If painting with goats, feeding llamas, and snuggling with a variety of cuddly farm animals is your thing, then it's time to visit a petting zoo or farm in Connecticut! With a history rich in farming and agriculture, it should be no surprise that Connecticut offers some amazing hands-on farm experiences.

In addition to getting up close and personal with these animals, many of these Connecticut Farms also offer a wide variety of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, so there is plenty of family fun to be had. Read on for our favorite Connecticut petting zoos and farms to visit, and don’t forget to visit your other four-legged friends at these Connecticut Zoos and Gardens. 

2021 note: While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate distance. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our events calendar to find something else to do. 

A New England summer is sparingly short, so locals and visitors alike try to cram as much fun as they can between Memorial and Labor Day. A fabulous family resort can help make the most of the season by taking care of the details so that everyone can relax rather than worry about whether or not they packed the sheets and towels!

We've rounded up some of our favorite Cape Cod hotels, seaside Maine resorts, pretty mountainous Vermont resorts, and more New England hotels that cater to families with kids. 

Why should cheese and crackers have all the fun? These dessert charcuterie boards can make any day sweet! It is not difficult to assemble one of these trays once you have the right ingredients and supplies in your kitchen. Dessert boards are no-cook, easy dessert recipes that are perfect for celebrating a birthday, holiday, or just to add a little fun to a night at home. You can use any flat surface to build your dessert board—we like to use a deep tray with handles, but a cutting board, serving tray, or any flat surface is a perfect stage to show off your delectable dessert creations.

From s’mores masterpieces to movie night treats, these five dessert boards will let you indulge your family’s sweet tooth. Find more dessert recipes and sweet kitchen inspiration in our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.