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Fun for children and families, from riverboats to dinosaur hiding places

Connecticut > State > Families and Kids > Family Activities

Family activities in Connecticut include things as diverse as tracking evidence of dinosaurs to exploring a shipbuilding village of 1830 to visits with Beluga whales. The state boasts lots of child-oriented and science-oriented museums that will keep kids occupied for hour after hours. There is lots to do, indoors and out, in all seasons of the year. Lots of resorts and hotels and inns welcome kids with family friendly lodging.

Follow these links for : Zoos, Aquariums & Animal Parks - Outdoor Adventures - Rainy Day Activities

Family Activities in Connecticut
Bluefish Girls 500x250 - Black Hawk Party Boat - Niantic, CT
Blackhawk Sport Fishing

Sailing from the Niantic Bay Marina Niantic, CT, 06357 Phone: 860-448-3662 Toll-Free: 800-382-2824

Families, kids of all ages are more than welcome aboard this sport-fishing and specialty cruise boat

Is there such a thing as being too young to fish? Not according to Blackhawk Sport Fishing, where kids are more than welcome. (They might even get to honk a boat horn or win a T-shirt!) Bring your own gear or rent a rod and reel, then settle back as an experienced captain and crew head out in pursuit of everything from stripers to fluke. Or, choose a fireworks, sunset or nature cruise, or a seal or eagle watch cruise. Private charters are also available for family gatherings or reunions. There’s a galley with burgers, hot dogs, snacks and beverages. Check the website for specialty trips: last-minute day trips, seal watches and fireworks cruises. Come see why Blackhawk was voted Southeastern Connecticut’s number one party boat.
Riverbank Family 500x250 - Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - Essex, CT
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

One Railroad Avenue Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-0103 Toll-Free: 800-377-3987

Something for everyone when you experience this train ride, riverboat cruise combination

Some of the family loves the idea of a train ride; others want to experience a river cruise: Essex Steam Train & Riverboat to the rescue! Hop on the train at the historic Essex Station for a narrated round trip into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. Your vintage cars (including caboose seats!) will be pulled by steam locomotives through quintessential New England towns. Get off at Deep River Landing and board the Becky Thatcher, a Mississippi-style riverboat, for a cruise along the river, with its coves, inlets, rocky shoreline and wildlife visible from multiple decks. The train, which also has a dinner train featuring 1920s Pullman-made dining cars, also offers a variety of special excursions, from Thomas the Tank Engine extravaganzas to a murder mystery dinner train. Please check our website for current train & riverboat schedules.
Everybody Can Help - Argia Mystic Cruises - Mystic, CT
Argia Mystic Cruises

75 Steamboat Wharf Mystic, CT, 06355 Phone: 860-536-0416

Haul Away! Bring the whole family sailing

Sail away aboard the traditional sailing schooner Argia for a journey into the past. The adventure begins as the Ship's horn blows and you depart from Mystic's historic Bascule Bridge, a national historic landmark. As the ship travels down the Mystic River, join the crew in raising sail the old-fashioned way...or lend a hand steering the ship! Morgan Point Lighthouse and the quaint fishing village of Noank greet you at the river’s mouth, followed by islands and peaceful sailing.

Enjoy our lowest rates Weekdays on our first trips of the day! Pack a picnic and bring the family aboard ARGIA for a 2-hour day-sail!
Ticket Please - Railroad Museum of New England - Thomaston, CT
Railroad Museum of New England

242 East Main Street Thomaston, CT, 06787 Phone: 860-283-7245

Seeking family fun? You’ll get everyone on board with a trip to this railroad museum

Looking for a fun activity for the whole family? It’s time to make tracks to the Railroad Museum of New England, where kids can explore steam and diesel locomotive passenger and freight cars, a crane, a plow and cabooses. (One is bright red!) There are educational exhibits at the historic Thomaston, CT Station, too. And the highlight, of course, is stepping aboard a vintage train for an excursion up the Naugatuck River Valley, over the famed Thomaston Dam, through woods and over the river. Special excursions to delight children of all ages are the Easter Bunny Express, the Pumpkin Patch train, the Santa Express and the Northern Lights Limited. The latter two trains, decorated for the season, include visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Atractions Outdoor Adventure - The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village - Oakdale CT
The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village

