Here's your insider's go-to list with day activities for the entire family to do in (and nearby) Litchfield County this summer. For all sorts of fun check out our CT Summer Fun Guide.

1. Spend the day rafting down the scenic Housatonic River with Clarke Outdoor River Guides.
2. Go on a drive-through safari where you may drive your vehicle through a 50 acre fenced in exotic wildlife park at Action Wildlife. Keep an eye out for zebras and buffalos.
3. Go on horseback trail ride or pony ride at Lee’s Riding Stables in Litchfield.
4. Race go-karts and play phazerball at the family entertainment center R&B Sportsworld in Winsted.

It’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming... Mother’s Day! The one day a year when children are required by law, tradition, expectation, whatever, to treat us moms like queens. And just in case the kids haven’t been preparing for the big day with the same fervor that you have, we’ve compiled a list of activities in Fairfield County that will make Mother’s Day 2017 one to remember!

History museums can be dry toast for kids—or a favorite destination, if there’s a good interactive component.  The Fairfield Museum and History Center may not be big on square footage dedicated to kids, but it tells Fairfield’s history with cool artifacts, dress up, and climb-on displays that kids adore.  After the kids fall in love with this little gem of a museum, check out the other popular museums for kids in Connecticut and other fun neighborhood activities in Fairfield.

While there are plenty of great cooking classes for kids in New York City, the League of Kitchens offers a special experience in which the learning goes beyond culinary education.

These classes, aimed at ages 13 and older, teach teens how to cook. But perhaps more importantly, young people discover other cultures by taking classes in the homes of immigrants. It's a genius idea, even in this diverse city, where we often don't take advantage of chances to learn from our neighbors. 

Houston families, hold onto your hats - and crayons - one of the country's most colorful museums is coming to Texas, and we couldn't be more excited.

The Crayola Experience will open a location in Plano in 2018 making it the fourth location of its kind in the country. While Plano is about a four-hour drive from Houston, it's just north of Dallas where there is plenty to do, so you don't need much of an excuse to make this a weekend trip.

Whether you're looking to host a pool birthday party in May or December, these indoor pools in Houston are great options year-round. You can arrange a two-hour party of free play in the water, or get adventurous and make it a SCUBA party. And if you need more birthday party inspiration for your kiddo, check out our Houston party guide with ideas on how to plan the best bash ever.

Your child might not be old enough to head off to college, but there are plenty of offerings for kids at New Jersey's many community colleges. There are about 20 community colleges throughout the state, and they offer everything from music programs to STEM classes. We've put together a list of some of the best classes and enrichment activities for tots to teens. Some summer camps are noted, but for a longer list of options, be sure to check out our Summer Camp Guide.

Day one of summer vacation and the score in this house is kids 1 million, mom 0. While I dreamed of three freshly scrubbed, idyllic children working together on community service projects and requesting additional math assignments, the reality is the trio argues over, well… everything. Who gets the pink spoon, who gets the cow mug, who gets to grab yesterday’s mail out the box... and this is only the very first day of school break! Clearly, Operation Get the Heck Out of the House needs to be kicked into high gear. And what better way to keep kids of all ages and interests occupied than local fairs and festivals? If you're up for a day trip, we've rounded up fun summer fetes in Hartford and New Haven counties, as well as Eastern Connecticut. But if you prefer a fest right here in your own Fairfield County backyard, read on.