Mother's Day Weekend Fun for CT Kids: Carnivals, Races, Fishing, Art May 9-10

5/6/15 - By Clementina Verge

Carnival games, thrilling roller-coaster rides, and fried dough are just some of what's on tap this Mother's Day weekend. Quassy Amusement Park and Lake Compounce are honoring moms by offering them complimentary day passes with the purchase of a child's ticket.

Many other attractions throughout the state are offering free admission for moms on Sunday as well; they are listed below. Plus we've rounded up top Mother’s Day events in Hartford County and Fairfield County. For other areas, be sure to browse our Event Calendar which has a wide array of suggestions.

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All Weekend 

43rd Annual Greek Festival (New Haven County) 
Say "Opa!" and enjoy this four-day fest that includes world-renowned cuisine, live music and dancing, and a kids corner. Free.

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme (Hartford County)
Be astonished by unexpected circus spectacles and artists, and see animals up close while visiting with performers. 

"Willy Wonka" at Children's Cabaret Theater (Fairfield County) 
Enjoy the timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir. 

Mother's Day Weekend at Mystic Aquarium (New London County)
Enjoy the new hands-on exhibit "Scales and Tails" and free admission if you're a mom.

May Market at Hill-Stead Museum (Hartford County) 
Welcome the arrival of spring with this two-day gardening and crafts event. 

Saturday, May 9

A Coney Island Carnival at Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford County) 
Surround yourself with the sights and sounds of Coney Island, meet magicians, and make your own art. Free.

Hindley Happening School Carnival (Fairfield County) 
Enjoy carnival rides, games, and sweet treats. 

2015 Riverfest/Duck Race (New Haven County) 
Have a duck race and fun while supporting scholarships and youth activities.

Free Family Fishing Day (Tolland County)
Take the family at Gay City State Park for this state-sponsored outdoor adventure. Free. 

CT Race in the Park (Hartford County) 
Lace up your running shoes and participate in this annual event that raises vital funds for the fight against breast cancer in Connecticut. 

Guided Bird Walk for International Migratory Bird Day at Weir Farm (Fairfield County)
Wander through the trails for a 2-hour walk at this national historical site and see a dozen species of birds, or more. Free.

“Cinderella” at Mashantucket Pequot Museum Auditorium (New London County) 
The beloved princess comes to life in this stage production by Mystic Ballet.

Festival of the Arts at Quassy Amusement Park (New Haven County)
Rides, jazz bands, and a chalk art competition.

CT Ballet Presents "The Magic Toy Shoppe" (New London County) 
Toys come to life in this playful ballet suitable for all ages.

Race for the Cure at Sherwood Island State Park (Fairfield County)
Crusade together in the fight to erase breast cancer in Connecticut, one of the two states with the highest breast cancer incident rates.

BeautyByMe Girls-only Hackathon at The Connecticut Science Center (Hartford County) 
BeautyByMe brings together middle and high school girls to develop original apps that help young people confront powerful media messages about how they should look. Moms free on Mother's Day.

Accessibility Day at Stepping Stones Museum (Fairfield County)
Families with special needs children may enter for free anytime between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. 

See All Saturday Events

Sunday, May 10

Moms enjoy free admission at the following attractions with the purchase of a child's ticket: 

Cricket Hill Garden's Annual Peony Festival (Litchfield County)
Take time to smell the flowers blooming in this 7-acre garden. Free.

Make a Painting at Florence Griswold Museum (New London County) 
Get a painting lesson and head to the river or the garden for an afternoon of plein-air art. Fun for all ages.

13th Annual Mother's Day Bike Ride (Fairfield County)
Enjoy a morning of fresh air, exercise, and family bonding.

Wildflower Walk at Roaring Brook Nature Center (Hartford County) 
Connecticut boasts a wide array of spring flowers. Learn more about them on this guided walk through the woods.

Pollinators Exploration Program (Fairfield County) 
Engage with the ecosystem and be a part of hands-on regenerative agriculture.

Sensory Sunday for Children with Special Needs at Imagine Nation (Hartford County) 
The museum opens an hour early to welcome children with special needs and their families. Touch, discover, and create in a sensory friendly environment. 

See All Sunday Events