All Weekend 

Holiday Express Train Show at the Fairfield Museum and Historical Society (Fairfield County)
If you haven't made it into to the city for the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden--or perhaps even if you have--you'll find the Holiday Express Train Show at the Fairfield Museum and Historical Society a somewhat less daunting and yet still magic option, especially if you have younger kids. The trains are exciting, the settings are magical, and this is your last weekend to catch it. Museum admission, which includes the train show, is $5 for adults; $3 for children over 6; and free for children 5 and under. Ends Sunday, January 4th.

Winter Vessel Tour at Mystic Seaport (New London County)
Take an up-close look at the vessels and listen as our knowledgeable Interpretation staff share details about the 1908 steamboat Sabino and the Seaport's special guest, Plimoth Plantation’s Mayflower II. You’ll also be given a guided tour of the Museum’s flagship, the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, which is back at Chubb’s Wharf after last summer’s historic 38th Voyage. Climb aboard and explore the last wooden whaleship in the world and learn more about her 173-year-old history. Tours will begin and end at the Museum’s main entrance. (If you go on Saturday, head over to the Chantey Blast and Pub Sing, described below, after your tour.) $10 members; $12 non-members. Saturdays and Sundays through February 8th.

Three Centuries of Christmas and Candlelight Tours (Hartford County)
The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum’s “Three Centuries of Christmas” tours show how the American holiday season has evolved over the past 300 years. The enchanting and historic view of holidays past begins in the Silas Deane House, circa 1770, where New Year’s Day was the main holiday—due to the Puritanical customs that still lingered in New England—rather than Christmas. The house reflects the preparations for the Deane’s “New Years’ Day Calling,” when prominent gentlemen in the community would call on the lady of the household. $12 per adult; $6 per child; $28 per family. Ends Sunday, January 4th.

Saturday, January 3

Home Depot Kids Workshop (Throughout CT)
The first Saturday of every month, all Home Depot locations host a free workshop for kids ages 5-12. The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. All workshop participants get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin. Locations include Norwalk, Bridgeport, Fairfield, North Haven, Glastonbury, and West Hartford. The January workshop will kick off the new year with a fun mini sled craft. Free.

Let's Build a City at the Connecticut Historical Society (Hartford County)
Calling all builders! Join other families at the Connecticut Historical Society as you build your own community on a giant floor map. CHS will provide the boxes (and other supplies), while kids will use their creativity to turn boxes into buildings and help the city come to life. Free.

The Princess Bride at Westport Library (Fairfield County)
Westport Library concludes their series of new and classic movies for family holiday breaks with the perennial favorite, The Princess Bride. In the McManus Room. Free.

Chantey Blast and Pub Sing (New London County)
Held at Frohsinn Hall, located at 54 Greenmanville Avenue across from the main entrance to Mystic Seaport, this annual event features Seaport chantey staff and and includes many of the finest chantey singers in the northeast singing maritime ballads and songs of the sea. Free, but donations are welcome to support the 36th annual Sea Music Festival which will be hosted at Mystic Seaport June 11-14, 2015. (This is a nice companion activity to the Winter Vessel Tour, which begins at 1 pm and is described above.)

Sunday, January 4

The Mitten String with Jennifer Rosner (Hartford County)
Bring your family to the Mandell JCC for a reading of "The Mitten String" with author Jennifer Rosner. There will also be an interactive craft with hot cocoa and cookies. RSVPs encouraged. Free, but please consider bringing a new pair of mittens, gloves, a scarf or hat to donate to families in need.

Open Arts Day at Guilford Arts Center (New Haven County)
The Art Center’s studios and classrooms will be open from 1 to 3 pm with instructor artists demonstrating their crafts and offering hands-on art projects in fields including pottery, blacksmithing, sewing, drawing, beading, kids’ classes, and more. Open Arts Day coincides with the final day of Guilford Art Center’s Artistry from 12-5 pm. Free.

Playtime at the Palace: Casey Carle's BubbleMania (Fairfield County)
This unique program combines high energy entertainment with artistic achievement. BubbleMania is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids. Casey's creations grow from intricate and imaginative bubble art forms to "trapping" people inside bubbles! $20 for adults; $15 for children.

Have a wonderful weekend--and Happy New Year!