The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in January 2026. Photo: ©Michael J.Lutch for the BYSO
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There's something for everyone, even teens, at Apex in Marlboro! Photo courtesy of Apex
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From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty
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Free, fun activities can be as simple as blowing bubbles on a sunny day
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Get active and have fun as a family at the top spots for indoor golf in Boston!
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Jump into fun with the top kids indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Boston! Photo courtesy of Boston Playground
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Big league fun awaits at Boston's top attractions for kids. Photo courtesy of Fenway Park
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Vermont's Mountain Top Resort is as picturesque as a New England family getaway could be. Photo by Gary Hall
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Indoors and out and about, there are so many thing to do in Boston with kids before they grow up! Photo courtesy of the Rose Kennedy Greenway website
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Take flight at Story Land in New Hampshire, one of the top New England theme parks for kids and families! Photo courtesy of the park.
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Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
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Photo courtesy of Fire+Ice
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Peek inside a rainforest at Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.
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From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty
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Hiking is just one of many things to do in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, but it sure delivers great views!
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Perfect for a day trip from Boston, Cape Ann has miles of beaches, great food, and plenty of family fun. Good Harbor Beach photo by Bex Walton via Flickr 2.0
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Step into family fun in the Merrimack Valley. Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Beach Partnership.
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The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
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Who you lookin' at?! The Tropical Forest at Franklin Park Zoo. Photo by Don Crasco/Franklin Park Zoo
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Try a little freeze dancing, robot style! Photo courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels
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Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
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New England sleepaway camps get kids out into nature. Photo courtesy of Night Eagle Wilderness Adventure Camp
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No messy, dripping fingers when you eat watermelon on a stick.
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Photo by Liz Baill
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A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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Nantucket's Daffodil Festival is one of many spring celebrations around Massachusetts.
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Things are getting merrier and brighter for kids in Boston this weekend! Night Lights: Dazzling Gardens at New England Botanic Garden by Troy B. Thompson Photography
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New Year's Eve Weekend in CT with Kids: Countdown to 2026

Head to Hartford for New Year's Eve 2025 celebrations fit for families! First Night Hartford photo by Andy Hart courtesy of the event.
Head to Hartford for New Year's Eve 2025 celebrations fit for families! First Night Hartford photo by Andy Hart courtesy of the event.
12/30/25 - By Jennifer Coe

As the countdown to midnight approaches, New Year’s Eve is the perfect opportunity for Connecticut families to celebrate together and create forever memories. Start with counting down during the day (so you can keep that bedtime routine straight) like Countdown to Noon with Niantic Children's Museum, KidsPlay's Annual NY Eve Countdown or the Children's Mad Hatters New Year's Eve at the Clock Watch Museum. Preteens  and teens will love the Roller Magic New Year's Eve Skate and the whole family will have a great time at First Night Hartford 2026!

On Friday, the A Frosty Fun Day at 1741 Pub & Grill sounds like a frosty fun time. And there's Kid's Cookie & Cupcake Decorating at Lyman Orchards on the weekend.

See all our picks for New Year's Parties, Fireworks, and Other Connecticut celebrations for kids. And, for those inclined to stay in this year, see our 15 Ideas for Celebrating New Year's Eve at Home with Kids.

To make sure that you don't miss any of the fun, subscribe to our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Read on for our highlights of events happening this weekend, and check our frequently updated daily event calendar for even more ideas.

More Things To Do in Connecticut this Week with Kids:

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Ski Sundown is featuring New Year's Eve and New Year's Day ski hours! Skiing photo by Ally Noel
Ski Sundown is featuring New Year's Eve and New Year's Day ski hours! Skiing photo by Ally Noel

Things To Do New Year's Eve Weekend 2025 in Connecticut

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Hours at Ski Sundown

New Hartford
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Ski in the New Year with Ski Sundown. Lifts and trails will be open beginning at 8:00am.  READ MORE

Countdown to Noon with Niantic Children's Museum

Niantic
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Ring in the New Year a little early with a 300+ balloon drop at noon! Join the Museum and East Lyme Parks & Recreation for southeastern Connecticut’s premier New Year’s event for children and families!  READ MORE

Nomads Noon Year's Eve Celebration

South Windsor
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
​An event for all ages, Nomads Noon Years Eve Celebration! There will be face painting, a DJ, games, bounce houses, a lunch buffet, and an EPIC BALLOON DROP AT NOON! This event sells out every year- don't wait to purchase your ticket! READ MORE

