Fairfield

Slingshot a Pumpkin, Dive into a Corn Pit, and Get Lost in a Corn Maze at Benedict's Home and Garden

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Sat, 09/23/2017 - 7:00am

Ever use a four-foot slingshot to launch a pumpkin at a target? No? How about dive head first into a pit of corn? Well, let us point you in the direction of Benedict’s Home and Garden in Monroe. And, while we're talking Fairfield County pumpkins and corn pits, check out our fall fun guide and subscribe our newsletter so you won't miss corn maze, apple orchard, or harvest festival this season.

Silverman's Farm: A Seasonal Rite of Passage

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Thu, 09/21/2017 - 9:00am

Fairfield County’s most anticipated autumnal attraction is, without question, a visit to Silverman’s Farm. This little slice of pastoral paradise has served as a family destination in Easton along Route 59 for 95 years. Particularly during f all.

Where to Find Halloween Costumes on a Budget in Fairfield County

Submitted by Elizabeth Howard on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 2:35pm

Not to panic you, but if you don't start planning your kids' Halloween costumes pretty soon, you know they are going to spend this Halloween as a hobo, like I did most years. My kids always seem to know exactly what they want to be for Halloween -- IN JUNE. But then they completely forget by the time I ask them again in September. And I know better than to wander the aisles of expensive seasonal costume stores with them, trying to explain to an 8-year-old what a "Sexy Trash Monster Costume" is.

After years of experience in costume building, conjuring, finagling, trading, repairing, and trussing, below is my shopping guide for kids Halloween costumes on a budget. Once you get the kids decked out, be sure to make good use of the costumes by pouring over our awesome Connecticut Guide to Halloween.

Bring the Kids While You Workout: Gyms With Childcare in Fairfield County

Submitted by Elizabeth Howard on Sat, 09/16/2017 - 9:00am

Yes! You've decided to join the gym and you're pumped about getting pumped up. First priority: make sure you join a gym that makes working out convenient. That means: in-gym childcare!

Of course, there are some days when you want to include the kids in a workout. You can always move it with your posse on a favorite local hike or bike ride, an outdoor ropes course or other great active trips found in our Fairfield County Guide. I have four kids, and can't always count on getting out of bed at 5:30 a.m. or on my hubs getting home in time for my favorite yoga class. For that reason, I narrowed my gym choices to those fitness facilities that offer childcare in Fairfield County.

All Aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Fri, 09/15/2017 - 9:00am

These rattling, toot-tooting relics are truly treasures across New England landscapes. Each time those vintage diesel locomotives come to life, you can hear that pitter patter of those train-loving little souls of ours. Their dome-cars with padded seats offer the ultimate views for the leaf peeper in all of us and a stop at the pumpkin patch is sure to delight those littles in tow. Here is a roundup of historic Connecticut trains and trolleys to climb aboard this fall. And, for more autumn adventures, check out our CT Halloween & Fall Fun Guide for Kids.

Halloween Trunk-or-Treat Locations in Fairfield County

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Mon, 09/11/2017 - 8:20am

Do you live in a part of Fairfield County where the roads are windy and you don't have any sidewalks or streetlights? Then you know you need to venture out and find a safe place to trick or treat. Or maybe you just don't love the idea of having your kids do the whole door-to-door asking for candy thing in the dark. Whatever the reason, there is a simpler and safer alternative called Trunk-or-Treat. Haven't heard of it? It's like a Halloween tailgate, where families gather in a church or community parking lot and children trick or treat from car to decorated car. These popular events confine the confections to a safe, central spot and many of them aim to keep the mayhem to a minimum. Trunk or treats tend to start early, so you don't have to deal with any spooky meltdowns in the dark. Better yet, these events usually add more fun to the mix with food, activities, games and even campfires. In our round up, we've included Trunk-or-Treat events as well as similarly structured events that provide a centralized trick or treating experience.

Grab a Pumpkin Spice Coffee and Check out These Fall Fairs in Connecticut

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Fri, 09/08/2017 - 8:00am

Fall is an amazing time to be in Connecticut, with wonderful fairs and festivals nearly every weekend, celebrating the many aspects of Nutmeg life, from apples to pumpkins and beyond. Most of these have free admission, but charge small fees so you'll want to check that before heading out. Check out our complete Fall Fun Guide too for more ideas on how to enjoy the season!

Where The Wild Things Are...Waiting for You: at Beardsley Zoo

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Mon, 09/04/2017 - 11:53am

Where can you gaze into the eyes of Siberian tigers, watch the antics of a red panda or the graceful dance of a colorful peacock, admire the perfect stillness of a sloth or trace the movements of turtles, or be wowed by the size of a bison - all in one day? At Beardsley Zoo, of course. Listed at the top of our 120 Things to Do With Kids in Connecticut, our state's only zoological park has been harboring endangered species, promoting conservation, and delighting visitors of all ages for nearly 100 years.

The Little Island in Connecticut That You've Never Heard Of

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 09/01/2017 - 2:44pm

We’ve toured all kinds of farms: alpaca farms, berry farms, orchards, we’ve even dug up our own potatoes in a community garden. So, it only seemed appropriate that one of our last summer adventures would be to head out to Hummock Island Oyster Farm in Westport.

Pirates, Goblins, or Wonder Woman: Best Places to Buy Halloween Costumes in Fairfield County

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on Fri, 09/01/2017 - 10:52am

Every year, I get a certain catalog in the mail filled with all kinds of wonderful Halloween costumes. It arrives in late August/Early September and promptly ends up in “the pile.” By time I get around to actually look through it, I realize that most of the costumes are out of stock and/or rush shipping is our only option of getting it to us on time to wear it to one of five bazillion Halloween Events that seems to have popped up on my calendar. Or maybe your child wants a truly uniquely creative costume that seems to only exist in the land of pure imagination. If you - like me -have found yourself in this predicament then, here's the rundown on where to snag Halloween costumes in Fairfield County.