Boredom Busters

20 Mommy & Me Classes in Fairfield County

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on Mon, 08/13/2018 - 10:29pm

A great way to meet families is through taking classes. From stroller boot camps to making mudpies, Fairfield County offers no shortage of Mommy & Me classes. Pack up the diaper bag, wash your hair, and sign up for a class. Here's our list of 20 Mommy & Me classes in Fairfield County.

100 Awesome Kids Crafts for Creative At-Home Fun

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 07/30/2018 - 10:00am

Did you know that plastic milk jugs make awesome fairy houses, or that sugar cubes are a fun substitute for Lego bricks? Sometimes we all need a little push to get the creative juices flowing. Here is a mega list of 100 art projects that you can do with your kids in the comfort of your own home. From paper crafts to slime, from STEM activities to boredom busters, this list has something for everyone.

End of Summer Bucket List: 30Things To Do in CT Before School Starts

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 10:00am

Before pool noodles and beach towels get stored away for another season, and late summer nights are replaced by bedtime curfews and homework, (at least) 30 must-do activities await in Connecticut, a great place to raise kids. So don't pack up the flip flops or exile the picnic basket to storage just yet. There are still a few weeks before school buses begin to line at the curb, allowing us to capitalize on the time left and give summer a proper send-off, making more memories sure to keep hearts warm in the cold days to come.

25 Fun (and Educational) Things to Do for Free with Kids this Summer

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 07/16/2018 - 1:00pm

Summer is all about going to the beach, eating ice cream, exploring the outdoors, and having family-friendly fun—no "reading, writing, and arithmetic" allowed...Right? Well, it turns out that there's a whole world of educational fun to be had while your family enjoys summer, from exploring marine habitats at the beach to learning about science while making your own ice cream.

Whether your summer vacation takes you to the forests of Yosemite or the beaches of Mexico, here's a list of 25 ways to keep kids learning—while having fun—all through their school vacation.

25 Beat-the-Heat Crafts for Hot Summer Days

Submitted by Erin Ryan on Sat, 06/30/2018 - 10:15am

Summer's here, the kids are out of school, and some days are made for staying indoors to relish in the A/C instead of weathering an outdoor event in 90+ temps and 85% humidity. The same old indoor activities can get boring for you and your crew though, so we've scoured our resources to bring together creative projects your kids are bound to enjoy. Make the day even more memorable and invite some friends over to join in the fun.

Here's a list of 25 unique arts and crafts that can really help you stay cool (literally and figuratively) with your kids. Heads up, save your recyclables!

Outdoor Games and Toys to Make Your Kids' Summer a Hit for Cheap

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sat, 06/02/2018 - 1:05pm

When the temperatures soar and school lets out, it’s time to break out the outdoor games for the kids. Whether trying to keep them entertained at the beach, a backyard BBQ, or just at the park, parents everywhere know that an engaging outdoor toy for toddlers to teens can be the perfect antidote to the inevitable “We’re bored” summer refrain with which we’re all so familiar.

Unfortunately, just walking into your nearest retailer and grabbing the most interesting looking outdoor game off the shelf doesn’t always work out. It could end up overly complicated, not age-appropriate, break upon contact—or even worse: not hold their attention! So we at Mommy Poppins rounded up our favorite summer toys for kids from over the years, including water games, and even tested out new ones, to bring you this list of more than a dozen, inexpensive options to play with your kids this summer.

25 STEM Activities Easy Enough for Preschoolers

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sat, 04/28/2018 - 1:06pm

STEM activities are all the rage in education right now, and for good reason. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) – and the Arts for STEAM – are crucial to kids’ learning and our future. But how to get your younger children interested?

They might not be ready for coding, but many preschoolers under age 5, and even toddlers, can enjoy some basic STEM principles through play. Although one of my family’s admitted guilty pleasures is relaxing with a little screen time, I was inspired by the upcoming national Screen-Free Week (April 30-May 6, 2018) to take my daughter on a STEM binge instead.

We built an apple boat, a toothpick-marshmallow castle, attempted a pom-pom drop, and indulged in baking soda science. Read on for a list of 25 tried-and-true screen-free STEM activities to do with your preschooler.

50 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 04/08/2018 - 10:35am

When rain or cold weather keeps kids inside, it can be hard to keep everyone entertained. Of course, NYC offers plenty of amazing children's museums and exhibits, indoor play spaces, and classes and activities where families can take shelter when bad weather arrives, but sometimes staying home can be just as much fun—if you know the right games.

Whatever the reason you're staying put, try one of these 50 indoor, boredom-busting games, crafts, and other things to do with kids to turn a rainy day into a memorable one.