Connecticut

Things To Do in Connecticut this Weekend: Pumpkins, Scarecrows, County Fairs

Submitted by Donald Eng on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 6:00pm

This week the calendar says we are officially entering fall...and that means we can turn our attention to pumpkins and harvest fun. Head over to Seymour for the annual Pumpkin Festival, or travel to Pumpkintown, USA to see the famous collection of jack-o'-lantern people. Kids love making their own scarecrows in Simsbury. And corn mazes are cropping up everywhere!

There also are plenty of other activities this week. Newtown is hosting a free program about polination and Norwalk is celebrating its first-ever Norwalk Strong. And this isn't even counting all the traditional county fairs, like these in Guilford and Orange.

These fall weekends are particularly action packed so make sure that you subscribe to our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook and Instagram so that you won't miss any of the fun! As always, our event calendar is constantly being updated with the latest activities. Have fun!

Music Classes for Children in Hartford County and Central Connecticut

Submitted by Tania Pesce on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 10:30am

Not simple a source of creative expression, music has been known to be critical for brain development, fostering self-esteem, improving language, and building many other great skills. Here's an extensive list of schools that offer instrument lessons (piano, violin, and more) or other music class programs (from movement-based classes to vocal instruction). For even more fun ideas, check out our Connecticut Classes and Enrichment Guide.

Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O-Lantern Displays for New England Families

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 8:00pm

New England is brimming with fall festivals, but kids are particularly enamored with events celebrating the humble pumpkin: the symbol of autumn and Halloween. Whether you stick close to home or make a day or weekend trip out of it, going to a pumpkin festival or visiting a glowing jack-o'-lantern display is a fun, family-friendly way to get into the spirit of the season. Here's a sampling of pumpkin fun in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine over the next month. Get inspired for a trip to the pumpkin patch for a jack-o'-lantern display on your own front porch!

Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US and Caribbean for Families

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 1:07pm

An all-inclusive resort, or one with extra levels of service and amenities, is almost always a boon to parents traveling with their kids. All-inclusive hotels relieve some of the pressure to entertain little ones, feed them, and even make it easier to decide what to do next during a family vacation.

We've rounded up some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, as well as here in the U.S. Of course, they don't always come cheap, so we've included a couple of more budget options, too. These soup-to-nuts getaways will please the most discerning pint-sized guests (and their paying adults).

Read on for family-friendly resorts that make vacations easy, so you can kick back, relax and just enjoy.

Best Hayrides Across Connecticut for Kids and Families

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 10:00am

Like apple picking and pumpkin hunting, hayrides are a seasonal ritual for many Connecticut families and one of our favorite fall things to do. The state's many farms that offer hayrides or wagon rides usually offer other fun activities, like corn mazes and cider making. For more ideas on how to enjoy autumn splendor in southern New England, check out the Mommy Poppins Fall Fun Guide.

Swim Lessons for Kids in and Near Fairfield County, CT

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 11:46am

Whether you have a little fish or a child who is scared around water, swim lessons are important for teaching kids to be comfortable and safe at Connecticut's many pools, lakes, and beaches. The Fairfield area is full of pools offering mommy-and-me, parent-child, and independent swim lessons that develop kids' confidence, survival skills, and individual strokes. Check out our Classes and Activities Guide for even more sporty and aquatic fun.

Interactive 'Dr. Seuss Experience' to Tour North America

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 11:17am

Readers of all ages have probably longed to step inside the colorful and whimsical worlds that exist inside Dr. Seuss' beloved stories. Now fans can finally get their fantastical fix as "The Dr. Seuss Experience," a brand-new exhibit, tours North America. The immersive and interactive celebration of the imagination of author and illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel is billed as a "Seuss-tacular sensory spectacle" families won't want to miss.

Things To Do in Connecticut this Weekend: Hawks, Cider, Berlin Fair

Submitted by Donald Eng on Wed, 09/11/2019 - 8:57pm

With so many corn mazes, festivals, and road races taking place all over the state, it's clear I'm not the only person in an autumn state of mind! On tap this weekend, there's Cider Saturday in New Canaan, the SeptemberFest in Fairfield, and of course, the beloved Berlin Fair. Greenwich Audubon has their annual informative and fun Hawk Watch, which includes lots of opportunities to get up close and personal with birds of prey.

These fall weekends are particularly action packed so make sure that you subscribe to our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook and Instagram so that you won't miss any of the fun! As always, our event calendar is updated with the latest activities, and our top suggestions for fun this weekend are broken down below. Have fun!

Fun Fall Activities for Connecticut Preschoolers

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 09/08/2019 - 1:15pm

So many fall traditions in Connecticut seem tailor-made for preschoolers: Who better to upend a freshly raked leaf pile or run around a pumpkin patch long enough to find that perfect Jack-O-Lantern? From local events like apple festivals and pumpkin carnivals to perennial favorites like apple picking, pumpkin patch visits, and corn mazes, we've rounded up 18 of the best ways to have some big fall adventures with little companions this fall. And don't forget our fall fun guide has even more ideas for making the most of the season in Connecticut.

Quebec City with Kids: 25 Things To Do in Old Quebec and Beyond

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 09/07/2019 - 2:15pm

Quebec City is often touted as a European vacation alternative—a picturesque city where you can walk cobblestone streets, sit in bistros, and order in French without a transatlantic plane ticket. Yes, Quebec’s old town streets are quaint and pedestrian-friendly, but families should visit Quebec City because it’s full of wonderful and unique attractions and culture in its own right. It's also a great pre or post cruise destination.

As the only walled city in North America and a Unesco World Heritage site, this Canadian city is full of history. Yet, the best things to do in Quebec City also include modern attractions, such as family-friendly museums, an indoor amusement park, and lots of great outdoor spaces, parks, and festivals that make it a fun place to visit.

Read on to discover the top things to do in Quebec City with kids. Then make sure to read about our top picks for Quebec City restaurants for families.