Kids Trails in Connecticut offer plenty of excitement for young ones

For children and families who are fascinated with science, astronomy, and nature, Connecticut offers a huge array of museums and nature centers with hands-on activities – many of them designed for very young kids. But science and museums are not the whole story by a long shot when it comes to children’s entertainments. Parents and kids who love to travel can also visit museums that celebrate carousels, circuses, dinosaurs, seafaring, and the masterful writer Mark Twain. For active fun, Connecticut has a fine selection of water parks, theme parks, aquariums, and planetariums. For more information on accommodations and activities for the young ones, see our Children & Families pages.

Fairfield/Southwest Hartford/Central Litchfield/Northwest
Mystic/Eastern New Haven/South Central
Fairfield/Southwest top of listings

Beardsley Zoo

1875 Noble Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06610 Phone: 203-394-6565

This zoo exhibits hundreds of animals, from tigers to monkeys and everything in between. Habitats for children to explore include a South American rainforest and a New England farmyard. For quite time, there is a picnic grove, carousel, Victorian greenhouse, and café. Summer programs include Animal Tales and A Day at the Ocean.

Discovery Museum

4450 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604 Phone: 203-372-3521

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; open Mondays in July and August. Closed major holidays.

An interactive science museum with hands-on displays, changing exhibits, gift shop, and food court. Challenger Learning Center features computer-simulated space missions. A planetarium and CineMuse Hi-Definition Theater both with daily shows. Children will find themselves getting excited about science with help from this museum’s physical science exhibits, planetarium programs, and Challenger Learning Center. Programs for kids cover topics like space travel, robotics, and ocean exploration. Admission: Adults, $8.50; seniors and children, $7; extra fee for Challenger missions.

Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

10 North Water St. Norwalk, CT 06854 Phone: 203-852-0700

Kids and parents can visit nose-to-nose with sharks, seals, river otters, wrinkly sea turtles, and stinging jellyfish. Educational public cruises, changing exhibits, a working boat shop, hands-on touch tanks, toddler play area, and an IMAX movie theater with a screen that’s six stories tall make this a place of seafaring adventure.

Stamford Museum & Nature Center

39 Scofieldtown Road Stamford, CT 06903 Phone: 203-322-1646

This museum offers something for almost all kids, from helping farmers care for the animals on Heckscher Farm to star shows in the planetarium. Hands-on farming activities include animal grooming, gardening, and aquaculture. Children can attend planetarium shows and look through telescopes at the observatory. Check for seasonal changes in hours and programs.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children

303 West Ave. Norwalk, CT 06850 Phone: 203-899-0606

With five galleries (one for toddlers only) and scores of activities, this museum offers fun and discovery for children ages 10 and younger. Among other adventures, kids may build a racecar, talk through the Message Tube, fly a simulated helicopter, submerge in a submarine, explore a gorilla’s nest, and learn the dynamics of the water cycle.

The Barnum Museum

820 Main St. Bridgeport, CT 06604 Phone: 203-331-1104

The museum’s core exhibits include Baby Bridgeport, a mounted elephant born in 1882; a three-quarter-inch scale model of a circus with more than 3,000 miniatures; an exhibit about Barnum’s protégé, General Tom Thumb; an Egyptian mummy, and exhibits on 19th-century Connecticut life. Gift shop sells circus books, posters, prints, and toys.
Hartford/Central top of listings

Carousel Museum of New England

95 Riverside Ave. (Route 72) Bristol, CT 06010 Phone: 860-585-5411

Open: April-November, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon- 5 p.m.; December-March, Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Closed major holidays

One of two branches of this unique museum. Exhibits feature antique carousel horses, miniature carousels, and a historic carving shop. Exhibits represent the finest pieces of antique carousel art in existence. This is a magical place kids and adults who love the old carousels. The museum contains one of the largest collections of antique carousel pieces in the country. Children and parents can explore the golden age of the carousel on their own or with tour guides. Hands-on craft activities for children. Gift shop. Admission: Adults, $5; seniors, $4.50, children age 4-14, $2.50

Dinosaur State Park

400 West St. Rocky Hill, CT 06067

This park contains a display of 500 early Jurassic fossil tracks made by dinosaurs about 200 million years ago. Exhibits include life-size dioramas of the Jurassic and Triassic periods. Surrounding the Exhibit Center are miles of nature trails and an arboretum. What kid wouldn’t grab a chance to walk where dinosaurs walked?

Harriet Beecher Stowe House

77 Forest Street Hartford, CT 06105 Phone: 860-522-9258

Open: Tours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m.; open on Mondays, Memorial Day to Columbus Day and December. Closed major holidays.

Her words changed the world with "Uncle Tom's Cabin," the groundbreaking anti-slavery novel (1852). Tour the Victorian Gothic home (1871), the Katharine Seymour Day House (1884), and the Victorian grounds and gardens. Stowe Visitor Center showcases exhibitions, museum shop. Admission: Adults, $8; seniors,$7; children age 4-12, $4.

