The Shoppes also hold community events such as a trick-or-treating during Halloween week, outdoor music and movies in the summer, and Victorian Carolers in December.

About a mile and half away, put the shopping behind for some woodland scenery at Roaring Brook Nature Center. Live animal, Native American and land exhibits reside inside; and over five miles of trails are maintained by the center, where wildlife and birds can be viewed. Year-round educational programs include maple sugaring, snowshoeing, bird walks, concerts and more. You'll be amazed at the variety of things for all ages, and many come free or at a modest price point. Roaring Brook is affiliated with the Children's Museum in West Hartford and offers reciprocity for members. 

Canton is not short on indoor recreation. Valley Sports Center is a 28,000-square foot sports facility offering basketball, volleyball, soccer, batting cages and other recreation. This is one of the most impressive venues of its kind I have seen in CT. 

Play indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf at Canton Valley Golf Center  . Kids will love navigating through the black lights on the pirate-themed course. They also have a sports bar where you can play hi-def simulation golf mimicking a day on the links. 

Jump Zone is everyone's favorite place for bouncy house fun. Inflatables and arcade games abound, as do the popular birthday parties. They also offer several open play options and drop-off events. 

Little Green Tambourine  is a creative arts studio offering messy cooking and art classes, yoga, spa parties, dancing, kids' night out, and other unique experiences. They take pride in their home-made, non-toxic art supplies, and strive to be a healthy environment for your little ones. Birthday parties are crowd pleasers, as is the fact they are a nut-free facility. 

A scenic two-mile drive from Little Green Tambourine brings you to Collinsville, a quaint village located in Canton's southeast corner. In 1826, The Collins family opened a successful axe and tool company in one of the sawmills. The business existed for 140 years, and with it the town gained a fire station, church, bank, hotel, rail line and housing for employees. Many of these buildings still grace the landscape today as antique stores, hip artist studios, cafes, condos and more. The central portion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Canton Historical Museum is housed in one, and there is a children's room where you can find displays of Victorian toys, games and other recreation before the invention of TV and other modern staples.

The festive Collinsville Farmers Market runs Sundays from June through October. Live music and a plethora of produce, meat and dairy from local farms makes this a wonderful day out for families.

The old rail line from the Collins Company era lives on today as the Farmington River Trail. This 18-mile loop runs by the banks of the Farmington River, connecting five towns. You can't beat the gorgeous scenery for biking, running and walking.

The village has a great river launch area, and Collinsville Canoe and Kayak  provides rentals, lessons (for children ages 7-15), guided tours and more.

Mills Pond Park is Canton's largest outdoor recreation venue. From summer camps to ice skating in the winter, there is something for everyone. You'll find an Olympic size swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, a popular skate park and playground. The Canton Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs and classes throughout the year. 

Canton is also a caring community. A "Walk for Hunger" event in May benefits the food bank. The "Gifts for Canton" drive starts in Mid-November for a month, collecting unwrapped holiday gifts, clothes, household items and food for underprivileged families. The Collinsville Congregational Church holds an annual Thanksgiving dinner for anyone otherwise alone for the holiday, and a fuel bank aids families in need. 

Charity, charm and culture; everything that makes Canton/Collinsville worthy of a fantastic place to raise a family or spend time visiting.