MommyPoppins.com
MAKE YOUR DAY
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact
Connecticut
  • Anywhere
  • New York City
  • Dallas Fort Worth
  • Atlanta
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Houston
  • Miami South Florida
  • Philadelphia
  • Washington DC
  • Orlando
  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Connecticut
  • Long Island
  • New Jersey
  • Westchester
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact

HOME - Connecticut

Activity Calendar

Providers

Calendar  
  • Events

  • Deals

  • This Week's Picks

  • Activity Providers

  • Submit an Activity

Connecticut Guide  
  • Baby Guide

  • Preschoolers

  • Parks & Playgrounds

  • Free Activities

  • Restaurants

Things To Do  
  • Crafts for Kids

  • Recipes

  • Science for Kids

  • Games & Activities

  • Outdoors

  • Online & Virtual

Camps & Classes  
  • Camps Guide

  • Classes Guide

  • Preschools & Schools Guide

  • Directory

Parties & Holidays  
  • Gift Guide

  • Birthday Parties

  • Party Providers

  • Holidays

  • Spring Guide

  • Summer Guide

  • Fall Guide

  • Winter Guide

Family Travel  
  • Day Trips

  • Family Vacations

  • Theme & Water Parks

  • Resorts & Hotels

  • NYC Visitors' Guide for Families

  • New England Guide

  • Poconos Vacation Guide

  • Cape Cod & The Islands

Contact

Sign up for our free newsletters.
Time to treasure som family fun in CT this  weekend! Pirate Adventures at Essex Steam Train and Riverboat. Event photo by Kim Tyler © . All rights reserved.
KidzBop, Teddy Bear Festival, and More Fun Things To Do in CT This Weekend
There is totally cool fun in Connecticut for July 2025! Teddy Bear Fest at the Beardsley Zoo. Photo courtesy of the event.
Best Things To Do in Connecticut July 2025 with Kids
GUIDE
Connecticut Kids Summer Guide: 591 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things To Do
Ride, splash, and have gallons of fun at the best outdoor water parks in New England! Splash Away Bay Water Park photo courtesy of Quassy Amusement Park
Best Outdoor Water Parks in New England for Family Fun
The kids can hang out and have fun with the top free things to do in Connecticut! Earthplace photo by Zoe Brown, courtesy of the center.
100 Free Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids
Summer camps help kids learn new skills and make new friends
GUIDE
Connecticut Summer Camp Guide
Nominate your child to step into the American Eagle Production Booth at a memorable Yard Goats game.
SPONSORED
Enter Your Child to Be the Next Junior Announcer at a Yard Goats Game–It’s Unforgettable!
Our ultimate Connecticut bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut with kids! Mystic Seaport photo by author Kelly Patino
Ultimate Connecticut Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in CT
Grab some friends for some birthday laps around the track. Photo courtesy of RPM Raceway
Fun Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Tweens and Teens
By land, by sea,  by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
Best Museums for Kids in Connecticut: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
Hop aboard for a trip through Litchfield County and fun things to do with kids! Naugatuck Railroad photo courtesy of the Railroad Museum of New England.
25 Things to Do With Kids in Litchfield, Connecticut
Find beautiful fields of flowers in Connecticut, with pick-your-own flowers and beautiful scenery! Photo courtesy of Halfinger Farms
Spring Flower Fields in Connecticut: Pick Your Favorites, Stroll the Fields
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway
Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut.
GUIDE
Connecticut Guide to Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones
New England Family Travel Guide
Bubbles are a classic free fun activity for Connecticut kids
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do for Connecticut Kids
Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
GUIDE
Connecticut Day Trips & Weekend Getaways Guide
Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
Best Petting Zoos in Connecticut: Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos
Photo courtesy of Just Hatched
Best Baby Boutiques for Cool Baby Clothes in Connecticut
Find a sweet treat for the whole family at the best places for breakfast in Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Hotcakes
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut
As classic as the roller rink or modern as a VR experience, these fun indoor places are perfect spots for teens and tweens to hang out! Photo by Ally Noel
Fun Places in Connecticut Where Tweens and Teens Can Hang Out Indoors
Parents can enjoy some relaxation when their kids spend time at the
10 Family-Friendly Hotels and Spa Resorts in Connecticut
A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures
The Best Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in Connecticut
Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers
Find family fare and great deals at these Connecticut restaurants where kids eat free! Photo courtesy of Canva
Kids Eat Free: Connecticut Restaurants for Every Day of the Week
Flat walking trails make Wharton Brook State Park a sure bet for kid hikers. Photo by Mommy Poppins
A Dozen Short Hikes in Connecticut for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel
Top Attractions in Connecticut: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
From rolling hills and lakes to scenic views and summits, there's great outdoor adventure for families at Connecticut state parks. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
25 Connecticut State Parks and Forests That Are Great to Visit with Kids
Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons
Top Connecticut Playgrounds That Families Will Love
Run through the vineyards at Aquila's Nest. Photo courtesy of Aquila's Nest, Facebook
The Best Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in Connecticut
Practice new skills at Calf's Pasture Beach, photo courtesy of Norwalk Skate Park, Facebook
Top Skate Parks in Connecticut
Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
  VIDEO
25 Preschool Science Experiments: Simple Science for Toddlers through Kindergarten Kids
Revel in nature's majesty at Webb Mountain. Photo by Ally Noel
Best Nature Centers in Connecticut To Visit with Kids
We’ve rounded up the best escape rooms in Connecticut for a fun family outing!
Awesome Escape Rooms in CT: Kid-Friendly Parties and Family Adventures
The festivities get downright magical with Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT! Photo courtesy of Dean Davids Magician
Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT That Come To You
FIND AND BOOK ACTIVITIES
calendar icon
This Week In
Connecticut
Riverfront Food Truck Festival in Hartford
Riverfront Plaza - 11:00 AM Pick
Children's Performance Series; Jason Pipitone Variety Show at Wickham Park
Wickham Park - 11:00 AM Pick
Swiftie Nigh For Swifites at Danbury Library
Danbury Public Library - 5:30 PM Pick
Art Happy Hour at New Britain Museum of American Art
New Britain Museum of American Art - 5:30 PM Pick
Rock the Block in Milford
Bank Street - 6:30 PM Pick
Wicked Themed Workshop at Square Foot Theater Company
Square Foot Theater Company - 9:00 AM Pick
