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

Visit LuminoCity's Dino Safari for Dinosaur -Sized Entertainment

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 04/05/2024 - 9:29am

The only thing better than lifesize dinosaurs are ones that light up! Check out LuminoCity's Dino Safari in Lawrenceville until April 28, 2024. Photo courtesy LuminoCity

Go back in time to the land of towering dinosaurs at LuminoCity's Dino Safari Festival in Lawrenceville! This mesmerizing attraction combines the thrill of prehistoric giants with the magic of detailed light sculptures. Children and adults alike will marvel at the realistic dinosaurs and ancient mammals, as well as have an awesome time at the interactive recreation zone, fossil hunt, and more. Get all the details below to plan a visit before the attraction closes on April 28, 2024.

Best Sports Summer Camps in Orlando: Soccer Camps, Baseball Camps, and More

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 03/24/2024 - 10:10am

Get out on the court or hit the soccer fields with TUF Athletics Basketball & Soccer Camps. Photo courtesy of the camp

Summer camp allows kids to let loose and really have fun doing what they love; and for many of these Orlando campers, it's all about sports camp! Whether it's a specialized sports summer camp or an Orlando day camp that focuses on a variety of sports, these summer sports camps will be a welcome respite for athletes and sports-loving kids. We've rounded up a few of our top sports camps in Orlando that hone abilities, introduce new games, and allow kids to let loose.

Prom Dress Shopping Guide for Atlanta Teens

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 03/03/2024 - 11:26am

Prom season is here and that means major shopping for prom dresses in Atlanta. Check out these great options to find the perfect Atlanta prom dress!

Shopping with Atlanta teens for prom dresses can be a fun and challenging experience. A teen may have her own vision of the "perfect" prom look but making the dream a reality requires lots of style options and knowledgeable staff. We've rounded up our favorite Atlanta shops for prom dresses that offer gorgeous options at all price points, especially those Atlanta stores that focus on the specific needs of teens, with classic and trendy colors, lengths, fabrics, and cuts.

Visit the New Balloon Museum Atlanta for Fun, Floating Art

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 03/01/2024 - 2:24pm

Visit the beautiful Wonderland that is Atlanta's Balloon Museum, open through April 14, 2024. Photo by Melanie Preis

Balloon Museum Atlanta is a fun, funky adventure into the wonderful world of inflatable art. Atlanta kids and families will LOVE exploring exhibits (many of which are interactive) that showcase amazing works of art through the coolest medium: balloons! My family was thoroughly impressed by the ingenuity, creativity, and beauty of these amazing works of art (and who doesn't love a ball pit?!). Go inside the new Balloon Museum: Let's Fly at Pullman Yards in Atlanta now!

60 Fun Facts About Me: Conversation Ice Breakers for Kids!

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Tue, 02/20/2024 - 8:44pm

Nothing makes friends faster than sharing secrets, even if that secret is as simple as a favorite color! Photo by Ron Lach

Sharing "fun facts about me" can be anything but fun, especially for kids —it's tough for most of us to sum up our entire personality in a few words when trying to break the ice. Throw in the fact that many kids on the quieter side may hide behind mom or dad's leg rather than have to make small talk and the whole introduction process can get stalled.

Help is here! We've collected some of our favorite ways to get kids out of their shells and into the conversation. These silly and easy fun facts about me that kids can think about or ask new friends can make for easy ice breakers.

Another way kids open up to sharing fun facts about themselves is to share crazy facts they know about the world— check out 75 Fun Facts for Kids That Will Blow Their Minds! Jokes for Kids are another awesome way to break the ice and get kids giggling, and we've got jokes, tongue twisters, and riddles galore in our Guide to Jokes and Humor for Kids.

51 Top Things To Do in Arizona With Kids

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sat, 02/17/2024 - 12:00pm

Take in the jaw-dropping geological views from Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Photo courtesy of Canva

While I consider myself an expert on Arizona, it's tough narrowing down the best things to do in Arizona with kids. Arizona is a wonderful place for families of all ages and interests. Kids who love the outdoors, trains, dinosaurs, art, science, animals, and so much more will never want to leave this amazing state. From picturesque views of Sedona's red rocks and the Grand Canyon to outdoor activities like horseback riding, hiking, swimming, and gold panning, Arizona has it all.

Since I'll rise to any challenge, I've gathered some of the most amazing Arizona places my own children love to visit (and I loved visiting as a kid growing up there). Here are 51 of the best things to do in Arizona with kids, including top attractions, activities, restaurants, and hotels in Sedona and Northern Arizona, Phoenix and Scottsdale, Tucson, and the Grand Canyon.

Find even more great places to visit out west in our Western US Family Travel Guide.

Top Tween and Teen Summer Camps in Atlanta

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 02/11/2024 - 10:07am

YMCA summer camps in Atlanta offer speciality camps for tweens and teens. Photo courtesy YMCA of Atlanta

Tween and teen summer camps in Atlanta offer some independence AND some organized activities. Teens and tweens (generally ages 12-17) can be tough to entertain come summer break, but there are awesome Atlanta summer camps that cater to the specific interests of this age group. Some local summer camps offer specific teen programs, among the other camp programs for younger kids, to entertain the older bunch. In addition to having a blast, many of these tweens and teens pick up leadership training and skills— allowing them to become the next generation of amazing summer camp counselors.

Take a look at some of the best summer camps in Atlanta for teens below; for more summer goodness, check out our Atlanta Summer Camp Guide to get the details on additional Atlanta camps!

Best Coffee Shops in Orlando to Bring Your Kids When You Need Caffeine

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 02/02/2024 - 11:36am

Nautilus Coffee features a cool vibe, where kids can touch interesting design pieces and fill up on yummy items. Photo by Charlotte B

Fun coffee shops in Orlando provide a much needed jolt of caffeine for parents and a charming spot for kids to unwind. We've gathered our favorite Orlando coffee shops -- offering sweet treats, kid-friendly drinks, quirky ambiences, on-site games, or even cute cats and dogs(!) -- all perfect for families. We've even rounded up awesome coffee shops and cafes at theme parks to get parents through the exhausting walking and waiting in lines with a jolt of joe. Take a look at the top coffee shops in Orlando and Central Florida now!

Melanie Preis

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