Disneyland with a Baby? All You Need Is This Game Plan

Have a memorable day at the most magical place on earth with a baby. Photo by Eduardo Merille/CC BY 2.0

Disneyland with a baby might seem like a big undertaking, but it’s more doable than you might think. Sure, your baby may not remember their memorable Disneyland day, but photos will be stored on your phone for years, proving that your little one did go to Disneyland as a baby. 

From the Baby Care Center to no-height requirement rides, Mickey's Toontown, dance parties, and air-conditioned spaces, Disneyland with a baby is as breezy as a palm tree swaying in the Southern California sky. Keep reading below for the best tips for having the most magical day at Disneyland with a baby. 

Discover the best hotels to stay in Anaheim near Disneyland, and see what other activities there are for kids in Anaheim that go beyond Disneyland. There are more baby-friendly theme parks to explore in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.  

Guide to Visiting Johnson's Locust Hall Farm in the Fall: Apples, Sunflowers, Pumpkins, and More

Fall is full of fun and seasonal photo-ops at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm.

Living in South Jersey, my family is familiar Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford and jumped at the chance to visit its second location a bit further north in Jobstown. Because we love Johnson's Corner Farm, we strapped the kids into the car and drove out to explore this family-friendly farm, one of our favorite farms for family entertainment in New Jersey, and we were glad we did.

The location of this family-run farm is gorgeous; as soon as you step out of your car it is obvious why it is a sought-after wedding venue. For a family day out, there was so much to do as well! We were there for 3 1/2 hours, and if we weren’t exhausted from so much picking, we could have stayed even longer and enjoyed a nice glass of wine while listening to live music as the kids played in the giant sand pit.

So, if you want to take advantage of all the fall photo opportunities and more fun on the farm, read our top tips for visiting with kids and find all our favorite local farms in our Guide for Family-Friendly Farms and Pick-Your-Own Fun in New Jersey.

Gift Guide to the Best Toys & Gifts for Kids, 5-Year-Olds to 9-Year-Olds

Suspend Family is a game the whole family can play. Photo courtesy of the Melissa & Doug Toy Company

If you're looking for the perfect birthday or holiday gifts for kids from 5-year-olds to 9-year-olds, you've found the right place!

When it comes to choosing gifts for kids, particularly this marvelous, coming-into-their-own age range of 5 to 9-year-olds, the temptation is to start veering towards digital. While we’re not into screen-shaming at Mommy Poppins, this list is free of screens and leans heavily on hands-on toys, physical books, and wonderfully messy art supplies. These creative and tactile toys keep kids' brains as active as their hands and bodies.

The lack of screen inclusion among these toy recommendations isn't a case of virtue signaling; we've seen that these are the toys that get treasured and played with for years to come.

Looking for awesome gifts for other ages? Find our faves for first birthday gifts, the most beloved toddler gifts, and more in our Mommy Poppins Gift Guide for Birthdays and Holidays.

Visiting Pumpkintown USA in Connecticut

Welcome to Pumpkintown USA in Connecticut, home to the friendliest pumpkinheads.

Visiting Pumpkintown USA in East Hampton is a Halloween tradition in Connecticut. Do you love pumpkins, Halloween, and fall fun? Then Pumpkintown USA is the ultimate destination in Connecticut for your family. Pumpkintown celebrates fall’s favorite essential - the pumpkin! And Pumpkintown USA offers Halloween fun without the scares, which is perfect for the little ones in your pumpkin patch. Read on for our guide to visiting Pumpkintown USA in Connecticut.

Ready to get creative with your own pumpkin? See our tips for Easy Pumpkin Carving Ideas and Pumpkin Stencil Ideas for Kids. For more autumn activities to delight your family, check out our Fall Fun Guide for Connecticut Kids. And find more spooky (and not-so-spooky!) fun in our Top Halloween Events in Connecticut.

Best Magazine Subscriptions for Kids for Gifts and Classrooms

Okido is an excellent magazine for STEAM-loving kids.

Magazine subscriptions for kids make the perfect gifts for children who love to read, those who are learning to read, and teachers looking to build up their classroom libraries. As old as I am (some would say “well-seasoned”), I still remember the excitement I'd feel whenever my Highlights magazine came in the mail.

And despite the advent of smartphones and iPads, kids today have more magazine options to choose from than ever. That means there are magazines for kids of all ages and reading levels, whether they're into animals, sports, technology, the world around them, or any other topic.

Here are our favorite magazine subscriptions for kids, from babies and toddlers all the way through teens. Our list includes award-winning Cricket Media and Highlights magazines for kids, plus several other interesting choices.

Check out our Mommy Poppins Gift Guide for more great gift ideas for kids, including our lists of awesome monthly subscription boxes for kids and 100 kids' books every child should read before they grow up.

Pacific Park Brings New Playground to Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Kids can climb, run, and romp in Prospect Heights newest playground at Pacific Park.

Prospect Heights families take note: There's a brand-new NYC playground to explore right in your backyard. The new playground—dubbed Pacific Park—is located right next to 595 Dean Street's West Tower, a new residential development, and brings another kid-friendly option to the already family-friendly Prospect Heights neighborhood.

I recently visited this new playground in NYC with my 7-year-old and his friends, and it won rave reviews all around. Read on for all the details on this NYC playground and why it's a great addition to the neighborhood.

Check out our extensive Guide to NYC Parks and Playgrounds for more top places to romp.

How To Throw a Taylor Swift Party

It's time for a Taylor Swift Party! "See the lights, see the party..."

Hey, fellow Swifties! We are about to embark on an enchanting journey into the world of Taylor Swift, where fairy lights twinkle like stars, the bracelets are beaded, and the food names sound like a page torn from your favorite Taylor Swift songbook. 

Whether you are getting ready to catch a stop on the Era’s Tour, heading to the theater to see the Era’s Tour movie, celebrating the release of another (Taylor’s Version), or throwing a Taylor Swift party for your own birthday, the Queen of Storytelling gives us a lot of reasons to celebrate. So grab your glitter, don your red lipstick, and get ready to dance like nobody's watching because we're diving into the deep end of hosting a Taylor Swift-themed party.

For more party planning fun, including 100 Popular Kids' Birthday Party Themes for Every Age and Interest, check out our Guide to Kids' Parties and Birthday Party Ideas.

23 Things To Do in Port Jefferson with Kids

You'll find plenty of photo-ops while exploring Port Jefferson with your family.

Port Jefferson boasts great parks, a Main Street that's lined with kid-friendly restaurants and unique shops, and plenty of things to do year-round. 

Located on Long Island’s North Shore, Port Jefferson is about 50 miles east of Manhattan and its port welcomes daily ferries to and from Connecticut. Whether you're spending the day or planning a fun night on the town, this picturesque harborside village offers something for everyone. To help you get the most out of your visit, we’ve rounded up the best of Port Jeff for you and your family.

Still got that day-trippin' itch? Check out our rundown on what to do in nearby Stony Brook with kids, and be sure to explore our Visitor's Guide to plan your next Long Island adventure close to home.

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