Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

Things To Do in Connecticut this Weekend & Beyond: Wolf Moon, Groundhogs, Maple Syrup

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 01/27/2021 - 3:00pm

And just like that, the final week of January (and perhaps the longest January on record) is here! January isn't quite slipping away into the darkness quite yet, though; there may be one or two tricks up this month's sleeve! Bask in the light of the "Wolf Moon" on the beach in Norwalk, tap a maple tree in New Canaan, or get in on some early groundhog action in Canton.

For virtual activities to round out your weekend, check out our Poppins@Home workshops, including Baby in Tune classes, the Happy Feet Soccer online series, Cartooning, and Magical Potions.

Our Connecticut Winter Fun Guide will give you ideas of where to go on a cross country skiing or snowshoeing adventure, book a ski lesson, or glide down the slopes at a snow tubing park. Just remember to bring your mask and practice social distancing. As always, keep tabs on our Connecticut events calendar for daily updates on reopenings at favorite spots, and more local and virtual opportunities for family fun.

10 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 01/24/2021 - 11:07am

Mexican Instant Pot Quinoa warms on a chilly night.

An Instant Pot is an electronic pressure cooker that is able to cook foods quickly—and once I started using one, I wondered how I ever lived without it. The only tricky thing is finding the best Instant Pot recipes that everyone in the family will eat. From kid-pleasing Instant Pot chicken recipes to the secret to perfect Instant Pot rice, I’ve tried them all, and rounded up the best of the best.

For those of us who don’t think about what to have for dinner until approximately melt-down-o’clock, this list of tried-and-true Instant Pot recipes will save dinnertime, one meal at a time! Don’t have an Instant Pot? Try our favorite easy one-pot meals. And whatever you make for dinner, save room for dessert.

Seal Spotting & Birding Cruise: A Fun Winter Day Trip with Connecticut Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 01/15/2021 - 10:30am

Bring binoculars for the best experience.

Looking for a fun outdoor activity to pass the time this winter? (Which parent isn't?) Maritime Aquarium is offering their popular Seal Spotting & Birding Cruises on select weekends in 2021. Seals migrate from Canada to the warm waters of the Long Island Sound from around mid-November to April, and are most visible to humans when they “haul out” onto the rocky shores that make up the Norwalk Islands. On a sunny, cold Sunday in January, my daughter and I had a blast spotting the cute marine mammals as well as a variety of majestic winter waterfowl from the deck of the aquarium's spacious cruising boat. Of course, just the prospect of trading a day in the house or car for a day on the water was exciting, too!

Read on for details of our experience on the Seal Spotting & Birding Cruise, and find more of our favorite cold-weather adventures with Connecticut kids in our Winter Day Trips guide.

30 Days of Indoor Activities for Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 01/03/2021 - 11:09am

Discover 30 days of indoor activities to get your family through an entire month of at-home play with kids of all ages. Tuck it away for a rainy or blustery day, or break it out now if facing another round of stay-home orders. Find more indoor activities in our Stay-at-Home Activities Guide.

New Year's Weekend Best Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids: Bowling, Hiking, and Wagon Rides

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 12/30/2020 - 8:30pm

A hike is always more fun when a scavenger hunt is involved. Photo courtesy of New Canaan Nature Center

Buh-bye 2020, hello, 2021! I don't know about you, but we are so excited to turn the calendar and welcome in a new year. Even though all of our worries may not disappear at the stroke of midnight, let’s start 2021 off right by getting some fresh air with First Day hikes in Enfield or Sherman, or try out an outdoor scavenger hunt at the Nature Center in New Canaan. Or, take a step back (before leaping forward) in time: It's the last weekend to learn about ancient civilizations at Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed exhibit at the Connecticut Science Center.

Looking for more ways to celebrate the New Year? Grab a thermos of cocoa and hit the road for one last chance to check out Connecticut homes with spectacular holiday lights and decor. For some at-home fun, check out our Poppins@Home pages, including a new Virtual Escape Room series, a planting workshop, and a LEGO art and design workshop. If you're out and about, just remember to bring your mask and practice social distancing. Keep tabs on our Connecticut Winter Fun Guide for even more local happenings, and if you're snuggling in, check out these virtual storytimes, events, and classes to stream from home.

40 Outdoor Activities for Kids this Winter

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 9:07am

Dig out the beach toys and use them for playing with snow!

Don’t let a little cold weather keep you cooped up! With many indoor spaces closed right now, it's extra important to find fun new ways to get kids outside. There's a saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." Well, with the right winter gear (and a little ingenuity) there is plenty of fun to be had during even the shortest and coldest days.

Before a bad case of cabin fever sets in, try one of these 40 outdoor activities that are sure to get the whole family outside and moving. From backyard campfire cooking to outdoor science experiments, these activities help keep kids away from screens and devices and get them fresh air and exercise in these chilly winter months.

12 Christmas Traditions, Holiday Activities, and Zoom Ideas to Start at Home in 2020

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 12/08/2020 - 10:00am

Come up with new ideas and traditions to keep the spirit alive this holiday season.

Planning holiday celebrations and activities might take some extra imagination this year. But doing things a little differently doesn’t mean sacrificing any of the joy, traditions, or family memories that come with Christmas celebrations. In fact, let the limitations on travel and gatherings in 2020 spur your creativity to greater heights. From festive fun with grandparents to innovative ways to keep annual traditions going with friends, we have rounded-up our favorite socially distant ways to celebrate the season. With traditional gingerbread decorating, a newly imagined Christmas lights caravan, and even a Nailed It! challenge kids adore, these ideas are so crowd-pleasing, we bet a few become new family holiday traditions.

For more great ways to celebrate the season together, don’t forget about these 10 fabulous any-day zoom activities for kids and grandparents, the most fun games kids can play virtually with friends, and all the best virtual holiday events for families!

Restaurants Open for Christmas Takeout in Connecticut

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 12/07/2020 - 11:00am

I'm sure Santa's not too busy to drop off your Christmas dinner!

Your holiday table may not be full of family and friends this year, but it can still be packed with delicious food made with love by a professional chef. These Connecticut restaurants will prepare a meal for Christmas or Hanukkah takeout (or in some cases, delivery) so you can kick back, relax, and tuck into prime rib, an Italian fish dinner, peppermint cheesecake or other treats while staying safe at home.

Might we suggest pairing holiday takeout with one our all-time favorite family Christmas movies? If you are in the mood to spread even more holiday cheer, check out out our Holiday and Christmas Fun Guide for Connecticut Kids.