Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

Great Connecticut Beaches for Toddlers: Gentle Surf, Playgrounds, and More

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 06/21/2019 - 4:00pm

Kids wait for the tide to go out for critter catching at Hammonasset Beach State Park.

Parenthood may have put an end to lazy lounging in the sun, but visiting a great Connecticut beach with a curious, playful toddler or preschooler in tow is a whole new kind of fun. What makes a good beach or lake experience with a little one? These tot- and mom-approved spots have features like bathrooms, concessions, gentle (or no) surf, tide pools, or spraygrounds that allow for more independent exploration with fewer meltdowns. Just pack some toys, sunscreen, and your patience, and your bound for a fun beach day.

24 Summer Camp Snacks for Kids That Aren't Boring

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 06/20/2019 - 11:04am

These apple donuts are adorably delicious and a sweet camp treat.

Packing for summer camp means gathering up the towels, swimsuits, water bottles—labeling everything!—and finally, ensuring your kid has a healthy snack to power them through an action-packed day.

After a year of making school lunches for kids, it might feel overwhelming to come up with creative summer camp snacks, especially if you have a picky eater who turns up their nose at the likes of a cheese stick or tube of yogurt. So we came up with two dozen camp snack foods to woo both kids and parents with cooling, energizing, and (mostly) healthy snacks.

We separated the list into four handy sections: high-protein snacks, fruit snacks, no-refrigeration required, and allergy-aware and nut-free snacks for kids. Some might be more suited to a post-camp nosh but most can be packed up and sent out the door to summer camp with your kid.

Weekend Fun: Shakespeare, Food Trucks, and Festivals ; June 22-23

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 8:32pm

Swingset Mamas jam at Mill River Park. Photo courtesy of Swingset Mamas

Summer is in full swing all across Connecticut. Strawberry fields are open for berry business, the splash pads are running, and the Fourth of July is just around the corner.

This weekend is filled with tons of summer family fun! There are tons of fests in New London, Hartford, and Stonington. You can have fun on the water in Stamford or Norwalk, and don’t forget to check out our Summer Fun Guide for even more ways to enjoy the season.

Weekend Fun: Porch Jams, Butterflies, and Wing Dings; June 8-9

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 06/05/2019 - 10:25am

Milford Pirates Day. Photo courtesy of Downtown Milford Business Association

Can you feel the excitement in the air? Summer vacation—and with it, loads of options for family fun—is almost here. It’s the last weekend of the school year and Connecticut is getting ready to party! Summer movies are starting, strawberry patches are ripening, and Summer Festival season has already kicked off. There is music in the air this weekend in Norwalk and Mystic, while Wing Dings are on parade in Bridgeport. Make sure to check out Connecticut Open House Day and take advantage of free or discounted admission to museums, parks, and galleries all across the state.

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. Enjoy the sunny weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend Fun for Kids and Families in Connecticut

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 05/22/2019 - 6:17pm

Memorial Day weekend begins with a bang at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum Revolutionary War Encampment. Photo Courtesy of Webb-Dean-Stevens Museum

Connecticut is celebrating the unofficial start of summer in a big way! Whether you are heading to the beach or the park, there is no shortage of family fun across the state for Memorial Day weekend. Families can take their pick of parading through town, cruis ing the coastline, or expanding your palate at a Food Truck Festival.

If you're looking for an educational way to honor the men and women who died in service to our nation, think about attending a kid-friendly parade or ceremonies, like the Revolutionary War Encampment in Wethersfield and the Decoration Day event at Mystic Seaport.

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 free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Have a fantastic long weekend!

Weekend Fun: Earth Day Celebrations, Flowers, and Festivals; April 27-28

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 8:32pm

Celebrate Earth Day at Grace Farms. Photo by Vanessa Van Ryzin

April is going out with a bang in Connecticut, and the last weekend of the month offers lots of ways to celebrate. Get your cotton candy and ride tickets ready, because carnival season kicks off this weekend in Meriden, Redding, and Fairfield. If you want to keep things more down to earth, make sure to check out the Spring Fling, Sheep Wool & Fiber Festival, and other Earth Day celebrations.

I’ve heard that this weekend many trees and bulbs in Connecticut will be in full bloom and the waterfalls will be flowing. Make sure you save some time to get out there and explore the natural beauty of the state we’re lucky to call home.

Weekend Fun: Bunnies, Fairies, and Egg Hunts; April 13-14

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 04/10/2019 - 8:18pm

There have been widespread sightings of a certain bunny hopping around Connecticut! The Easter Bunny sure is making his rounds! Just about everywhere has a brunch, breakfast, train, or hunt this weekend. Now that the weather has warmed up a bit, you can get the whole family outside and explore more. Our Spring Guide is loaded with seasonal fun from fairy signings in Putnam to Spring Play Dates in Greenwich.

This weekend also kicks off Spring Break for many public schools in the Nutmeg State. If the kids are home from school, make sure to check out our 20 Fun Spring Break Events and Family Day Trip Ideas. 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!

Weekend Fun: Roller Derby, Easter Bunnies, and Nature Fun; March 30-31

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 03/27/2019 - 8:39pm

Kids bond with trees—and one another—at the Mill River Park Scavenger Hunt. Photo courtesy of Mill River Park Collaborative

The birds are singing, the daffodils are poking through, and I have even seen some buds on the trees. March is coming in like a lamb, and Connecticut is greening up once again! It's a great weekend to explore the outdoors, and there are nature activities for kids in Darien, Weston, and Westport. The Easter Bunny is hopping through the state starting in Danbury. Plus, you can spend your whole weekend getting crafty at Java Jam, History Kids Craft Day, or Sunday FunDay Crafts. Looking for some faster-pace fun? The Connecticut Roller Derby Season Opener in Trumbull promises plenty of exciting action.