Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

15 Ideas for a Fun Winter Olympics Party with Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 01/29/2018 - 10:19am

In addition to being incredibly cool and thrilling—flips off the halfpipe! football-field-length ski jumps! a sport actually named skeleton!—the Winter Olympics offer a time to come together with family and friends and feel pride in our country's athletes. Most importantly, in the Olympic spirit, the Games allow us to connect with other cultures. I say that calls for a celebration of Olympic proportions! Here are 15 ideas for a kid-centered Winter Olympics party; we’ve chosen simple, inexpensive, and fun ways to get together and celebrate the excitement of the Olympics, cultural understanding, wintertime, and family time.

Bounce, Jump, and Slide into Kids Klub at the Trumbull Mall

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 01/24/2018 - 1:55pm

Trumbull Mall was one of my first outings as a new mom, I remember finding the Family Lounge and feeling like Indiana Jones when he found the Lost Temple. This is one of the most family friendly malls I have ever been to - they have tons of kid-friendly dining options, family parking, and a playspace (not to mention a carousel!). So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across the newly opened Kidz Club in Trumbull.

STEM Classes and Maker Spaces for Kids in Connecticut

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 01/15/2018 - 2:34pm

From Eli Whitney and his interchangeable parts, to the can opener and the frisbee, Connecticut’s history has always been one filled with game changing innovations. So it should be no surprise that the Maker Movement is alive and thriving in Connecticut! “What is the Maker Movement?” you may be asking. According to Make Magazine, “The Maker Movement embraces innovation, creativity, and learning to improve our communities and create a better future.Tinkerers, educators, parents, and professionals are included, because we are all Makers. That includes you.” If you have a child that builds Minecraft kingdoms in her dreams or is ready to take a trip to the science museum to the next level, then this list is for you!

How to Make Frozen Bubbles with Kids in This Freezing Weather

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 01/05/2018 - 4:02am

We're no fans of the freezing, and even below zero temperatures, that have ushered in the new year. But we are fans of the new viral sensation to come out of this frigid nonesense: frozen bubbles!

We saw these mesmerizing bubbles popping up all over our feeds, and couldn't wait to give it a try IRL with real kids. Read on for the recipe and see our video of this DIY science experiment in Connecticut, a day after the dreaded "bomb cyclone," aka, Winter Storm Grayson.

Don't forget you can find more at-home fun, like 40 Things to Do Indoors on a Snow Day, in our Mommy Poppins Boredom Busters Guide.

50 Awesome Santa Activities in Connecticut

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 11/17/2017 - 3:02pm

Shopping mall Santas have been de rigueur since store owner James Edgar donned a red suit and snowy beard to entertain children in 1890. Today the tradition is alive and well in malls across Connecticut, including Stamford Town Center, Danbury Fair, and Westfarms.

If you're looking to mix it up with a Santa outing that's a little bit different, we have rounded up our 50 favorite Santa activities across the state. Some events are free and require no preregistration, but many of those that do require advanced tickets are VERY popular and can sell out early, so you'll want to buy tickets as soon as possible. In a separate post we've also rounded up where to have a yummy breakfast with Santa. Don't forget to check our Holiday Fun Guide and events calendar often for more holiday happenings!

Exploring Silence at Grace Farms

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 11/05/2017 - 9:00am

I don’t know about you, but lately my mind has been racing - my lists have been growing lists and my “to dos” have been expanding at a remarkable pace. So, when I had the opportunity to Explore Silence with Grace Farms Foundation’s Arts Initiative, I jumped at the chance.

My daughter and I have been to Grace Farms several times since its opening in 2015. When I try to explain my experience there to people, I frequently find myself at a loss for words. Grace Farms is a completely unique experience nestled in backcountry Fairfield County, and to understand this facility, you truly have to “experience” it.

Freakshakes - More Than a Milkshake

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 09/07/2017 - 10:10am

In my house, we like to mark big occasions with a special little treat. Last day of school? Let’s get a donut! First day of school? How about a milkshake? But, sometimes not just any old milkshake will do. Sometimes you need to go big. Sometimes it’s a REALLY big occasion that needs you to go so big that your milkshake needs its own zip code. Connecticut has a rich variety of ice cream parlors (check out our favorites in New Haven, Fairfield, New London, and Hartford) and over-the-top food experiences from Insane Ice Cream to a Chocolate Trail. The latest wave of Frankenfoods to sweep the Nutmeg State seems to be Freakshakes.

The Little Island in Connecticut That You've Never Heard Of

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 09/01/2017 - 2:44pm

We’ve toured all kinds of farms: alpaca farms, berry farms, orchards, we’ve even dug up our own potatoes in a community garden. So, it only seemed appropriate that one of our last summer adventures would be to head out to Hummock Island Oyster Farm in Westport.