Fairfield

8 Affordable Fairfield County Beaches

Submitted by Sherry Pardy on Sun, 06/17/2018 - 11:14am

What do you most associate with Fairfield County and the summer time? The pristine beaches that line the Connecticut coast probably come to mind. Even for families on a budget, or those who do not live in a seaside town, soft sand and gentle waves are within reach. Here is a list of the nicest and most affordable ($30 or under per family) beach spots to visit in Fairfield County. Most of these beaches are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more CT Beach and Water Fun, check out our guide and enjoy the sunshine.

An Urban Oasis: Exploring Mill River Park in Stamford

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 06/15/2018 - 10:22am

If you told me ten years ago that I would be walking through a serene landscape along the Mill River in Stamford, I would have laughed. But that’s exactly what my daughter and I found ourselves doing on this absolutely beautiful day. The landscape here has changed dramatically over the past decade - and I’m not just talking about the high-rise condos that have taken over Stamford. With the help of the Army Corps of Engineers and civic collaboration, Stamford now houses a “world-class park in the heart of downtown Stamford.”

Pick Your Own Berry Farms in Connecticut

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Mon, 06/04/2018 - 10:10pm

The abundance and availability of fresh food at this time of the year is a real treat. Being able to pick our own fruits and vegetables at local farms makes the bounty taste even sweeter. Not only is it a fun family activity, it's also a great way to teach children about where their food comes from, and to engage them in its preparation process.

For more pick-your-own options in Connecticut, check out our posts about strawberry picking in Connecticut and blueberry picking farms. Happy picking - and baking - and eating! For more summer fun check out our CT Summer Fun Guide.

Splash, Sprinkler, and Spray Parks in Fairfield County

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on Sun, 05/20/2018 - 10:10am

If your kids are anything like mine, summertime is all about sunshine and splashpads. Seriously, where were these things when we were kids? We had the plastic kiddie pools and a fudgesicle or a trip to the beach and a sandy car ride home. Well, let's do ourselves a favor and skip the sand, slap on some sunscreen, and head to a sprinkler park for the day. Here's our roundup for splash pads in Fairfield County. And be sure check out our comprehensive guide to CT Beaches and Water Fun Guide for more ways to stay cool this summer.

Family Friendly Waterfront Dining in Fairfield County

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Fri, 05/18/2018 - 7:56pm

It took me a long to admit this to myself, but since we're among friends I'll just come out and say it: I do not enjoy eating in restaurants with my children. Or, at least I didn't. Now my kids are older and reasonable and do not have temper tantrums if their grilled cheeses are cut into quarters instead of halves--or at any rate they don't do it often. Even though, for a long time, my idea of "family friendly waterfront dining" was grabbing a blanket, some drinks, and those precisely cut grilled cheese sandwiches and heading to my town beach, I have recently branched out to actual restaurants where I leave the picnic basket at home. In the warmer months, there's nothing quite like a meal with a waterfront view, and the options in Fairfield County do not disappoint. Here are some of our favorites.

10 One Mile or Less Hikes to Take with Your Preschooler in Connecticut

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Sun, 05/13/2018 - 7:48pm

While Connecticut has hundreds of hiking trails crisscrossing the state, the trails aren’t always suitable for little legs and little feet. So your preschooler may not be ready for Sleeping Giant’s blue trail or Southford Fall’s tower trail however, they will just love exploring the outdoors on these 10 kid-friendly hikes we’ve uncovered. Here are some 1-mile-or-less hikes that are just enough for the youngest of hikers - teaching the invaluable lesson that it is the journey, not the destination. And maybe they’ll catch a frog or two.

Kid Friendly Music Festivals in Connecticut

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 10:00am

Navigating festivals with kids--much like doing anything at all with kids--is a completely different experience than just slathering on the sunscreen, finding a floppy hat, and heading out the door with friends. Most festivals these days are sympathetic to the idea that parents still want to rock out, too. Here is a roundup of some of Connecticut's music festivals and how to (or whether to) approach them with kids in tow.

Boost Baby’s Brain Power in One of These Fairfield County Classes

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Sun, 04/22/2018 - 7:01pm

If you have a baby, you know: Just getting out of the house can feel like an accomplishment. Like seriously. Now let’s talk classes. Does your baby really need to take classes? Yes. And so do you. Trust us.

Taking a Mommy and me—or Dad and me, or Grandparent and me, or nanny and me—class can boost your babe’s brain power, help develop social skills and foster creativity. (Bonus: you can make some new mommy friends!) Classes also offer the perfect excuse to let your guard down and groove to your favorite kid tunes, make a glittery sticky mess, and just remember how to be silly. Here are some classes for you and your babe in Fairfield County. For more, check out our Connecticut Class Guide.

Have you Visited Connecticut's only National Park Site?

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Fri, 04/20/2018 - 11:09am

Tucked in the bucolic countryside of Fairfield County, Weir Farm is the only in the National Park Service dedicated to the arts. Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Weir Farm has inspired generations of visitors on 60 acres of painterly pastoral paradise. You'll love the peace and serenity Weir Farm brings, your kids will love the pastels.

Beach and Swim Clubs in Fairfield County, CT

Submitted by Katie McKnight on Fri, 04/13/2018 - 10:03pm

While I’m not one to excessively plan the summer, I love to have a great destination where the kids and I can go hang out during the day. And now that my youngest is five (gulp), I’m looking into some local beach and lake clubs in Fairfield County. Discovery # 1: this isn’t going to be cheap. But I still think it warrants consideration, and some clubs are more reasonably priced than others.