Michael Del Llano

Latest posts by Michael

Cider Mills in Connecticut: Hogan's Cider Mill and More Family Fun

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on Sun, 10/08/2023 - 10:10pm

With treats for kids (and grown ups!) Cider Mills in Connecticut are worth a visit for family fun. Photo courtesy of Hogan's Cider Mill

Ciders Mills in Connecticut have more to offer than a crisp fall beverage. These cider mills have become one-stop destinations for family fun, with everything from petting zoos to mini golf. And most offer both sweet cider, for everyone to enjoy, and hard cider—a nice reward for mom or dad after all those fall activities. Connecticut is home to some delightful cider mills, where families can enjoy autumnal fun while enjoying these (and more) tasty treats. Read on for some of the best cider mills, and cheers!

For more seasonal fun, check out our Fall Fun Guide for Connecticut Kids. It's full of our top picks for apple picking and corn mazes, as well as more autumn activities.

Best Gymnastics Classes for Kids in Connecticut

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 12:03pm

The best gymnastics classes help kids of all ages develop coordination, strength, and balance. Gymnastics classes also foster confidence, teamwork, and a healthy sense of competition. The best gymnastics classes for kids in Connecticut also provide a mix of classes and private instruction. There are programs geared for competetive gymnastics and others that are just pure fun. Tumble on!

Need a class that you can attend with your little one? Check out Mommy and Me Classes for Babies and Parents in Connecticut. And see all our picks for enrichment programs in the Guide to Classes in Connecticut for Kids.

Top Acting Classes for Kids in Connecticut: Building Character On Stage

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on Sun, 09/10/2023 - 10:26pm

Kids can learn to express themselves and find their voices with the best acting classes in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Poppins Children's Theatre

If you have an aspiring thespian in the house, sign them up for one of the best acting classes in Connecticut. It's a fun way to inspire their creativity and hone their skills while also introducing them to new friends. The top acting classes for kids include instruction in movement, voice, and even music. Some Connecticut acting programs even offer fun lessons like improvisation. When your kids are ready to stomp the boards and chew the scenery, check out these Connecticut acting classes!

Visiting Six Flags New England with Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on Fri, 08/18/2023 - 3:15pm

There's no ceiling on fun when visiting Six Flags New England with kids! Photo courtesy of Six Flags New England

Six Flags New England is easily one of the top family attractions near Boston and Connecticut. With great rides, games, food, and live entertainment, there is so much for kids to enjoy—not to mention the massive water park, Hurricane Harbor. We've got you covered with tips to having a great time, from getting your Six Flags New England tickets to finding hotels nearby for a fun family getaway at New England's largest theme park.

We're amusement park fans here at Mommy Poppins, and we love visiting the Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families. They're right up there with the Best Outdoor Waterparks in New England for Family Fun!

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activites for Kids in Boston: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on Fri, 08/11/2023 - 10:38pm

From go karts to axe throwing and more extreme sports, find thrilling activities near Boston! Photo courtesy with Seekonk Grand Prix

Go karts, axe throwing–Boston has some great spots to enjoy extreme sports as a family. Some kids crave thrilling activities, and we' ve rounded up some of our favorite spots, from Greater Boston to around New England. These axe-throwing, go-karting family fun spots ofetn have added attractions, like arcades or bowling lanes. But the need for speed isn't always satisfied by a video game. Read on for extreme sports and thrilling activities near Boston!

If you're looking for something a little more low-key, check out 10 fun mini-golf courses near Boston. Need more thrills? See our guide to the best New England theme parks for kids and families.

Best Mommy & Me Classes for Babies in Boston: Music, Art, & Movement

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on Sun, 08/06/2023 - 4:17pm

Find mommy & me classes in Boston, and expose your little one to music, art, and movement. Photo courtesy of Powers Music School

Boston families have lots of mommy & me art, music, and movement classes and programs to choose from. And you don't need to wait until your baby is older to start enrolling! From art classes to music classes to movement classes and more, many places offer versions of their big kid classes just for toddlers and babies in Mommy & Me (and Daddy & Me!) formats. Stretch together in yoga classes in Cambridge, kick it at soccer classes in Charlestown, or even learn to Jam together in Newton. These parent & me baby classes in Boston are a great way to bond with your little one. They also provide stimulation and help babies and toddlers reach developmental milestones.

For more ideas on classes as your kids grow, check out our full Guide to Boston Classes and Activities for Kids.

Best Arcades in Boston: Fun Centers and Old School Arcades

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on Fri, 07/21/2023 - 12:21am

Buckle up for video games, ice hockey, and more indoor fun at the best arcades in Boston! Photo courtesy of the Paragon Facebook page

The best arcades in Boston have more than just video games. With ice hockey, skee-ball, pinball machines, and more, these old school arcades and family fun centers offer indoor fun any time of year. Looking to get out of the heat (or the cold, or the rain)? Visiting the best arcades in Boston and around the city is a guaranteed boredom buster. Whatever the weather, Boston's arcades keep the fun flowing like prize tickets!

For more indoor fun, check out our guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Boston Kids. It's full of our hand-picked choices for all-weather fun, like the Best Indoor Mini Golf in Boston.

Best Indoor Mini Golf in Boston

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on Fri, 07/14/2023 - 4:36pm

Heat waves, flurries, or rainy days aren't a problem with the top spots for indoor mini golf in Boston! Photo courtesy of Puttshack

Indoor mini-golf lets your family enjoy all the fun of putting and playing without having to brave the weather. When it’s hot (or wet, or cold) the best indoor mini-golf courses near Boston fit the bill. Some of these spots are large fun centers, with arcades, go karts, and other attractions. And many of the best indoor mini golf courses offer fun treats like ice cream! There's an indoor mini golf course near you, from Saugus and Peabody on the North Shore, to Marlborough, Norwood, and North Attleboro. And we've rounded up some of the best indoor mini-golf courses from New Hampshire, Connecticut, and around New England.

For more family fun on the little links, check out 10 Fun Mini Golf Courses Near Boston. And explore our guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Boston Kids, where you can find our expert tips for indoor fun.