Imagine Nation Children's Museum

1 Pleasant Street Bristol, CT 06010 Phone: 860-314-1400

Open: Call for schedule

This science museum for kids age 2 to 10 is packed with fun exhibits that allow children to dig into science projects and experiments of all kinds. Some activities that will fascinate children are the Sandsational Sand Pendulum; the Gravity Well; the Tuning Fork Table; a construction zone; Dolls of the World; and Waterplay. Admission: $4 per person.

Lake Compounce Family Theme Park

271 Enterprise Dr. Bristol, CT 06010 Phone: 860-583-3300

This longstanding family theme park categorizes its activities as: ‘thrills,’ ‘chills,’ ‘littles’ (for young children), and ‘entertainment.’ The rides Thunder ‘n’ Lightning, Boulder Dash, and Wild Cat speak for themselves. The water park offers water cannons, slides, and rafting. Scaled-down rides for little kids. Entertainment includes Western vaudeville, honky tonk, and urban acrobats.

New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport

36 Perimeter Road Windsor Locks, CT 06096 Phone: 860-623-3305

Kids and families are encouraged to visit the museum’s three huge hangars with aircraft from all periods of aviation history. Besides the aircraft displays, the museum describes such topics as the Lafayette Escadrille, WWII combat gliders, the history of Sikorsky Aircraft, the Tuskegee Airmen, and airships. There are aviation-related arcade games for children.

Stanley Quarter Park

451 Blake Road New Britain, CT 06051 Phone: 860-826-3360

Children’s fishing pond, playground, jogging track, skate board park, sports fields, basketball courts, ice skating. Park is open year-round; rides are open mid-June to mid-August.

The Bushnell Park Carousel

Jewell Street at the Memorial Arch Bristol, CT 06010 Phone: 860-585-5411

Kids and adults both are entranced by this hand-carved carousel with 48 horses, two chariots, stained glass windows, mirrors reflecting 800 twinkling light bulbs, and a Wurlitzer band organ. Open May to October, Tuesday to Sunday; September and October, Thursday to Sunday. Call for seasonal changes in hours.

The Children’s Museum

950 Trout Brook Dr. West Hartford, CT 06119 Phone: 860-231-2830

Children age 12 and younger can discover the wonders of science and nature through unique exhibits, star shows in the planetarium, a wildlife sanctuary with more than 70 live animals; and a life-size kaleidoscope. Younger kids will enjoy the hands-on activities and older children can put their inner scientist to work.

The Children’s Museum

950 Trout Brook Drive West Hartford, CT 06119 Phone: 860-231-2824

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

The Children’s Museum provides rich learning experiences for children of all ages and their families. This science and nature museum has hands-on exhibits, more than 100 live animals, digital planetarium shows, and educational programs, the Wildlife Sanctuary and Roaring Brook Nature Center.

The Mark Twain House & Museum

351 Farmington Ave. Hartford, CT 06105 Phone: 860-247-0998

Open: Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5:30 p.m.; first Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Tuesday from January-April; Closed January 1, Easter, Thanksgiving, December 24 and 25.

Elaborate Victorian (1874) mansion with rare interiors by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1881) was the author's home for 17 years (1874-1891). Nineteen furnished rooms including many of Twain's possessions. National Historic Landmark. The Museum Center features fine gift shop, cafe, Ken Burns' documentary, orientation and changing exhibition galleries, lectures and special programs. Admission: Adults, $12; seniors, $11; students age13-18, $10; children age 6-12, $8.
Litchfield/Northwest top of listings

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association

U.S. Route 7 Kent, CT 06557 Phone: 860-927-0050

Open: May through October, Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Museum dedicated to the preservation, restoration and demonstration of antique machinery from our rich industrial and agricultural past. Areas of focus include Agricultural equipment and mechanical farm implements, The Cream Hill Agricultural School, Internal Combustion Engines, Industrial steam power, Connecticut Museum of Mining and Mineral Science, Narrow gauge railroad. Admission: Adults, $3; children under age 12, free.

Danbury Railway Museum

120 White St. Danbury, CT 06810 Phone: 203-778-8337

The museum, located in the historic station and rail yard in downtown Danbury, Connecticut, teaches kids and families about railroad history. Children and parents may take railroad excursion trips; explore a collection of railroad items, including original and restored rolling stock; and try hands-on railroad work on scale models.

Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust

Flanders Road Woodbury, CT 06798 Phone: 203-263-3711

This nature center offers many recreational and educational programs for children and adults, including nature trails, seasonal festivities, kids’ programs, and a community garden. Families can roam the trails with a guide, take classes about flora and fauna, and join seasonal events like maple sugaring. Check for seasonal changes in hours and programs.

Kellogg Environmental Center

Hawthorne Avenue Derby, CT Phone: 203-734-2513

Center offers workshops, exhibits, nature activities, and lectures for the general public. Through hands-on programs, families and kids can enjoy learning about nature and the environment. Throughout the year, the center offers special weekend programs, nature walks, and family workshops.

