Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

Free Outdoor Movies in Connecticut this Summer with Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 05/21/2023 - 10:18am

Connecticut has plenty of free outdoor movies for kids this summer, so get your popcorn ready! Free Friday Flicks photo courtesy of The Promenade Shops in South Windsor

Connecticut's free outdoor movies are a fun way to stretch your summer budget. Parents are always on the lookout for summer activities, and free movies fit the bill. After day-camp is done and the amusement parks have been covered, a free outdoor movie sounds great! Gather the folding chairs, blankets, and some snacks. It's time to make your way over to one of these fun, outdoor flicks that will change the whole move-watching experience for your kiddos. And don't forget your bug-spray.

If you're looking to mark something else off the summer bucket list, pack up the car and check out our list of Drive-In Movie Theaters in Connecticut.

25 STEM Activities Easy Enough for Preschoolers

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 11:06am

Use recyclables and household objects to build a better bridge.

STEM activities are all the rage in education right now, and for good reason. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) – and the Arts for STEAM – are crucial to kids’ learning and our future. But how to get your younger children interested? They might not be ready for coding, but many preschoolers under age 5 can enjoy some basic STEM principles through play.

Below we've got easy instructions to help you and your budding scientist build an apple boat or a toothpick-marshmallow castle, attempt a pom-pom drop, or indulged in baking soda science. Read on for a list of 25 tried-and-true screen-free STEM activities to do with your preschooler.

For more science experiments for kids of all ages, check out our list of 64 easy science experiments for kids, try our colorful Skittles science experiment, or enjoy one of our magical light experiments for toddlers and preschoolers—all of which can be found in our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids. Happy discovering!

Best Outdoor Dining in Connecticut at Family-Friendly Restaurants

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 05/12/2023 - 10:00am

Find the best outdoor dining in Connecticut with our top picks for family-friendly restaurants! Photo by Ally Noel

Plenty of space, lots of beautiful views and delicious menu options; restaurants with outdoor dining around Connecticut are always a great idea for families! Especially as the temperatures start to rise. From river docks to secret gardens and beachside patios, these eateries are a hit with hungry families looking for good food and outdoor seating.

Some of these awesome Connecticut restaurants with outdoor seating even made our list of places where kids can play while you relax, which is the ultimate combination for happy dining as a family. And if you're looking for a great breakfast out with the kids, look through our list of Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut.

Mother's Day Weekend 2023 in Connecticut: Brunches and More Fun Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 9:51am

.Happy Mother's Day from all of us at Mommy Poppins. Photo by the author

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

Celebrate Mother's Day all weekend long (come on, you know she deserves it!) Head to the New Haven Night Market on Friday, then take your pick of the Dogwood Festival, Spring Festival, or Mama Palooza on Saturday, and then cap off the weekend with a lovely brunch or a stop at a vineyard.

Still need more things to do in Connecticut this weekend? Get the most out of spring with our Connecticut Spring Activities Guide. For more sweet fun this season, explore Spring Festivals and Fairs in Connecticut for Families. And check out the Best Things To Do in Connecticut May 2023 with Kids for our favorite picks all month long.

Easy School Spirit Week Ideas: Crazy Hair Day, Anything But a Backpack Day, and Beyond

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 05/02/2023 - 11:04am

All you need for Crazy Hair Day are some cupcake baking cups! Photo by the author

These easy Spirit Week ideas will see you through the days when your kids forget to tell you the day's theme minutes before you run out the door!

Spirit Weeks are great for building community and keeping kids entertained during the weeks leading up to school vacations. But they can be rough on unsuspecting parents. At some point in your kid's school career, you will be forced to buy all the hair accessories at your favorite 24-hour store the night before Crazy Hair Day. It can’t just be me whose kiddo freaked out that her “Anything But a Backpack” wasn’t original enough, can it?

This list of tried and true tips will help you survive even the most last-minute of spirit days. Once they're out the door, take a minute to laugh over these Funny Parenting Memes That Will Make You Feel Seen. And if you had a teacher cool enough to pick easy themes for Spirit Week, you might want to thank them with one of these Teacher Appreciation Gifts They’ll Love.

Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in CT

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 04/28/2023 - 6:39pm

Have a sweet celebration at the best fun restaurants for kids' birthdays in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of the Elm Street Diner

Birthdays are like national holidays in my house, and we love finding the best fun restaurants to go out and celebrate! Connecticut has plenty of kid-friendly spots that are ready for a party. Here are a few of our favorite go-to spots all around the Nutmeg State. Find more family-friendly eateries in our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants, and make sure to check out this list of Birthday Freebies.

Preparing for Summer Camp and a (Printable) Camp Packing Checklist

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 04/27/2023 - 1:13pm

Pack together, so kids know where to find their stuff! Photo courtesy of Canva

We've got the ultimate summer camp packing list included below, plus 10 great tips for preparing your experienced or first-time camper for summer camp this year.

You’ve done your research and picked out the right summer camp for your kiddo. Whether it's a shorter camp for first-timers or a unique summer camp that fits their latest obsession, now is the time to start preparing your child for a quintessential childhood experience: going to an overnight camp. These tips will help make going away to a new sleepaway camp as easy as a summer’s breeze.

Looking for the best summer camp options in your city? Be sure to bookmark your local Summer Camp Guide and check out our Sleepaway Summer Camp Guide to the Best Overnight Camps in the US.

Best Mother's Day Brunch in Connecticut

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 04/23/2023 - 10:26am

Mom deserves to be treated to the best Moter's Day brunch around. If you're a mom, you probably have some hopes for how Mother's Day will go every year. A homemade card and some flowers? Sure. But how about a delicious meal you don't have to cook? Yes, please! Mother's Day is a great chance for the family to spoil the one who make sure everyone else's needs are met.

It's easy to find the best Mother's Day brunch in Connecticut that's fit for your family's queen. Pick one of these family-friendly spots, make a reservation and treat mom:

Looking for even more family activities to take part in after brunch? Check out our Spring Fun Guide. Looking for the best gifts for Mom? Browse Mother's Day Gifts Moms Actually Want.