Indoor Events for Kids in Connecticut (Hartford County)

1/4/12 - By Tania Pesce

The winter months can seem very long when its frigid cold and you’re trying to stay indoors. But just because the temperatures dropped it doesn’t mean you have to go into hiding. There are still plenty of indoor options that can help to lure you out of your home and still keep you toasty warm and entertained. From entertainment centers to shows and sports games check out this compilation of indoor things to do to avoid cabin fever during the cold weather season.

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Sports
A great way to spend time indoors with your little athlete is to catch a game. Take your little sports fanatic to the XL Center to see the UConn Huskies basket ball team or CT Whales ice hockey team play. Cheer on the Hartford Hawks women’s or men’s basketball team at the Chase Arena Reich Family Pavillion in West Hartford. Check the websites for various times and ticket prices.

XL Center One Civic Center Plaza Hartford, CT 06103

Theater
Enjoy a show at one of the many theaters within the area. The Disney on Ice show, 100 Years of Magic, will be at Hartford’s XL Center from January 12- January 16 where you can become captivated by an amazing ice show featuring unforgettable characters like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and many others. Check the website for various show times and ticket prices. For another great show you can see the musical version of Louisa May Alcott’s show Little Women at the Hartford Children’s Theater. Running from January 13- January 29 you can enjoy a complete theatrical experience about the story of four sisters growing up in Civil War America.

Hartford Children's Theater 360 Farmington Avenue Hartford, CT 06105-4402

Library
There are so many great activities happening for free at the local libraries this month. Simsbury Public Library is having the Mad Science of Western New England come present a fun “Glow Show” for children in kindergarten and first grade. On January 11 at 4pm, kids will get to make a chemical light bulb and use a Blacklight Writer to make secret messages that only they can see! The critter road show a live animal program, for ages 3 to kindergarten, featuring soft cuddly mammals like a rabbit, gerbil, hamster and chinchilla will be at Simsbury Public library on January 17 from 10:30-11:30am. Pre-registration is required for all these activities.

Simsbury Public Library 725 Hopmeadow Street Simsbury Center, CT 06070-2249

On January 28 from 10:30-4pm Science Saturday will be held at the Cora J. Belden Library in Rocky Hill. You and your child can drop in throughout the day to conduct simple experiments using household materials that you’ll be able to take home after. For another great activity at the Rocky Hill Library come celebrate the Chinese New Year’s Year of the Dragon with stories and a craft on January 23 at 6:45-7:30pm. Pre-registration is required for all these activities.

Cora J. Belden Library 33 Church Street Rocky Hill, CT

The Lucy Robbins Welles Library in Newington is presenting a series of free workshops for parents and their 1-3 year old children. Choose to attend on Mondays, January 9, 23 and 30 and February 6 from 6-7:30pm or Tuesdays, January 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 10:15-11:30am. Spend some time with other families to share thoughts and talk with librarians and child development experts as you play and read with your child. Find out about great community services for your family. A light supper will be served before the evening sessions. Also at this library on January 14 from 1-3pm will be the Winter Reading event where you can enjoy hot chocolate, winter stories and crafts. On Wednesday January 18 head over to the Newington Library for the Cookbook Club. Children in grades 3-6 can listen to camp stories and make s’mores at 6:30pm. Pre-registration is required for all these activities.

Lucy Robbin Welles Library 95 Cedar Street Newington, CT 06111-2645

Museums
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford offers children’s tours every Saturday, Sunday and public holidays at 2pm. It is a kid friendly interactive hands-on tour featuring props, activities and storytelling with a kid’s eye view of the Stowe’s family home. All activities are included with museum admission.

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center 77 Forest Street Hartford, CT 06105

Enjoy the day off from school on January 16 with this Martin Luther King, Jr. themed event beginning at 10 am. Enjoy a full day of hands-on activities, live music and poetry focusing on the theme of freedom at the Wadsworth Museum in Hartford. All activities are included with museum admission.

Wadsworth Museum 600 Main Street Hartford, CT 06103-2990

On Wednesday, January 18 from 6-7:30pm the Imagine Nation Museum presents “Girl’s Night Out Knit-a-Bit” a program for girls ages 8-13 and their mothers, mentors or special friend. You and to learn basic knitting skills with individualized attention and knit your very own scarf for the cold months ahead! A light dinner will be served at this free event. Please call ahead to pre-register.

1 Pleasant Street Bristol, CT 06010-6254