Free and Fun Things to Do This Weekend for CT Kids: Corn Festivals, Honey Harvests, Sunflowers and Art Celebrations

8/2/12 - By Mary Beth Lawlor

The back to school sales are in full swing and act as a reminder that the start of the new school year is less than one month away. Every June I make a mental list of all of the fun things I want to do with my kids over the summer. I'm happy to say that we've done a lot, but with only a few weeks left before they're back in school I want to make the most of our time together. We have more than enough ideas to help your family create summer memories together in our list of 120 Things to do With Kids in Connecticut and our post about Water Fun in Fairfield County.

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This week I took my kids to the Sunflower Maze at Lyman Orchards. The maze is open through August 26th. Get lost in this maze of 350,000 sunflowers with 85 decision points which will keep you guessing as you try to make your way to the exit. Order tickets in advance online with the code "Poppins" to save $1 per ticket.

Kent's Annual Sidewalk Festival runs Thursday through Sunday. This annual shopping festival has a full calendar of activities planned throughout the weekend including music, food, vintage cars and a petting zoo.

Over 150 artists and craft-persons will be displaying and selling their work at the Sono Arts Celebration this weekend. The festival begins with a party Friday night and continues through Sunday. Listen to musical performances, watch the puppet parade and let the kids visit the Children's Art Playground where they can create their own works to take home and contribute to a community mural.

Hartford Hosts its 7th Annual Taste of Caribbean and Jerk Festival this weekend. Highlights include a children's activity village, Caribbean carnival, costumes, salsa and merengue lessons and authentic Caribbean fare from over 25 vendors.

The North Branford Potato and Corn Festival offers families live music, a car show, tractor pull, fireworks, rides, an arcade and food all weekend long. The Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington is having their Annual Green Corn Festival. Children can experience native Americans performing their dance rituals and music. They can even participate in a pow wow!

Have you ever wondered how honey is harvested? You can observe the process at the Audubon Greenwich's Annual Honey Harvest. Observe, help and taste as local bee keepers harvest honey and don't forget to pick up some fresh honey to take home.

We posted about 2 fun day trips this week: Canoeing down the Farmington River and Heading down to the Delaware Water Gap.

Let us make your birthday party planning easier. Check out one of our birthday party guides: Where to Throw A Princess Party in the Hartford Area, Arts and Crafts Birthday Parties in Fairfield County, Hosting a Birthday Party at Home in Fairfield County, Places to Throw an Outdoor Birthday Party in Hartford County for great ideas that will put a smile on the face of your birthday boy or girl.

As always visit our event calendar for additional event listings and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for giveaways, updates and tips on fun activities for your family. Enjoy your weekend!