Canton

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.

Indoor Play Areas in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Sun, 11/25/2018 - 11:03am

Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean that you and your family have to go into hibernation. There are some great indoor play spaces in the Hartford area where your active child can burn off excess energy by climbing, bouncing, running, and jumping. He or she might even take a nap for you later! We've also compiled a list of indoor play places specifically for big kids in Hartford County. For even more indoor fun check out our Connecticut Indoor Play Guide.

Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner around Hartford, CT

Submitted by Pam Hegner on Sat, 10/20/2018 - 1:29pm

The thought of having to prepare a huge Thanksgiving meal for my family gives me nightmares worse than forgetting to turn in my senior thesis. I prefer to leave it to the professionals and enjoy family, friends, and football rather than shopping, cooking, and cleaning up. For a traditional feast with all the trimmings minus the stress, check out our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in the Hartford area. Reservations are strongly recommended for all of the restaurants. Check out our posts about Thanksgiving Dinner Out in Fairfield County and Restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day in Litchfield County too.

Halloween Events in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 10/07/2018 - 3:41pm

Holy Howling Halloween! The spookiest time of the year is quickly approaching and families are planning the best way for their little ghouls to enjoy the season. If you live near the Hartford-area, there are many not-so-scary events to squeeeeze into your creepy calendar. And of course, don't forget to check out Mommy Poppins' Ultimate Fall 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.

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.

Winter Break Fun in CT

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 7:16pm

This winter break stay busy with one (or all) of the following activity ideas in your area. There are so many fun options to choose from that you'll be sure to find one that you and your family will enjoy.

Also don't forget to check out our Winter Guide of Activities.

Inflatable Fun! A Visit to Bounce Town in Canton

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Sat, 12/30/2017 - 11:59am

Too wet? Too cold? Too hot? No problem. The climate-controlled Bounce Town in Canton provides a great outing for children, no matter what the season or the reason. Oversized inflatables will entertain for hours: rush up the ladder of a fire truck, go under the sea on a Nemo-like adventure, chase each other through a Frozen bouncy house, giggle your way down the bumpy Kahuna slide (my daughter couldn’t get enough of this one), and challenge each other to a basketball shootout. Kids will leave exhausted, happy, and begging to return.

Holiday Strolls and Tree Lighting Events in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Pam Hegner on Fri, 11/03/2017 - 12:47pm

One of the best things about living in Connecticut is the small-town feel our communities work so hard to capture. This sentiment can especially be felt around the holidays when people come together. So even if you don't live in these towns in Hartford County, you are welcome and encouraged to celebrate the season at these events. Check out our Holiday Guide and our list of Holiday Light Shows for even more tips on fun ways to celebrate the season.

Haunted Halloween Happenings for Everyone in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Tania Pesce on Mon, 09/04/2017 - 7:32am

There's something about fall that lends itself to haunted happenings. Maybe it's the first chill in the air or the rustle of dying leaves that stir up the spirit of the season. If your family is looking for some spooky (or not so spooky) fun in the Hartford Area, we have rounded the seasons best bets for kids of all ages. Read on and read carefully as some of these are really not intended for the smaller set.