Ally Noel
Ally Noel has lived in Connecticut for over two decades. Before becoming a parent, she worked as an Educational Technology Specialist, helping schools and teachers integrate technology into learning. Now, she’s all about discovering the best family-friendly adventures, activities, and hidden gems. Share your tips, questions, or just say hi at ally@mommypoppins.com, and follow along for family fun at @mommypoppinsct.
Latest posts by Ally
There is nothing quite like immersing yourself in the pages of a good book, and you truly can’t start too young! This is a list of the best books for kids that are all picked to instill a lifetime long love of reading. These aren’t classics kids should read. These are books kids will beg to read. (Or have read aloud to them!) We talked to parents who see what their kids are actually devouring. These books are beloved, re-read, dog-eared, and passed to siblings.
They are all books that we see our kids reading over and over. That we read aloud until we got so sick of the books we hid them for a while. There are classics we read as kids ourselves, and new books we discovered with our kids.
Discover your next favorite family bedtime read aloud, your kid’s next favorite book, or a great book to get your reluctant reader reading. Find even more great books in our guide to children's books and literature, including the Best Board Books for Babies and Toddlers You’ll Love to Read Over and Over, for your pre-readers!
Try outdoor dining in the winter with igloo dining in Connecticut!
Make the most of the holiday break with these fun activities in CT.
Find holiday magic at these CT spots where Hallmark movies were filmed!
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.
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.
Elf on the Shelf is back! It's almost the holidays, so it's almost time for Elf on the Shelf. Elves typically arrive sometime after Thanksgiving and return to the North Pole on Christmas Day, giving families about a month to fill with hilarious Elf on the Shelf ideas.
Like any good house guest, your elf should be able to keep mischievous acts mostly mess-free and easy to set up. We've put together a list of 50 easy ideas that are also impressive elf antics that delight kids— including funny Elf on the Shelf ideas, easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, and last-minute Elf on the Shelf ideas for hectic mornings. Did we mention they don't take a lot of time to set up and require very few props?
Find more Christmas activities and crafts for kids, plus other fun things to do this season, in our Christmas and Holiday Fun Guide.
Explore our guide to the top neighborhoods in CT for trick-or-treating in 2025!
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