Winter Outdoor Activities in Connecticut with Kids 

1. Maple sugaring

Head to  Woodbury for a Maple Sugaring Demonstration at Flanders Nature Center. It's fun for all ages, and the sweetest part? It's FREE!

2. Winter at the zoo

Bundle up and see how the animals spend their winter at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, which is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

3. Winter hiking

Hike the trails at the Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton. 

4. See wildlife from the water

Need an adventure on the water? Take a boat ride on the lower Connecticut River on a Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruise. 

5. Visit the farm

Explore art in the great outdoors and life at the farm at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. 

Spot bald eagles at the Shepaug Nature Center. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel

6. See the bald eagles

Bald Eagle viewing at Shepaug Dam has been showing kids the wonders of eagles for over 30 years. Specialists with telescopes will be available to help viewers spot eagles and other birds of prey.

7. Stroll in the snow at Earthplace

The 62-acre wildlife sanctauary in Westport has six trails to explore. Enjoy the crisp air and sparkling views that only a winter walk can offer.

8. See the Seals

When the winter is winding down, it's time for a Seal Watch Cruise with Project Oceanography, setting sail from Groton.

9. Explore the Bartlett Arboretum

Open year round, the Best Nature Centers in Connecticut, like the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford let families enjoy the quiet beauty of nature in winter.

Winter Activities in CT - Skiing, Sledding, Snow Tubing, and More

Tubing offers the thrill of skiing minus the extra cost and gear at Powder Ridge. Photo by Ally Noel

10. Go snow tubing at Powder Ridge.

There's nothing like the thrill of snow tubing down a well-groomed trail in a soft-sided inner tube. The slopes at Powder Ridge are perfect for a family outing.

11. Skiing and snowboarding at Mohawk Mountain

Conquer the slopes at Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall, one of our favorite ski and snowboard resorts in Connecticut.

12. Go cross country skiing at Winding Trails

Try out cross country skiing in Connecticut with the family, and explore nature in a unique (and fun!) way.

13. Go Snowshoeing

You can rent snowshoes in Windsor and take a magical winter stroll through Northwest Park and Preserve.

14. Sledding

Elizabeth Park is home to one of our favorite sledding hills around Hartford; there's family fun when the snow starts flying.

15. Ice skating in Stamford

Lace up your skates and check out the Cohen Skating Center Public Skate at Mill River, and go for a twirl or two.

Winter Activities in Connecticut for Kids - Indoor Fun

16. RPM Raceway

Speed seekers will be able to get their adrenaline pumping at RPM Raceway in Stamford.

17. IT Adventure Indoor Ropes Course

Check out the largest indoor ropes course in the world (yes! in the world...): IT Adventure Indoor Ropes Course in New Haven.

18. Obstacle courses

Danbury's Thrillz is one of the best Connecticut's family fun centers. And with four different obstacle challenges in the Adventure Zone, there's plenty of indoor fun for the kids.

19. Playhouse Fairfield

Take your little ones to Playhouse Fairfield for a fun indoor playspace that's perfect for toddlers and kids!

20. Nomad's Adventure Quest

The best arcades in Connecticut, like Nomad's Adventure Quest in South Windsor, are perfect for finding fun activities on a chilly day, including old school arcade games bowling, and more.

21. Strap on those (roller) skates

Ice skating is fun, but you can stay warmer with a visit to Roller Magic Skating Center in Waterbury. It's one of the best roller skating rinks in Connecticut, and you'll skate away the cabin fever!

22. Visit Mini Town

When the chilly weather keeps the kids inside, try one of our favorite Play Cafes in Connecticut. Mini Town Cafe & Play has sweet treats and something for the whole family: space for kids to play and for parents to relax.

23. Explore Virtual Reality

A fun indoor spot like CT Virtual Reality Arcade has fun for all ages, with challenging and fun immersive games.

