Kelly Patino

Latest posts by Kelly

Ultimate Connecticut Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in CT

Submitted by Kelly Patino on Sun, 02/23/2025 - 12:12pm

Our ultimate Connecticut bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut with kids! Mystic Seaport photo by author Kelly Patino

Explore our picks for the very best family activities in Connecticut.

Play Cafes in Connecticut: New Play Cafes for Indoor Fun!

Submitted by Kelly Patino on Fri, 02/21/2025 - 10:16pm

See the Connecticut play cafes—and the new play cafes opening in CT for indoor fun! Totsy Turvy Cafe photo by author Kelly Patino

Explore play cafes (and play cafes opening soon) in CT!

Why a Visit to the Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular Is a Seasonal Must-Do

Submitted by Kelly Patino on Wed, 11/27/2024 - 10:25am

Legoland New York has gotten a seasonal makeover with plenty of festive fun, food, and attractions during its Holiday Bricktacular.

The holiday season is officially here, and there's no better place to celebrate than Legoland New York in Goshen! This festive destination is a must-visit for your family during the season. The park has kicked off its annual Holiday Bricktacular, transforming the park into a winter wonderland for the off-season. Running through Saturday, January 4, 2025, the spectacular Legoland New York brings the fun with rides, shows, and character appearances, all sprinkled with a little holiday magic.

An added perk: Tickets are available at a discounted rate since it's the off-season. Located less than an hour from New York City, Legoland is a perfect holiday season day trip or overnight destination thanks to its on-site Legoland New York Hotel.

Read on to discover why the Holiday Bricktacular is the perfect time to visit Legoland New York, and if you're looking to explore the area, be sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Goshen.

Easton Farms: Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut

Submitted by Kelly Patino on Sun, 11/10/2024 - 9:44pm

See if you can track down the perfect tree in Easton, the Christmas Tree capital of Connecticut! Photo by author Kelly Patino

Did you know Easton, Connecticut was declared the Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut last December? Sounds like a Hallmark movie right? The town has several farms with a variety of Christmas trees located right off the Merritt Parkway or Route 25. Easton is convenient for Connecticut and Tri-State residents, and there's even road signage for each Christmas tree farm. Additionally, all the farms are family-run with so much heart. Check out our list of Christmas tree farms in Easton, Connecticut to pick the right one for you!

Whether you cut-your-own or chose a pre-cut Christmas tree, the cherished memory of picking out the perfect tree is a calender event that can be an afternoon or an entire day! Looking for more family fun? Sign up for our newsletters, check out our Event Calendar, and follow us on Facebook! Stay updated on family holiday events during the 2024 holiday season and keeping check our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide to make the most of your holiday calendar.

Potty Training Tips for Boys and Girls that Moms Swear By

Submitted by Kelly Patino on Thu, 09/05/2024 - 11:34am

Having a friend potty train with you can make it more fun! Photo courtesy of Canva

Potty training is a huge milestone for an entire family, and it is also a journey. Establishing a potty routine is key: sitting on the potty, wiping, flushing, and washing hands—that's a lot for a toddler's brain.

So take a deep breath, you're going to need a lot of patience as you head into potty training. But armed with our tips and tricks from potty training charts to the best potty training toilets to incentives that actually work, we can help make this a whole lot easier!

Parenting is hard, and it takes a whole village of tips and tricks from been-there-done-that parents. So we've also got the scoop on getting kids to sleep, baby-led weaning, and more parenting tips in the Mommy Poppins Parenting Guide.

1000 Ideas for Spending 1000 Hours Outside with Kids

Submitted by Kelly Patino on Thu, 07/18/2024 - 10:21am

A kiddie pool and some buckets equal tons of backyard fun! Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Ginny Yurich, founder of 1000 Hours Outside, has made it her mission to push awareness for kids to be outdoors—and for good reason. Studies have shown that children benefit physically, mentally, and socially from being outside. Reducing screen time helps boost kids' creativity, stimulates their attention spans, and allows them to develop important life skills, like playing cooperatively with others.

I made it my family's resolution to do the "1000 hours outside in 365 days" challenge. Once I took indoor activities outside and opened the garage more often, my family and I became hooked. It's been a game changer, reducing stress and allowing us to hang out together and try new things. Constantly being outside has brought a lot of joy, smiles, and drive to play versus asking for screens.

Spending 1000 hours outside may seem like a big goal, but it's very manageable. Read on for 1000 ways to spend 1000 hours outside as a family. Then get more ideas in our Guide to Outdoor Activities for Kids.