How to Choose Activities Everyone Will Enjoy

• Consider the interests of each member of the family and shoot for places that hit a lot of the subjects
• Look for places that are interactive and intriguing for multiple age-levels
• Places that will make the

 Tips for a Stress-Free All-Ages Day

• Mix active time with rest breaks, or time in nature
• Pick a variety of activities - physical, mental and nature
• ​Pack snacks and drinks and make sure no one gets "hangry"
• Let the tweens bring their earbuds and music so they can tune out on the ride
• Talk ahead of time: "no bad attitudes!"

Enjoy outdoor adventures as a family at these spots in CT! Photo ciurtesy of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.

Outdoor Adventures for All Ages

1. Ansonia Nature Center — Ansonia

The park is open sunrise to sunset daily. Ansonia Nature Center has lots of trails, some short, some long, a boardwalk, stream, garden and a visitor center too. 

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Playground, Boardwalk
For Big Kids: Playground, Redwing Pond Trail
For Teens: Self-guided trail

2. Denison Pequotsepsos Nature Center — Mystic

Trails in forest, meadow and boardwalks can fill up a morning with kids (and babywearing mamas). Check out the Forest Loop right near the Nature Center. 

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers:  Nature Center, 
For Big Kids: Nature Center, Interactive Exhibits
For Teens: Meditation Trail

3. Mill River Park — Stamford

There's quite a lot to do at Mill River Park. There is a very cool playground with things you have never seen before like a huge snail and is all-abilities now. This park boasts a carousel of it's very own, that everyone will enjoy. Stroll by the river and then plant yourselves next to the fountain for a picnic. 

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers:  Not to miss playground
For Big Kids: Playground, Carousel
For Teens: Ice rink (seasonal)

4. Bradley Mountain Farm — Southington

Sweet, gentle and cuddly, these goats have personality! Althought kids under 17 must be accompanies by an adult, you can choose from cuddles or snuggles or a Full Moon Goat Walk starting at the age of 3. 

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: baby goats
For Big Kids: yeah, goats!
For Teens: Full Moon Goat Walk (bring a friend) or Goat Yoga

There's no place like Connecticut... for outdoor adventures! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards.

5. Lyman Orchards — Middlefield

Absolutely beautiful and vast, Lyman's has something ripe and read for picking most of the year (except Winter of course). There is also a busy calendar of events.

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Picking apples
For Big Kids: Petting Farm and Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
For Teens: Picking fruit and Corn Maze

Museums & Cultural Stops that Wow All Ages

Kids of all ages will love the animals and experiences at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. Photo courtesy of Alluy Noel

6. Beardsley Zoo — Bridgeport

This Zoo is a must-visit for families with kids of multiple ages. Even your teens will appreciate seeing things they have only read about like leopards, ocelots, red pandas and much more. The zoo is organized into a loop for moms pushing kids in strollers and pretty manageable for a day-trip. There are places to eat and relax and make sure you discuss the fact that there is a nice gift shop on site. In casse you want to see some of the animals ahead of time, check out their animal cams!

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: the Rainforest Building
For Big Kids: Ride the carousel!
For Teens: The greenhouse with endangered plants

7. Dinosaur State Park — Rocky Hill

Dinosaur State Park is truly a rare gem in the center of Connecticut. What other state boasts a museum built around REAL dino foot prints? Walk the interior of the museum and see the imprints of the long-ago dinosaurs that lived right here. 

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Boardwalked trails, hands-on room
For Big Kids: Dioramas, Interactive displays
For Teens: Movie and grounds

8. Lyman Allyn Art Museum — New London

If you have kids 12 and under, Lyman Allyn is a great place to go. Strollers are permitted throughout the whole building. Kids receive coloring pages for some of their exhibits as well. Exhibitions are ever-changing, but, the permanent exhibits include Playthings of the Past - which shows off toys of the past and kids ages 3-10 will get a kick out of seeing mechanical toys, an awesome Victorian dollhouse and more. 

