The top Connecticut playgrounds provide outdoor fun, from Fairfield to Hartford and from new Haven to Stonington. With Spring's arrival, the fresh air, sunshine and reawakening natural world is becoming more and more enticing to Connecticut kids. There are plenty of modern and well-maintained playgrounds to play on for families. There are ones with unique, one-of-a-kind features, tube slides, sandpits, zip lines and all kinds of climbing apparatus'. Many of them have spots to sit down and eat a fun picnic lunch too.

If you're looking for more local fun, check out our favorite neighborhood playgrounds in the Hartford and New London areas. Be sure to sign up for our newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

When mothers-to-be think about what their newborn will need, the best baby stores in Connecticut offer fabulous options for shopping. There are purchases that can be avoided (like, who really uses that wipes warmer, anyway?), but some things need to be researched and selected with care. Mommy Poppins knows there are times in our lives when it seems like everyone is having a baby at the same time too. You have to buy a lot of gifts, and you want each one to be special. We have collected a few really uncommon and distinctive stores to narrow down your shopping  experience. Read on for the best baby stores in Connecticut!

Looking for more fun baby activities? Explore our calender or browse our dedicated baby guide loaded with lots of things to do. And, to stretch that baby-gear dollar, read our tips for How to Get Free Baby Stuff.

The best baby stores in Boston a perfect when you need a gift and crucial when you're expecting. When a new baby is coming, you want to treat them extra-special. So, take the time to shop or to have a one-on-one consultation, because there are only so many times in your life that this will happen! In the Greater-Boston area, there are tons of unique, distinctive, and noteworthy stores where you can purchase everything from a stroller, to a carseat, to an adorable onesie with matching booties and hat. Here are our picks for the best baby stores in Boston and around the city.

For more awesome ideas, places to shop, and things to do with your baby, make sure to check out Mommy Poppins' Baby Guide or follow us on Instagram. And to stretch your baby-gear dollar, explore our tips on How To Get Free Baby Stuff for everything from formula to diapers.

Free museums in Connecticut offer families great fun at the right price. When you're home with the kids and b-o-r-e-d, free museums days are the perfect solution! Connecticut has piles of history, and there's a museum for just about everything. From Indigenous culture to art and puppets, Connecticut museums have something for every kid. Even better, most of Connecticut's greatest museums offer families free admission for some, if not all, of their kids (and even some adults).

Looking for more information? Check out our complete Connecticut museum guide which offers many first-hand visits by staff, and our list of Connecticut museums with sensory-friendly hours.

Find great meal deals at these CT restaurants where kids eat free!

Connecticut families have holiday volunteering opportunities, where they can brighten the holidays for others. Connecticut kids have a lot of love to give, but finding the right place for them to show it can sometimes be challenging. The holiday season is a great time to give to the community and teach kids priceless life lessons. Get them involved at every stage (from shopping to delivering) so that they can get the most out of it.

Of course, don't forget to check local activities in your town for other opportunities! Local charities are often most flexible in offering space to young volunteers.

Looking for fun and festive holiday events to attend with the family too? Take a peek at these 25 Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in New England and around Connecticut.

It's the season for fall day trips from Connecticut! One of the best things about living here is that you can venture to almost all parts of New England from our tiny state. We are centrally located for a jaunt to the beach or a rip to the city. An autumn day-trip with your clan should start early and end when the kids start to run out of steam, so find one that fits your family's style.

Want to take the kids leaf-peeping? Scenic Sunday Drives for Leaf Peeping will point you in the right direction. If you are still looking for some more family fun, take a look at our Fall Fun Guide.

Nestled in the woods of Southeastern Connecticut, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center explores the histories of Native Americans in the region. Owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, the museum wows visitors of all ages with traditional arts and crafts, videos, permanent and temporary exhibits, and amazing archaeological finds. The displays bring the rich history of Indigenous Peoples to life while openning windows into what Connecticut looked like thousands of years ago.

Do your kids love history? There are lots of ways to learn about Connecticut's history in New Haven, Fairfield and Hartford too! For more great educational activities, check out A Visti to the New England Air Museum in Connecticut with Kids and the Stamford Museum & Nature Center: 7 Family-Friendly Things To Do.