Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

Bluebird Hunter Lodge's Chalets Provide Plenty of Room to Make Memories

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 02/22/2024 - 12:00am

Apres ski means free hot cocoa and cookies in the cozy common area at Bluebird Hunter Lodge.

When the mountains are calling, a ski vacation in the Catskills is always the answer. Nestled amidst the breathtaking peaks of the Catskill Mountains lies Hunter; a winter wonderland that has beckoned adventurers and skiing enthusiasts alike for generations. The charming, amenity- and activity-filled town of Hunter, plus the cozy Bluebird Hunter Lodge nearby provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable group ski trip and some new memories this winter.

I grew up in a ski family, and have many fond memories of vacations just like this one. I have countless anecdotes of days spent learning how to turn my skis and carve through snowy slopes, followed by evenings spent nestled among loved ones who shared their own tales. Over the years, these memories have faded slightly, but what has remained is a feeling of “cozy” accompanied by a healthy dose of laughter and warmth.

Bluebird Hunter Lodge provided the perfect setting to rekindle some of those fading memories and recreate them with my family and friends. Enjoy a sneak peek at this lovely Catskills hotel, where we enjoyed apres ski spreads of cocoa and cookies, hung out around the fire, and spent our nights playing Pictionary in our pajamas, and find more local destinations in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

75 Best Movies for Kids: Top Family Movie Night Ideas

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 12/31/2023 - 11:00am

Looking for fresh family movie night ideas? Here are some of the best movies for kids of all ages, from toddlers all the way through teens.

Family movie night is always exciting... until you spend so much time choosing a movie everyone can agree on, it's already past bedtime. We are here to save family movie night by sharing 75 of the best movies for kids of all ages. From classic family-friendly movies we all grew up watching to popular Disney and Pixar flicks to movies that will thrill tweens and teens, there are family movies on this list to please everyone.

So get out the popcorn, grab a blanket, and check out this list of the 75 best movies for kids. Then visit our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids for more ideas for family fun night, from the 100 best board games for kids and family game night to the 100 best kids' TV shows of all time.

Lake George’s Newest Winter Wonder: Ice Castles Become Winter Realms and Winter's Dream

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sat, 12/23/2023 - 12:00pm

Winter Realms is a snow-capped fantasyland on the shores of Lake George. Photo courtesy of the event

Winter in Lake George, NY transforms this picturesque destination into a snowy wonderland, offering a ton of family fun. And this season, Lake George, NY is getting even better as it debuts two new winter immersive experiences: Winter’s Dream and Winter Realms. Both are located in Lake George Village and offer families a way to bring a little light into the darkest months of the year.

So grab your snow pants, put on those mittens, and check out this list of the best things to do in Lake George, NY with kids during the frosty season, including some family-friendly Lake George hotels. See our Guide to Visiting the Adirondacks & Catskills for even more family fun in this beautiful part of the country, including our list of 40 things to do in the Adirondack Mountains with kids.

50 Thanksgiving Crafts, Games, and Activities for Kids and Families

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 11/02/2023 - 11:56am

Make an easy and adorable pine cone turkey. Photo courtesy of the website Live Craft Eat

While the turkey is in the oven, you can set up a few of these easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids, including some place cards that will keep squabbling siblings from sitting too close. We've also got Thanksgiving games for everyone to play together, and Thanksgiving cookies that will tide kids over until the feast is ready. Because while Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family, sometimes you need to channel that togetherness time to keep everyone happy!

From traditional Thanksgiving crafts for kids like handprint turkeys to a Great Yam Race for the whole fam, stuff a little fun into your family dinner this year with these Thanksgiving crafts and games.

For more Thanksgiving fun from Thanksgiving jokes for kids to when and how to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, check out our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families.

Visiting Mass MoCA with Kids - Plus More Things To Do in North Adams, MA in the Berkshires

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sat, 10/14/2023 - 11:05am

There's so much for kids to see and explore at Mass MoCA.

North Adams, MA, a hub of arts and culture in the Berkshires, is home to one of the largest centers for visual and performing arts in the US—the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). Mass MoCA is a massive, vibrant space where creativity knows no bounds, even for the little ones. Amidst the colossal industrial buildings, there are a ton of activities tailored for children.

Mass MoCA is housed in a renovated factory space, which allows for large and open galleries spread throughout 14 buildings and 250,000 square feet. In addition to the museum, there are several retail spots, restaurants, a coffee shop, and some outdoor art exhibits. You can also grab a picnic table or spread out a blanket on a grassy spot and enjoy the sunshine and mountain views. So wear comfortable shoes, grab a map with your tickets, and plan to spend a day exploring Mass MoCA.

I recently visited Mass MoCA with my 11-year-old daughter and 10-year-old niece, and we all had a blast. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Mass MoCA with kids, plus more family-friendly things to do in North Adams, MA (including great North Adams hotels).

Check out our New England Family Travel Guide for more nearby fun, including our list of 25 things to do in the Berkshires with kids.

Foxwoods Resort: A Mini Vacation for Families

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 08/11/2023 - 2:46pm

A trip to Foxwoods Resort can be a pretty sweet getaway for the whole family! Photo by @elidgoss courtesy of the Sugar Factory Facebook page

Foxwoods Resort for families...Okay, okay. We know what you’re thinking. Casinos are not for children. There’s the gambling. And then there are the bars. And then the nightclubs. Except that there actually are a number of kid-friendly things tucked into Connecticut’s beloved adult playground. We decided to check out the Eastern Connecticut casino midweek to see if Foxwoods Resort is a kid-friendly destination. And as it turns out, it absolutely is. There is so much more to Foxwoods Resort than gaming. Here’s what you can expect to find.

Not Your Usual Back-to-School Supplies List: Actually Useful Ideas from a Teacher

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 08/01/2023 - 12:04pm

Forget regular pencil cases, this "pop" one from ZIPIT helps with fidgets and nerves. My kids love it.

It's that time of year again – Back-to-School, which means it's time to go shopping for back-to-school supplies! There are plenty of boring back-to-school lists out there that have the typical pencil case, crayons, and a backpack. That's not what this list is.

This Back-to-School season, we've talked with a teacher and several moms to come up with favorite lesser-known items that we think deserve a place in your Back-to-School shopping cart. From noise-canceling headphones to erasable pens that really work, we come up with a list of unique essentials.

Whether your little one is starting kindergarten or heading back to elementary school, we've got you covered with a list of cool back-to-school supplies that will make the upcoming school year a breeze. For more Back-to-School ideas, like lunches kids actually like or first day of school traditions, check out our Back-to-School Guide.

Easy Hair Chalk Ideas for Kids, Plus How to Make DIY Hair Chalk

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 12:09pm

Punch up pigtails with some colorful hair chalk for kids. Photo courtesy of Magicat Premium Hair Chalk

If your child's hair needs a touch of pizzazz, hair chalk is the easiest way to dazzle it up. Whether your kiddo feels like being a mermaid, a witch, or just wants to add a little oomph to their everyday look, hair chalk for kids can open the door to endless creative possibilities.

Best of all: Hair chalk is not only relatively inexpensive, it's also temporary. Depending on the kit and the application, most hair chalk washes out between one and three days, making changing your kiddo's hair color as easy as changing their clothes.

Read on for some of our favorite hair chalk kits and designs for kids, then learn how to make DIY hair chalk. And if your kiddo wants to channel their creativity beyond their hair, our Boredom Busters Guide for Kids will help. There you'll find our lists of 100 awesome art projects, 50 genius things to do with cardboard boxes, and so much more.

Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

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