Fall Bucket List for Kids: Top Things To Do in Connecticut This Fall
Do you have a fall bucket list for kids? We've got you covered with a guide to the top things to do in Connecticut this fall. Autumn is the best time of year in New England. Between the apples, farms, mazes and shoreline, there is something to do for everyone. Families looking for a weekend of fun or maybe a day trip will be able to make unforgettable memories as the leaves begin to change. So read on for our fall bucket list for kids and the best family activities in Connecticut this fall!
For more family fun this autumn, see our Connecticut Fall Fun Guide. And remember to check out our events calendar for the latest seasonal activities.
Fall Bucket List for Kids: Top Things To Do in Connecticut This Fall
1. Take a trip to Mystic.
Visit Mystic—it's fun anytime of the year. The sea lion show at the Mystic Aquarium is particularly entertaining.
Kids can get hands-on with Native American experiences in Washington. Photo courtesy of the Institute of American Indian Studies
2. Visit the Institute of American Indian Studies.
Experience a replica of an Algonkian Village at the Institute of American Indian Studies.
3. See some pumpkins at the Seymour Pumpkin Festival.
Bring the whole family to ride the carnival rides and see all the crafts at the annual Pumpkin Festival.
4. Learn all about cider-making at the New Canaan Nature Center.
Sample some fresh cider and other fall treats at Cider Saturday in New Canaan.
Connecticut Gothic-Pumpkintown USA is back this fall! Photo courtesy of Pumpkintown, USA
5. Visit Pumpkintown, USA.
Wave to some Jack-O-Lanterns from your car in Pumpkintown, USA. A great destination for memorable pictures!
6. Go to the Hobgoblin Fair.
Roaring Brook is hosting it's annual, and very popular, Hobgoblin Fair.
7. See Laurie Berkner in Concert.
See the "Queen of Kid's Music," Laurie Berkner LIVE at the Wall Street Theater
8. Go Beyond Van Gogh.
Take the opportunity to see the Beyond Van Gogh show, exhibiting and enhancing Van Gogh's amazing art.
Alpenland Tanzer Dancers perform at Quassy's Oktoberfest. Photo courtesy of the Park
9. Squeeze in one more trip to Quassy Amusement Park.
Take one last ride of the year and enjoy fall food and music at Quassy's Oktoberfest.
10. Go Apple Picking.
Take an orchard tour of Connecticut at the best places to pick apples across the state.
11. Go on a Hayride.
Take a hayride on a farm and see animals, pick pumpkins, or to get some Halloween thrills.
Have a traditional fall beverage at B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill in CT. Photo courtesy of My Mystic Weekend
12. Visit B.F. Clyde’s historic cider mill.
See how cider is made and sample some of Connecticut's best apple cider doughnuts at B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill.
13. Don't miss the Apple Harvest Festival in Southington.
Enjoy the fruit of the season at Southington's annual apple fest.
14. Ride the Pumpkin Trolley Ride.
Ride the historic trolley to a field popping with pumpkins and take one home to carve.
15. Attend Superhero Saturday at Florence Griswold Museum.
Meet Captain America and Black Panther at Florence Griswold Museum. Don't forget to come in costume!
16. See Woof Woof The Shadow Pup Theater Production .
Be amazed at the talent behind shadow casting and enjoy Woof Woof, a heartwarming story for kids.
17. Creep on down to Hollowed Harvest in Hartford.
Enjoy family-friendly spookiness of hundreds of jack-o-lanterns on display.
18. Go For a Hike.
Take your preschooler for a short hike, and enjoy the smiles of pride when you reach a peak or the end of your loop.
Fall is a fine time for Connecticut's aquariums! Pinniped Cove photo courtesy of the Maritime Aquarium,Norwalk.
19. See the cute critters at Maritime Aquarium.
Visit Pinniped Cove—the Maritme Aquarium’s home for their harbor seals as well as the new meerkat den.
20. Visit a Vineyard.
Visit a family-friendly vineyard for lovely walks, tastings, and food.
Get in the Halloween spirit at Pumpkin Passage this fall. Photo courtesy of Nature's Art Village
21. Explore the Pumpkin Passage.
Walk the Pumpkin Passage at Nature's Art Village until the end of October.
