Paula Morales

Latest posts by Paula

Cocoa Beach with Kids: 25 Great Things to Do in Cocoa Beach, Florida

Submitted by Paula Andrea Morales on Fri, 06/16/2023 - 10:42am

Bring the kids to Cocoa Beach for a beach trip full of fun under the sun. Photo courtesy Visit Florida

Not only is Cocoa Beach, Florida one of the top surfing cities along the east coast, it's also a prime spot to take a weekend trip for Orlando families. Located about an hour away from Orlando, Cocoa Beach welcomes kids of all ages and has remained an iconic surf destination since the 1950s! Orlando families will have a great time in Cocoa Beach, cooling off from the summer heat and making awesome memories.

Here are 25 things to do in Cocoa Beach, Florida with kids, including tasty Cocoa Beach restaurants and wonderful Cocoa Beach, Florida hotels and resorts. If you'd like more ideas about Florida vacations, take a look at our Florida Family Travel Guide!

Best Budget Weekend Trips for Orlando Families

Submitted by Paula Andrea Morales on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 11:57am

The beaches of St. Augustine are fun, free ways to spend a weekend trip from Orlando. Photo by Mancy Carter

Budget weekend getaways for Orlando families are great ways to enjoy the beauty of Florida while saving money. There are fantastic Florida cities perfect for weekend trips from Orlando that feature great weather and lots of family activities. We've focused on budget-friendly, weekend destinations located near Orlando for families to have an awesome time without breaking the bank!

Top Orlando Parks for Kids' Birthday Parties

Submitted by Paula Andrea Morales on Fri, 02/17/2023 - 9:36am

Check out our list of the best Orlando parks to host birthday parties!

Orlando parks make the perfect spot for fun birthday parties! Think about it —one of the greatest benefits of living in Central Florida is our amazing weather. This allows for outdoor activities, mostly year-round, including birthday parties al fresco! Families have their pick from lovely Orlando parks to host birthday parties. These birthday party parks provide easy access to restrooms, parking, fresh air (obviously), budget-friendly spaces, and of course, kids can be as loud as they want! Keep reading to learn about awesome Orlando parks ready to host the best birthday parties.

Family Opportunities to Volunteer in Orlando this Holiday Season

Submitted by Paula Andrea Morales on Fri, 11/18/2022 - 10:15am

Toys for Tots Foundation brings holiday joy to children in need. Photo courtesy of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

Looking for ways to share your holidays with others? Families can volunteer in Orlando this holiday season, as parents and children help their neighbors in the community. The holiday season can be especially tough for those in need and offers a wonderful chance to give back, especially during winter break and school vacations. Read below for just some of the many deserving local organizations and programs to volunteer in Orlando!

Whatever your family's cause, there are ways for you and your children to help! Kids may even find that the joy of sharing and generosity is so wonderful, they'll want to do it all year long. Happy holidays to all our Mommy Poppins families!

30 Things To Do with Orlando Babies Before They Turn 1

Submitted by Paula Andrea Morales on Fri, 10/28/2022 - 11:43am

Adventures await you and your little piggies at Rebecca Rabbit's Playground at Peppa Pig Theme Park: Photo courtesy of Legoland

There's so much to do in Orlando for every age, including those who haven't even celebrated their first birthday. The first year of baby's life is so special—full of wonder and firsts. It goes by so quickly! Make the most of baby's first year with our "Baby Bucket List" for Orlando babies. Get ready to make some great memories!

Top Kids Resale and Consignment Shops in Orlando

Submitted by Paula Andrea Morales on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 7:08am

Since babies and kids grow out of clothes so quickly, save money and shop at an Orlando consignment store like Once Upon a Child. Photo courtesy of the store

Orlando schools are back in session and that means the inevitable back-to-school shopping spree! Going beyond standard school supplies like pencils and crayons, many kids want to add to their closets and drawers. Just one growth spurt and your child may require an entirely new collection of pants and shorts! And with all those changing sizes in clothes and shoes, a new wardrobe can get quite pricey. Consignment shops to the rescue! Save money by visiting Orlando thrift and consignment stores for kids. Children can enjoy "new" back-to-school outfits, while parents can enjoy more money in the bank.

There's lots of reasons to shop resale shops! At a time when everything seems to get more expensive by the week, shopping from a thrift or consignment store is a great economic choice. Thrifting supports environmental sustainability, by repurposing clothing that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill. And the profits of some thrift stores go to important causes that help the community, like job-skills training and animal shelters.

Read on and learn about some great consignment stores near Orlando!

Airboat Rides and Tours near Orlando: Family Adventures Await

Submitted by Paula Andrea Morales on Sun, 07/24/2022 - 9:08am

Wild Florida airboat rides allow passengers close-up experiences with Florida's native wildlife and vegetation. Photo courtesy Wild Florida

If you are looking for an exciting family adventure while exploring native wildlife and vegetation, Everglades airboat tours are a MUST! While the Florida Everglades are a few hours from Orlando by car, the gateway to the Everglades is in Central Florida's backyard, and only accessible by airboat rides. Orlando is fortunate to have a variety of airboat tour companies, each specializing in specific airboat experiences to give your family the adventure of a lifetime.

For those who don't know, airboats, also known as fan boats, swamp boats, or plane boats, are powered by motors or engines that move massive propeller. The above-water propeller engine allow these flat-bottom boats to skim shallow waters, ideal for the Florida Everglades and other swamps. The airboat tours are loud, fast, and exciting, plus riders may get to see alligators, turtles, wild hogs, birds, and other native animals.

Attending an Orlando City SC Game with Kids: Parenting Gooooooals!

Submitted by Paula Andrea Morales on Sun, 07/03/2022 - 7:05am

Cheer on Orlando City SC during one of their exciting home games.

While baseball may be America’s pastime, make no mistake, Major League Soccer (MLS) is alive and well in Central Florida. With local fans coming from as far north as Daytona Beach and as far south as Melbourne, Orlando City SC fans also come from out of state and even around the world. I am already a fan of Orlando City and Orlando Pride (the National Women's Soccer League team). As a mother of three, I wanted to put the "fun factor" to the test, so I invited my teenage daughter. I figured if she has a good time at an Orlando City game, then anyone can!

Orlando City draws people from everywhere. Lions players proudly represent a number of countries in South America and Europe, in addition to the United States. Orlando City games are an exhibition of sport, camaraderie, and a celebration of our differences.

There is a lot to cover about this soccer experience, so keep reading. If you are looking to get your family off their devices and out of the house, attending an Orlando City soccer game is a great option!