25 Things To Do With Kids in Milford, CT

Milford is home to frolicking fun and more great things to do with kids! Fairy Frolic photo courtesy of Milford CT City Hall
Milford is home to frolicking fun and more great things to do with kids! Fairy Frolic photo courtesy of Milford CT City Hall
7/23/23 - By Makayla O'Keefe

Milford, CT, known as 'a small city with a big heart,’ is located at the Southern tip of New Haven County. Milford offers a small town vibe with plenty of New England appeal. From Hotchkiss Bridge for the best waterfall views, to the Sundae House for a an upside down banana split, Milford has so much to offer. A community designed for families, this town is quick to show its big heart. Here's our list of the top 25 things to do with kids in Milford!

For more great family fun in New Haven County and all over Connecticut, check out our 100 Things To Do in Connecticut Before Kids Grow Up.

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25 Things to Do With Kids in Milford, CT

1. Scoot & Paddle

Tucked in the Walnut Beach business community, Scoot & Paddle rents kayaks, paddle boards, bikes, and motor scooters for full or half days. Children’s bicycles and bike trailers are available for rental.

2. Coastal Center at Milford Point

Located at the outermost tip of the city, this coastal haven harbors all types of wildlife inside and out. Check out the snakes, turtles, and fish located inside the Audubon. Be sure to climb the spiral staircase to the tower for spectacular views of the marsh and Long Island Sound. The Coastal Center offers a monthly “Sea Squirts” program for preschoolers.

Photo of Walnut Beach Creamery - Things To Do in Milford, CT 
Treat yourselves to some of Milford's best at Walnut Beach Creamery. Photo courtesy of Walnut Beach Creamery

3. Walnut Beach Creamery

Crafting each small batch of their gourmet ice cream by hand, Walnut Beach Creamery offers everything from Cinnamon Toast to Chocolate Chili to Peanut Butter Ice cream (from April through October).

4. Launch

With over 10,000 sq. feet of trampolines, you can catch some serious air at Launch. With dodgeball, a ninja course, a rock wall, and more, Launch is a top destination in Milford for kids (and adults) of all ages.

5. Walnut Beach Boardwalk

Built in 2011, this three-quarter mile boardwalk connects the neighboring seaside communities of Walnut Beach and Silver Sands. One of the longest continuous boardwalks in the state, this boardwalk skirts the edge of a vibrant bird habitat and the Long Island Sound. We should mention there are no dogs and no bikes permitted on the boardwalk.

Photo of child at splash pad in Bodie's Place in Milford, CT. 
Bodie's Place is the perfect stop for some outdoor fun in Milford! Photo courtesy of Bodie's Place

6. Bodie’s Place

Undoubtedly the city’s most-visited playground, Bodie’s Place, located inside of Eisenhower Park, offers hours of fun year any time of year. The playground was especially designed to accommodate children of all abilities with sensory activities by including oversized structures and plenty of open spaces.

7. Colony Grill

Home of the original ‘hot oil pizza,’ Colony Grill serves up 12” thin-crust pies in the former Milford landmark Harrison’s Hardware store. Kids will love seeing photos lining the walls of local police and fire department heroes.

8. Bounce Town USA

Milford is home to Connecticut’s largest indoor inflatable adventure zone. Bounce Town USA offers inflatable obstacle courses, slides, rock climbs, and other surprises you’ll have to ‘bounce in’ to see.

9. Greek Spot Café

This family-run, delightfully casual Greek café offers some of the best carry out food in the city. It's one of the only restaurants located within walking distance to the beach (it’s literally across the street) making for easy and quick lunch while spending a day at Silver Sands State Park. We highly recommend the chicken souvlaki and spanakopita.

10. Anchor Beach to Woodmont Beach Walk

Pick up this walk, at just under three-quarters of a mile, at the public parking lot on Beach Ave and walk alongside the Anchor Beach toward flag rock and follow the sidewalk along the water until you connect to Woodmont Beach. This is a stroller friendly, scooter and bicycle friendly, and, toddler approved walk. It’s probably our family’s very favorite.

