Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

101 Christmas Crafts for Kids, Plus Christmas Games and More At-Home Activities

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 11/29/2022 - 12:18pm

Armed with our giant list of Christmas crafts, you'll keep kids busy until the New Year!

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.

Hunter Mountain with Kids: Best Things To Do and See on a Catskills Getaway

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 10/27/2022 - 12:03pm

Hunter Mountain, NY, is an all-seasons destination for family-friendly fun.

The sweet spot on a family vacation is when you can adventure together as a family and have plenty of space for relaxing at the end of the day. Hunter Mountain in New York’s Catskills offers the perfect mix of activities for the entire family. With an itinerary of exploring, hiking, skiing, and lounging around our hotel’s fire, we were all very happy campers. There are so many things to do right on Hunter Mountain and in the surrounding area that appeals to parents and kids. Here are some highlights from our visit to Hunter Mountain, New York, including outdoor adventures, delectable dining choices, family-friendly lodging, and ample opportunities to chill out.

Find more things to do near Hunter Mountain on our list of 25 things to do in the Catskills with kids, and bookmark our Guide to Weekend Getaways and Day Trips for more family-friendly local travel spots.

Let's Taco Bout Tacos: A Taqueria Tour of Connecticut

Submitted by Ally Noel on Wed, 10/26/2022 - 11:02am

As far as I’m concerned, tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays. Connecticut has so many delicious taquerias, that it would be impossible to limit consuming them to just one day a week. These little folded circles of deliciousness are the perfect family friendly food. They contain simple and fresh ingredients that will satisfy even the pickiest of palettes. Thankfully, Nutmeggers love to get creative with their tacos! This list has everything from taco drive throughs to Kung Pao chicken and everything in between. For more dining inspiration, make sure to check out our Family Friendly Dining Guide.

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

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 10/20/2022 - 12:00pm

Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum

With its charming seaport and renowned aquarium, Mystic, CT offers year-round family fun.

Foliage Experiences in New England: Fun Takes on Fall Foliage

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sun, 10/02/2022 - 4:23pm

Fall foliage experiences give New England families a chance to enjoy leaf-peeping in exciting ways. Photo courtesy of the Adventure Park at Storrs

When you live in New England, you tend to get really excited about all of the things to do in fall. From country fairs to cider donuts, pumpkin patches to corn mazes—fall is our very favorite for family activities. This brings me to the season’s main event: leaf-peeping. Sure, you can throw the kids in the car and try to convince them to look out the window and admire the beautiful scenery, but where's the fun in that? This list of New England fall foliage experiences gets you and your family out of the car and into nature in new and exciting ways! From family friendly hikes to rail bike adventures - to soaring 60 mph through the trees, we've found a little something for everyone.

30 Best Kids' Halloween Movies with Not-so-Scary Thrills and Chills

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 10:00am

The witchy sisters from Hocus Pocus 2 are back! Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

These kids' Halloween movies bring all those witches, ghosts, and goblins to life in classic, not-too-scary movies that are perfect for a family-friendly Halloween movie night!

Whip up a seasonal batch of scarecrow snack mix (you'll find the recipe in our list of scary easy Halloween party snack ideas) while you settle in for a cozy night on the couch with one of these kids' 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. 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 kids' Halloween movies has something to put everyone in the right spirit.

For more Halloween fun, from Halloween jokes for kids to 75 fun Halloween activities for kids—and more—check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

And for Halloween activities near you, check out our Local Halloween Fun & Activities Guide!

75 Fun Halloween Activities for Kids: Halloween Crafts and Treats for Spooky Fun

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 09/13/2022 - 10:04am

Kids can make Halloween window decorations for the whole neighborhood to enjoy! Photo by Briesha Bell, via Unsplash

These Halloween activities and outings, Halloween crafts for kids, Halloween treats, and more will keep your crew hauntingly busy until it's time to trick-or-treat!

Once you have picked out your costume and carved your pumpkin, what else is there to do? So much! We have rounded up our favorite family Halloween activities that will keep the pumpkin spice flowing all month long. We’ve got all your Halloween bases covered with a little bit of everything from spooky s’mores to learning how to dance the Monster Mash. So set up an outdoor movie and whip up a batch of scarecrow snack mix, and let's get this (Halloween) party started!

For more Halloween fun, from Halloween jokes for kids to the best Halloween movies for kids—and more—check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

And for Halloween activities near you, check out our Local Halloween Fun & Activities Guide!

Visiting Rocking Horse Ranch with Kids: Top Tips for a Hudson Valley Family Getaway

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 08/25/2022 - 2:15pm

Snow tubing is one of many fun winter activities to enjoy at the all-seasons Rocking Horse Ranch with kids.

Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in New York's Hudson Valley is a crowd-pleaser any time of the year. This year-round, all-inclusive resort provides non-stop activities for all ages, including an indoor water park, horseback riding, snow tubing, skiing, and even babysitting, all of which add up to a memorable family getaway less than two hours from NYC.

Read on for our top picks for fun things to do at Rocking Horse Ranch, and our tips for planning your own Rocking Horse Ranch Resort getaway. Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for more family-friendly travel destinations nearby.

Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

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