All Weekend 

My Sky Exhibit at Stepping Stones (Fairfield County) 
Opening on Saturday, January 31, the incredible My Sky exhibit is about the universe, but it is also about each of us, and how the sky above impacts our lives here on Earth. My Sky, which was funded by NASA and created through a partnership between Boston Children’s Museum and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, invites children and adults to explore the Sun, the Moon, and the stars together in an immersive, inviting environment. The exhibit opens this weekend and runs through May. Included with Museum admission ($15 per person, free for children under 1).

Peter and the Star Catcher (New Haven County) 
How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Never Grew Up? This original story of one of popular culture's most enduring and beloved character proves that your imagination is the most captivating place in the world! Recommended for kids age 10 and up, this swashbuckling musical was praised by The New York Times as "the most exhilarating storytelling on Broadway in decades." Thursday to Sunday. Tickets start at $12.00

Jumpfest Winter Festival (Litchfield County)
Watch as all ages compete for the longest jump. Spectators get to watch the jumpers up close. Bonfires, hot cocoa, ice sculptures and cute dogs complete the scene. Oh! And don't forget your cowbells!

Connecticut Kids Fair (Hartford County) 
Fun, entertainment, exhibits, prizes and more are what you’ll get at the Connecticut Kids fair at the Convention Center in Hartford. Here’s one-stop-shopping for the latest products and services for growing families, including national, state and local companies offering product samples and valuable information. There will be celebrity appearances and loads of activities for families including pony rides, a kids' fashion show, a kids' play area, amusement rides, and much more! Saturday and Sunday. $10 Adults; $5 Kids.

Eagle Watch Cruises (Middlesex County) 
February and March are prime viewing for visiting eagles and other birds wintering along the lower Connecticut River Valley. Bring your binoculars and climb aboard Project Oceanology’s Enviro Lab III at the Connecticut River Museum for a cruise and discover the beauty of the river in winter. Boat cruises begin for the season on Friday, January 30th and continue through the weekend with an official kickoff day on Saturday, which will include family activities in the galleries that are free with museum admission. Children under age 6 not permitted. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. $40 per person.

Saturday, January 31

Maple Tree Tapping Open House (New Haven County) 
Bring your enthusiasm for all things maple for an afternoon in the sugar bush at this environmental educational center! Learn how to identify sugar maples in the winter months and how to tap trees.  Free.

Overnight Summer Camp and Teen Opportunities Fair (Fairfield County)
Has this winter weather already got you dreaming about summer? Head to the Tips on Trips and Camps Open House at Darien High School to meet program directors, collect brochures and DVDs, and speak to a knowledgeable consultant for this FREE service to design a summer that is just right for your child, age 6 to 18. Free.

Dirty Boots Kids Club Animal Tracking (Hartford County) 
Head to the Simsbury Farms Apple Barn to learn how to identify the tracks of native Connecticut animals. Learn which animals are active in the winter and use track molds available for making casts of tracks. Dress so that you are prepared to spend time outdoors. Pre-registration is required. Free for members; $10 for non-members. 

Pilobolus Family Workshop (Litchfield County) 
Pilobolus's Family Workshop is for kids, parents, grandparents, and family friends.  Participants will be moving together with these renowned dancers in new and interesting ways, thinking creatively, and making fun physical shapes and sequences together.  The hour and a half includes warm-up, exercises in physical collaboration, sharing and group conversation, mingling, and lots of play. Free for Washington Club members. $25 per family for non-members.

Sunday, February 1

Black History Month Kickoff Celebration at the Mattatuck Museum (New Haven County) 
Children and families are invited to celebrate and honor the important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. The celebration will include an African American storyteller, a dance performance, singing with the Waterbury Youth Chorus, a poetry reading by Everett Hoagland, with special guest Candida Rose, a guided tour of the Museum. Free.

Groundhog Day Hike at Roaring Brook Nature Center (Hartford County) 
Will the groundhog see his shadow this year? Walk gently through the forest to uncover the mysteries of wildlife habits in mid-winter. $4 members, $6 nonmembers: half-price children.

Essex Groundhog Day Parade (Middlesex County) 
Get your pots and pans ready for the 2014 Essex Groundhog Day Parade! This Essex tradition is fun for the entire family and will kick off at 2 pm on Main Street in Essex Village. Who will Essex Ed be this year? Join us to find out! Free.

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Have a fun filled weekend with your family! And as always, thanks for being a Mommy Poppins reader!