Things To Do with Preschoolers in Connecticut: Hartford Area

1. Lutz Museum - Manchester

This place is a preschooler's dream come true. Specifically designed for children ages 5 and under, everything in this museum is on one floor and at child-height. There is a beautiful collection of well-taken care of animals which they use for education and the children can see up close. Children can also explore the pretend-farm area, a kid-size post office, vegetable stand, and schoolhouse. You will end up spending the whole morning here and then someone will take a nap later.

2. New England Air Museum - Windsor Locks

What preschooler wouldn't be amazed at huge planes, a real helicopter, and a hot air balloon? This is a large facility with lots to see. Just for preschoolers, there is a dress-up area where kids can don the uniform of an astronaut or pilot. And there's a cockpit to sitin, move pedals, and maneuver controls. NEAM offers regular Open Cockpit Days when people can sit in several different planes. There's also vacation week activities.

3. Dinosaur State Park - Rocky Hill

Do you have a dinosaur lover? This is the place to go! This state park was erected on the property where actual dino footprints were found (and you can see them inside). There's an amazing diorama, and (to set the mood) it comes complete with sound and lights—not too scary, not too flashy. When you arrive, you will be offered a short video about Connecticut dinosaurs to watch. Then you can stroll the museum, look at footprints, see short videos about the discovery and CT's history, and touch a lot of interesting displays. After that, there is a hands-on room where kids can make footprint bookmarks and play with dino toys. Don't forget to go outside too where there is a board-walked trail to follow in the woods; you and your children get to imagine you are dinosaurs!

 
These activities for preschoolers are nothing to sneeze at! Photo courtesy of the Connecticut Art School

4. Connecticut Art School - South Windsor

A group of dedicated teachers will guide your students on their art experience in classes designed for 4 and 5-year-olds. This class will help your children with finite motor skills as they step out and try to create new things from subjects like animals, still life, art history, vehicles, and buildings. The lessons are guided and utilize many different types of media. See the website for class descriptions and pricing.

5. MusicMakers Academy - Manchester

Have a preschooler interested in music, singing, or learning about instruments? MusicMakers offers Little Mozarts, a private class for kids where they learn about music through a story-book approach. Beethoven Bear, Puccini Pooch, and Mozart Mouse all come alive to make music real for your preschooler. 

6. My Gym - multiple locations

Preschoolers have tons of fun at My Gym, with open play or guided class. My Gym offers a lot of options for preschoolers to get active and use their muscles as well as their brains. There's even a class called "My Gym Preschool Prep" which includes learning your ABC's and 123's. There are so many options too: Might Mites, Ninja Training, Gymnastics, and drop-in play time. 

7. Roaring Brook Nature Center - Canton

A beautiful place to hike and explore the nature center, Roaring Brook Nature Center offers several guided classes that will intrigue your preschooler and expose them to the outdoors. 

8. The Claypen - West Hartford

The Claypen offers many types of pottery classes for adult and kids. Of specific interest would be the "Toddler Time" classes. These classes sell out fast. You can expect your student to create child-centered (pre-made) pieces by adding their own personality with paint and color. See the website for projects and classes in upcoming months. 

9. Sparetime Bowling - multiple locations

Even preschoolers can enjoy bowling. With bumpers and a ramp to help guide the ball, they will feel the success as they make a strike! Set the lane for no bumpers for older siblings and you are all set! Locations in Windsor Locks and Bristol. There is a cafe with kids favorites on site and an arcade for the older kids. 

 
Toddlers and preshoolers love getting close to Connecticut's farm animals. Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm

10. Flamig Farm - West Simsbury

Does your little one love little furry and feathery things? Flamig Farm is a great place for a morning visit or to take a regular farm class. Preschoolers will love the cats and chickens wandering around this sweet petting farm. Maybe this will be the first time they have seen what is in their story books: horses, pigs, alpacas, ducks, geese and so much more. There's even a little play area to meet with friends. 

Things To Do with Preschoolers in Connecticut: Fairfield Area

11. The Bruce Museum - Greenwich

Families and children will enjoy their visit to this world-class art, science and natural history museum. The Bruce Museum offers programming for preschool-age kids, including classes such as Museum-Movers Yoga, Science Solvers, and more. Kids will love the permanent science galleries with live animals. the awsome rock collection and the penguin displays. Single occupant strollers are permitted. 

12. National Helicopter Museum - Stratford

A free and small museum that is great for a morning visit. This museum has a helicopter for kids to look at in person as well as a cool flight simulator. Another preschool-win is that it's located at a train station (two popular vehicles for little kids!). 

13. Hands On Pottery - Fairfield and Darien

There are lots of things to do using paintbrushes, clay molds, your hands, and creativity! Kids love creating something that is one of a kind and has their personality all over it. Kids can choose what they want to paint with a large selection of colors. Kids can make a masterpiece out of everything from a kitty to a car to a mug for mommy!

14. Giggling Pig - Multiple area locations

For the yuounger age, GP offers a beginning art class (4-6) and a Mommy and Me playgroup (PreK). Kids are welcome to get messy, play alongside one another and create too. 

15. Sea Quest - Trumbull

Sea Quest in Trumbull has so many interesting animals, from fish and tortoises to stingrays and more. See them up-close and in-person. Tickets are reasonably prices, and kids can have their birthdays there too. Choose a themed-experience, from Amazing Mammals to Asian Otter and Feathered Friend Safari. 

16. Stepping Stones Museum - Norwalk

There's a lot to do at this kids museum and a lot of it is right at the height of your preschoolers. The Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk offers lots of programming for pre-K kids, such as Art Smarts and Discovery Station. The exhibits are packed with topics that little people love, like dinosaurs, bubbles, the earth, and play.

17. Beardsley Zoo - Bridgeport

Connecticut's Zoo is a must-have experience for all kids, including toddlers nad preschoolers. If you go for a daytime visit, kids can see everything from an American Alligator to a Brazilian Ocelot to a Red Wolf. For preschoolers, the Beardsley offers Zoo Tots, a program held twice a month for 2- to 4-year-olds. This zoo is open every day, 7 days a week (except for major holidays). 

18. Stew Leonards - Norwalk

It's so much more than a grocery store, known as the "Disney Land of Dairy Stores," Stew Leonard's has a lot to look at for little ones. Every month, a new calendar of fun classes is offered, and some are designed just for the preschoolers.  

 
We're on a roll with our picks for the top things to do with preschoolers! Photo courtesy of Tumble Jungle

19. Tumble Jungle - Norwalk

Preschoolers have so much energy to get out, and Tumble Jungle has all the stuff to help them! You will be guaranteed an afternoon nap if this place is your morning stop. The schedule includes Monkey Time (Open Play) and classes for the younger set where they can strengthen their balance, self awareness, and motor skills. The facility has lots of cushioned surfaces, obstacles and climbing apparatus, mats, mirrors, and plenty of space. 

20. Stamford Museum and Nature Center - Stamford

With their massive garden, animals, and natural setting, the Stamford Museum and Nature Center is the spot for Connecticut preschoolers. While the center runs a preschool, they also offer programming for preschoolers like Wonder Art (children 18 months and up with a parent), Outdoor Adventures (family programs), and drop-in programs too. 

Published originally on 1/31/2020