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Saturdays at the Museum program
For Big Kids: "Playthings of the Past"
For Teens: "American Perspectives"

9. Matattuck Museum — Waterbury

Besides having a lot of programming for kids, this museum offers families a Kids Adventure Pass which grants free entrance to several of the ongoing programs. Kids small and medium will be amazed at the very special button collection. When you are done strolling around, stop by the Cafe (called Sweet Bella), which offers a huge menu including things kids will love like.e. 

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Kids Art Workshops or Stuffy Sleepovers
For Big Kids: Button Museum
For Teens: "Waterbury: A City of Transitions" exhibit or "Fortune" exhibit

10. Yale Peabody Museum of Nature History — New Haven

This is a place for kids of every age, and one to enjoy more than once in a childhood. There's a lot to see, so don't be surprised if the kids geet tired! Be sure to read the info about parking ahead of time!

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Dinosaurs (all of them!), Living Lab
For Big Kids: Rock and Mineral Collection, Egypt and Mesopotamia exhibit
For Teens: History of Science and Technology, The Human Footprint

11. Riverside Reptiles Education Center — Enfield 

Relatively new and still growing, Riverside Reptiles has an amazing set of exhibits that includes amphibians, creepy insects, and invertebrates. Snakes? Turtles? Alligator? Yes! Small snacks and sealed drinks are allowed in the facility, and it is both wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. If the kids are hungry afterwards, there are lots of places to eat in Enfield, such as Friendly's, Red Robin, and Raising Cane's.

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Turtles, snakes
For Big Kids: Bug Cave, Alligator
For Teens: Alligator, Spiders

12. Institute for American Indian Studies — Washington

Tucked into the Northwest corner of Connecticut, IAIS a a great place to learn about the first peoples of the Nutmeg State. Come and explore the culture of the Quinnehtukqut People.

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Children's Discover Room
For Big Kids: Agonkian Village replica and Algonkian Sachem’s house
For Teens: Trails and Healing Plants Garden

Elevate your family activities with Connecticut entertainment for all ages. Photo courtesy of IT Adventure Ropes Course

Entertainment Everyone Can Get Into

13. It Adventure Ropes Course — New Haven

With four-levels of climbing, kids under 48" can get into the action as well as the big kids. The smallest platforms are positioned only 3 feet off the ground and yes there are harnesses. Littles can get a bit of a thrill while their older sibs check out the rock climbing wall, angled rope ladders, zig-zag beams, and more.

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Little It
For Big Kids: Zip It and Climb It
For Teens: It & Zip It

14. Quassy Amusement Park — Middlebury

Spend the day at one of Connecticut's oldest amusement parks. There are rides for all ages and there's a beach too!

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Frog Hopper ride, Jet fighter ride
For Big Kids: Little Dipper, Tilt a Whirl
For Teens: Reverse Time ride, Paratrooper

15. The Adventure Park at Storrs — Storrs

Out in nature, strap your harnesses on and try the ropes. Kids as young as 7 can participate. Your tweens will love the 9 tree-top trails and 28 zip lines. While the kids are playing, take your 3-6 year olds to the Adventure Playground, where they can navigate scaled down versions of the bridges and challenges. 

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Adventure Playground 
For Big Kids: Zip Lines and Trails
For Teens: Trails and Glow in the Park

16. Farmington Miniature Golf & Ice Cream Parlor — Farmington

Everyone can get into mini-golf. The game is easy enough that you kids ages 4-8 can get into it just for the fun, and the older kids will play to win. Afterwards grab some ice cream. This activity is affordable but it also seasonal.

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: the colorful balls and silly family fun
For Big Kids: the challenge and ice cream
For Teens: probably competing against mom and dad...and the ice cream

17. Nomads — South Windsor

This place has a little of everything from bumper cars to bowling to an arcade and bounce houses. You could spend the whole day here. And yes, there is food too!