Children's Mad Hatters Party New Year's Eve at the Clock and Watch Museum

Bristol
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Don't be late for a children's Mad Hatter's New Year's Eve tea party. There will be crafts, snacks, tea, and the chiming and ringing of the bells at noon, of course! READ MORE

KidsPlay Annual NY Eve Countdown

Torrington
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with your little ones at KidsPlay Children’s Museum’s biggest event of the year! KidsPlay is offering two sessions filled with creativity, laughter, and unforgettable moments: Morning Session: 10 am – 12:30 pm with a balloon drop at 12 pm Afternoon Session: 2 pm – 4:30 pm with a balloon drop at 4 pm. READ MORE

A Magical New Year's Eve Party at Essex Library

Essex
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Ring in the New Year early with a little magic and a lot of fun! Enjoy a festive celebration featuring a special New Year’s craft, themed games, and a “photo booth” to capture the memories. READ MORE

Roller Magic New Year's Eve Skate

Waterbury
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Come on down to celebrate New Year’s Eve and skate. There will be a 2 skate session! READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Kids Party at CaveCT

Bethel
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Ring in the New Year at 12 noon with the family! Includes Mini-Golf, $7 arcade card, surprise character guests after the balloon drop! Fun starts at 11:30am and everyone needs a ticket. Contests & giveaways with a chance to win a $100 Gift Card. READ MORE

First Night Hartford 2026

Hartford
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
First Night Hartford is Hartfords New Year's celebration. The day includes two spectacular fireworks shows in Bushnell Park at 6 PM and 12 AM Midnight viewed throughout the city by thousands of visitors and residents, multi-cultural activities, events, and performances READ MORE

Kids Countdown to New Year's at Mystic Seaport

Mystic
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a kid-friendly musical countdown! Join Steve Elci & Friends for a lively performance at 2:15 p.m. on the McGraw Gallery Quad, then ring in 2026 with a 3:00 p.m. confetti toss. READ MORE

New Year's Eve with the Hartford Wolfpack

Hartford
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Come and see the Hartford Wolfpack skate against the Bridgeport Islanders on New Year's Eve. READ MORE

New Year's Eve at Spare Time in Windsor Locks

Windsor Locks
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Join Spare Time to welcome 2026 with epic celebrations, all day and night long! All of our New Year’s Eve parties include bowling and shoe rental, hand-tossed pizza, soft drinks, AND a $10 Game Zone arcade play card for each guest! There’s no better way to kick off a new year than with Games, Lanes, Food, and FUN. READ MORE

First Day Hike at Dino State Park

Rocky Hill
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

Kid's Cookie & Cupcake Decorating at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield
Friday, January 2, 2026
The perfect activity for kids with a Sweet Tooth! Kids can get creative while decorating freshly baked cupcakes and cookies with sprinkles, candies and frosting! READ MORE

Happy New Year Crafting at Create Escape

New Milford
Friday, January 2, 2026
Celebrate the New Year with a creative twist! During this festive workshop, participants will paint a disco ball using a mix of glitter, neon, and glow-in-the-dark paints for an extra-vibrant, show-stopping finish. READ MORE

A Frosty Fun Day at 1741 Pub & Grill

Middlefield
Thursday, January 2, 2026
Bundle up for A Frosty Fun Day at 1741 Pub & Grill! Join for a wintery afternoon designed especially for families and kids. Enjoy Frosty the Snowman on repeat playing in the background on the TVs while the little ones get creative at their Make Your Own Snowman craft station. They willl also be serving up a special ice cream sundae special, plus kids menu specials to make lunch extra fun. READ MORE

La Befana An Epiphany Tale in New Haven

New Haven
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

Full Moon Hike

Newtown
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Step out under the brilliance of the Wolf Moon for a serene winter night hike. Together, we’ll listen intently for the calls of Great Horned or Barred Owls, apex predators who are often vocal this time of year as their nesting season approaches. The crisp January air typically offers stunning clarity for viewing the winter constellation jewels: look up for the mighty hunter Orion, the sparkling star cluster Pleiades (the Seven Sisters), and the brilliant star Sirius, the brightest in our night sky. READ MORE

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

Mystic
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
The holidays may be ending, but skating season has just begun! Photo courtesy of Stamford Twin Rinks
The holidays may be ending, but skating season has just begun! Photo courtesy of Stamford Twin Rinks

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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:
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