50 Things To Do in Stamford with Kids - Top Attractions

1. Stamford Museum & Nature Center

You’ll feel miles and miles from 'the city that works’ on this sprawling landscape filled with farm animals and art displays.

2. ​Soundwaters

Pop in here while you’re in Cove Island Park to show the kids what lurks beneath the surface of the Sound. 

3. Chelsea Piers

All kinds of drop-in play: Splash Zone, trampoline, batting cages, rock climbing, ice skating...

4. Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens

Explore the 91 acre nature preserve and discover an absolutely enchanting botanical gardens with 12 gardens and hundreds of new species.

5. RPM Raceway

Their signature indoor electronic Go Kart action boasts a competitive go-kart race track plus a bowling alley, arcade, virtual reality experiences, and race simulators.

6. The 'Fish Church'

Just to temper that last entry, we leave you with the one-of-a-kind First Presbyterian Church. The sanctuary was designed in the mid-1950s by Wallace K. Harrison to look like a fish, an early Christian symbol. That means when you enter, it's like being INSIDE a fish. It's a larger-than-life, stain-glassed, Jonah and the whale experience!

7. Harbor Point Trolley

Launched in early 2014, this timeless trolley car connects the city's South End to Downtown. It was conceived with commuter convenience in mind, but with a price of FREE, anyone with young kids could make an adventure out of this. The trolley courses its 30-minute loop 7 days a week!

 
Head to Cove Island Park for some outdoor fun! Cove Island Park photo courtesy of the City of Stamford

Things To Do in Stamford with Kids - Outdoor Fun

8. Cove Island Park

Cove Island Park features a one mile loop around an open grassy space perfect for flying kites in the wind off the Sound. And there are two sandy beaches for a day at the beach!

9. Schooner excursions by Soundwaters

Soundwaters offers 2-hour sailing trips on afternoons and evenings.

10. Mill River Park

Check out this five-year-old pastoral paradise right along Mill River in Stamford. There is plenty of green space to explore throughout the park, a carousel, and a steady stream of fun events like concerts, mommy & me classes, and more. 

11. Holly Pond

Pull off Weed Avenue, pick a bench, and enjoy watching the swans and other waterfowl in Holly Pond.

12. Cummings Park

Enjoy the beach, boardwalk, and fishing pier in the tony Shippan section of Stamford. The catch - if you aren’t a resident you’ll want to visit in the off season, or pay $20/car to enter.

13. Sterling Farms Driving Range

Great for bonding time with your teen - you can chat it up, or operate in silence. April-October.

14. Jesse Lewis Playground at West Beach

This very special playground was built by local volunteers together with the Sandy Ground Project and Where Angels Play Foundation to celebrate the life of Sandy Hook student, Jesse Lewis. The playground and it's in a lovely spot on the sand, right by the water.

15. Commons Park

This modern playground in the Harbor Point development features an outdoor food kiosk offering burgers, hot dogs, fries, smoothies, wrap sandwiches and soft serve ice cream. The city often hosts outdoor movies in the park, and the kids can play before (and during) the movie.  

16. Milanus River Park

Milanus River Park features miles of trails await for exploring nature as a family.

17. Twin Meadows Boundless Playground

This wonderful playground for children of all abilities can be found behind Stillmeadow Elementary School and features an expansive, sensory based play structure, swings for kids of all sizes, and a tree house.

18. Scalzi Park

The beautiful, nicely shaded playground features separate sections and swings for little and big kids and a padded surface underneath for safety. There's also a splash pad, a half mile bike loop, a jogging path, baseball fields, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, volleyball nets, basketball courts, and even a skate park.

 
Get your skate on at Stamford's Twin Rinks all year long! Photo courtesy of Twin Rinks

Things To Do in Stamford with Kids - Indoor Activities

19. Soccer Fun Zone

Kids and adults can up their futbol game at this indoor soccer spot in Downtown Stamford.

20. The Best Time Ever

The Best Time Ever in Stamford provides quality year-round art programs, both scheduled and drop-in.

21. Trap't

Plot your escape from Trap't, an escape-room in Stamford.

22. Stamford JCC

Sign up for swimming lessons, summer fun, mommy & me classes, and more. And the Stamford JCC has plenty of outdoor activities too!

