Out and About Mom

Things to Do with Kids in Connecticut

By Town

PLEASE NOTE: As our site has grown, we’ve found it hard to keep up with updating this page regularly. So you may find that many of our more recent posts are missing. We are trying to figure out a way to automate this list so it updates with each new post. In the meantime, you can check out our “By Activity Type” page, which does update (mostly) as we publish new posts and should provide a more complete list. Sorry for any inconvenience!

We’ve blogged about nearly 300 destinations, activities & outing ideas in and around CT! Use this page to quickly find the ones in your neck of the woods (or wherever you are headed today!). The list is alphabetical by town. Enjoy!

    • New York

    • Rhode Island

Is there a place you think we should visit?  Let us know by commenting below.

Comments

  1. Mandy,
    I came across your blog by accident while looking for information on Jonathan’s Dream and I love it! What a great idea.
    I’ve already started a list of new things for Jonah and I to do. 🙂
    Amber & Jonah
    (We’ve met at the WH Library Infant Group)

    Reply

    • Amber,
      I’m so glad that you found our site and are enjoying it! You’ll have to let us know if there are any places you know of that we should check out. Hope to see you guys soon at the library. I’m heading up there tonight to sign up for the Mother Goose on the Loose class!
      Mandy

      Reply

  2. The Wadsworth Museum in Hartford has free family days on the second Saturday of each month. They usually have some kind of arts and craft activity set up for the kids and also some kind of musical or dance performance. Jonah is too young to participate in the arts and crafts but he loves listening to the music, watching the older kids, etc. Now that he is walking, he’s less interested in being restrained to his stroller but it was perfect when he was just a little younger. It was a great indoor activity for a cold, winter Saturday! Here’s the link:
    http://www.thewadsworth.org/visiting/

    Reply

  3. The zoo in Forest Park in Springfield is an excellent destination for a day trip. I just discovered this gem of a place and wish I had known about it when my older son was younger. All Hartford-area moms should know about this, as it is an easier drive than to the zoos in Bridgeport or the Bronx. Gem of a place for kids at least through age 7 or 8.
    The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center
    http://www.forestparkzoo.org/

    Reply

    • Thanks for the information, Melissa. I have heard of Northwest Park but have never been. Sounds like a lot of fun. I’m adding it to our list of places to visit! Is there swimming available there or just exploring?

      Reply

  5. In Glastonbury, they recently opened Addison Bog Trail. It’s a paved, 1 mile trail that runs from Smith Middle School to Bell St. There are several marked and unmarked natural trails off the paved trail. We’ve taken 2 of our 3 1/2 yr. old grandsons and they loved it!

    Reply

    • Hi Kathy,

      Thank you for the recommendation. That sounds great! I’ve been looking for a nice trail in Glastonbury, so I will definitely check this one out.

      Thanks again!
      Shawna

      Reply

  6. Mandy & Shawn,
    Two places that might be fun to bring your children to are the Fish Tale in Madison, CT and the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT. The Fish Tale has a carousel that kids can ride on, and the money collected from the carousel is donated to charity. The Beardsley Zoo is small zoo with a picnic area and a carousel. Finally, My Place Pizza and Restaurant in Newtown, CT has character breakfasts during the summer. See the website http://www.myplacepizza.com/mpr-flash/index.php
    I hope your children enjoy these places!

    Tina

    Reply

    • Hi Tina,

      Thank you so much for the suggestions. I had never even heard of the character breakfasts. Those sound so neat! Definitely need to check that out soon 🙂

      Thanks again!
      Shawna

      Reply

    • Tina – I actually included Fish Tale in a post I did about Hammonasset but it looks like I forgot to include it in our list. Thanks for the heads up! I just added it. Oh, and thanks, now I am craving some fried shrimp. Yum!

      Reply

  7. Two areas worth mentioning:
    1) Niantic/East Lyme. You could easily spend a day exploring the wonderful Children’s Museum of Southeastern CT which is very likely my favorite in the state. Lunch at Skippers, overlooking LI Sound as well as the trains followed by a visit to the Book Barn are also a MUST. In the summer, low tide at Rocky Neck (the Eastern portion) is a real treat for kids with nets and boogie boards.