22. Pick a pumpkin at Scott’s Yankee Farmer.
Go pumpkin picking at Scott's Yankee Farmer in Gales Ferry.
Chivalry is alive and well in Connecticut this fall! Photo courtesy of the Connecticut Renaissance Faire
23. Go back in time at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire.
Take a step back in time with a visit to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire in Lebanon.
24. Get spicy at the Connecticut Garlic and Harvest Festival.
Garlic, garlic and more garlic! Cooking demonstrations, vendors and live music at the 2022 Garlic Festival.
25. Step into the past at the Dinosaur State Park.
Learn about prehistoric times at Dinosaur State Park.
26. Visit Beardsley Zoo before it gets too cold.
Go to Beardsley Zoo, Connecticut's only zoo!
27. See the Mummies at the Connecticut Science Center.
Check out a fun exhibit at the Connecticut Science Center.
Connecticut's waterfalls are downright magical in autumn. Enders Falls photo courtesy of Visit CT
28. Explore CT's Waterfalls.
Take a hike and check out these scenic waterfalls.
29. Go to one of Connecticut's Fall fairs.
Indulge in caramel apples, funnel cake, and corn dogs at one of these fantastic Connecticut Fall Fairs.
30. Try not to get lost in a corn maze.
Try not to get lost in one of Connecticut's awesome corn mazes.
Take the River Tour in Blackstone, New Hampshire. Photo courtesy of tourblackstonevalley.com
31. Take a road trip with the fam.
Make a weekend trip to one of New England's prettiest towns in the fall. Or, explore these charming small towns right in Connecticut.
32. Check out a fun jack-o-lantern display.
Get in the Halloween spirit by going to one of these pumpkin festivals.
33. See the colors during a Fall foliage tour.
Take a ride in the Nutmeg state to see the amazing fall foliage.
34. Pick your favorite pumpkin.
Find your perfect pumpkin in the field or already pre-picked.
Take a peep at all the fun fall activities for kids in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
35. Don't miss the adorable animals at Flamig Farm.
See the chickens (lots and lots of chickens) and the other animals at Flamig Farm.
36. Go to the shore during the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival.
Check out touch tanks and take a water taxi ride at the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival.
37. Go Camping.
Take in the fall colors and warm up around the campfire at a Connecticut campground that's fun for families.
38. Learn about the true story of witches.
Attend Witches &Tombstones at the Webb-Dean Stevens Museum.
Apple picking remains one of the top things to do in Connecticut this fall. Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards
39. Go apple picking at Lyman Orchards.
Go apple picking at Lyman Orchards, and then bake up some healthy apple muffins for school breakfasts.
40. Visit the The Shoreline Trolley Museum.
Take a trolley ride along the Connecticut shoreline.
41. Take a trip to New Hampshire's White Mountains
Steal away for a quiet, outdoorsy family weekend in New Hampshire's White Mountains.
42. Enjoy wholesome fun at a country fair
Attend Northwest Park's annual Country Fair to enjoy games, live music and dellicious food.
Take a "ride" on Cockpit Day at New England Air Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
43. Spend the morning at the New England Air Museum.
Take your little pilot to the New England Air Museum to check out the amazing historical airplanes.
See the fall foliage from the water this fall in CT. Photo courtesy of Collinsville Canoe and Kayak
44. Go boating at Collinsville Canoe.
Jump in a boat with the whole family with Collinsville Canoe.
45. Enjoy Mystic's First Annual Apple Festival.
Mystic has a new festival focused entirely on crunchy, sweet apples!
46. Try Flamig Farm's new Haunted Petting Zoo.
Scream, laugh, and then see some cute animals at a Haunted Petting Zoo.
47. Spend Time at a Museum.
From hands-on historical activities to art appreciation, Connecticut Museums are the perfect place to get a little culture.
Support local farmers with a fun family activity this fall. Photo courtesy of the Westport Farmer's Market.
48. Gather in the harvest at a Connecticut farmers market.
Pick out apple pie, pumpkin bread, or dinner ingredients fresh from a farmer at Wesport Farmer's Market and Manchester Market on Main.
49. Rent a Kayak.
50. Climb a Mountain.
The view from the top is so sweet! Pick one of these 8 hikes that end with a spectacular view.
Originally published September 3, 2016
Updated 9-2022