24. Farmers Market

It's always a beautiful day at the Westport Winter Farmers' Market, located in the greenhouses at Gilberties’ Herb Garden.

25. Have a bite

Uncle Buck's Fishbowl and Grill is the kind of themed restaurants for Connecticut kids that the whole family will love, with fun decor, great food, and bowling!

Winter Activities in Connecticut for Kids - Museums and More

26. Spend Snowy Days at Stepping Stones

Head to one of our favorite Connecticut museums for Snowy Days at Stepping Stones Museum for Children, complete with winter activities just for kids.

27. Maritime Aquarium

Pet jellyfish and stingrays at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk.

28. New England Carousel Museum

Take a look at restored carousel horses housed at The New England Carousel Museum in Bristol.

 
Chug over to check out these amazing trains. Photo courtesy of the Connecticut River Museum

29. See some choo-choo trains

Check out the Holiday Train Show at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex, open through Valentine's Day.

30. New England Air Museum

Snowy conditions won't prevent you from taking a family adventure at the New England Air Museum in South Windsor.

31. Learn all about PEZ

The PEZ Visitor Center in Orange, Connecticut shares the sweet history of this local treat.

32. Learn about local indigenous culture

Head to the Institute for American Indian Studies Museum and Research Center in Washington and learn about the contributions of indigenous cultures. 

33. Visit Mystic Aquarium

Spend a day greeting beluga whales at the Mystic Aquarium and exploring maritime history at Mystic Seaport Museum.

 
Spend the day steeped in science. Photo courtesy of the CT Science Center, Facebook

34. CT Science Center

Plan a day trip to the CT Science Center in Hartford and take part in enriching activities and experiments that will put a smile on the face of every budding scientist.

35. Visit Yale Peabody Museum

See the amazing dinosaur displays at the renovated (and free!) Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven.

36. Discovery Science Center

The Discovery Science Center in Bridgeport has hands-on fun for all ages, with STEM-based exhibits and plenty of space to roam and play.

Winter Festivals in Connecticut

38. Fire and Ice Festival

The Fire and Ice Festival at Two Roads Brewing in Stratford heats up every winter with ice sculpting, fire performances, and more outdoor fun.

39. Jumpfest Winter Festival

See amazing displays of ski jumping and more at the annual Jumpfest Winter Festival/Ski Jumping in Salisbury at John Satre Memorial Hill.

40. Wilton Winter Carnival

Every year, the Wilton town green warms up with activities and exhibitions, as the Wilton Winter Carnival brings some fun for Connecticut families.

41. Winterfest at Ski Sundown

January brings Winterfest at Ski Sundown to New Hartford, with face painting, ice sculpting, and more fun winter activities.

42. Winter Festival at Burr Pond

Head to the Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park in February for some outdoor winter fun!

43. Winter Weekend

Every February, the Annual Winter Weekend in Norfolk features two days of winter fun, like snow-shoeing, as well as open houses, live music, and other activities to shake off the winter blues.

44. Holiday Lights Spectacular in Mystic

Through the end of January, enjoy the magic of the Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village.

Winter Activities in Connecticut with Kids - Getaways

45. Hit the Water Park

Connecticut has a world class indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge in Mashantucket, where families can enjoy a slice of summer all winter long.

46. Get away to Foxwoods Resort

Beyond Great Wolf Lodge, Foxwoods Resort has so much to offer families, from shopping fun to arcade excitement and more.

47. Visit Mystic

Visit Mystic, Connecticut with kids for family activities all year long

48. Explore New Haven

From some of the best pizza in the world, to the shops and museums of Yale, visiting New Haven is perfect for a family adventure.

 
See how you match up against the NBA pros! Basketball Hall of Fame photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

49. Head to Springfield, Mass

With the Dr. Seuss Museum and the Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, Mass is worth the visit!

50. Explore New England's Roadside Attractions

Across the region, there are fun New England roadside attractions to explore as a family.

Originally published on December 8, 2017. Updated 2022, 2024