    2) New Britain: the New Britain Museum of American Art has fantastic, affordable birthday parties for the arts and crafts inclined kiddos, including art classes every Saturday morning. To top if off, they have a wonderful cafe (catered by Jordan’s Caterers) as well as a super duper kids room that is always open.

    Reply

  8. Action Wildlife in Goshen! It’s only open Thursday-Sunday in the fall… it is a smaller zoo and they have a petting zoo and do hayrides as well. They have an indoor museum area with taxidermy-stuffed animals too.

    Reply

    • Thanks Alicia. I will add that destination to our list of future outings. We really appreciate you posting the suggestion. We love hearing about new places to visit!

      Reply

  9. Love your site! Inflatable adventure zone in Manchester is one of my sons favorite places. I’ve found a lot of kid friendly businesses by buying groupon, living social and save now ct deals.

    Reply

  10. There’s a nice playground on Wall Street in Hebron. It’s called veteran’s memorial park, and is across from RHAM high school. There are picnic areas, trails, two playscapes, a skateboard park. It’s not fenced in but the playscapes are set way back from the parking lot. There are also lots of picnic tables around the play ground. There is a bit of graffiti on one of the slides, but otherwise it’s a great park!
    Love your blog. Keep up the good work!

    Reply

    • Thank you for the lovely compliment. We are so glad you are enjoying the blog. And thanks so much for the playground recommendation! That is not too far up the road from me. I will definitely check it out before the weather gets too cold 🙂

      Thanks again!
      Shawna

      Reply

  11. I grew up in northeastern CT, but live in California now. Every time I visit with my three year old, I am at a bit of a loss finding fun stuff to keep her occupied. Your website is wonderful, and a much needed resource. Cant wait to try jessica’s garden…i literally drove by it yesterday. Here are a few other places you might like to try:
    1. UConn horse barns for animals and dairy bar for fresh ice cream…there’s also a great kids area at the bookstore on campus
    2. Creamery brook bison in brooklyn to take a wagon ride to see the bison…kind of surreal!
    3. Ecotarium in Worcester, MA
    Keep up the good work!

    Reply

    • Thank you for the lovely compliments. We’re so glad to hear that the site is helpful! And thank you so much for the suggestions. We will definitely add them to our list.

      Reply

    • Thanks Carolyn! I know I’ve had someone mention this destination before. Why do you like it? What is your favorite thing(s) to do there?

      Reply

  13. March Farm
    160 Munger Lane
    Bethlehem, CT 06751

    March Farm is a third generation working family farm destination located in Bethlehem among the beautiful rolling hills of Litchfield County. In addition to being the area’s most popular Pick-Your-Own (PYO) fruit & berry destination you & your family will enjoy our Farm Store, Hayloft Playscape, Pondside Animal Yard, Farm Hiking Trails and seasonal Hayrides, Corn Mazes & Harvest Festivals! Don’t forget to schedule your next field trip, birthday party, family gathering or corporate function right here on the farm!

    The March Farm Market & Bakery, Hayloft Playscape & Pond Side Animal Yard Open for the season May 10th:
    The Hayloft Playscape includes mini hay loft, school & farm houses; slides, swings, climbing walls, tractor tire themed sand play area, hay bale pyramids and a 450 foot track with tricycles, pedal tractors & wagons to ride. Picnic tables underneath the new Pavilion make for a perfect afternoon meeting, party & lunch spot.
    Pond Side Animal Yard:
    Our pygmy goats; Francis, Mac & Buster have been enjoying the warm spring weather & are looking forward to meeting their new friends from the Hickcox Animal Farm who will spend the season with them.
    Angora & Nigerian goats, sheep & a lama will all make the trip to the animal yard & would love to meet you & your family this summer & fall.With a new Rock & Pole course to climb the Angora & Nigerian goats are sure to put on a show!