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Bounce houses
For Big Kids: Bumper cars, climbing wall
For Teens: Arcade

18. Foxwoods Resort — Uncasville

There's so much more to Foxwoods than the grown-up games. Kids will love the bowling, the arcade, the hiking trails, and the local culture. And the new water park is available year round.

Don't Miss:
For Toddlers: Bowling
For Big Kids: Bowling, arcade
For Teens: Arcade, Sugar Factory

These seasonal favorites will get kids of all ages smiling. Photo courtesy of Pumpkintown USA.

Seasonal Favorites for All Ages

Spring

Meriden Daffodil Festival (Meriden) — This festival includes a parade, a huge craft fair, a road race that allows kids and a huge tag sale...something for everyone!

Annual Wooster Square Cherry Blossom Festival (New Haven) — A sure sign that Spring is here, the cherry blossoms welcome in the season with music, food, and fun.

Flower Picking at Wicked Tulips (Preston) — We all look forward to the first signs of Spring. At Wicked Tulips, you can bring them home with you!

Seal Watch Cruises (Mystic) — Experience a guided tour of Long Island and Fishers Island on a vessel run by Project Oceanology. 

Summer

International Festival of Arts and Ideas (New Haven) — This annual festival brings a variety of artistic and cultural communitie together, with films, on-stage drama, music, and art.

Downtown Milford Pirates Day (Milford) — Going on for two decades, everyone dresses up for a kids' treasure hunt, vendor shopping, live music, and more. 

Rose Arts Festival (Norwich) — New England's largest music and arts festival features current Indie and local bands, kids crafts, and activities.

Sunflower Maze at Lyman Orchard (Middlefield) — Cut into a different design every year, the sunflower maze is a beautiful challenge, best for kids 6 and up.

Riverfront Dragonboat Festival & Asian Food Festival (Hartford) — This annnual event celebrates Asian and Pacific cultures. See the boats fly by and the whole thing is FREE.

Fall 

Pumpkintown, USA (East Hampton) — Honesly, Pumpkintown USA is one of the most creative Fall events there is. It's non-scary, imaginative, and welcomes dogs, so bring him too!

Glow Wild Lantern Festival (Bridgeport) — This nnual event at Beardsley Zoo displays larger-than-life lanterns in amazing designs.

The Connecticut Renaissance Faire (Lebanon) — The organizers go out of their way to make this a great event. It lasts several weeks and has many themed weekends.

Wee Fairie Village (Old Lyme) — Walk through the Florence Griswold Museum and see the tiny creations where the wee folks live.

Fall Festival Earthplace (Westport) — Find a full day of family fun, where you can bowl with pumpkins and slingshot some apples!

Winter

Fantasy of Lights (New Haven) — This is a tradition for the whole family. See colorful light displays by the thousands.

Holiday Express Train Show (Fairfield) — Everyone loves an amazing train display.

Mystic Lighted Boat Parade (Mystic) — Only in Mystic! Come downtown and see the boats come in all lit up (and of course Santa too).

Winterfest (Middlefield) — Everyone tired of being inside? Go to Winterfest! There's a Snow Play Area for kids 5 and under, tubing, a paintball gallery, and more.

Food Stops That Make Everyone Happy

Uncle Bucks Fish Bowl and Grill (Bridgeport) — This place is not like ANY other bowling alley you and the kids have been too. Even the teens will be amazed. 

Rosy Tomorrow's (Danbury) — Kids will flip eating in a train car. There are some really interesting decorations on the ceiling and walls and also outdoor seating.

Skooters (Windsor Locks) — This little restuarant will be a retro experience. Especially for kids who have never seen a jukebox or had counter service.

Sugar Factory (Uncasville) — Located at Foxwoods, this place is FUN. Enjoy sliders on colored buns, dripping with cheese. And indulge in a cookie jar sundae.

The Place (Guilford) — A Seasonal outdoor restaurant, this place gets packed. Sit on stumps and enjoy a quirky dining experience, with lots of seafood options on the menu.