Just follow your nose (and maybe some big holiday sights) to family fun and the top things to do in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Stamford Downtown
Stamford Parade and More Things To Do in CT This Weekend
Polar Express trains are coming to towns all over New England for Christmas 2024! Essex Steam Train Railroad photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New England 2024
GUIDE
CT Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
Find the best things to do in Connecticut this November, like the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular. Photo courtesy of the event.
22 Best Things To Do in Connecticut November 2024 with Kids
Groupon's online marketplace offers tons of discounts on activities for kids and families.
Save On Top-Rated Connecticut Outings and Experiences for Kids and Families
Kids meet new friends as they jump, slide, and swing at the top indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Romp N Roll in Wethersfield
20 Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Connecticut
Grab some friends for some birthday laps around the track. Photo courtesy of RPM Raceway
Fun Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Tweens and Teens
Our ultimate family bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut before kids grow up. Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce
100 Things To Do in Connecticut Before Kids Grow Up
Find big fun in all shapes and sizes at free museums for kids in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of the Eli Whitney Museum
Free Museums in Connecticut To Visit with Kids
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
Best Museums for Kids in Connecticut: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
Best Petting Zoos in Connecticut: Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos
New England Family Travel Guide
Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway
Find a sweet treat for the whole family at the best places for breakfast in Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Hotcakes
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut
As classic as the roller rink or modern as a VR experience, these fun indoor places are perfect spots for teens and tweens to hang out! Photo by Ally Noel
Fun Places in Connecticut Where Tweens and Teens Can Hang Out Indoors
Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut.
GUIDE
Connecticut Guide to Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones
Parents can enjoy some relaxation when their kids spend time at the
10 Family-Friendly Hotels and Spa Resorts in Connecticut
Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
GUIDE
Connecticut Day Trips & Weekend Getaways Guide
A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures
The Best Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in Connecticut
Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers
Flat walking trails make Wharton Brook State Park a sure bet for kid hikers. Photo by Mommy Poppins
A Dozen Short Hikes in Connecticut for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel
Top Attractions in Connecticut: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
From rolling hills and lakes to scenic views and summits, there's great outdoor adventure for families at Connecticut state parks. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
25 Connecticut State Parks and Forests That Are Great to Visit with Kids
Bubbles are a classic free fun activity for Connecticut kids
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do for Connecticut Kids
Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons
Top Connecticut Playgrounds That Families Will Love
Run through the vineyards at Aquila's Nest. Photo courtesy of Aquila's Nest, Facebook
The Best Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in Connecticut
Practice new skills at Calf's Pasture Beach, photo courtesy of Norwalk Skate Park, Facebook
Top Skate Parks in Connecticut
Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
  VIDEO
25 Preschool Science Experiments: Simple Science for Toddlers through Kindergarten Kids
Revel in nature's majesty at Webb Mountain. Photo by Ally Noel
Best Nature Centers in Connecticut To Visit with Kids
We’ve rounded up the best escape rooms in Connecticut for a fun family outing!
Awesome Escape Rooms in CT: Kid-Friendly Parties and Family Adventures
The festivities get downright magical with Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT! Photo courtesy of Dean Davids Magician
Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT That Come To You
Find family fare and great deals at these Connecticut restaurants where kids eat free! Photo courtesy of Bigstock
Kids Eat Free: Connecticut Restaurants with Free Meal Deals for Families

Nature Camps in the Hartford Area

1/6/18 - By Clementina Verge

Summer camps bring to mind images of wilderness exploration, sitting by the campfire roasting marshmallows, being outside in the sun, and just enjoying nature. Many of us grew up experiencing such moments in our back yards, and today you can help to create the same memories for your children by sending them to one of these great Hartford County nature-themed camps. Also, be sure to check out our CT Summer Camp Guide and our Summer Camp Directory.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Note that summer camp information for the 2020 season is changing daily. Please click the links to the individual camps below to see which ones are offering programs this year.

Northwest Park
This camp program focuses on science, farm life, and nature, while allowing children to enjoying the outdoors. Your child will be engaged in hands-on experiences, activities, games, hikes, observations, projects, stories, and experiments. Crafts are also incorporated into the camp experience. Broken up into week-long sessions from June to August, you may register your child for multiple weeks of camp. Camps are based on what grade your child will be entering in the fall.

145 Lang Road, Windsor 860-285-1886

The New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park
The museum offers a variety of outdoor summer camp programs for ages 3-5 and grades 1-3. Children learn about insects, animals, farm life, the great outdoors, and much more.

191 Farmington Avenue, Kensington 860-827-9064

Roaring Brook Nature Center
This summer discovery program offers children a unique blend of education and recreation that allows them to explore the sense of wonder they may feel towards the natural world. The program is for preschoolers through students entering grade 8.

70 Gracey Road, Canton 860-693-0263

Winding Trails
Camp here operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and is offered in four sessions June through August. Programs include swimming, sports, and specialty areas such as arts and crafts, music and drama, nature, boating, and more.

50 Winding Trails Drive, Farmington 860-677-8485

South Windsor Recreation
Adventure Unit, a camp for children ages 12-15, offers weekly summer camp takes exciting trips, including Brownstone Adventure Park, Huck Finn Canoeing, and Veterans' Memorial. Park. This is just one of the seven camps offered here, accommodating ages 3-15.

150 Nevers Road, South Windsor

The Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center
Offering a variety of summer programs for children ages 2-15, this camp emphasize learning about relationships with the natural world, safely exploring the outdoors, and balancing learning and recreation. Students can choose from nature camp (Pre-K-2), eco camp (grades 3-6), and swim lessons and recreational swims.

505 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield 860-721-2800

Originally published 2/6/12

 

Places featured in this article: