Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

Hot Chocolate Recipes Kids Adore

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 01/10/2023 - 11:15am

There's nothing like a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a cold day. Photo courtesy of Cotton Bro Studios

Whether you have a special hot chocolate recipe you make from scratch or you grab a packet of cocoa from the pantry, there is nothing quite like cozying up with a nice cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day. Hot chocolate makes any snow day magical, warms up cold cheeks after a day of sledding, and is simply the perfect sweet treat.

Here are 11 hot chocolate recipes to satisfy any sweet tooth, from hot chocolate bombs to Mexican hot chocolate. No snow? No problem! We’ve found a few recipes for those warmer days, too, including a frozen hot chocolate recipe. So grab your mugs and get mixing—it's time to stir up something delicious.

For more even more fun kitchen creations, check out our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.

New Year's Eve Weekend 2022 in Connecticut: Holiday Parade, Kid Parties, and First Night

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 12/28/2022 - 3:00pm

New Year's Eve parties for Connecticut kids are happening all weekend long! Countdown to Noon Celebration photo courtesy of the Niantic Museum

It's New Year's Eve Weekend 2022 in Connecticut! As we near the finish line of another holiday season, we start 2023 with celebrations on New Year's Eve and think about all that we want to do next year. We have some great ideas for ringing in the New Year with kids. Activities include a torchlight parade in New Hartford, First Day Hikes in Canton, and watching eagles soar over the Shepaug Dam. If you're not quite ready to let go of the Christmas spirit, this is the last weekend for the annual holiday festivities in New Haven and Mystic.

See all our picks for New Year's Eve Countdowns, First Night and other Connecticut celebrations kids. And, for those inclined to stay in this year, see our 15 Ideas for Celebrating New Year's Eve at Home with Kids.

25 Fun Riddles for Kids and Families

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 12:00pm

Riddles are a great way to entertain kids of all ages.

Riddles for kids is the answer. The question is: What is the perfect way to keep children entertained and their brains engaged without using a screen?

Riddles for kids are a great way to fight boredom, keep the conversation flowing, and laugh at funny jokes. Plus, the family will bond as everyone works together to puzzle over the answers to these tricky questions. From funny riddles to math questions to classic brainteasers, here are 25 fun riddles for kids and families.

For more ways to ward off the dreaded whines of "I'm bored" when the family is stuck at home, check out our favorite jokes for kids and more LOL jokes, riddles, tongue twisters, and more in our Guide to Humor and Jokes for Kids.

Christmas Weekend 2022 in Connecticut: Disney On Ice, Lights, Skating, and More Top Things To Do

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 12/21/2022 - 11:00pm

Feeling frozen? There's so much holiday fun this Christmas Weekend 2022 in Connecticut! Disney On Ice Presents Into the Magic photo courtesy of the production

Looking for the best things to do in Connecticut over Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

'Tis the weekend for spending time with family and friends to celebrate the season. It's Christmas weekend 2022 in Connecticut! Make some slime in Norwalk or try building a train in Fairfield. You can also take your family to the Hebron Lights drive-thru holiday light show. It's a dazzling spectacular of lights set against the Hebron Fairground's dark backdrop, and it raises money for several Connecticut children's charities.

After the holiday weekend is over, make sure you check out our Fun Things to do With Kids Over the Holiday Break. We hope you and your family have a jolly holiday season!

Holiday Break in Connecticut: 25 Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's Eve

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 12/18/2022 - 11:00pm

The holiday break in Connecticut is perfect for outdoor activities and winter fun! Winterfest Hartford photo by Andy Hart, courtesy of the IQuilt Partnership

Fight off the annual, post-Christmas emotional let-down with these fun activities for holiday break in Connecticut. Kids and families get bored over vacation week. So, if you're searching for ways to keep kids a little busier, check out our list of 25 fun and enriching activities. These holiday break activities offer something for everyone, from science museums and live plays to winter walks and ice skating. Enjoy the Connecticut school break, and have a wonderful holiday season!

For even more ideas to keep the entire family entertained during school break, bookmark the Mommy Poppins events calendar and our Connecticut Holiday Fun Guide. Follow us on Instagram for our latest finds.

A Charlie Brown Christmas and More Kids' Holiday Movies to Watch This Holiday Season

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 12/13/2022 - 11:55am

Get in the holiday spirit with Christmas movies filled with Santa, elves, and reindeer.

Our list of the very best kids' Christmas movies gives you the perfect way to enjoy the season without leaving home—for only the cost of the streaming service.

Whether you're looking for a classic Christmas movie you remember from your childhood, like A Charlie Brown Christmas, or a funny new holiday tradition that will have your family in stitches, like Spirited, you can stream these favorite flicks on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or Disney+. Unlike the naughty list, this list of the best Christmas movies to watch with kids is filled with positive messages, twinkling tales, and just the right amount of seasonal cheer. So, gather your snacks, make some hot cocoa, and enjoy a family movie night with one of these Christmas classics that are perfect for kids.

For more things to do with kids this holiday season, check out our guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids.

Best of December: Top Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 12/02/2022 - 10:00pm

Santa Claus is showing up all over Connecticut this December!Shark Diving Santa photo courtesy of the Maritime Aquarium

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of all the top things do in Connecticut with kids this month.

With all the holiday activities across Connecticut, families can find an event every day in December. There are lots of great light displays, holiday festivals, movies, Santa-sightings, Chanukkah events, and more. Find the top things to do in Connecticut with kids this December and enjoy the holidays!

Don't miss the 25 Holidays Activities and Christmas Events in New England, our list of Best Holiday Light Drive-Thrus and all the Winter Activities in Connecticut. If snow comes, and you are feeling adventurous, the kids might love a trip to one of Connecticut's snow tubing parks.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

101 Christmas Crafts for Kids, Plus Christmas Games and More At-Home Activities

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 11/29/2022 - 12:18pm

Armed with our giant list of Christmas crafts, you'll keep kids busy until the New Year!

These easy Christmas crafts for kids will keep them busy until Santa comes! And when they get tired of crafting, we've got more Christmas games and at-home holiday activities, too.

Although some of us may wish it was Christmas all year long, the truth is there are only 25 days in December to squeeze in a whole lot of Christmas cheer. Get your holly jollies with a smattering of fun from our giant list of Christmas crafts, Christmas crafts for toddlers, Christmas games, and more. These favorite family Christmas activities will keep the smell of peppermint and pine flowing through your home all month long. We’ve got all the festive fun with a little bit of everything from sugar cube igloos to sock snowmen. So pour yourself a cup of cocoa (made from your homemade Hot Chocolate Bombs) and throw in a few more marshmallows for good measure. You are going to need all the energy to get through this giant list of Christmas crafts for kids!

For more Christmas activities for kids, from the best Christmas cookie recipes to easy Elf on the Shelf ideas—and more—check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for Families.