Westport

New Spaces in Old Places - Fairfield County

Submitted by Ally Noel on Sat, 12/22/2018 - 11:40am

There have been a lot of changes around Fairfield County over the past few months. In case you missed it, many of the most popular cultural institutions got a little bit of a face-lift. These new exhibits breathe fresh air into the tried-and-true family favorites. Their renovated spaces, new animals, expanded exhibition spaces all offer state-of -the-art programming for Fairfield County families.

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.

Not Scary Halloween Fun in Fairfield County

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 09/14/2018 - 9:35am

There is a little something for everyone in Fairfield County this October. From trick-o-treating on a farm, to getting up-close and personal with real life creepy crawlies, these family friendly activities will leave you with a little more treats than tricks. My three year old daughter loves almost everything about Halloween except that she is absolutely terrified of things that go bump in the night. Now that the haunting season is upon us, check out the following activities around Fairfield County that are best suited for a younger crowd.

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.

Island Living at Sherwood Island State Park

Submitted by Ally Noel on Fri, 08/03/2018 - 9:19am

Your Connecticut license plate gets you more than the privilege to drive on our roads - it is also your FREE ticket to Connecticut’s State Parks as part of the “Passport to Parks” program. Located in Westport, Sherwood Island is Fairfield County’s only coastal state operated facility. With over 238 acres of shoreline to explore, swim, fish, hike, or relax in, it is no wonder that Sherwood Island is a gem of Fairfield County.

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.

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.

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.

Science, Machines and Nature Museums in Fairfield County, Connecticut

Submitted by Mary Beth Lawlor on Mon, 08/07/2017 - 12:09pm

From trying on a real space suit, to jumping into a the cockpit of a full-size helicopter, to touching a shark, Fairfield County offers some top-notch museums when it comes to science, nature, and machines. Featuring authentic and original equipment, imaginative and creative displays of abstract scientific concepts, and a variety of hands-on, interactive engagement, kids are sure to love exploring these Fairfield County museums. And so will their grownups!

Looking for more STEM fun? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters. And we've also rounded up Science Museums in the Hartford area.

Get Crafty at These After School Art Classes in Fairfield County

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on Tue, 07/04/2017 - 8:00am

Art. So simple. Yet, impossible to define. What I will say is, it can be the antidote to the stresses of an uber-busy Fairfield County kid. Yes, they need to do their homework, practice their gymnastics and/or hockey, learn the piano, attend swimming lessons, and hey, master computer coding, but what about an after-school activity that's theirs to make and mold? There are art classes on everything from anime to weaving available, and you can enroll in a short session, or one that lasts all semester.