    Pick Your Strawberries begin in June, followed by PYO Blueberries, Peaches, Apples & Pumpkins. Fall Hayrides, Corn Mazes & Harvest Festivals.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much for providing information on your farm! I am adding it to our destination list for the Spring/Summer. PYO fruits and a playscape? Sounds perfect for my little crew. Can’t wait to visit!!!

      Reply

    • Anjie – We are actually in Bristol often and you are right, I need to do a post on some of the fun playgrounds in that town. I’ll look into it. Thanks for the suggestion.

      Reply

  15. Pick your own flowers, Petersen Farm, 125 Burgess Road, South Windsor. They offer 2 acres of flowers to pick for a price per pound. Also have vegetables for sale at stand. Bring cash – honor system. Great picture taking opportunity. They supply clippers for on-site use and containers for you to transport your flowers home in. Made a great bouquet for $6.00. They ask that only adults cut flowers, my daughter’s “job” was to point to the flowers that she wanted me to cut for the bouquet. Ideal time for picking flowers starts mid to late July.

    Reply

  16. Hi,

    I recommend Burke Ridge Farms, Ellington in the fall–http://www.burkeridge.com/. They have rides up to the pumpkin patch, an animal area, a small shop, ice cream and more. It’s a family business. Also, Southwick Zoo in Mendon MA is really amazing. It is a family run, non-profit zoo that is 300 hundred acres. Some animals are allowed to roam the entire grounds. It has a free-roaming deer area when you can walk through acres of woods and feed the deer. It also has mechanical and animals rides for small children. It is extremely family friendly with lots of shade, rocks and benches, food stands, bathrooms, etc. We just got back and had an awesome time as usual. It took just over an hour from Manchester. It is located on a very narrow back road.

    Reply

  17. Hey ladies!
    I’m on modified bed rest so I’m sending my hubby out to new places with the kids until I deliver in August (our third). He is taking our 3.5 year old and 1 year old to “flight trampoline park” in New Britain. After seeing pictures my friends posted on FB, I decided he was in charge of checking out this new destination. My hubby says its clean and our 3 year old is LOVING it on a hot day. Thought you guys might want to check it out as well.
    Cheers!
    vicki

    Reply

    • Victoria – You and Shawna are in the same boat. She is hanging out on modified bedrest too, waiting for her little one to arrive! Thank you so much for the feedback on the trampoline park. You are the second person to mention this place to me. Sounds like I need to make a visit! Hope you are staying cool. I had my baby girl last August and I know how tough it can be. Hang in there!

      Reply

  18. Hi Mandy and Shawna,
    I wanted to recommend a place for you to try. It’s called Tot Town in Brookfield. It encourages children to use their imagination with different areas set up for play including a post office, vet, grocery store, salon, etc. Check it out…it’s awesome!

    Reply

  19. Hi

    Love your blog- not sure how I missed you all this time !!
    We are planning to host a birthday party on Thanksgiving weekend and looking out to rent a hall for the event (planning to have our own food and decorations). Could you suggest best and affordable event/party room rentals for around 75 people around farmington/west hartford area? ( I have been doing parties in the house all this time and never rented a hall!)

    Thanks in Advance !!

    Reply

    • Gita – I’m so glad that you found our site! Ok. I’m trying to brainstorm places I know that are available for birthday party rentals. In West Hartford I know the Elmwood Community Center, Cornerstone Pool, and Westmoor Park have rooms available for rent. I’m trying to think of a non-town owned property that would be available but I can’t think of any. I’m not familiar with any sites in Farmington that are available for rent. I’m happy to post the question on our Facebook page and see if our readers have suggestions. Just let me know if that would be helpful. Thanks! Mandy

      Reply

  20. I would recommend a visit to Cabela’s. They have a tunnel aquarium and a couple mini museums. There are tons of animal exhibits. They also have a cafeteria. It’s like IKEA but there is FREE stuff for families!

    Reply

  21. Ahhhhh! This is a gold mine! We are moving from Jax, FL to Tolland in 3 weeks. I have four kids, 8 and under.

    I haven’t looked at the list yet to see but are there any beaches you recommend??? We’re only 10m away now and hopefully will get to go to a nice beach this summer.

    Reply

    • If you are in Tolland I would check out the beach at Bolton Lake. It is a little hard to find. I always miss the turn as it is not well marked, but it is $5 a car for non-residents, and is a pretty nice large lake with nice water ….. I really like it better than a lot of the local, smaller, more stagnant water lakes. Great for a swim and larger beach. Can not beat $5.

      Reply

  22. Hi There – Your site is great! I love all the tips! I am a resident of Glastonbury too and I have found that lately I have been having trouble controlling my 2 1/2 yo at Addison. I have been taking her to the Playground at GEHMS School on Oak Street. There are two – one for older kids and one for 2-5 year olds that is really perfect for her (and fenced in!!!!) Wanted to pass that along….

    Reply

  23. There is a really great park at Veteran’s Park in Hebron, Ct. Has a toddler playscape (these are hard to find!) for ages 2-5 and a larger one for 5 and older, as well as a skateboard park. Across from RAHM High. It is right near Something Simple, the new Café, where they often have “events”.. worth a check since it is so close to Glastonbury. Also, unless I missed it, I am shocked that Hurst Family Farm is not on here ! They have a Maple house, hay rides in the fall, animals, a cute farm store. They have events here and there, specifically the maple house and hay rides for kids. I believe they are open all year ! It is really gorgeous up there ! They don’t mind at all if you just go see the animals. Lastly, Paul’s pumpkin patch, again I don’t see it so correct me if I am wrong, but that is in Colchester I believe and they have huge fall events ! hay rides, a whole pumpkin village.

    Reply

  26. Are there any other places in Manchester or the surrounding area that you have been to. My mom is in Hebron with my daughter who is under 2 (19 months). And I néed easy places for her to go while she has her during the week. Free is always good. My daughter is busy but social skills are very important now.

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Hi Nyissia!

      Thanks so much for being an Out and About Mom reader and coming to our site as a resource for finding activities for your daughter! If you’ve already been checking out our By Town list, you’ve probably noticed the Lutz Children’s Museum on there. That’s a great one in Manchester. They also offer a variety of kids’ classes and when you sign up for the class, admission to the museum that day is included in the class fee, so it’s a great deal. Libraries are also super as many have both play areas and classes, and of course it’s all free, which is wonderful (we love free too!). South Windsor has a great library. Rocky Hill is another one of my favorites. (You can find both on this list). Although I have not been to the Manchester Public Library, we have had readers tell us good things. Another inexpensive option is The Bright Spot in Vernon (there is a link for that in this list as well). They have budget-friendly open play sessions that are a great way for the little ones to socialize.

      Hope this helps! Best of luck with your search.

      Shawna

      Reply

  27. THANK YOU!!! I have recently moved to CT about two years ago and have my first son who is 19 months old. I have recently been made the president of my mom’s group and this website is amazing and so helpful for me to learn of things to do with my son and things to add to our mom’s group. You have made my life 100% easier!!

    Thank you
    Sharon

    Reply

  28. Check out Nomad’s and Veterans Memorial Park (Jem’s Ice Cream is on the same road) in South Windsor. Both claim to be the biggest in the state/NE.

    Reply

  30. Hi! Are you heading to Great Wolf soon? I don’t think I can hold out much longer but don’t want head into it blind! 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Gianna! It makes us so happy to hear that our site is so useful to you! Unfortunately, we do not have any immediate plans to head to Great Wolf. We actually approached them about doing a review earlier this year, but at the time we did not meet their audience requirements for that. We do hope to try again though, but it would not be until the fall at the earliest. We’ve heard great things from lots of friends and readers though, so I am sure you would have a wonderful time! Thanks so much for being an Out and About Mom reader! Best, Shawna

      Reply

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