Elsa Simcik

Elsa Simcik has been freelance writing for 20-something years, covering a hodgepodge of fields--health & fitness, human interest stories, and even dating. After becoming a mom she segued into writing for local magazines and websites, focusing on parenting, fun things to do with kids, and travel. The travel part is fun, but not as glamorous as it sounds, because it's traveling with kids. Still, she'll take it.

Latest posts by Elsa

30 Fun Things To Do in Greenville, SC with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 02/02/2025 - 11:00am

You'll love chasing waterfalls at Falls Park on the Reedy.

If you haven't been to Greenville, SC, think of it as a place where quaint Southern charm meets family-friendly fun. Greenville's fabulous walkable downtown area is anchored by Falls Park on the Reedy with gorgeous waterfalls, a cool suspension bridge, and sprawling grassy areas for running and picnicking. Add to that, yummy Southern fare, plenty of kid-approved activities, and mild weather, and you've got yourself an easy, memorable family vacay. Through February 2025, families can snag deals at fun Greenville attractions and restaurants as part of Visit Greenville's Yes Day GVL promotion.

Read on for our list of 30 fun things to do in Greenville, SC with kids, including our favorite hotels and restaurants in Greenville. For more family vacation ideas from Florida to California and beyond, check out our Family Travel Guide.

Best Things To Do with Kids in Atlanta in February 2026, According to MP Editors

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 01/31/2025 - 9:32am

Bring the family to a community-wide Valentine's Day celebration at Halcyon at Forsyth. Photo courtesy of Halcyon

Whether enjoying Valentine's Day or Black History Month, or planning a Mardi Gras or Presidents Day weekend getaway, there is plenty to love about February! Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Atlanta for February.

February in Atlanta brings Valentine's Day love with events like Halcyon's Family Valentine's Day Party and the Family Sweetheart Dance in Suwanee. We're all loving the fact that Laurie Berkner will be in Atlanta February 22 for The Greatest Hits Solo Tour at Atlanta Symphony Hall! Families celebrate the Year of the Horse at the Lunar New Year Festival at Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta Lunar New Year Festival and more. There's even more fun, February events included below!

All-Inclusive Hyatt Sunscape Coco Punta Cana Resort is the Perfect Sunny Family Vacation

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 12/29/2024 - 7:20am

Go from the pool to the beach and back again without ever leaving the resort.

If you're searching for an affordable, all-inclusive resort for a family vacation in a tropical paradise, I have a new favorite: Sunscape Coco Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. On a recent vacation, my family loved the family-friendly activities, which are perfect for all ages. We also loved that the resort is on the smaller side, and while it provided all the amenities, it was more intimate and easy to navigate.

We always appreciate the all-inclusive style resorts, because you get unlimited access to dining, refreshing drinks, and tons of activities without worrying about extra costs. My husband always says he loves putting his wallet in the safe and not getting it out until it's time to go home! And this resort skimps on nothing.

Read on for all the details about the Sunscape Coco Punta Cana Resort and why it's the perfect all-inclusive resort for families. Check out more of our favorite all-inclusive resorts for families and also our favorite warm and sunny family vacation ideas. They're both in our Family Travel Guide.

Cirque du Soleil Brings Acrobatics and Holiday Magic to The Fox

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Tue, 12/03/2024 - 10:54am

Cirque du Soleil's first holiday show, 'Twas The Night Before... is a classic Christmas story about rediscovering the magic of the holiday season. Photo by Michael Last

Atlanta families can see the incredible acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, with a holiday twist, at The Fox Theatre. ‘Twas the Night Before… is Cirque du Soleil’s first Christmas show, and it's at The Fox November 29 - December 15, 2024. Based on the classic poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore, the show features Cirque's mesmerizing acrobatics, familiar Christmas songs, and a heartwarming tale. The show is a perfect Christmas event for the whole family!

The Nutcracker Ballet and More Holiday Shows for Atlanta Families

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 11/10/2024 - 1:29pm

One of the most popular takes on The Nutcracker comes from Atlanta Ballet, performed at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Photo by Kim Kenney

The Nutcracker ballet and other holiday shows in Atlanta bring families together for memory making and festive fun. Atlanta offers plenty of holiday shows and options for The Nutcracker, including those with cool twists on the story, like Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Fox and Once Upon a Holiday in Roswell.

Some holiday shows are so kid-friendly (especially the ones with puppets) that even the wiggliest of children are mesmerized! Take a look at our comprehensive list of The Nutcracker performances and holiday shows to choose which will add theatrical magic to your family this holiday season!

Activate Atlanta: A Physical Gaming Experience for Big Kids and Teens

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 10/06/2024 - 10:38am

Test your physical and mental prowess at Activate Atlanta, a gaming facility perfect for big kids, teens, and adults!

Activate Atlanta is an exciting, live-action gaming activity for families with children ages 10 and older. While kids will love the state-of-the-art gaming elements and light effects, parents will appreciate that this is an active gaming experience, utilizing teamwork with physical movement that includes running, jumping, climbing, crawling, and throwing. My kids were so excited to visit Activate — after only five minutes, my 13-year-old asked, "Can I have my birthday party here?!"

Things to Do With Your Baby in Atlanta

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 08/02/2024 - 11:11am

Experience an adventure on the slides at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of ABG

This post is being updated for 2026. Please check back soon!

Your baby's first year is filled with lots of exciting milestones. During a short period, your infant begins to smile, laugh, sit up, crawl, cruise, and even say a few words. Luckily, there's no better place than Atlanta to find things to do during this magical time.

We've curated a baby bucket list filled with over 30 baby-friendly activities in Atlanta. Read on for the best baby outings, baby classes, playgrounds, and more to get you out of the house. Gather your baby, diaper bag, and camera to start exploring these indoor and outdoor activities in Atlanta!

Best Summer Day Camps in Atlanta

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 04/07/2024 - 9:42am

Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC)'s Camp Kingfisher is popular with kids of all ages who love being outdoors! Photo courtesy CNC

There are so many fun options for summer day camps in Atlanta! We've rounded up amazing day camps for Atlanta kids —most of these are traditional summer camps with outdoor games, crafts, and swimming. All of the included Atlanta day camps run approximately 9am-4pm (some even offer extended hours). Camp themes typically change week to week so summer campers stay engaged.

If your child prefers a specific focus at summer camp, choose a specialty camp (like STEM, arts, and sports —all listed in our Camp Guide).

Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

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