Jennifer Coe

Latest posts by Jennifer Coe

Apple Picking in Connecticut: Best Apple Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 08/27/2023 - 9:50pm

Apple picking in Connecticut is a great family activity, with wonderful photo ops, outdoor fun, and delicious treats. Photo courtesy of Holmberg Orchards & Winery

Start collecting your recipes because apple picking in Connecticut is right around the corner! Orchards will be bursting in color in early September. The cost of an apple-picking excursion—buying a bag for a peck or a bushel—is very affordable. And you're rewarded with a wonderful autumn experience and a bunch of crunchy fruit the kids picked themselves! Starting in late August through October, farms and orchards around Connecticut are ready to welcome families to their apple orchards.

Looking for a good recipe after all that apple picking? Try baking apple pie or apple muffins, or mixing up fresh applesauce with Mommy Poppins' favorite apple recipes. And for more seasonal activities, explore our Connecticut Fall Fun Guide.

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!

20 Best Things To Do in Connecticut August 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 07/30/2023 - 9:00pm

Get up close with history and find even more fun things to do in Connecticut for August 2023! Photo courtesy of King Tut in Hartford

If you haven't finished your summer bucket list, August 2023 is heating up with some great family events. Connecticut families still have plenty of time to get outside and pick some sunflowers, see a drive-in movie or learn all about nocturnal creatures. If indoors (and air conditioning) is more your style, you will love the King Tut exhibit kicking off in Hartford or Funbox at the CT Post Mall. Keep cool at the ultra-cool Slide City Waterpark, a pop-up water-park coming to Danbury.

We're adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don't forget to check it frequently. Keep up with the best of Summer in Connecticut with our Ultimate Summer Vacation Guide. And get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletter!

Heat Wave Hot List: 41 Cool Things To Do in CT with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 07/09/2023 - 3:04pm

Dive into our top picks for staying cool with our Heat Wave Hot List! Photo courtesy of Ridgefield Parks and Recreation

Summer is here, and so is our Heat Wave Hot List! The AC is blasting in Connecticut, and the temps are definitely rising. So it's time to find some cool activities to do with kids. These places are fun, while also helping to beat the heat in Connecticut. Try some cold, creamy ice cream, escape to the mall, or satisfy your gamer kids' appetite for technology at an arcade. You can also try some amazing food, go swimming, or try a new beach.

For a full list of awesome summer ideas, take a look through Mommy Poppins' Summer Fun Guide.