Ally Noel

Hi Ally,

Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

Family Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in New England that Welcome Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 10/23/2020 - 10:30am

When thinking of New England, most people conjure up the tastes of cranberries and maple syrup, but local vineyards prove we can produce some tasty grapes, too. Stretching from Connecticut’s "wine trail" all the way up to New Hampshire's White Mountains, many of New England vineyards aren't just great places to sip wine with your grown-up friends, but also to hang out with kids (yes, you heard that right!). Like many 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 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.

Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 10/20/2020 - 12:00pm

With its historic seaport district, renowned aquarium, and easy beach access, Mystic, Connecticut is bursting with New England charm and a ton of family fun. Tourists tend to flock to this coastal village in the summer, but Mystic truly shines all year round with rich traditions like the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade along the Mystic River, Northern Lights animal display at the Mystic Aquarium, and the annual "Pirate invasion" come fall.

Whether you are heading into town for a day trip or a long weekend, we have loads of recommendations for interactive museums, unique attractions, and delicious food (including, of course, pizza!) for grown-ups and kids to enjoy together. For more family getaway ideas, explore our Mommy Poppins U.S. Travel Guide.

30 Halloween Movies with Kid-Friendly Thrills and Chills

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 11:00am

Are the kids excited for Halloween? Build on their anticipation with a family Halloween movie night that brings all those witches, ghosts, and goblins to life!

Pop some popcorn or whip up an on-season batch of scarecrow snack mix and candy corn punch while you settle in for a cozy night on the couch with one of these top Halloween movies. It's the perfect family-friendly nightcap to fall days spent apple and pumpkin picking or puzzling your way out of a corn maze — and it works well as a coronavirus-era Halloween activity to keep the fun at home or at a distance with an outdoor flick if you nabbed one of those cool outdoor cinema setups.

With so many spooky films available to rent or stream, it can be hard to choose the right one for your family. From preschool to preteen, our list of the best Halloween movies for kids has something to put everyone in the right spirit.

25 Fun Halloween Games for an At-Home Halloween Party

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 09/27/2020 - 1:15pm

There's more to Halloween than just trick-or-treating. Whether or not our kids go out collecting candy this year, Halloween costumes will be worn, and setting up some at-home Halloween games might be the best way to celebrate. Invite your kids' pod over to play these Halloween party games, make some spooky snacks, and watch your witches and monsters run off the extra energy dancing like zombies and limboing under a broomstick.

Be sure to consult with CDC guidelines to keep risks at a minimum; current recommendations are that a small gathering of trusted classmates is a better scenario than traditional trick-or-treating in 2020—as long as everyone wears a mask, of course. So pick a killer playlist from the games below and get the Halloween party started!

Find more Halloween games, events, and activities in our Halloween Guide.

30 Easy Paper Crafts for Kids for an Arty Day at Home

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 11:15am

If there is one crafting material that you can never have enough of, it’s paper. We always keep a hefty supply of construction paper, card stock, tissue paper, paper plates, and toilet paper rolls in my house. When bedecked with a little glue, some colorful paint, and a few googly eyes, plain paper can be transformed into almost anything, from a fire breathing dragon to a sparkly unicorn. What's more, paper crafts are typically affordable, and are a great way to work on fine motor skills.

From a toilet paper roll monster to a construction paper crown, these 30 paper crafts will keep the whole family happily crafting all year long. Check out our list of 100 arts and crafts projects for more ideas for sparking creativity while kids are at home.

How to Make a Mask Lanyard or Chain So Your Kids Stop Losing Them!

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 09/14/2020 - 10:45am

Between mask breaks, outdoor play, lunchtime, and snack time, our kids take their masks on and off at least a couple dozen times a day. Each time the masks come off of their face, there is the potential for it to get trampled on the ground, shoved in the bottom of a backpack, or lost and never to be seen again. These handy DIY beaded and ribbon mask chains will allow your kid to keep their mask safe and easy to access.

As we all embark on the weirdest school year ever, adding one of these DIY mask chains to your back to school supplies list might just be essential. It's also just a fun at-home family activity that works those fine motor and design skills.

30+ (Mostly FREE) Online Learning Resources, Apps, and Games for Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 11:08am

Online learning has certainly taken on a new level of importance for families and educators as we all begin to navigate the unchartered territory of the 2020-2021 school year. Whether your children have returned to the classroom in-person, in a hybrid model, for full online learning, or you're homeschooling, there are countless websites and apps that can supplement kids' existing curriculum through interactive games and other resources.

From virtual museum tours and National Geographic deep dives to online coding classes and reading apps, we've rounded up some of our favorite—and mostly completely FREE— online learning resources for kids this year. We've included options for preschoolers, elementary-age kids, middle school, and even high schoolers.

Find more online classes, games, and resources in our Virtual and Online Guide for Families, or get hands-on with the boredom busters in our Stay-At-Home Kids Activities and Resources Guide.

Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids (Cute Printables!)

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 09/03/2020 - 11:30am

Scavenger hunts are one of those easy kid activities that are fun for the entire family. It's a great brain break for at-home learning this year and a quick way to get everyone moving outdoors, but it's also easy to turn into a fun indoor activity for kids on rainy days.

These simple hunts – whether you are searching for objects in your living room, hunting for colors in nature, or scouring your neighborhood for clues, are sure to spark kids' creativity and sense of adventure, turning a walk around the neighborhood or the home into anything but routine.

Print out one of our FREE printable scavenger hunt ideas to get started. The Indoor Scavenger Hunt will turn a dull afternoon into a treasure hunt, while the Outdoor Scavenger Hunt will have everyone asking for just "one more" trip around the block. We have also included a fill-in-the blank scavenger hunt printable, so families can create their own hunt and customize. So, grab your clipboard, pencil, and let's go. Happy hunting!

Ally Noel

Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

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