23. Avon Theater

Sometimes you won't want cutting edge cinema or bad blockbusters. You want tried and true. Catch a classic film like Jaws with your teens - on the big screen.

24. Twin Rinks

Get your skate on with the family during year-round open skating sessions at Twin Rinks in Stamford.

25. Stamford Town Center

The Stamford town center is a mall. It's great for exploring on a rainy day, with an indoor play space and good shopping.

26. The Palace Theatre

If Broadway's still a bit far for your brood, all sorts of quality shows come through here. Your kids can also take part in dance and acting programs geared toward them.

27. Connecticut Dance Center

This Stamford dance studio welcomes students of all ages and abilities, beginning with mommy-and-me. So throw on your tutu and get ready to boogie!

28. Ferguson Library

With a wide range of story times, the Ferguson Library is a wonderful spot to check out with your wee ones. Also, Stamford's Ferguson is one of the largest libraries in Connecticut. 

29. Family Tree Yoga

This yoga haven for families in Fairfield County, Family Tree Yoga offers prenatal yoga, baby and me yoga, and other classes. Plus, Family Tree offers workshops, story time, socials, and more.

 
Treat yourself to some delicious morsels eating in Stamford with kids! Photo by Ally Noel

Things To Do in Stamford - Places to Eat with Kids

30. Elm Street Diner

You absolutely have to try one of Elm City's famous milkshakes or cake shakes. We love the Cookies and Cream but you really can't go wrong. 

31. Milk N Cookies

This is THE place to go for incredible, ice cream, cookies, and other sweets. You'll thank us later. 

32. Farmers Market

Find the freshest produce, baked goods and flowers at this weekly market. Remember to involve the kids in the picking process!

33. Lorca 

Can you say 'alfajor latte'?  Don't shy from bringing the kids to this Latin-influenced coffeehouse.  You'll down the aforementioned alfajor latte, they'll chomp on churros (or you'll share).  Lorca has lunch offerings, too.

34. Lucky’s Diner

It’s a throwback to the 1950s at Lucky's Diner in Stamford. Send out a chocolate malt on the double!

35. Brennan's By The Beach

This seaside locale offers New England fare with a perfect summer vibe. (And a great date night!)

36. Garden Catering

If the homemade chicken nuggets don’t draw you in, the cones will (sort of a deep-fried mashed potato…mmmmm)

37. Colony Grill

The original location for Hot Oil pizza. Yum.

38. 16 Handles

16 Handles has 16 flavors of soft-serve, with fun flavors, gluten-free offerings, vegan soft-serve, and other innovative treats.

39. Sunny Daes

Located close to Cummings Park, Sunny Daes has delicious homemade ice cream, with cones, sundaes, floats, shakes, and more!

 
The Thanksgiving Parade ia a BIG thing in Stamford! Photo courtesy of the City of Stamford

Things To Do in Stamford with Kids - Seasonal Events

40. Holiday Model Train Display

The Holiday Model Train Display is an annual holiday tradition in Stamford.

41. Stamford Fireworks

Around the 4th of July, Stamford puts on a rocking fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day.

42. St. Patrick's Day Parade

The City of Stamford celebrates all things Irish every Saint Patrick's Day.

43. Hey Stamford Food Festival

Every summer Stamford is filled with vendors offering delicious food of all kinds.

44. Free summer movies

Grab your picnic basket and lawn chairs and head out for a movie under the stars at Stamford's Mill River Park.

45. Arbor Earth Day Family Festival

The Bartlett Arboretum celebrates Earth Day every spring.

46. Thanksgiving Parade

The Sunday before Thanksgiving join 100,000 other spectators downtown, for one of the largest character-balloon displays in the country.  Basically, do this instead of trekking into NYC four days later!

47. ​Heights & Lights

Santa rappels down a skyscraper and leads the cheering throngs to the city's tree lighting. Top that.

48. Maple Sugar Fest Sundays

The Stamford Nature Center hosts a sweet maple-tapping event in late winter.

49. Fun Saturday Mornings

Mill River Park has fun activities for families on Summer Staurdays.

50. Annual Stamford Charity Chili Cookoff

Have fun and contribute to a great cause at this annual Stamford event!

Photos Courtesy of Ally Noel unless stated otherwise.

Originally published 2014. Updated in 2018 and 2024.