 
Mondo Pond fishing photo courtesy of Milford CT City Hall

11. Mondo Ponds

The Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve includes five ponds and wetlands with walking trails on 36 acres of property on the west side of town. Be sure to bring your binoculars (and fishing pole) as Mondo Pond harbors some of the best bird-watching in the city. The main trail loop is a perfect under-an-hour loop for kids.

12. Milford Arts Council

For fifty years, the Milford Arts Council, easily mistaken for a train station, has brought spectacular programming for the arts to the city of Milford. Catch a production, learn to dance, or pop in to watch some of the children’s productions during the summer months.

13. Cinemark Connecticut Post 14 and IMAX

Catch a movie on the big screen at the movie theater located inside the Connecticut Post Mall.

14. The Connecticut Post Mall

Speaking of the Connecticut Post Mall, this Milford shopping center has lots to offer in any kind of weather. There are multiple spots for video games, kiddie rides, and plenty of ice cream and pizza!

15. Spring Meadow Farm

Have a horse-lover in the house? Spring Meadow Farm offers beginning riding lessons for kids ages 4 and up. They also offer therapeutic riding for kids between the ages of 6 and 12.

16. Eisenhower Park

Arguably the best park in Milford, Eisenhower offers three miles of trails on a fairly flat terrain. You can go on a 20 minute adventure, or, pack a picnic and make a day of it. There’s a great bug-themed letterboxing trail perfect for kids. And when you’re done, head up to Bodie’s Place.

17. Milford Ice Pavillion

The Northford Ice Pavilion offers a wonderful introduction to hockey and to figure skating and offers a unique spot for hosting a birthday party. Check the website for free-skating hours.

18. Strawberry Picking at Glendale Farms

With so many pick-your-own farm giants in neighboring towns, many haven’t heard of Glendale Farms. Known primarily for its annuals and vegetable business, Glendale also offers PYO strawberries beginning in early June. 

19. Milford Riders Club

Got the need for speed? Take your kiddos to watch The Milford Riders Club. Mondays and Thursdays are designated peewee night reserved for beginning riders and young kids. There is no fee for spectators on Mondays. Check their calendar for ongoing events.

20. Milford Public Library

Located right in the heart of downtown, the Milford Library offers a wonderful children’s department and ongoing programming Monday through Thursdays for kids. From Spanish-English story time to Lego Club to monthly cooking demos, the library offers something for kids of all ages.

Photo of child smiling with ice cream - Things To Do in Milford 
Milford Scoopy Doos Ice Cream is delicious, with a marshmallow at the bottom of every cone! 

21. Scoopy Doos

Serving Milford’s own Buck’s French ice cream, Scoopy Doos has been scoopin’ over eighty flavors of ice cream downtown for nearly 20 years. In the summer, you’re sure to see a line a mile-long but we assure you, it’s worth the wait.

Related: Train Rides for Kids: Fun on the Metro North-New Haven Line

22. Gulf Beach

With picnic areas and plenty of sand, Gulf Beach is worth a full day or a quick visit for the view of Charles Island.

23. Goodie's at Gulf Beach

Working up an appetite during your day at the beach? Goodies serves up classic beach stand burgers, hot dogs, and fries right at Gulf Beach.

Photo of Gulf Beach - Things To Do in Milford
Stop by Gulf Beach for a bite to eat and fabulous views!  Photo by kenneth casper/CC By 2.0

24. Wilcox Park

Wilcox Park features 12 acres of wooded trails on a bluff overlooking the harbor. Look for birds along a moderate half-mile hike and watch the boats from the park's scenic viewpoint.

25. Bowlero

With bowling and arcade games, Bowlero is a must-visit destination and one of our favorite things to do with kids in Milford!

​Cover photo courtesy of Walnut Beach Creamery