Pay homage to the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a celebration at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Photo by Winston Williams
MLK Weekend 2026 in New York City: Best Things To Do with Kids
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
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39 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Galactic snow tubing at Camelback offers an LED light show come nightfall.
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Museo del Barrio's The Three Kings Day Parade takes over the streets of East Harlem Photo by Mommy Poppins
Top Things To Do with Kids in NYC in January 2026, from MP Editors
Hit the ice at the scenic Mohonk Mountan House, which offers winter day passes to enjoy its spectacular resort amenities. Photo courtesy of the venue
23 Fun Winter Day Trips from NYC
Bryant Park's Bumper Cars are a mainstay of late-winter fun in the park. Photo by Janet Bloom
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 47 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
Kids as young as 14 can apply for an eco-focused internship at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Photo courtesy of the Alley Pond Environmental Center
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See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
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The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
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Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
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Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
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Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
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For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
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Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Top Free Things To Do with Kids in CT in January 2026, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Kick off 2026 with fun and free things to do in Connecticut this January! Family Day event photo courtesy of the Yale University Art Galleries.
Kick off 2026 with fun and free things to do in Connecticut this January! Family Day event photo courtesy of the Yale University Art Galleries.
12/28/25 - By Jennifer Coe

It may be cold in Connecticut, but January 2026 activities are just beginning to warm up! Looking for FREE things to do? Enjoy Winterfest at Bushnell Park in Hartford to start the month. Get out and about for Adventures in Nature: The Frozen World at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic. And spend a day at the museum thanks to the annual Family Art Day at Yale Art Museum, 

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Connecticut this January—we're adding more events to the Connecticut Events Calendar every day.

More Things To Do in Connecticut This Week with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Winterfest in Bushnell Park brings free fun to Connecticut this January 2026. Photo by Andy Hart, courtesy of Winterfest in Hartford.
Winterfest in Bushnell Park brings free fun to Connecticut this January 2026. Photo by Andy Hart, courtesy of Winterfest in Hartford.

Fun Free Activities in Connecticut January 2026

First Day Hike at Dino State Park

Rocky Hill - FREE
Thursday, January 1, 2026
On Thursday, January 1st, the Dino State Park will have their annual “First Day Hike” event! From 10:00am to 1:00pm, there will be Interpretive Naturalists leading guided nature walks along the Red Trail at Dinosaur State Park. READ MORE

New Year's Day Hike in Broad Brook

Broad Brook - FREE
Thursday, January 1, 2026
2.5 mile hike kicks off at 1:00 pm. Food donations will be collected for our local Five Corner Cupboard (human and pet foods). READ MORE

Winterfest at Bushnell Park in Hartford

Hartford - FREE
January 2-4, 2026
Free skating 7-days a week at Winterfest on the east side of Bushnell Park over by the Pump House. Don’t have your own skates? Winterfest has free skate rentals too. READ MORE

La Befana An Epiphany Tale in New Haven

New Haven - FREE
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Enjoy a free play from the Italian American Historical Society of CT. Plus, celebrate 3 Kings' Day with activities, refreshments, & more! READ MORE

Who’s Been Here?: Animal Signs & Tracking at Denison Pequotsepsos

Mystic - FREE
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Spend the afternoon learning how to read the clues animals leave behind. From footprints to scat, uncover which creatures are active at the Nature Center and what their signs tell us. READ MORE

Los Tres Reyes Magos Celebration at Danbury Library

Danbury - FREE
Monday, January 5, 2026
Join DPL as they get ready for the upcoming Los Tres Reyes Magos celebration! Families will enjoy a bilingual reading of The Three Wise Men / Los Tres Reyes Magos and make a fun construction paper craft featuring the Three Kings. READ MORE

Adventures in Nature: The Frozen World at Denison Pequotsepsos Nature Center

Mystic - FREE
January 10, 2026
This month, explore the frozen side of nature as we dive into the science of ice. Through hands-on activities, learn how ice shapes the water cycle and affects the world around us. See how animals survive freezing temperatures (some even become “living icicles!”) and meet a few of our cold-hardy animal residents. READ MORE

Woodbury Fire Dept. Tree Burn

Woodbury - FREE
January 17, 2026
Say Goodbye to the Holidays with a Annual Tradition! The Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department invites you to the Annual Christmas Tree Burn. Event Highlights: Watch a demo of a single tree ignited to show how fast a dry tree burns and why we say, Water, Water, Water those trees! Then, watch as firefighters light the entire pile and watch the Christmas trees burn to mark the season’s end. READ MORE

Storytime at the Palace Theater

Waterbury
January 24, 2026
As part of the CommUNITY Spotlight series, bring your little ones to the Theater, meet authors and hear them read their works and then do a craft. READ MORE

Family Day at Yale Art Gallery

New Haven - FREE
January 25, 2026
On their annual Family Day, Yale invite families to explore our collections and buildings with storytelling and art-making activities for all ages. Enjoy learning more about the art right in New Haven.   READ MORE

Bald Eagle Viewing at Shepaug Dam

Southbury - FREE
Throughout January 2026
The Shepaug Eagle view site will be opening for it's 39th season December 21st, 2024 through March 9th, 2025. View these birds of prey in all their beauty. READ MORE

A.C. Gilbert's American Flyer Train Show

Hamden - FREE
Through January 25, 2026
​The Eli Whitney Museum delves into New Haven's past to bring back a special tradition dating back more than 60 years: The AC Gilbert American Flyer Train collection.  READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Mohawk Mountain
Photo courtesy of Mohawk Mountain

More Fun Things To Do in Connecticut this Winter

Best Snow Tubing near Connecticut for Families in 2026

Winter fun awaits with snow tubing in and around Connecticut! READ MORE

The Best Igloo Dining in Connecticut

Try outdoor dining in the winter with igloo dining in Connecticut! READ MORE

Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways

In any kind of weather, New England indoor water parks mean family fun! READ MORE

10 New England Ski Resorts That Cater to Families

With lessons starting at age 2.5 and plenty of kid-friendly amenities, these New England ski resorts are perfect for family ski trips. READ MORE

CT Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families

Find the best things to do with kids in Connecticut this winter! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Jenny Coe
Jenny Coe is a longtime Mommy Poppins writer and contributor and full-time mom to three boys. Jenny has also been a contributor at Patch and The Reminder (Hartford Courant). Here at Mommy Poppins, Jenny writes about great things for kids to do in Connecticut and New England, affordable fun, and nature experiences (her favorite!).
Recent Articles By Jenny Coe:
Read more articles by Jennifer Coe.