Head to Hartford for New Year's Eve 2024 celebrations fit for families! First Night Hartford photo by Andy Hart courtesy of the event.
New Year's Eve Weekend 2024 in CT: Noon Year's Eve, Harlem Globetrotters, and More
Kick off 2025 with fun and free things to do in Connecticut this January! Family Day event photo courtesy of the Yale University Art Galleries.
Fun Free Activities for Kids in January 2025: Free Things To Do in CT with Kids
Take part in daytime fun with these family-friendly New Year's celebrations for Connecticut Kids! Countdown to Noon photo courtesy of the Niantic Children's Museum
New Year's Parties, Fireworks, and Other Connecticut Celebrations for Kids
Bubbles are a classic free fun activity for Connecticut kids
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do for Connecticut Kids
Raise a hand if you're excited for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut! Magic of Lights photo courtesy of the XL Center
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Connecticut
Polar Express trains are coming to towns all over New England for Christmas 2024! Essex Steam Train Railroad photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New England 2024
Grab some friends for some birthday laps around the track. Photo courtesy of RPM Raceway
Fun Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Tweens and Teens
Our ultimate family bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut before kids grow up. Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce
100 Things To Do in Connecticut Before Kids Grow Up
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
New England Family Travel Guide
Groupon's online marketplace offers tons of discounts on activities for kids and families.
Save On Top-Rated Connecticut Outings and Experiences for Kids and Families
By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
Best Museums for Kids in Connecticut: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
GUIDE
Connecticut Day Trips & Weekend Getaways Guide
Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway
Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
Best Petting Zoos in Connecticut: Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos
Those eight crazy nights are approaching and we’ve got everything you need to celebrate Hanukkah with your family. Photo courtesy Cottonbro Studios
8 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah with Kids: Hanukkah Gifts, Fun Crafts, and a Little History
Find a sweet treat for the whole family at the best places for breakfast in Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Hotcakes
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut
As classic as the roller rink or modern as a VR experience, these fun indoor places are perfect spots for teens and tweens to hang out! Photo by Ally Noel
Fun Places in Connecticut Where Tweens and Teens Can Hang Out Indoors
Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut.
GUIDE
Connecticut Guide to Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones
Parents can enjoy some relaxation when their kids spend time at the
10 Family-Friendly Hotels and Spa Resorts in Connecticut
A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures
The Best Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in Connecticut
Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers
Flat walking trails make Wharton Brook State Park a sure bet for kid hikers. Photo by Mommy Poppins
A Dozen Short Hikes in Connecticut for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel
Top Attractions in Connecticut: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
From rolling hills and lakes to scenic views and summits, there's great outdoor adventure for families at Connecticut state parks. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
25 Connecticut State Parks and Forests That Are Great to Visit with Kids
Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons
Top Connecticut Playgrounds That Families Will Love
Run through the vineyards at Aquila's Nest. Photo courtesy of Aquila's Nest, Facebook
The Best Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in Connecticut
Practice new skills at Calf's Pasture Beach, photo courtesy of Norwalk Skate Park, Facebook
Top Skate Parks in Connecticut
Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
  VIDEO
25 Preschool Science Experiments: Simple Science for Toddlers through Kindergarten Kids
Revel in nature's majesty at Webb Mountain. Photo by Ally Noel
Best Nature Centers in Connecticut To Visit with Kids
We’ve rounded up the best escape rooms in Connecticut for a fun family outing!
Awesome Escape Rooms in CT: Kid-Friendly Parties and Family Adventures
The festivities get downright magical with Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT! Photo courtesy of Dean Davids Magician
Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT That Come To You
Find family fare and great deals at these Connecticut restaurants where kids eat free! Photo courtesy of Bigstock
Kids Eat Free: Connecticut Restaurants with Free Meal Deals for Families
'Tis the season for holiday fun and more things to do in Connecticut this weekend. Kid's Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards
Princess Tea, Carriage Rides, and More Things To Do in CT This Weekend

Free Admission for Connecticut Kids: Over 100 Museums Participate this Summer

Connecticut kids get hands-on fun for free this summer! Photo courtesy of the Mystic Aquarium, Facebook
Connecticut kids get hands-on fun for free this summer! Photo courtesy of the Mystic Aquarium, Facebook
6/26/23 - By Rose Gordon Sala

It's back, and Connecticut kids have another summer freebie. More than 125(!) of the state's museums will provide free admission for Connecticut kids and an accompanying adult this summer. Read on for more details.

And don't miss our roundup of the 50 best things to do for FREE in Connecticut with kids this summer. And our Ultimate Connecticut Kids Summer Vacation Guide is here to help you with the best things to do in Connecticut, from beaches and pools to water parks and festivals, plus cool deals, and giveaways—all summer long.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Connecticut's Summer at the Museum program began in 2021 to help with the possible learning loss of the pandemic school year; the governor said he pushed for the summer perk to further kids' education in a hands-on way.

The free admission runs July 1 through September 4. It applies to all Connecticut kids ages 18 and under and one adult. Some restrictions may apply in terms of capacity, certain dates, or special events, so check museums' websites before heading out the door.

This year, over 125 Connecticut museums received grants to participate in CT Summer at the Museum. CT Visit has the full list of museums waiving admission all summer. It has included some of our favorites, such as the Mystic Aquarium, New England Air Museum, the Beardsley Zoo, the Connecticut Science Center, and many more children's museums and historical sites around the state!

Also, check out our list of the best museums in Connecticut that always offer free admission to kids!