Melanie Preis
Melanie Preis is a writer, editor, wife, and mom of three (including her beloved bernedoodle). Before joining Mommy Poppins, she worked at StyleBlueprint, Turner Broadcasting, and HowStuffWorks. She loves reading, anything Bravo, art fairs, and, of course, her bernedoodle.
Latest posts by Melanie
Phoenix, Arizona is where I grew up. Though I traded Phoenix's dry heat for the humidity of Atlanta after college, I still regard myself as a Phoenician for life. With family and friends still there, we get to enjoy so many fun things to do in Phoenix whenever we visit. And what's really nice is now that I'm a mom, I get to revisit some of my favorite childhood attractions with my kids and discover awesome new things to do in Phoenix.
A trip to the Valley of the Sun makes for a perfect sun-soaked family vacation. Kids love all of the fun things to do in Phoenix, from the Phoenix Zoo to the Phoenix Art Museum. And for the adults, the resort spas are out of this world!
Here are the 50 top things to do in Phoenix with kids, including some great family-friendly restaurants and hotels. Check out our Western US Family Travel Guide for even more adventures out west, including our list of 51 top things to do with kids in Arizona.
Save money and sanity while planning your next Walt Disney World vacation with clever tips and tricks. We sat down with Melissa Mullett, director of operations at David's Vacation Club Rentals (DVCR), to get the inside scoop about the best ways to plan a trip to Disney World -- thinking smarter and more economical. Learn how to make the most out of a Disney trip by following our great advice below!
With a nickname like the "Sunshine State," it's obvious that Florida is THE place to enjoy fun under the sun. With year-round warm weather, averaging in the mid-70s, 825 miles of accessible beaches, fantasically varied wildlife, and one-of-a-kind habitats like mangroves, swamps, and marshes, Florida offers amazing outdoor options for visitors and residents alike. And don't get us started on the world-famous, kid-friendly attractions and theme parks! Visit picturesque Key West, the southernmost point in the continental U.S.; always-happening Orlando; the diverse Florida Everglades; the panhandle's fun beach cities; and everywhere in between.
Take a look at our list of the best things to do in Florida and let us know what you've visited and what you have yet to discover!
Overnight summer camps in Georgia provide kids and teens with independence and insane amounts of fun. These sleepaway camps offer many activities and opportunities that regular day camp can't provide. Evening programming, bunking and socializing with kids from across the state (and even the country!), resiliency, and discovering new aspects of their personalities are just some of the advantages of attending Georgia sleepaway camp.
Even when kids age out as campers, these devoted teens can then work at sleepaway camps as counselors, specialists, and other roles. Take a look at some of the best overnight summer camps in Georgia that will have your kids begging to attend every year!
From a lively metropolis to the quaint coastal life, Georgia is a must-visit state! Whether you want the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, the largest Southeastern city in the United States; the lush landscape of Savannah; the quiet seabreeze of Tybee Island; the vibrant college scene of Athens; the charming Bavarian spirit of Helen; the jaw-dropping views of Tallulah Gorge State Park; or somewhere between, Georgia has it all. Take a look at our list of the best things to do in Georgia and let us know what you've visited and what you have yet to discover!
Toddler birthday party places offer that magical combination of nonstop fun for little kiddos and easy clean-up and supervision for parents. Whatever the theme or interest of a toddler birthday party, these Orlando birthday places offer a day of uninterrupted excitement that any child will love. The best part about these toddler birthday party places is that mom and dad actually get to enjoy the birthday party, instead of worrying about neverending logistics!
There are many wonderful Orlando birthday party ideas for toddlers and preschoolers so take a look at a few of our favorites. Have older children? Make sure to check out our Top Kids' Birthday Party Venues in Orlando for more great ideas. Better yet, take a deep dive into our Orlando Birthday Party Guide for even more helpful information about throwing the ultimate birthday party in Orlando.
Atlanta's newest VR experience takes families on a trip through time, to a world of prehistoric creatures and dinosaurs, at Life Chronicles. Eclipso Atlanta has created an immersive expedition for kids and adults to dive into the history of life, all with the power of technologically-advanced virtual reality headsets. Kids will love interacting with dinosaurs and early mammals, and see with their own eyes how life on Earth began. Take a look at our trip through the past!
Atlanta's February winter break is a week-long vacation for many metro school districts. Though parents may be thinking "not another school break," kids are sure to be smiling for time off. For some Atlanta school districts, the winter break starts on Presidents Day and runs through the week; these Atlanta school districts are out February 17-21, 2025. We've got great ideas to fill up your February winter break in Atlanta, including fairy houses, dinosaurs and the Greatest Show in Earth in both Duluth and Downtown Atlanta!
In addition to awesome Atlanta events during the break, we've rounded up fun school break camps that will keep kids entertained during the week. Make sure to contact these winter camps right away, as spots fill fairly quickly.
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