Ah, the cheerful glow of holiday lights; few things make the season brighter. And while there are plenty of impressive public light shows you can take in around the state, let's not forget those neighborhoods where festive families go over the top with their home holiday lights. If you know where to look, you can find some truly dazzling displays. So pile in the car, fire up the GPS, and get your twinkly lights fix with these spectacular home holiday light displays around Connecticut. See our Connecticut Holiday Fun Guide for more ideas for making merry with kids this season.

So many fall traditions in Connecticut seem tailor-made for preschoolers: Who better to upend a freshly raked leaf pile or run around a pumpkin patch long enough to find that perfect Jack-O-Lantern? From local events like apple festivals and pumpkin carnivals to perennial favorites like apple picking, pumpkin patch visits, and corn mazes, we've rounded up 18 of the best ways to have some big fall adventures with little companions this fall. And don't forget our fall fun guide has even more ideas for making the most of the season in Connecticut.

Forget grocery store posies—by mid-summer, Connecticut fields are bursting with sunflowers and other brightly colored flowers, and many farms allow you to cut your own bouquet to bring home. Sure, most kids like to pick their own berries, veggies and fruit, but many children also have a special fondness for selecting the most beautiful blooms to carefully arrange in vases, press into books, or weave into hair crowns. Bonus fun: One of these sunflower farms has a flower maze, too! Find your flower power at these Connecticut farms.