This is the last weekend to see A Wrinkle In Time and you shouldn't miss it! Photo courtesy of The Arden Theater Company
Theatre for Youth, A Wrinkle in Time, Storytime & Skate, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend
A winter oasis, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest houses a skating rink overlooking the Delaware River, a ski chalet-style lodge and more. Photo by Danielle Smith
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 40 Best Things to Do with Kids in Philly
Kids under 18 are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill
100 Free Things To Do in Philly with Kids
Playing in the snow: a favorite winter activity for Philly kids
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Celebrate winter at Peddler's Village with live fire artistry and ice carving demonstrations. Photo courtesy of Peddler's Village
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Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Kids can zoom down the slide and, of course, launch scarves at Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
Best Kids Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in Philadelphia
Kids 18 and under are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill @creativishmom
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Check out the amazing WildWorks Ropes Course at the entrance to the Philadelphia Zoo.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Pony rides always bring out smiles at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
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Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), located in the heart of Old City.
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Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Phildephia's Magic Gardens are covered by magical mosaics and found objects. Photo by Liz Baill @creativishmom
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Take a bikde ride through Doylestown. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
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Ricketts Glen State Park is a family-friendly destination with awesome activities for all ages. Photo of Ricketts Glen by the author
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Build birthday memories brick by brick at LEGOLAND. Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND
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Try a whiz-wit at Tony Luke's, a reliable Philly cheesesteak spot with multiple locations. Photo courtesy of J. Varney for GPTMC
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Challenge the rope bridge and zip line at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
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Turn your eye of the tiger into the eye of an artist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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Six Flag Great Adventure brings big-time thrills and is one of our favorite amusement parks in New Jersey.
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Blue Cross RiverRink is open for Summerfest in the warmer months and Winterfest in the colder months. Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Parents eat while kids climb and slide at Craft Hall.
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Take a hike: Family getaways are a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
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No one walks the plank, but everyone has fun with with Scallywag’s Pirate Adventures in Erie. Photo courtesy of Scallywag's Pirate Adventures.
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Top Free Things To Do with Kids in CT in January 2026, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Kick off 2026 with fun and free things to do in Connecticut this January! Family Day event photo courtesy of the Yale University Art Galleries.
Kick off 2026 with fun and free things to do in Connecticut this January! Family Day event photo courtesy of the Yale University Art Galleries.
12/28/25 - By Jennifer Coe

It may be cold in Connecticut, but January 2026 activities are just beginning to warm up! Looking for FREE things to do? Enjoy Winterfest at Bushnell Park in Hartford to start the month. Get out and about for Adventures in Nature: The Frozen World at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic. And spend a day at the museum thanks to the annual Family Art Day at Yale Art Museum, 

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Connecticut this January—we're adding more events to the Connecticut Events Calendar every day.

More Things To Do in Connecticut This Week with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Winterfest in Bushnell Park brings free fun to Connecticut this January 2026. Photo by Andy Hart, courtesy of Winterfest in Hartford.
Winterfest in Bushnell Park brings free fun to Connecticut this January 2026. Photo by Andy Hart, courtesy of Winterfest in Hartford.

Fun Free Activities in Connecticut January 2026

First Day Hike at Dino State Park

Rocky Hill - FREE
Thursday, January 1, 2026
On Thursday, January 1st, the Dino State Park will have their annual “First Day Hike” event! From 10:00am to 1:00pm, there will be Interpretive Naturalists leading guided nature walks along the Red Trail at Dinosaur State Park. READ MORE

New Year's Day Hike in Broad Brook

Broad Brook - FREE
Thursday, January 1, 2026
2.5 mile hike kicks off at 1:00 pm. Food donations will be collected for our local Five Corner Cupboard (human and pet foods). READ MORE

Winterfest at Bushnell Park in Hartford

Hartford - FREE
January 2-4, 2026
Free skating 7-days a week at Winterfest on the east side of Bushnell Park over by the Pump House. Don’t have your own skates? Winterfest has free skate rentals too. READ MORE

La Befana An Epiphany Tale in New Haven

New Haven - FREE
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Enjoy a free play from the Italian American Historical Society of CT. Plus, celebrate 3 Kings' Day with activities, refreshments, & more! READ MORE

Who’s Been Here?: Animal Signs & Tracking at Denison Pequotsepsos

Mystic - FREE
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Spend the afternoon learning how to read the clues animals leave behind. From footprints to scat, uncover which creatures are active at the Nature Center and what their signs tell us. READ MORE

Los Tres Reyes Magos Celebration at Danbury Library

Danbury - FREE
Monday, January 5, 2026
Join DPL as they get ready for the upcoming Los Tres Reyes Magos celebration! Families will enjoy a bilingual reading of The Three Wise Men / Los Tres Reyes Magos and make a fun construction paper craft featuring the Three Kings. READ MORE

Adventures in Nature: The Frozen World at Denison Pequotsepsos Nature Center

Mystic - FREE
January 10, 2026
This month, explore the frozen side of nature as we dive into the science of ice. Through hands-on activities, learn how ice shapes the water cycle and affects the world around us. See how animals survive freezing temperatures (some even become “living icicles!”) and meet a few of our cold-hardy animal residents. READ MORE

Woodbury Fire Dept. Tree Burn

Woodbury - FREE
January 17, 2026
Say Goodbye to the Holidays with a Annual Tradition! The Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department invites you to the Annual Christmas Tree Burn. Event Highlights: Watch a demo of a single tree ignited to show how fast a dry tree burns and why we say, Water, Water, Water those trees! Then, watch as firefighters light the entire pile and watch the Christmas trees burn to mark the season’s end. READ MORE

Family Day at Yale Art Gallery

New Haven - FREE
January 25, 2026
On their annual Family Day, Yale invite families to explore our collections and buildings with storytelling and art-making activities for all ages. Enjoy learning more about the art right in New Haven.   READ MORE

Bald Eagle Viewing at Shepaug Dam

Southbury - FREE
Throughout January 2026
The Shepaug Eagle view site will be opening for it's 39th season December 21st, 2024 through March 9th, 2025. View these birds of prey in all their beauty. READ MORE

A.C. Gilbert's American Flyer Train Show

Hamden - FREE
Through January 25, 2026
​The Eli Whitney Museum delves into New Haven's past to bring back a special tradition dating back more than 60 years: The AC Gilbert American Flyer Train collection.  READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Mohawk Mountain
Photo courtesy of Mohawk Mountain

More Fun Things To Do in Connecticut this Winter

Best Snow Tubing near Connecticut for Families in 2026

Winter fun awaits with snow tubing in and around Connecticut! READ MORE

The Best Igloo Dining in Connecticut

Try outdoor dining in the winter with igloo dining in Connecticut! READ MORE

Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways

In any kind of weather, New England indoor water parks mean family fun! READ MORE

10 New England Ski Resorts That Cater to Families

With lessons starting at age 2.5 and plenty of kid-friendly amenities, these New England ski resorts are perfect for family ski trips. READ MORE

CT Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families

Find the best things to do with kids in Connecticut this winter! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Jenny Coe
Jenny Coe is a longtime Mommy Poppins writer and contributor and full-time mom to three boys. Jenny has also been a contributor at Patch and The Reminder (Hartford Courant). Here at Mommy Poppins, Jenny writes about great things for kids to do in Connecticut and New England, affordable fun, and nature experiences (her favorite!).
Recent Articles By Jenny Coe:
Read more articles by Jennifer Coe.