New Canaan 2025 Village Fair and Sidewalk Sale
Downtown New Canaan - 9:00 AM Pick
Valley Shakespeare Festival
Quarry Walk - 7:00 PM Pick
Hartford Festival of Jazz
Bushnell Park and Downtown Hartford - various times Pick
Open Play at Valley Kids Co. in Canton
The Shops at Farmington Valley - 9:30 AM
Featured
New Canaan 2025 Village Fair and Sidewalk Sale
Downtown New Canaan - 9:00 AM
Family Pirate Adventures at Essex Steam Train and Riverboat
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Ride - 9:30 AM Pick
Sunflowers for Wishes at Buttonwood Farm
Buttonwood Farm - 10:00 AM Pick
Teddy Bear Fest at the Beardsley Zoo
Beardsley Zoo - 10:00 AM Pick
Dino Trolley at Connecticut Trolley Museum
Connecticut Trolley Mueum - 10:00 AM Pick
Princess Playdate with Ariel at The Giggling Pig
The Giggling Pig Milford - 9:30 AM Pick
Sunflowers for Wishes at Buttonwood Farm
Buttonwood Farm - 10:00 AM Pick
Dino Trolley at Connecticut Trolley Museum
Connecticut Trolley Mueum - 10:00 AM Pick
Princess in the Park at Ballard Park
Ballard Park - 11:00 AM Pick
Summer Party at Elicit Brewing
Elicit Brewing Fairfield - 3:30 PM Pick
Sunflowers for Wishes at Buttonwood Farm
Buttonwood Farm - 10:00 AM Pick
Christmas in July Drop In Crafts at Fairfield Museum
Fairfield Museum and Historical Center - 10:00 AM Pick
Blue Monday Concerts in Mystic
Mystic River Park - 6:00 PM Pick
Monday Movie Night at Parkville Market
Parkville Market - 7:00 PM Pick
The Moth Ball at Earthplace
Earthplace - 8:00 PM Pick
Sunflowers for Wishes at Buttonwood Farm
Buttonwood Farm - 10:00 AM Pick
Christmas in July Drop In Crafts at Fairfield Museum
Fairfield Museum and Historical Center - 10:00 AM Pick
Tuesday Tunes Kids Concerts in Newtown
Dickinson Park - 11:00 AM Pick
Cookie Decorating Workshop at Stew Leonards's
Stew Leonard's Executive Kitchen - 1:30 PM Pick
Museum Children Free Week at White Memorial Conservation Center
White Memorial Conservation Center - 9:00 AM
Sunflowers for Wishes at Buttonwood Farm
Buttonwood Farm - 10:00 AM Pick
Peanut Butter Jam Concerts at the Sherman Green
Sherman Green Gazebo - 10:15 AM Pick
Teen Art Program at Yale Art Galley
Yale Art Gallery - 3:00 PM Pick
Vernon’s Annual Summer Days Carnival
Rockville High School - 6:00 PM Pick
Roger Sherman Baldwin Park Concerts in Greenwich
Roger Sherman Baldwin Park - 7:00 PM Pick
SEE ALL ACTIVITIES
SUBMIT AN ACTIVITY +
New Canaan 2025 Village Fair and Sidewalk Sale
Downtown New Canaan
Sign up for our free newsletters.
FOLLOW US FOR ACTIVITY PICKS, DEALS, AND GIVEAWAYS
FaceBook Instagram Twitter Pinterest YouTube
Activity Guides
  • Beaches & Lakes
  • Best Of Lists
  • Birthday Parties
  • Boats
  • Boredom Busters
  • Camps
  • Childcare
  • Christmas/Hanukkah
  • City Guides
  • City Hacks
  • Classes & Enrichment
  • Community
  • Crafts & Recipes
  • Earth Kids
  • Easter
  • Fairs & Festivals
  • Fall Activities
  • Family Travel
  • Farms & U-Pick
  • Free Activities
  • GoList
  • Halloween
  • Holidays
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Indoor Activities
  • Museums
  • News & Openings
  • Outdoors
  • Parent Talk
  • Parks & Playgrounds
  • Play Gyms & Sports Centers
  • Pools & Spray Parks
  • Preschools & Schools
  • Restaurants
  • Shows
  • Skiing & Winter Sports
  • Special Needs
  • Special Occasions
  • Sports
  • Spring Activities
  • STEM
  • Stores & Services
  • Summer Activities
  • Theme & Water Parks
  • Trains, Dinos & Heroes
  • TV, Film & Movies
  • Virtual
  • Visitors Guide
  • Weekend Events
  • Weekend Trips
  • Winter Activities
  • Zoos & Gardens
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pin It WhatsApp

