Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

50 Best Kids' Movies for Family Movie Night

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 11:18am

Some of the best kids' movies were made decades ago. If you're looking for the perfect flick to please everyone tonight, we suggest putting the new releases aside for now and introducing kids to these classic family movies.

Get the popcorn popped, the kids snuggled up on the couch, and now you're ready to peruse this list of our top 50 kids' movies sure to win over the pickiest of film critics. From The Wizard of Oz to Sandlot and everything in between, it’s time to turn down the lights and enjoy some quality time with the entire family.

Best Fairfield-Area Halloween Events: Trunk or Treat, Parades, and More

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 12:38pm

The Darien Halloween Parade is a little "magical" for kids. Photo courtesy of Darien

Halloween seems to get bigger and better every year—and I'm not just talking about the size of the candy bars. Back in the day, we were happy just to trick or treat in our neighborhood, but now, you can find a fun Halloween event pretty much any day, all October long. Here around Fairfield, we have a huge variety of activities devoted to the spookiest holiday, from trunk or treat events to costume parades to pumpkin festivals. Our Connecticut Halloween Guide has you covered, but don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletters and keep tabs on our event calendar so that you won't miss any newly added Halloween fun.

Things To Do in Connecticut this Weekend: Fairies, Giant Pumpkins, Spooky Family Fun

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 3:18pm

Corn mazes will be packed with puzzlers all weekend. Photo by Ally Noel

Okay, there may have been Halloween candy in the stores for months already. But this weekend marks the beginning of the "Spooky Season," as my kids like to say, with haunted hay rides, haunted "isles", haunted graveyards, and other assorted things that go bump in the night...all happening in Connecticut this weekend!

For parents more interested in daytime or little-kid fun, check out the apacas in Voluntown, the Wee Faerie Village in Old Lyme, or Soupstock, an unexpected marriage of music and soup (yum!) There's also a fantastic, free outdoor movie night in New Haven, a celebration of New Canaan’s history at New Canaan History Day, and afamily-favorite Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off in Ridgefield.

To make sure that you don't miss any of the seasonal fun, bookmark our Connecticut Halloween Fun guide. You can also subscribe to our free weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Have some (spooky) fun out there!

19 Science Fair Projects for Kids from K to Middle School

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 09/23/2019 - 10:45am

A bubbling lemon is an easy and colorful science fair project for all ages.

Crafting the perfect science fair project is a right of passage for most elementary-school kids. The ideal experiment involves a few key ingredients, a little bit of parent involvement, and can be completed in under two weeks.

Traditionally, science fairs take place in fifth grade, but many schools are now incorporating STEM experiments into the curriculum as early as kindergarten, so we've put together a list of 19 easy science fair project ideas, ranging from the tried-and-true “exploding volcano” to extracting DNA from a strawberry. There are chemistry science projects for 5th grade and plenty of hands-on, get messy ideas for the youngest inventors.

Weekend Fun: Sunflowers, Ice Cream, and Festivals

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 07/17/2019 - 8:30pm

Believe it or not, we are just about half-way through summer vacation. But, don’t let those “back-to-school” displays get you down; there is still so much to do this summer! There’s still plenty of time to enjoy day trips, outdoor movies, and a little fun at the beach! This weekend, kids can soak up music in Thompson and Hartford, take a giant leap in Bridgeport, or welcome the sunflowers back to Griswold.

We update our Events Calendar frequently so be sure to check back for even more great suggestions. To keep up with the latest family-friendly events and activities, sign up for our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Have a fantastic weekend!

A Special Offer on Summer Family Vacations at Smugglers' Notch Resort in Vermont

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 10:20am

Say "Hello" to summer family time at Smugglers' Notch Resort. Photo by Ally Noel

You may think of this top Vermont ski resort as a winter vacation spot, but with 8 pools, 4 water slides, and 2 natural reservoirs, Smugglers' Notch Resort makes a terrific summer family vacation destination. And, right now, Mommy Poppins readers can save $350 on a Summer Family Vacation Package. We made a trip to the resort ourselves so we could give you the inside scoop on this family-friendly find and get more details on this great deal.

A Tiny House Hotel Vacation Means Big Fun for Families

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sat, 07/06/2019 - 1:01pm

Kids warm up to a tiny home stay right away. Photo by the author

For traveling families, a tiny house rental can make the perfect hotel solution. It often comes with multiple beds without the cost of a pricey multiroom suite, as well as family-friendly amenities, such as stocked kitchens. It doesn't hurt that they're so very cute and often set among pretty landscapes, from beaches to forests and mountains.

Tiny houses have grown in popularity in recent years as many of us try to reduce our footprint and that means a tiny house getaway is all the more accessible. There are now villages of tiny houses available for American vacationers. Tiny home resorts have cropped up, too, while some campgrounds and even urban areas have added a handful of rentable tiny homes to their grounds.

So pack light and check out these seven tiny house resorts that allow you and the kids to try on tiny living for size.

Weekend Fun: Fireworks, Fairies, and Adventures; June 29-30

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 8:47pm

Mess Fest. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Science Center

With all the firework fun on the calendar this weekend, it’s hard to believe that it’s still June! Danbury and East Haven are getting their Fourth of July shows in before the calendar even turns over to June. Prefer to take your celebrations one month at a time? Kids can get up to their elbows in science at Mess Fest or immerse themselves in the mystical world of woodland creatures at a Fairy Festival. Animal-loving kiddos will appreciate special events dedicated to dogs and sharks.

Don’t forget to bookmark Summer Fun Guide for even more ways to enjoy the season. We have the scoop on both swimming pools and spraygrounds across Connecticut: Spots to play and cool off are just a drive away.