President's Weekend Fun for CT Kids: Eagles, Art, and Lunarfest, February 18-20

Photo Courtesy of the Imagine Nation Museum
Photo Courtesy of the Imagine Nation Museum
2/14/18 - By Jacqueline Miller

Most of us in Connecticut have at least a three-day weekend ahead and with the vagaries of school break schedules, many of us have quite a few more. Happily, Connecticut is a fabulous place to staycation, plenty of fun awaits around the state. We've got all kinds of ideas to get outside from eagle spotting train rides to a guided nature hike to a festive parade celebrating the lunar new year. If you're feeling more of an indoor vibe, check out the Harlem Globetrotters, a puppetry festival, or museum adventures in BristolRidgefield, and Bridgeport.  And if all this togetherness is too much, there's even a fun drop off workshop at the Noah Webster House, for just a few hours or the whole day.

We update our Events Calendar frequently so be sure to check back for even more great suggestions. To keep up with the latest family-friendly events and activities, sign up for our newsletters, and follow us on FacebookTwitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Have a fantastic weekend!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

All Weekend

The Essex Steam Train's Eagle Flyer—Essex
All aboard for this 2 1/2 hour train excursion where you will search for creatures in their winter habitat. Naturalists from Connecticut's Bald Eagle Study Group and Master Wildlife Conservationists will assist passengers in spotting Bald Eagles, hawks, and other wildlife living in the Connecticut River Valley.
 Saturday and Sunday.

Harlem Globetrotters—Hartford and Bridgeport
The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to town with some of the greatest athletes on the planet. Experience ball-handling wizardry, trick shots, side-splitting comedy, and more.

Free Child Week at the White Memorial Conservation Center—Litchfield 
Check out a life-sized beaver lodge, touch real animal fur, test your bird identification skills, visit a fluorescent rock cave, and view nature through a digital macro-scope! Then head outside to explore the 4,000-acre wildlife sanctuary and boardwalk around Bantam Lake.  Through February 22nd.

Tropical Sunsation—Mystic
Enjoy a tropical staycation at the Mystic Aquarium where you'll find steel drums, hula hooping, fanciful crafts, and more. Through February 25th.

Saturday, February 17

Lunarfest—New Haven
Lunarfest kicks off with a colorful dance on Whitney Avenue, between Grove Street and Trumbull Street, and is followed by children’s arts and crafts, music, dance lessons, art demonstrations, and more. Free

Puppetry Festival at Washington Montessori School—New Preston
It's the last weekend to be a part of this fun puppetry festival. The production will be a retelling of "The Three Little Pigs." Tickets available at the door. 

Acorn Adventures—Pomfret
Head to the Lyon Preserve for a guided, gentle hike (stroller friendly!) looking for bobcat tracks and other signs of animal life. Free.

Photo courtesy of the Aldrich Museum

Third Saturdays—Ridgefield
Teaching artist Alissa Siegal will lead participants through a workshop where they can sketch, draw, write, and explore the ways that authors, artists, and illustrators work together to add pictures to words. Included with museum admission. 

Sweethearts Family Breakfast—Stamford
Enjoy a waffle breakfast at the Carousel Pavilion followed by unlimited carousel rides. Preregistration requested.

All Saturday Events

Sunday, February 18

Super Sunday Creation Station—Mystic
Spend part of your Sunday at the Coogan Farm where Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center artists will be on hand to provide basic materials and inspiration for drawing, painting, and more. 

Accessibility DayNorwalk
Families of children with special needs can enjoy free admission. Free.

Tanglewood Marionettes Present Sleeping BeautyStamford
Younger children, in particular, will enjoy this fanciful production of "Sleeping Beauty" as hand-crafted marionettes are brought to life by a master puppeteer. 

Kids Play Family Fun Fair—Torrington
Families can browse local classes and activity options while kids are entertained by a variety of performers.

All Sunday Events

Monday, February 19

Maker Day at the Discovery Museum—Bridgeport
The museum is planning a day of special activities designed to challenge and excite your inner inventor. In addition to hands-on activities and crafts, there will be special planetarium shows and live science demonstrations. Included with museum admission.

Presidents' Day at Imagine Nation—Bristol
The Imagine Nation Museum has a full day of president-inspired activities planned, including the chance to try your hand at sculpting your own Mount Rushmore out of clay. Included with museum admission.

President's Day Movie and Craft—Darien
The Darien Library is kicking it old school with a screening of a Schoolhouse Rock classic (sure to delight nostalgic parents as well as kids) followed by a presidential craft. Free.

Historical Workshops at the Noah Webster House—West Hartford
Drop the kids off for some president-inspired crafting and have a few hours to yourself. There are three-hour sessions available in the morning and afternoon. Preregistration required

Candle Dipping at the Windsor Historical Society—Windsor 
Step back in time over 300 years ago at this hands-on museum where you'll learn how to hand-dip colorful candles, try on colonial clothing, and more.

All Monday Events