Milford

Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O-Lantern Displays for New England Families

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 8:00pm

New England is brimming with fall festivals, but kids are particularly enamored with events celebrating the humble pumpkin: the symbol of autumn and Halloween. Whether you stick close to home or make a day or weekend trip out of it, going to a pumpkin festival or visiting a glowing jack-o'-lantern display is a fun, family-friendly way to get into the spirit of the season. Here's a sampling of pumpkin fun in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine over the next month. Get inspired for a trip to the pumpkin patch for a jack-o'-lantern display on your own front porch!

12 Amazing Playgrounds Worth Driving to Across Connecticut

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 04/19/2019 - 8:14pm

Now that we have had a few 60 degree days on the books, it's time to pull out the water bottles and pile the kids in the car to hit some of the best playgrounds in Connecticut. All of these playgrounds are unique, fun, and are less than a 45-minute drive away from anywhere in the state. Also, don't forget to check out some of our favorite neighborhood playgrounds in the Hartford and Fairfield areas.

Top Preschool Camps in Fairfield County, Connecticut

Submitted by Katie McKnight on Fri, 02/01/2019 - 10:00am

That very first camp session is so very exciting for kids—and the parents. If your Fairfield, Connecticut-area toddler or preschooler is ready to jump into summer camp this year, take a look at the local Connecticut camps we've rounded up.

As exciting as camp can be, it can also be nerve-wracking for first-timers wary of a new routine, schedule, and people. Luckily, these well-established camps know how to cater to our youngest campers with fun water play, nature, sports, shorter sessions, hands-on summer activities, and yes, plenty of hand-holding. By the end of the summer, everyone will be exhausted but ready to sign up for more, I bet!

Find preschooler camps in the Hartford area, too. Search our Connecticut Summer Camp Guide for more ideas, or by age, interest, and area in our Directory of Listings.

Finders Keepers: Hunting for Seaglass along the Connecticut Shoreline

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Sun, 08/05/2018 - 7:47am

If you're lucky, you might find Coke-bottle aqua or Milk-of-Magnesia Blue. Maybe once in a lifetime you'll unearth rare ruby red. Most often you'll find beer-bottle-brown and wine-bottle-green. But if you ask my kids--it's all treasure no matter what color or size. My very favorite memories of summer were made walking the beach with my kids gathering up every glittering shard of beach glass we could find like a magical treasure hunt. Ground smooth by the ocean and transformed from transparent to translucent by the sand, these tiny bits of sea glass are found scattered (scarcely) on the beaches throughout the state. Here's our roundup of the best beaches to hunt for these precious pieces of treasure washed ashore.

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.

The Top 10 Things to do with Preschoolers this Holiday Season

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Tue, 11/14/2017 - 11:38am

From Pinterest-perfect teacher presents to waiting online for those coveted tickets, the Christmas season can be, well, stressful. There's the Christmas parties, the Christmas cards, and then the presents. And the shopping for the presents. We all seriously need a vacation by 5 p.m. on December 25th. But, when you see those little faces light up when they see the guy in red or when they come across an actual living, breathing reindeer, or when they hear that whistle blow. Every second is worth it. We've rounded up the top 10 things to do with your preschooler during the holidays. So get out there and embrace the magic of the season and make yourself some memories to last a lifetime. Be sure to check out our CT Holiday Guide for even more holiday fun.

20 Ways to Celebrate National Pumpkin Day in Connecticut

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Sun, 10/15/2017 - 9:05am

Pumpkins are the harbinger of the harvest season, appearing every year as the first sign of autumn from pumpkin patches, to pumpkin trains, to Trader Joe's. So, in honor of National Pumpkin Day on October 26th we have rounded up 20 ways to get your pumpkin on in Connecticut.

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.

Fairfield County Kids Go Aerial at Indoor Play Spaces

Submitted by Katie McKnight on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 2:30pm

Jumping and somersaulting through the air is serious fun. Whether your kid is three or thirteen, there's no better way to keep them from bouncing off the walls than letting them bounce off the walls at a trampoline park or indoor playscape. Planning a birthday party? Looking for a rainy day activity? Or just hoping to burn off some of that energy? Check out some of our favorite Fairfield County indoor play spaces. For even more indoor fun check out our Connecticut Indoor Play Guide.

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.