Gabby Cullen

Gabby Cullen has over 15 years of media experience, starting in public relations before moving to the editorial side in 2009. With a decade of expertise in parenting and lifestyle, she balances her work as an editor and writer while navigating life as a mom of two. An avid reader and true crime podcast fan, Gabby lives in Dallas, TX with her family. Find her on Instagram and Threads @gabbycullen.

Latest posts by Gabby

Easter Weekend 2025 in Dallas & Fort Worth: Easter Egg Hunts, the Bunny Express, and More Top Things To Do

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Wed, 04/16/2025 - 8:33am

Hop on over to Southfork Ranch for a fun-filled Easter celebration! Photo courtesy of Southfork Ranch

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

Due to the storm moving in, some events are canceling faster than we can track! Be sure to check with a venue before heading anywhere this weekend.

Easter weekend has arrived in DFW, and if you're looking for things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth for the holiday, there's no shortage of fun, even with the inclement weather. Catch a ride on the Bunny Express Train in Grapevine, or learn about the traditions of a Ukrainian Easter at the Dallas Farmers Market. If you want to go big or go home, Southfork Ranch's ultimate Easter celebration will thrill everyone with brunch, an egg hunt, a petting zoo, and Easter Bunny photo ops.

If you're over the egg hunts, check out the Earth Day celebration at the Sci-Tech Discovery Center in Frisco, or let your kids try their luck at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center's fishing derby. As always, enjoy your weekend!

9 Swimming Lakes Near Dallas & Fort Worth to Visit This Summer

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 04/06/2025 - 9:30am

Lake Granbury is one of the best swimming lakes near DFW! Photo by Gabby Cullen

Let's be honest. Hanging out poolside is always cool, but in the summertime, having access to the swimming lakes near Dallas and Fort Worth is as essential to North Texans as a working AC unit. After all, if you love being outdoors and showing off your grilling skills, you'll need a body of water nearby when the heat takes its toll. Luckily, plenty of spots perfect for families in and around the metroplex are within an hour's drive of your home.

And, since we live in Texas and you know we go big or go home, you'll find the biggest inflatable obstacle course in the state at one of these places and waterslides at another. So, as you gear up for hot weather, consider planning a day with your crew at one of these spots where you can run, jump, and swim to your heart's content. And remember, always wear a lifejacket!

Easter Egg Hunts in Dallas & Fort Worth Perfect for Little Bunnies

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 03/23/2025 - 10:35am

Fill y0ur basket at one of the many Easter Egg hunts around Dallas/Fort Worth. Photo courtesy of Eggs Stra Special

Planning your Easter 2025 in Dallas? Find the best egg hunts for your family with our guide to the top egg-hunting events in the city! From free community hunts to unique experiences, we've got you covered.

If you're hunting for the best Easter egg hunts in Dallas, you're in for a treat. This spring, the city is brimming with fun and unique Easter events. Whether you’re looking for a free egg hunt or a totally unique way to find those eggs (an Aqua egg hunt, anyone?), there’s something for every family to enjoy. Get ready to make unforgettable memories at these festive celebrations all over Dallas!

Find more ways to celebrate the season, like with these yummy Easter brunch recipes and creative at-home Easter egg hunt ideas.

Awesome Easter Basket Ideas for Teens

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Thu, 03/20/2025 - 11:31am

Teens may be bigger in body, but they're still like little kids when it comes to Easter baskets!

Finding unique Easter basket ideas for teens isn’t easy! Once kids hit the teen years, you can’t just throw in some Peeps, a coloring book, and rabbit ears and call it a day. No, teens are a tricky lot, so finding the right collection of goodies for them to enjoy on Easter Sunday requires a little more thought.

Some of the moms at Mommy Poppins have a few years of experience with this particular age group, so we put our heads together and came up with this list of great easter basket ideas for teens that aren’t a new iPhone or a slew of gift cards.

Check out our Easter Activities Guide more fun Easter ideas, like these Easter movies for kids and families and Easter egg decorating ideas; because kids are never too old for holiday fun!

The Best Playgrounds in Dallas & Fort Worth

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 03/16/2025 - 12:46pm

If there’s one thing we’re pretty confident North Texas kids and parents both love, it’s checking out the best playgrounds near Dallas and Fort Worth. The kids get to spend time outside and burn off energy, and, once they can play on their own, you might even be able to squeeze in a conversation with friends.

The best part is, that there are plenty of incredible playgrounds in Dallas and Fort Worth with cool features like zip lines, climbing walls and webs, and even water play—a game changer when the temps start rising.

While it was certainly a challenge picking our favorites, we rounded up the best playgrounds in Dallas and the rest of the metroplex that are worth a visit. Take a peek at the list and start planning your next playground adventure.

If you're looking for other things to do with kids in Dallas, check out the best indoor playgrounds for kids, 75 free things to do with kids in DFW, and 60 things you must do with kids in Dallas and the rest of the metroplex before they grow up.

Best Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids in Dallas

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 03/02/2025 - 11:57am

You can count on Texas Skatium for a fabulous indoor birthday party! Photo by Gabby Cullen

All DFW parents know that indoor birthday party places are a must. After all, this is Texas, and if there’s one thing we know, the weather is unpredictable. There’s a reason WFAA weatherman Pete Delkus is a local legend, after all. Luckily, Dallas and the rest of the metroplex have safe and entertaining kids’ birthday party spots for almost every interest or hobby. From running a mini city or taking a cooking lesson to having a Nerf gun battle, this list of indoor birthday party places has the best of the best when it comes to celebrating your kiddo.

For other fun indoor birthday party places, check out the best indoor playgrounds and indoor play spaces in Dallas and Fort Worth.

Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine Has a New Look & It’s Stunning

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Fri, 02/28/2025 - 11:41am

The renovated lobby at Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine. Image by Gabby Cullen

Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine is one of the most popular hotels in the Dallas area for families. An indoor waterpark, a ropes course, games, and the exciting MagiQuest are just some attractions kids and parents know and love. The resort recently completed a $40 million transformation that brings a stay here to a new level.

From an entirely new dining experience, incredible new attractions, and the all-new Legend of Luna nighttime spectacular, your next stay at Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine will be like your first visit all over again!

19 Indoor Playgrounds in Dallas & Fort Worth Kids Will Love

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 02/16/2025 - 12:15pm

Between locations in Frisco, McKinney, Grapevine, and Arlington, there’s bound to be an adorable PeeknPlay indoor play space near you. Photo courtesy of PeeknPlay

Looking for indoor playgrounds and play spaces? Take your pick from this list of the metroplex's very best.

Indoor playgrounds and play spaces are North Texas parents’ secret weapon. Between the hot summer days and the random winter weather, you never know when you’ll need things to do indoors. Colorful rooms, ball pits, slides, and tons of pretend play opens up a world of possibilities for little kids, and luckily, DFW is filled with unique spots waiting for you and your family.

Even better, these places have perks for parents too—free Wi-Fi, coffee nearby (a must), and in some cases, frozen yogurt for when playtime is over. From Dallas and Plano to Grapevine and beyond, these are some of the best indoor playgrounds and play spaces in DFW.

For more fun things to do, check out 75 free things to do with kids in Dallas, or take a peek at the calendar for family-centric events you don’t want to miss.

Gabby Cullen

Latest posts by Gabby

Pages