Sharon Audubon Center

325 Cornwall Bridge Road Sharon, CT 06069 Phone: 860-364-0520

A wildlife conservation and rehabilitation facility operated by the National Audubon Society, this center has more than 11 miles of scenic hiking trails, and includes 1,147 acres of mixed forest, meadows, wetlands, ponds, and streams. The Visitor Center houses the Nature Store, Natural History Museum and Exhibit Room, live animals, a Children's Adventure Center, and Research Library. Call from seasonal changes in programs.

The Golden Age of Trucking Museum

1101 Southford Rd. Middlebury, CT 06762 Phone: 203-577-2181

Open: Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; closed Easter, July 4, December 24 and 25, December 31 and January. 1

Facility containing over 36 antique trucks from the early 1900s through 1960s, antique boats, trucking memorabilia, photographs, and publications. Hands-on children?s area, library, movie, art gallery, gift shop, picnic area. Admission: Adults, $8; seniors, $7; children age 3-16, $5; family, $20.
Mystic/Eastern top of listings

Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry

Weaver Road (off Route 44) Storrs, CT 06269 Phone: 860-486-4605

Open: Late April-early November,Friday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Collection of more than 2,000 puppets from the world over. Each exhibition features a different view of the variety of styles and periods in puppetry. Admission: Free; donations accepted.

Kidcity Children's Museum

119 Washington St. Middletown, CT 06457 Phone: 860-347-0495

Open: Sunday-Tuesday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call for holiday schedule.

Whimsical, one-of-a-kind rooms filled with hands-on play and learning, for kids ages 1 to 8 and their grown-ups. Admission: $6 per person.

Lutz Children's Museum

247 S. Main St. (Route 83) Manchester, CT 06040 Phone: 860-643-0949

Open: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Exhibits change frequently and special programs are offered almost daily for children age 2 through 12. Some current exhibits allow kids to climb aboard a plane full of museum artifacts from Africa or race off on a motorcycle; explore the mysteries of the five senses; see rescued animals; and tour a children’s art gallery. Admission: $4.

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center

110 Pequot Trail Mashantucket, CT 06338 Phone: 800) 411-9671

Open: Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., last admission at 3 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving day, December 24 and 25, December 31 and January 1

Permanent exhibits on the Native and natural history of southern New England include a cool descent into a glacial crevasse from 18,000 years ago. Walk through a 1550 Pequot Village. Interactive computer programs, films providing additional information and interpretation of the exhibits. Two research libraries, one for children. Museum store and restaurant. Admission: Adults, $15; seniors, $13; children age 6-15, $10; under 6 free.

Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration

55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355 Phone: 860-572-5955

At this multifaceted museum of marine life, kids and parents may see detailed models of the Titanic; stroke a swimming ray in the Ray Touch Pool; learn about shipwrecks and the technology to explore them; observe the speed, agility, and intelligence of sea lions; and view an Alaskan coast habitat. Check for seasonal changes in hours and programs.

Ocean Beach Park

1225 Ocean Avenue New London, CT 06320 Phone: 860-447-3031 Toll-Free: 1-800-510-SAND (7263)

New England's Finest Beach and Boardwalk

This is one of the sandiest and most festive beaches the state offers. Besides the ocean, the park had a large swimming pool and waterslide, rides, mini-golf, a video arcade, and a playground. There is also a nature walk for tranquil outdoor fun. Nightly entertainment schedule includes Classic Car Cruises; kids movies; live magic; and more.

U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum

Naval Submarine Base New London Groton, CT 06349-5571 Phone: 860-694-3174 Toll-Free: 800-343-0079

This is the only submarine museum operated by the Navy and the primary repository for artifacts, documents, and photographs relating to the U.S. Submarine force. The museum traces the development of the “silent service” from David Bushnell’s Turtle, used in the Revolutionary War, to the modern Los Angeles, Ohio, Seawolf, and Virginia-class submarines.
New Haven/South Central top of listings

Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum

1188 Highland Ave. (Route 10) Cheshire, CT 06410 Phone: 203-699-3822

Open Saturdays 12-4pm

Over 80,000 items including toys and character collectibles from 1873 to present; Western, TV and advertising collectibles; cartoon memorabilia; official musuem for Celebriducks, the California Raisin and Gumby; sculpture gallery. Admission: Free.

Gillette Castle State Park and Mansion

67 River Road, off Route 82 East Haddam, CT 06423 Phone: 860-526-2336

One of the most remarkable parks in the state, Gillette Castle State Park features a mansion built in 1919 for actor William Gillette, who was famous for his role as Sherlock Holmes. Tours are given on days that the mansion is open (call for exact times). The park itself is set on the Connecticut River and features fishing areas, short hiking trails and picnic spots. The Castle is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day. Staff are available to assist with questions about the castle interior and its history. The grounds are open year round.

Shore Line Trolley Museum

17 River Street East Haven, CT 06512 Phone: 203-467-6927

Open: April, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; May and September-November, Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; late November-late December, Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Ride vintage streetcars through scenic woods and wetlands. View exhibits on the trolley era and tour the trolley collection. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission: Adults, $6; seniors, $5; children age 2-15, $3; under 2 free.