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These fun things to do with kids over Christmas vacation in CT will have you feeling the joy! Photo courtesy of Hebron Lights in Motion
These fun things to do with kids over Christmas vacation in CT will have you feeling the joy! Photo courtesy of Hebron Lights in Motion
12/17/23 - By Ally Noel

There's so much for Connecticut families to do to keep busy over Christmas vacation. So, if you're searching for ways to keep kids a little busier, check out our list of 30 fun and enriching activities. These holiday break activities offer something for everyone, from ice skating to nature classes to fireworks to trains and trolleys! 

For even more ideas to keep the entire family entertained during school break, bookmark the Mommy Poppins events calendar and our Connecticut Holiday Fun Guide. Follow us on Instagram for our latest finds. 

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Christmas Vacation in CT: Things To Do near Hartford

1. Catch some basketball when the Harlem Globetrotters come to Hartford.

2. Indulge in Cocoa and Crafts: Where the Wild Things Are at Connecticut Museum of Culture and History (kids 10 and under).

3. Take the family to see the the 6pm fireworks show at First Night Hartford.

4. Celebrate this season of lights at the Magic of Lights drive-thru light display in East Hartford or Fantasy of Lights in New Haven. 

5. Participate in the Winter vacation camp at the Eleanor Buck Nature Center.

6. Ride the trolley's at the Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights in East Windsor.

7. Come see a live animal feeding at Northwest Park in Windsor.

8. Learn all about the things that have been invented in Connecticut, like the lollipop or the lobster-roll

Photo of family ice skating - Christmas Vacation in CT 
Get in some outdoor skating during Connecticut's holiday break. Skating rink photo courtesy of Winterfest Hartford

9. Spend some time ice skating at Winterfest at Bushnell Park.

10. Celebrate New Year's Eve kid-style at Nomads Noon Year's Eve Celebration.

Christmas Vacation in CT: Things To Do in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties

11. Learn about all the global festive traditions at Stepping Stone during their Let's Celebrate! exhibit.

12. Take in a viewing of The Polar Express at the IMAX Theater at the Maritime Aquarium.

13. Take in a Christmas play in Bridgeport at the Cabaret Theater (The Santa Story).

14. Cross your fingers for snow and for New Years Eve, go skiing at Sundown First Night.. 

15. Play games, make crafts and learn about the Native Americans at Winter in the Woodlands.

16. Bring your little train-lover to "All Aboard" Storytime at Fairfield Museum and Historical Center. 

17. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride and see the petting zoo at Christmas in the Country in Torrington. 

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​18. Send the kids to a day of Winter Break "Camp" at Stonington Community Center.

19. Awaken your Sweet Tooth at Lyman Orchards with some freshly made sugar cookies.

20. Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Merry Days and Jolly Nights monthly celebration.

21. Check out the largest display of holiday lights in all of New England at Olde Mistick Village.

22. Take a nature class at Denison Pequotsepsos Nature Center.

23. Dive into a world of candy at Niantic Children's Museum's Wonka Week.

24. See the BenAnna Band live at Mystic Seaport for the New Year's Eve countdown.

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25. Go see amazing, tiny model trains in Hamden and Stamford.

26. Spot a Bald Eagle out in the wild (don't forget your binoculars!) at the Shepaug Dam.

27. Don't miss your chance to see one of the most unique shows around: Hip Hop Nutcracker.

Christmas Vacation in CT: Things To Do Around Connecticut

28. Get out and see the amazing neighborhood holiday lights all over Connecticut before they go dark for the 2023 season.

29. Learn to skate at one of Connecticut's outdoor ice rinks.

30. Dress warmly and go snow tubing at one these fun places.

 

 

 

An earlier version of this post by Jacqueline Miller ran in 2019.

Updated December 2022, 2023