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

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.

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.

Cape Cod with Kids: 60 Fun Things To Do on Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 07/11/2023 - 10:57am

Search for seashells along Cape Cod's many gorgeous beaches.

Known for its pristine beaches, legendary seafood, charming main streets, and a seemingly endless supply of kids' activities, Cape Cod makes for an ideal family vacation destination. While some Cape Cod attractions and activities are open only in the summer months, fall, spring, and even winter can be a beautiful, less hectic, and less expensive time to visit the Cape with kids. I've spent just about every summer of my life on Cape Cod, forming some of my most enduring childhood memories. It's a tradition I am thrilled to carry on with my family and to share with Mommy Poppins readers.

Here are 60 fun things to do on Cape Cod with kids, including family-friendly Cape Cod hotels and Cape Cod restaurants kids love. The list includes plenty of indoor activities for rainy and off-season days. For even more tips on visiting Cape Cod, check out our Guide to Cape Cod and the New England Islands with Kids.

Top New England Camping Spots: Campgrounds for Families

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 06/23/2023 - 9:34pm

Families can enjoy outdoor fun and connect with nature at these top New England camping spots! Photo courtesy of the Pine Acres Family Resort in Oakham, Massachusetts

From the beachfront to the lakefront, mountain views, to ocean views, here are the top New England camping spots. These campgrounds provide families with vacation memories to last a lifetime. Are you looking for camping with resort-like amenities? Or maybe a more rustic experience to get away from the hustle and bustle? Our list of New England Campgrounds has something for every member of your family.

Check out all our vacationing expertise in our Family Travel Guide. And see our Ultimate Boston Kids Summer Vacation Guide and Ultimate Connecticut Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more summer fun!

Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Gets Major Upgrades

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 06/20/2023 - 12:45pm

Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos is getting a new outdoor swimming pool and tons of new upgrades, including elevated lodging options.

Big things are coming to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos. Just when you thought the supersized family-friendly resort had maxed out its fun factor, Great Wolf Lodge Poconos is undergoing a major renovation that's sure to wow. From the newly constructed family suites to seven brand new water slides to an outdoor pool area and the luxurious Woodland Villas slated to open in October, this family vacation destination is getting some major upgrades.

Read on for all the details on Great Wolf Lodge's improvements and start planning your Poconos getaway now. Find more vacation inspiration nearby in our Guide to Kid-Friendly Activities in the Poconos.

Saratoga Springs with Kids: 24 Things To Do on a Family Weekend Getaway

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 06/15/2023 - 4:11pm

Spend a day at the races at one of the country’s most historic and popular sports venues, the Saratoga Race Course. Photo courtesy of NYRA

Once upon a time, Saratoga Springs, New York, was a magnet for famous—and infamous—New Yorkers, from the Vanderbilts, Whitneys, and Rockefellers to the bootleggers and gamblers who took up residence during prohibition. Thankfully, Saratoga's offerings are now more family-friendly than booze and bookies.

A 3-hour drive from Midtown Manhattan pays off with a visit to the historic racetrack, hiking and fishing, or even a quiet stroll down Saratoga Spring's quaint Main Street. Rainy day activities can be found at the Saratoga Children's Museum or the local library, which offers a great children's room. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Saratoga Springs, New York, with kids. Find more local towns to explore in our Guide to Family-Friendly Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

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