2023 - 10:57am

Search for seashells along Cape Cod's many gorgeous beaches.

Known for its pristine beaches, legendary seafood, charming main streets, and a seemingly endless supply of kids' activities, Cape Cod makes for an ideal family vacation destination. While some Cape Cod attractions and activities are open only in the summer months, fall, spring, and even winter can be a beautiful, less hectic, and less expensive time to visit the Cape with kids. I've spent just about every summer of my life on Cape Cod, forming some of my most enduring childhood memories. It's a tradition I am thrilled to carry on with my family and to share with Mommy Poppins readers.

Here are 60 fun things to do on Cape Cod with kids, including family-friendly Cape Cod hotels and Cape Cod restaurants kids love. The list includes plenty of indoor activities for rainy and off-season days. For even more tips on visiting Cape Cod, check out our Guide to Cape Cod and the New England Islands with Kids.

4th of July Weekend in Connecticut: Fireworks, Parades, and More Things to Do with Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 8:30am

Hooray for the red, white, and blue—and all the fun things to do this 4th of July Weekend in CT! Parade photo courtesy of the Stonington Borough, CT Facebook page

Between fireworks, festivities, and pure, outdoor things to do in Connecticut, Fourth of July is definitely the peak of summer. The nation's annual birthday party is back with a bang with an explosion of summertime fun. Fireworks shows are on the agenda all across the state this 4th of July weekend in Connecticut, including displays in Waterbury (with food trucks!), New London, and a 3-D fireworks display in Milford.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Beach Fun Pack from Goldfish Swim School! Plus, each entry also counts as an extra chance to win our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

Top New England Camping Spots: Campgrounds for Families

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 06/23/2023 - 9:34pm

Families can enjoy outdoor fun and connect with nature at these top New England camping spots! Photo courtesy of the Pine Acres Family Resort in Oakham, Massachusetts

From the beachfront to the lakefront, mountain views, to ocean views, here are the top New England camping spots. These campgrounds provide families with vacation memories to last a lifetime. Are you looking for camping with resort-like amenities? Or maybe a more rustic experience to get away from the hustle and bustle? Our list of New England Campgrounds has something for every member of your family.

Check out all our vacationing expertise in our Family Travel Guide. And see our Ultimate Boston Kids Summer Vacation Guide and Ultimate Connecticut Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more summer fun!