Fun Things to do With Kids in West Hartford, CT

2/3/17 - By Pam Hegner

West Hartford constantly receives accolades as a wonderful place to live and raise a family. In recent years, Family Circle magazine listed it as one of the "Top 10 Towns for Families." Here you will find a diverse, highly-motivated community that cares deeply about education and culture. Known for excellent schools and a vibrant economy, this Hartford area town is not only a fantastic place to call home, but also a great destination for a day trip.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

West Hartford is the birthplace of Noah Webster, the influential author who wrote the American Dictionary of the English Language and the Blue-Backed Speller.  You can visit the Noah Webster House, his childhood home, and enjoy hands-on exhibits and several children's programs throughout the year.

About a mile up the street, a statue of Mr. Webster greets visitors outside the Noah Webster Library at Blue Back Square. Can you tell he's West Hartford's favorite son? The library has a large children's section with a mini bank, puppet show, and well-equipped play area. There are also two smaller libraries: Faxon Branch in the Elmwood (south) section of town, and the Bishops Corner Branch on the north side. Blue Back Square is home to the main branch, and is a lovely place to stroll around with shops and restaurants. An outdoor pergola is popular for free, live music in the summer.   

Across the street from Blue Back, you'll find "The Center," the bustling heart of this community. Several shops, boutiques, pubs and eateries welcome you as you stroll down Farmington Avenue and Lasalle Road. Get creative at the Claypen, a paint-your-own pottery studio that all ages will enjoy. The Toy Chest has been the go-to toy store since 1956 and offers classes and free gift wrapping. Shopping will make you hungry, so for a delicious sandwiches, soups, and desserts at Elmwood Pastry Shop. If you need a cocktail or a great meal, check out Max Burger, which can accommodate every dietary need and provides a great child-friendly atmosphere and menu. For the best pizza in town, check out Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana on New Britain Avenue.

A short walk from the center you'll find The Children's Museum of West Hartford. Here you'll find several hands-on permanent and traveling exhibits, a planetarium, live animals, and more. The museum needs a bit of a face lift, but it is still worth a trip; if you plan on visiting more than once, a yearly pass is a must since admission for a family of four will cost you nearly $60.

The Park Road Association holds the annual Park Road Parade in October, a favorite among families. Effie's Place is an institution on Park Road, known for delicious breakfasts, and Greek and Italian specialties. Just up the road from Effie's you'll find Playhouse on Park, an intimate professional theater that features several children's shows each year. A.C. Petersen Farms is conveniently located next door, offering delicious treats since 1940, including milkshakes, specialty sundaes (think warm chocolate molten lava cake topped with your choice of ice cream), and pies.

On the north side of town, near Bishops Corner, you'll find Westmoor Park, an environmental and education center open to the public. You can explore (for free!) the farm, barns, fields, gardens, ponds, and trails. Year round, the park hosts nature programs and camps through the town's Leisure Services department for very reasonable rates. 

There is no shortage of recreation and natural beauty in the town rated #1 overall by Hartford Magazine. Veterans Memorial Skating Rink prides itself on public lessons, ice time, and DJ Skate. Several parks and town pools are available, including newly-renovated Fernridge Park (AKA Fern). Fern has two playscapes, tennis courts, baseball fields, a splashpad, and an infinity pool.  The Metropolitan District Reservoirs boast more than 3,000 acres of woodlands to hike, bike, run, snowshoe, or cross country ski. On the Hartford border, you'll find gorgeous Elizabeth Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In June, the world-famous rose garden comes alive with thousands of plants in different varieties and colors. The weekly, free, outdoor summer concert series captures the spirit of the West Hartford as children run and play, while great music lingers in the flower-scented air.

Originally published 1/19/14.

 

City Guides Preschoolers Kids Tweens & teens Hartford West Hartford Connecticut

Featured Local Savings

Sign up for our free
newsletters.
New York City
Dallas Fort Worth
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Houston
Miami South Florida
Philadelphia
Washington DC
Orlando
Los Angeles
San Francisco Bay Area
Connecticut
Long Island
New Jersey
Westchester
MommyPoppins.com
Mommy Poppins is a family activity website that helps people find things to do with kids.
QUICK LINKS
Activities
Providers
Family Travel
CONTACT
Newsletter Subscribe
Contact
About
SITEMAP
Submit an Activity
List Your Business
Advertise with Us
© 2025 MommyPoppins. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Use.
5.342
X
Click Here to Sign Up!
Register/Login if you don't want to see this popup.