Charlotte Blanton

Charlotte Blanton, a Central Florida native and mom of three, holds a business degree from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). After a career in corporate finance, she pivoted to stay home with her kids and found her passion for writing through Mommy Poppins. She loves exploring local theme parks and discovering fun activities for families in Central Florida.

Latest posts by Charlotte

28 Best Things to Do in Orlando May 2025 with Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on Sun, 04/27/2025 - 7:01am

Bring your family and friends to the biggest beach party in Orlando at the iHeartRadio Summer Splash at Aquatica. Photo by the author

From Mother's Day to Memorial Day, we'll be finding fun things to do all month long—May the 4th be with you!

Soak up May's beautiful weather at these awesome Orlando events before the heat of summer arrives. This month’s calendar is bursting with fun outdoor festivals and can’t-miss happenings. Enjoy theme park adventures and events at Epcot, SeaWorld Orlando, and LEGOLAND; celebrate spring at Mount Dora's Florida Flower Fest, Ocoee's Centennial Celebration, and the annual Hamlin Hoedown; and catch a performance of Disney’s The Lion King at the Dr. Phillips Center. Satisfy little thrillseekers at Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live in Kissimmee and the Silver Spurs Rodeo at Osceola Heritage Park.

Plan for Mother's Day with our Orlando Mother's Day brunch events and check out budget weekend trips from Orlando for Memorial Day weekend ideas, all courtesy of your pals here at Mommy Poppins!

Best Orlando Playgrounds for Toddlers (Enclosed & Tot Lots!)

Submitted by Charlotte B on Fri, 04/25/2025 - 10:22am

Cannery Park is an all-inclusive park with rubber pad surface, shade coverings, swings, and a soft landing pad at the end of all slides.

There are lots of Orlando toddler playgrounds and Orlando tot lots geared toward youngsters, and we've searched to find the best ones in Central Florida. Most Orlando playgrounds for young children are shaded, which is a lifesaver during Florida summers! These sweet playgrounds make for a great morning or afternoon of fun, especially when parents can relax and socialize with each other knowing these outdoor spaces are great for wobbly little ones. Read on for our favorite toddler playgrounds!

Cinco De Mayo, Star Wars Day, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, and More Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend With Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on Wed, 04/23/2025 - 9:41am

Take action and celebrate at Central Florida Zoo's Party for the Planet on Saturday. Photo by the author

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

Get ready for a weekend packed with fun! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo all weekend long at SeaWorld Orlando, with festive music, food, and entertainment. On Sunday, join the force for Star Wars Day (May the 4th) at the Orlando Public Library, where a variety of themed activities await. Take a scenic day trip to Bok Tower Gardens for the Fire Festival, marking the transition from spring to summer. Plus, don’t miss even more exciting events: a Butterfly Release at the Mount Dora Library, the Duck Race at Island H2O Water Park, iHeart Radio's Summer Splash at Aquatica, Nathaniel's Hope Make 'm Smile at Lake Eola Park, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live in Kissimmee, and so much more!

Great Mother's Day Brunches in Miami and South Florida

Submitted by Charlotte B on Sun, 04/20/2025 - 6:00am

Celebrate mom on her special day with brunch at a South Florida restaurant. Photo courtesy of Bigstock

There is no better way to celebrate mom on Mother's Day than with a delicious brunch at one of South Florida's top restaurants. From seaside dining to indulgent buffets, there is a perfect setting for every mom to make the day extra special. We’ve gathered some of our favorite South Florida spots offering Mother’s Day brunches, each one worthy of the amazing woman (or women) you’re honoring.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11, and here is your chance to make it a special day for mom. For more dining ideas, check out our rundown of restaurants where kids can eat free or places where kids can play while parents eat.

And don't forget to check out our guide to spring activities in Miami and South Florida for even more great seasonal fun.

School Calendars 2025-2026: Start and End Dates for Orlando School Districts

Submitted by Charlotte B on Fri, 04/18/2025 - 10:18am

Be prepared this school year by accessing the 2025-26 academic calendars for Orlando school districts.

Orlando schools are almost out for summer, but the calendar is already set for the new school year. Below are the current school start and end dates for counties across Central Florida. Orange County Public Schools and many more Orlando school districts start back Monday, August 11, 2025. Read below to get the details on start and end dates, as well as dates about winter break, spring break, and more Orlando school calendar details. In addition, the Orlando school links below will help you start planning for family vacations!

Easter Weekend 2025 in Orlando: Easter Egg Hunts, Earth Day, and More Top Things To Do

Submitted by Charlotte B on Wed, 04/16/2025 - 10:35am

Let the Easter egg hunt begin at the City of Ocoee Easter Eggstravaganza! Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando for Easter weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

It's Easter weekend, and there is no shortage of Easter egg hunts in Orlando! Catch Easter eggs falling from the sky at Egg Ocoee Helicopter Egg Drop, and find plenty more colorful treasures at Easter egg hunts happening all around town. For those looking for non-holiday events, enjoy Night of Destruction at Orlando Speed World or head to Lake Eola for Central Florida Earth Day. There's also still time to fill up on cute and tasty Easter Brunches in Orlando before the Easter bunny's big visit on Sunday!

Best Florida Keys Hotels and Resorts for Families

Submitted by Charlotte B on Sat, 04/12/2025 - 12:57pm

Relax by the pool at Margaritaville Beach House.

The Florida Keys and Key West region of Florida are the perfect family vacation spot to get that tropical-island feel without leaving the US. The islands of the Florida Keys are known for their relaxed vibe, watercolor sunsets, and endless family-friendly water activities. Florida Keys hotels and resorts don't skimp on all that island charm, either.

We've put together a list of 20 Florida Keys hotels and resorts that we think are just right for families in the Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and the Lower Keys/Key West. Each offers an array of amenities, including luxurious swimming pools, water sports, parasailing, bike rentals, and much more. Some of these resorts have private beaches, and one even offers dolphin encounters in its own private lagoon.

Be sure to read our list of the top 30 things to do in the Florida Keys with Kids to help plan your getaway. And, our Florida Family Vacation Guide has even more fun places to visit all over the Sunshine State.

Universal's Epic Universe: Epic Fun at Orlando's Newest Theme Park

Submitted by Charlotte B on Fri, 04/11/2025 - 10:19am

Take to the skies and soar with dragons as you explore the Isle of Berk. Photo courtesy NBC Universal

I recently had the incredible opportunity to preview Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s newest theme park. As a lifelong theme park fan and Central Florida native, I’ve had plenty of “wow” moments over the years — but nothing quite compares to this. Universal truly pulled out all the stops!

Epic Universe isn’t just a collection of rides and attractions — it’s five completely unique worlds. Each one feels like you’ve stepped into a movie or a video game come to life. I spent the entire day exploring, riding, eating, and just taking it all in at this massive Orlando attraction— and I still didn't see everything! Read on for all the information about each immersive world at Epic Universe, opening May 22, 2025.

Charlotte Blanton

Latest posts by Charlotte

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