Hartford

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.

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.

Strawberry Picking with Kids in Connecticut

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Sun, 05/06/2018 - 1:04pm

Soon, we will be picking strawberries....One of the healthiest and most delicious treats that warmer weather brings is the season of juicy red strawberries. Treat your children to a day at a local farm to see where this super fruit grows and watch the excitement on their faces as they hunt for the biggest berries. The strawberry season is short, usually lasting only from mid June to early July, so don’t miss out on abundant possibilities: homemade jam, strawberry shortcake, berry tarts, or simply enjoying the antioxidant-packed fruit in cereals, salads, or as ice cream topping. For more berry picking fun, check out Berry Farms in Connecticut.

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.

Touch and Feel Sculpture Exhibit Coming to Simsbury

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 6:07am

Have you ever had the experience of taking your children to a fancy art museum, only to find that all they want to do is touch stuff? While this is normal behavior, it can be a little unsettling when you are walking past five-hundred year old paintings. Coming to Simsbury in May is a world-renowned sculpture exhibit by the artist Seward Johnson. Sculptures will be strategically placed all over town at local businesses. And guess what? Kids can touch them!

11 Spring Fairs & Festivals in Central Connecticut

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Sun, 04/15/2018 - 12:00pm

April showers bring May flowers, and along with all the colorful blossoms come an array of springtime celebrations. The Hartford and New Haven areas are bursting with exciting outdoor family festivals in April, May, and June. These eleven events feature crafts, delicious treats, family-friendly activities, and boundless fun. So head outside with the children and enjoy all that spring in Central Connecticut has to offer.

Step Into Harry Potter, The Magic Castle, and Narnia at Storyteller's Cottage

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 04/08/2018 - 9:05am

Storyteller's Cottage is the place for the book loving, imagination-driven, creative and inspired child. A one-of-a-kind destination for kids, the owners have taken a turn-of-the-century home and turned it into a place where children can dig deeply into their love for all things books. Love Harry Potter? Come to a class in the Magical Castle Common-room. Adore knights and swords? There's a special classroom for you behind the hidden door in the wall. Love Narnia? Yes. There is a wardrobe! And while you are in town check out the other cool things to do as well.

Bake-Your-Own Workshops, Classes, and Camps in CT

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Thu, 03/29/2018 - 9:23am

I have a four year and she loves cookies. Sugar, chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin: she doesn’t discriminate. She loves them all. So naturally, she absolutely loves visiting a bake-your-own workshop like The Cookie Workshop in Trumbull. We've rounded up a list of sweet spots to bake with your kiddos across the state that they will absolutely love. And you'll absolutely love not having to clean up one single sprinkle. It's a win-win.

A Springtime Bucket List for Preschoolers in Connecticut

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Fri, 03/23/2018 - 5:59pm

Coming out of this seemingly endless stretch of winter has me especially stoked for all of the spring things. The daffodils and added daylight. Baseball and the opening of all those roadside ice cream stands. And you know who else is excited? My four year old. Here is her spring bucket list. I didn’t even help at all.

Connecticut STEM Camps Keep Science and Math Fun All Summer

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Sun, 03/18/2018 - 10:00am

Got a kiddo who loves all things science and tech? If so, a STEM summer camp could be a great way to broaden those interests and start your little scientist on a path of lifelong learning. STEM-based camps motivate young people to learn about and protect the natural world, while helping them understand the progression of technology and how they can contribute to its progress—which is now probably more important than ever. At these enriching, hands-on summer programs, kids will have a chance to learn about everything from building a model coral reef, to designing and printing 3-D objects, to powering a circuit using solar energy.