Darien

24 Family Friendly New Year's Eve Celebrations in Connecticut

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Fri, 12/21/2018 - 2:00pm

I have crossed over. Dreams of elegant parties and midnight champagne toasts have been replaced with longing for easy bedtimes and a good night's sleep. But it feels wrong not to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another without some sort of revelry. Happily, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate New Year's Eve together as a family: no baby sitter required! Whether you're interested in skating, swimming, or roller skating; there's something for everyone.

For more great ideas to finish up 2018 and make plans for 2019, be sure to check our frequently updated events calendar.

Free Holiday and Christmas Events for Connecticut Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 11/16/2018 - 10:18am

Christmas lights and festive holiday fun are popping up everywhere you look in Connecticut. And along with it, many families feel a strain in their wallets as they dole out the gifts (and seasonal tips). Read on for kid-friendly events and activities in Connecticut that won't cost you a cent, from lights festivals to arts and crafts to holiday light shows, and more. Join in on the jolly spirit at one of these free holiday events.

Chilling Out in a Salt Cave - No Spelunking Required

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 08/30/2018 - 9:00am

Relaxation and children’s activities don’t usually go hand in hand. This summer, we’ve enjoyed our fair share of adventure at arcades, trampoline parks, and all the indoor plays spaces that Fairfield County has to offer. But sometimes you just need to chill. As the seasons change and we head back to school, we're all feeling the need for a little R&R in a salt cave. Yup, a salt cave.

Paint Your Own Pottery Places for Connecticut Kids

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Thu, 06/29/2017 - 3:13pm

Now and then you need just a really good, crafty indoor activity with the kiddos. In winter, after we’ve skated indoors and outdoors, sledded, and tried winter sports, we are ready to head inside. The same is true for summer days! After hours of fishing, kayaking and hiking, my kids are ready for some good hands-on craft time. Even with a list of great indoor play places, sometimes the kids need an activity that's a little more relaxing. For this, any of the numerous paint your own pottery studios in the Hartford area or Fairfield County area fit the bill.

Best Marine Experiences for Connecticut Kids

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 7:53pm

Whether you’re helping raise a sail to a sea chantey, steering a wooden ship’s wheel or exploring coastal habitats on land, there is hardly a shortage of marine experiences for your sea-loving scalawags in Connecticut.

We have rounded up some of the best sailing adventures, Long Island Sound tours and shore programs across the state. For more waterfront fun, be sure to check out our Connecticut Beaches and Water Fun Guide and the best places for Canoeing and Kayaking with Kids in Connecticut.

16 Best Storytime Programs in Fairfield County

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Wed, 03/01/2017 - 12:04pm

We all know that reading to our children is important. For starters, fostering a love for reading enhances basic speech and communication skills, stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. Knowledge is power and books offer plenty of it. And where better to find books but the library. We have rounded up a list of the some of the best story time programs for your budding bookworms at local libraries throughout Fairfield County.

Kid Consignment Shops in Fairfield County

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Tue, 02/28/2017 - 5:48am

I don't know about you guys, but this girl is all about second-hand shopping, especially for kids. Let's face it, kids outgrow their stuff pretty darn fast. Between everyday wear and tear and growth spurts, I am forever playing catchup with my kids' closets. It seems like those pants I just bought my son are now high-waters and those rain boots from the last rain are now too small.

For many, consignment stores offer not only a great place to shop but also a place to make a little extra cash. Fairfield County has some pretty great options for buying and selling your children's clothing, shoes, toys and gear. And, for more kid consignment, check out what Hartford and New Haven counties have to offer.

Celebrating Valentine's Day in Fairfield County

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on Wed, 02/08/2017 - 10:16am

There is nothing quite as heartwarming as the homemade Valentine’s Day cards you get from your little munchkins. But if your house is like mine, those homemade bundles of love leave a trail of construction clippings, marker stains, and a thin layer of glue on every surface. Instead, you can outsource Valentine’s Day preparations at one of several events in the coming days. Or, scrap that idea altogether for love-inspired cookie decorating or a proper tea with your tyke. Kiss kiss, hug hug, everyone!

Outdoor Ice Skating in Fairfield County

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Mon, 02/06/2017 - 10:54pm

Outdoor skating and Connecticut have an on-again off-again relationship. When it snows, the ice has to be shoveled. When we have a string of warm temps, we get slush. A frozen pond in this state has become a rare commodity. And, sure, indoor skating has its benefits with its reliable ice, comfortable temperature and lack of bumps and all.

But there is just nothing like skating outdoors when the ice is good and the sun is shining. Think a picturesque pond surrounded by woods to block any breeze. Think rosy cheeks and cozy scarves. Think Currier & Ives. Are you with me?

We have rounded up some postcard perfect ponds, municipal skating spots, and one particular open-air rink that has drawn in crowds for more than two decades. For even more winter fun check out our winter guide and CT winter bucket list!

Science and Nature Camps in Fairfield County

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on Mon, 01/02/2017 - 12:43pm

Summertime is all about endless exploration, discovery and play...until every rock in your backyard has been turned over 347 times. So, in an effort to stimulate your kid's mind and sense of scientific wonder, consider the myriad of science camps we've found in Fairfield County. The course offerings are so wide (rocket building, forensic science, 3-D gaming, instrument making, salt water habitats by canoe, good old-fashioned mud), even the girliest girl who wouldn't DREAM of digging in the dirt can find her inner budding scientist (see the Discovery Museum's 'Spa Science')! For more ideas, check out our summer camp guide.