Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

Best Petting Zoos in Connecticut: Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 04/21/2023 - 9:15am

Find feathered friends and encounter animals up close at petting zoos in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Westmoor Park

When you take a child to petting zoos in Connecticut and farms with animals, it's as if the pictures in their little books come popping off the page. A real-live donkey, even a zebra, and all the farm animals whose sounds we teach them so early on are right there! There are lots of nurturing, healthy petting zoos, farms and rescues in Connecticut where families can visit all the furry creatures, big small!

In addition to getting up close and personal with these animals, many of these Connecticut Farms also offer a wide variety of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables. There is plenty of family fun to be had. Read on for our favorite Connecticut petting zoos and farms to visit. And don’t forget to visit your other four-legged friends at these Connecticut Zoos and Gardens.

Easter Weekend 2023: 18 Things To Do in Connecticut With Kids

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

Easter Weekend 2023 comes to Connecticut, with celebrations of spring. Dancing Daffodils photo courtesy of Halfinger Farms

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

If you're looking for a hearty Easter brunch or Easter egg hunt , there are plenty to choose from, including events in Southport and Washington Depot. Or maybe you're just looking for some kid-friendly opportunities to get outside for some fresh spring air during Spring Break in Connecticut. This weekend features Canton's Spring Scavenger Hunt, the Eggcelent Easter Gathering in Norwalk, and Dancing Daffodils in Higganum

Spring Festivals and Fairs in Connecticut for Kids and Families

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 04/02/2023 - 2:49pm

Spring festivals and fairs in Connecticut are here, with flowers, baby animals, and more! Baby Goat Snuggle Sessions, photo courtesy of Syman Says Farm

Families will find outdoor fun at spring festivals and fairs in Connecticut. These events are blossoming with crafts, delicious treats, and entertainment! Connecticut families love the budding trees and brightly colored flowers. In fact, we love it so much, we hold entire festivals and fairs on those themes, from Daffodil Festivals (and more daffodils and MORE daffodils) to Spring on the Farm to celebrating the blooming of the dogwoods!

There's so much fun in bloom all over Connecticut. For more ways to get into the swing of spring, visit our Spring Activities Guide. And be sure to sign up for our newsletters for the best of spring sent straight to your inbox.

Spring Break 2023: 30 Fun Things To Do in Connecticut

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 03/31/2023 - 10:08am

Immerse yourself in the colors and blooms at the Colorblends' garden. Photo by Ally Noel

It's almost time for spring break 2023 in Connecticut, and the kiddos will be home for a few days to a whole week or perhaps more. From family-friendly spring break events in Hartford and Bridgeport to Middletown and Mystic, more sun means more things to do in Connecticut that break up the routine and help make new memories.

For more spring break 2023 activities in Connecticut, check out Spring Festivals and Fairs in Connecticut for Kids and Families, and our Spring Bucket List.

Easy Easter Crafts for Kids and How to Dye Easter Eggs

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 03/28/2023 - 11:01am

These bunny slime jars are adorable and icky. In other words, kids adore them. Photo by the author

There are loads of Easter crafts for kids that get kids of all ages excited for a visit from the Easter bunny. These easy Easter crafts run the gamut from upcycled toilet roll bunnies to Easter bath bombs to deliciously icky Easter slime. And no Easter craft list would be complete without an entire section on how to dye Easter eggs! Sure you can get those magic dye tablets at the grocery store, but if you want to up your Easter egg game, we can show you how to tie-dye, rice shake, and even shaving cream those Easter eggs.

Still "dyeing" for a neighborhood egg hunt? Find one near you on your local roundup of all the best Easter activities in your city. Plus, we've got tons more ideas for at-home Easter fun in our Easter Activity Guide for Families.

Best STEM Summer Camps in Connecticut for Science, Coding, and Engineering

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 03/12/2023 - 8:00pm

With coding, experiments, and more, STEM summer camps in Connecticut are calling all scientists! Photo courtesy of Empow Studios

From Stamford to Hartford and beyond, Connecticut is home to fantastic STEM summer camps. Some kids love sports and some kids love art, but then there are the other kids who love STEM. These are Connecticut's future computer programmers, engineers, mathematicians and scientists. If you child would love to spend his or her summer immersed in these subjects, there is a camp near you that will make them happy!

Check out these STEM summer camps across the state, or take a look at our extensive Connecticut Summer Camp Guide and Summer Camp Directory for tons of options to fit any interest. You can also find free coding for kids websites and apps.

24 Best Things To Do in Norwalk, CT with Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 03/12/2023 - 9:31am

Find something to smile about with the best things to do in Norwalk, CT with kids!

The top things to do in Norwalk cater to tourists and locals alike, with a family-friendly eclectic mix of urban, coastal, and charming neighborhood experiences. Norwalk highlights include two of Connecticut's most popular attractions: The Maritime Aquarium and Stepping Stones Museum for Children. Norwalk’s proximity to the Long Island Sound provides visitors with access to the coastline at Calf Pasture Beach and Sheffield Island and its dedication to diversity can be tasted and seen through its thriving restaurant and arts scene.

Perhaps most importantly, Norwalk is the place that I have called home for just about a dozen years, and it is the place where I choose to raise my family. We have all grown up in this town. We celebrated the last days of school and birthdays at Mr. Frosty's. We said farewell to Summer at the Oyster Fest, spent way too many early baby mornings at Stepping Stones, and developed a close friendship with the seals at the Maritime. Norwalk is our home, and I am so happy to share it with you.

You can follow along with all my adventures by following along on Instagram.

Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Connecticut 2023

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 02/19/2023 - 7:38pm

Sun, smiles, and new friendships await at free and affordable summer camps in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Camp Sunrise

The end of the school year comes ridiculously quickly and Connecticut parents don't want to see their kids glued to the television set all summer. We've made it easy for you to find a great summer program with our picks for affordable summer camp in Connecticut (and yes, some even free!). We've gathered listings from the Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, and Litchfield areas. Read on and find a fun, affordable summer camp that fits your child's interests and your family's budget. Remember also to inquire with your own local parks and recreation department; these camps tend to be some of the best deals around.

Connecticut has all kinds of fun summer camps for Summer 2023. For more recommendations, browse our Connecticut Summer Camp Guide and explore our favorites. And our extensive Camp Listings let you filter by interest, age, or area of the state to help you find the best Connecticut summer camp for your child.