1650 Hartford-New London Tpke. (Rt. 85) Oakdale, CT, 06370 Phone: 860-443-4367

Families always have a roaring good time at this dinosaur-themed adventure park

Where can you find a roaring good time as a family, with something to satisfy everyone from tots to teens? At The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village! Start with the dinosaurs, of course — 60 of them, life-sized, to be discovered along an easy-to-walk, 1-5-mile trail. Then there are the T-Rex water cannons and other delights at the Splash Pad. Over at T-Rex Tower, dozens of challenging features mean the kids will love this 2 1/2-story playscape. Little guys will enjoy Monty’s Playground and Melody Magic, a musical playground for all ages. There’s also mini golf, a “mine” where you can dig for crystals and minerals — and over at Thunder Creek, you can pan for fools gold. Enjoy burgers and snacks at Monty’s Munchies or bring your own picnic!
Sailing Past a Lighthouse - Lighthouse Cruises - New London, CT
Cross Sound Cruises

2 Ferry Street New London, CT, 06320 Phone: 860-444-4620

Catamaran lighthouse tours are Instagram-worthy, educational — and fun for everyone in the family

The kids are going to love this tour! Two-hour lighthouse cruises from Cross Sound Cruises depart New London, CT and Orient Point, NY and go past a variety of famous, and much-loved, lighthouses, including Race Rock Light and New London Ledge Lighthouse (both said to be haunted); Orient Point Lighthouse, nicknamed “The Coffee Pot” by local mariners; Watch Hill Light, whose construction was authorized by Thomas Jefferson; and New London Harbor Light, one of the original 12 colonial lighthouses in the country. Tours — there are three to choose from — also go by Revolutionary-Era forts. Ride in comfort on a catamaran with air-conditioned cabins and lounges and large outside decks. Snacks and beverages, including ice-cold cocktails, are available. Each cruise is narrated by an experienced guide.
Fall Cornfield Kids - Bishop's Orchards - Guilford, CT
Bishop's Orchards

1355 Boston Post Road Guilford, CT, 06437 Phone: 203-453-2338

No one ever is bored at this farm and orchards, with plenty of fun activities for the whole family

If you have heard “there’s nothing to do” one time too many, pack everyone in the car and head straight to Bishop’s Orchards, where no one has ever uttered that phrase. Pick-your-own season starts in June with strawberries and goes all the way to Halloween in the pumpkin patch. The kids will love picking their own blueberries and apples (a tractor-trailer will take you to the apple orchards). In the fall, there are activities from scarecrow-making and outdoor movie nights to the hay maze. Holiday season means cookie-decorating, visiting Santa and the holiday Apple Train. Check the calendar for kids’ book club meetings and other special events. And did we mention the Creamery with flavors from Sea Salt Caramel to Fly Fishing Fudge and Moose Tracks?
Toddler at IT Adventures Rope Course - New Haven, CT
IT Adventure Ropes Course

40 Sargent Drive New Haven, CT, 06511 Phone: 203-812-9981

Giant ropes course features huge variety of obstacles, lots of fun and learning experiences for all

Here’s a dream scenario for a parent: an activity where the kids can have a blast and, at the same time, learn a little something. That’s the perfect combination you and your family will find at theIt Adventure Ropes Course inside Jordan’s Furniture in New Haven, CT. The world’s largest indoor ropes course includes everything from zip rails, rope ladders and swinging beams to cargo nets and bridges. For little adventurers, there’s the Little It ropes course, with platforms three feet off the ground, where adults can step in to assist. Four climbing walls provide a fresh take on traditional climbing. The activities encourage critical thinking and teamwork — all while everyone is having the time of their lives! The facility is also great for birthday parties.
Ansonia Recreational & Nature Center - Ansonia, CT
Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center

10 Deerfield Lane Ansonia, CT, 06401 Phone: 203-736-1053

This nature center is a wonderful place for kids to run, play, climb, explore, and also learn about nature. There is a large variety of interesting activities. Open daily, year-round.
Bushnell Park Carousel - Hartford, CT - Photo Credit Bushnell Park Foundation
The Bushnell Park Carousel

Bushnell Park - 1 Jewell Street Hartford, CT, 06010 Phone: 860-232-6710

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.
Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk - Norwalk, CT
Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

10 North Water Street 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.