Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

How To Set Limits on a Kids’ New Cell Phone

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 09/14/2021 - 12:02pm

Selfies are fun, but make sure kids know how to be cell phone safe and smart. Photo courtesy of Kampus Productions, Pexels

“New phone, who dis?” As they head back to school, your kids may have renewed their pleas for a cell phone. Of course they want one—cell phones and smartphones are omnipresent in our lives. While having a phone might be practical (and feel inescapable), many parents struggle to come up with rules that will not only keep their kids safe but will stop them from turning into zombies!

While experts all have their own opinions, I know that the best advice comes from the been-there done-that parents in the trenches. That’s why I turned to our readers and got their (your!) best tried and true tips and tricks for making sure your whole family is on the same page when it comes to those new cell phones.

Homemade Butter Recipe (3 Easy Steps)

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 09/02/2021 - 11:33am

Homemade butter always tastes a little better.

Homemade butter is easy to make and requires nothing more than some heavy cream, a tightly lidded container, and a marble. It's fun to make, and kids love this at-home, rainy (or snowy) day project. We've made this homemade butter recipe several times, but really got into it during our covid-baking days. Give it a try! Not only does the butter taste fresher, you can evoke days of old without having to figure out how to make a butter churner. Plus, kids are super proud to serve butter they made by themselves.

Find more things to cook and create in our guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.

Dance Classes for Connecticut Kids: 20 Studios for Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, and More

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 08/08/2021 - 2:05pm

Photo courtesy of the Hartt School Community Division

Remember the adage telling us to dance like there's nobody watching? One of the amazing things about kids is their propensity to do just that. If you've got a ballet dancer or a breakdancer on your hands, why not harness that creativity and sign them up for dance classes. The Connecticut dance studios below offer kids classes in ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, modern dance, and even Irish step for kids ranging from toddler to teen. Pick dance classes near you in Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven, or beyond; some studios even offer summer camps for kids who can't stop dancing when the heat is on.

And if your dancers have siblings who'd rather do something other than dance, not to worry: we've got them covered in our Classes and Activities Guide.

How To Make a Toy Parachute

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 08/05/2021 - 3:16pm

Build a toy parachute for a fun craft, science project with the kids.

Toys are awesome, but homemade toys are even better, especially ones that are as easy to make as this toy parachute. Gather some commonly found household items to create your very own toy parachute in minutes. It's also a great hands-on science experiment for kids.

Family Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in New England that Welcome Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 07/23/2021 - 10:30am

Photo courtesy of Aquila’s Nest Vineyard

New England generally conjures up the tastes of cranberries and maple syrup, but local vineyards prove we can produce some tasty grapes, too, and those make for some fine wineries. Stretching from Connecticut’s "wine trail" all the way up to New Hampshire's White Mountains, many New England vineyards aren't just great places to sip wine with other adults, but also to hang out with kids. Like Boston-area beer gardens and Connecticut craft breweries, these wineries welcome families with beautiful, spacious grounds, and in some cases apple picking, live music, wagon rides, and other fun activities.

Here are our favorite family-friendly vineyards and wineries in New England—from coast to mountaintop. See our posts about outdoor restaurants in Boston and outdoor restaurants in Connecticut for more ideas for dining, or sipping al fresco, with kids.

No-Bake Dessert Recipes Easy Enough for Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 07/22/2021 - 8:54am

This no-bake Strawberry Cheesecake recipe is so easy your kids can make it!

When the temperature rises, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven! These 12 easy recipes will delight your family’s sweet tooth while keeping the kitchen as cool as a popsicle. Once your child knows how to use a stand mixer and a measuring cup, most of these no-bake dessert recipes can be done independently (or with just a little supervision). While a few of these no-bake desserts require the help of a microwave for melting, nothing will turn up the heat in your kitchen. Stay cool while watching your child whip up something delicious.

If you are looking for more fun in the kitchen, then check out these Easy Recipes for Kids.

100 Kids' Books Every Child Should Read Before They Grow Up

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 07/15/2021 - 1:20pm

Find a new children's book to read today. Photo by Jody Mercier

There is nothing quite like immersing yourself in the pages of a good book. We scoured summer reading lists, book reviews, librarian suggestions, and personal picks to create this list of our top 100 kids' books — page-turners that we hope will transport kids to that state where they lose all sense of time and enter a world filled with imagination. From early readers to young adults, classic books to picture books, check out these top kids' books for a great read any time of year. Find even more great books in our guide to children's books and literature.

The Top 10 Reasons Why I Love My Air Fryer

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 9:02am

French fries that are healthy? Yes, please!

How much do I love my air fryer? Oh, let me count the ways ... Despite its name, an air fryer is not really a fryer at all—it's a countertop convection oven that turns foods crispy and golden almost without any oil. But the air fryer goes way beyond fried foods! This tiny powerhouse can cook just about anything you place in it quickly, efficiently, and healthily. The only tricky thing is finding the best recipes that the entire family will enjoy. (Don't worry, I've got you covered with some amazing air fryer recipes.)

Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

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