Normally, our job at Mommy Poppins is to clue parents in to where to have fun with kids around Connecticut. But as coronavirus spreads through our community, we're also here to tell you where not to go. Here are the schools, museums, zoos, indoor play spaces, libraries, and stages we know to be temporarily closed around Connecticut. Please visit and comment on our Facebook page to let us know what other closures we are missing and should know about. 

Stuck at home? Look to our Mommy Poppins Coronavirus Guide for Parents for hundreds of ideas for games, crafts, and activities, as well insider tips and takes for keeping kids safe and healthy at home and beyond. All the best from our families to yours.

Soon, sugar houses all across the state get to work on the process of collecting and evaporating clear watery sap into tasty, golden syrup. The traditional maple sugaring season extends from February until late March, though that depends greatly on the weather (freezing nights and warm, sunny days are necessary to provide good sap yields). If you and the kids are interested in learning more about this sweet New England tradition, head to a maple syrup or sugaring festival or tour in Litchfield, Hartford, Fairfield, and New Haven counties. Some sugar houses invite you to stop in anytime the evaporator is running (but call before heading out).

The preschool-age is such a fun time to see a child's curiosity and imagination blossom. My 5-year old loves pretending he is a doctor, musician, and chef, all in the same hour. Nurture those wide ranging interests bringing your preschooler to some of central Connecticut's best museums, state parks, craft centers, and energy-burning indoor playgrounds. Here's a list of our favorite spots to take preschoolers around Hartford and central Connecticut.

If you have kids of multiple ages, check out 45 Unmissable Things to do with Kids in Hartford.