Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Gets Major Upgrades

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 06/20/2023 - 12:45pm

Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos is getting a new outdoor swimming pool and tons of new upgrades, including elevated lodging options.

Big things are coming to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos. Just when you thought the supersized family-friendly resort had maxed out its fun factor, Great Wolf Lodge Poconos is undergoing a major renovation that's sure to wow. From the newly constructed family suites to seven brand new water slides to an outdoor pool area and the luxurious Woodland Villas slated to open in October, this family vacation destination is getting some major upgrades.

Read on for all the details on Great Wolf Lodge's improvements and start planning your Poconos getaway now. Find more vacation inspiration nearby in our Guide to Kid-Friendly Activities in the Poconos.

Saratoga Springs with Kids: 24 Things To Do on a Family Weekend Getaway

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 06/15/2023 - 4:11pm

Spend a day at the races at one of the country’s most historic and popular sports venues, the Saratoga Race Course. Photo courtesy of NYRA

Once upon a time, Saratoga Springs, New York, was a magnet for famous—and infamous—New Yorkers, from the Vanderbilts, Whitneys, and Rockefellers to the bootleggers and gamblers who took up residence during prohibition. Thankfully, Saratoga's offerings are now more family-friendly than booze and bookies.

A 3-hour drive from Midtown Manhattan pays off with a visit to the historic racetrack, hiking and fishing, or even a quiet stroll down Saratoga Spring's quaint Main Street. Rainy day activities can be found at the Saratoga Children's Museum or the local library, which offers a great children's room. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Saratoga Springs, New York, with kids. Find more local towns to explore in our Guide to Family-Friendly Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

100 Totally Free Printable Activities for Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 06/15/2023 - 11:10am

Delight kids with printable finger puppets. Photo courtesy of Easy Peasy Play

Printable activities for kids may seem a little old-school, but there's something to be said for good old pen-and-paper fun. While there are tons of great online resources for kids, it's important to take a break from screens sometimes.

We've rounded up 100 printables you can take with you just about anywhere. From printable coloring pages and paper dolls to craft instructions and STEM-inspired fun, these activities provide hours of entertainment. They also keep kids actively learning by developing fine-motor skills, working on critical thinking, and even inspiring some gross motor play workouts. And the best part is, they're completely free!

Bookmark this list of printable activities and come back to it anytime you hear the dreaded, "I'm bored!" You can also check out our guide to Boredom Busters for Kids for more ideas for screen-free fun.

Father's Day Weekend Things To Do in Connecticut: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth and More

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 06/14/2023 - 2:17pm

Celebrate Juneteenth and find the top things to do this Father's Day weekend in Connecticut. Juneteenth photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

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

It's Father's Day Weekend, and Connecticut abounds with activities to celebrate all the dads out there. Whether Dad is into art, bacon festivals, or Star Wars, there is something for every type of family guy. There's no shortage of ideas to make Dad feel special. This weekend is also Juneteenth, and families can honor the holiday in many different ways, including a celebration at NBMAA.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach tote, plus each entry also counts as an extra entry into our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

50 Genius Things to Do with Cardboard Boxes, Plus More Cardboard Crafts and Activities for Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 12:05pm

Build trains, cars, houses, and creatures with cardboard boxes!

Upcycle your cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes, and more with these cardboard crafts kids love.

How many times have you bought your kids a new toy, and had them toss the toy aside and play for hours with a cardboard box? When it comes to keeping kids happily occupied, nothing is quite as cheap, easy, and effective as empty cardboard boxes.

With a little imagination, empty cardboard boxes and other recycled and upcycled cardboard pieces easily become the foundation of a cardboard box house, a cardboard box car, and an endless amount of cardboard crafts.

Check out our other paper crafts for kids for hours of crafting fun. We've got hundreds of crafting ideas and more in our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids. For more suggestions on recycled crafts for kids, check out our Earth Kids Guide.

Preparing for Fatherhood: Parenting Tips From Our Favorite Dads

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 06/08/2023 - 10:41am

Being a dad is one of the two best jobs on earth. Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Collins, Colorado

There is no one way to be a great dad. However, there is a ton of advice out there on how to be a good dad. These positive parenting tips come directly from Mommy Poppins readers, writers, and editors—plus some dads and spouses—and offer a little guidance down the road of Fatherhood.

While some of these are funny, you might want to have tissues handy, as the dads—and a few moms who couldn't resist chiming in—had some pretty heartfelt advice! If you're looking to roar with laughter at some dad humor, might we suggest these 50 funny dad jokes, from sports and Star Wars jokes to parenthood jokes and gags

One thing sure stood out, and pretty much every single dad mentioned it. Can you guess what it is?

25 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Connecticut for Families

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 05/26/2023 - 9:25am

Hold on tight, because summer festivals and fairs are gearing up for Connecticut families! Photo courtesy of Vernon's Annual Summer Carnival

Summer festivals and fairs are on the way! Connecticut's 2023 summer calendar is stuffed full of fun, family-oriented fairs. From food extravaganzas to cultural festivals to shoreline and country-style fairs, there are so many family events in our little state this summer. Even better, many of the summer festivals and fairs on this list are free to enter. So grab a picnic basket and a blanket, and head out for games, rides, tastings, and more.

Be sure to check out our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide to keep up with new listings of summer fairs and festivals, as well as fun family events and activities. And our Guide to Free Fun for Connecticut Kids helps plan for more epic adventures at just the right price to stretch the summer budget.

Memorial Day Weekend 2023 in Connecticut: Festivals, Day Trips, and More Things to Do

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 05/24/2023 - 9:45am

Get outside and patriotic this Memorial Day Weekend 2023, as parades and festivals top our picks for the best things to do in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of the Fairfield Museum and History Center

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

Fairs, festivals, and parades - it must be Memorial Day Weekend! This weekend is filled with celebrations of all shapes and sizes. Take a day trip to Wethersfield to check out the annual Memorial Day Heritage Weekend, head off into the sunset with the Maritime Aquarium, or have some good old-fashioned fun at the TransAm Memorial Classic For a laid-back outing, plan the perfect beach day at one of these Family Friendly Local Beaches.

Connecticut summer fun is gearing up. It's the perfect time to park the family at a Free Outdoor Movie in Connecticut. And the weather is just right to go Eco-Exploring at Connecticut Beaches, or visit one of The Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families.