Find feathered friends and encounter animals up close at petting zoos in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Westmoor Park

Best Petting Zoos in Connecticut: Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos

Connecticut Childrens' latest Back to School Toolkit provides straight-forward, age-appropriate, expert advice to keep kids happy and healthy.

Expert Tips for Navigating Back to School Challenges and Tough Talks

Kids classes like judo can help children build new skills and develop socially

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Guide to Kids' Classes in Connecticut

Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.

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25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do

Hold on tight, because summer festivals and fairs are gearing up for Connecticut families! Photo courtesy of Vernon's Annual Summer Carnival

25 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Connecticut for Families

Bounce, splash, and make the most of summer at the best inflatable water parks in New England. Photo courtesy of Brownstone Adventure Sports Park

Best Inflatable Water Parks to Visit in New England

Our ultimate family bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut before kids grow up. Photo courtesy of Lake Compunce

100 Things To Do in Connecticut Before Kids Grow Up

Get up close with history and find even more fun things to do in Connecticut for August 2023! Photo courtesy of King Tut in Hartford

20 Best Things To Do in Connecticut August 2023 with Kids

We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.

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Ultimate Connecticut Kids Summer Vacation Guide

Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway

Try to keep your balance at Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Norwalk. Photo courtesy of Sky Zone

The Best Indoor Playgrounds and Indoor Play Spaces in Connecticut

Grab some friends for some birthday laps around the track. Photo courtesy of RPM Raceway

Fun Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Tweens and Teens

Elevate the fun at these 8 New England theme parks that are great for families. Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce

Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families

Summer camps help kids learn new skills and make new friends

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Connecticut Summer Camp Guide

Connecticut Children's has created an online parenting toolkit that addresses challenges like choosing appropriate apps and understanding parental controls.

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Find a sweet treat for the whole family at the best places for breakfast in Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Hotcakes

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New England Family Travel Guide

Take a fun-filled family retreat to one of New England's best indoor waterparks! Photo courtesy of Waterpark of New England

Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways

As classic as the roller rink or modern as a VR experience, these fun indoor places are perfect spots for teens and tweens to hang out! Photo by Ally Noel

Fun Places in Connecticut Where Tweens and Teens Can Hang Out Indoors

Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Urban Air.

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Connecticut Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones

Parents can enjoy some relaxation when their kids spend time at the

10 Family-Friendly Hotels and Spa Resorts in Connecticut

Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT

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Connecticut Day Trips & Weekend Getaways Guide

A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures

The Best Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in Connecticut

Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers

Young hikes can tackle these short nature walks. Photo courtesy of Roaring Brook Nature Center

A Dozen Short Hikes in Connecticut for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel

Top Attractions in Connecticut: Best Things to See and Do with Kids

From rolling hills and lakes to scenic views and summits, there's great outdoor adventure for families at Connecticut state parks. Photo courtesy of Visit CT

25 Connecticut State Parks and Forests That Are Great to Visit with Kids

Bubbles are a classic free fun activity for Connecticut kids

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Free Fun Things to Do for Connecticut Kids

Essex has genuine appeal for every family. Photo by Ally Noel.

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Run through the vineyards at Aquila's Nest. Photo courtesy of Aquila's Nest, Facebook

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Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons

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Practice new skills at Calf's Pasture Beach, photo courtesy of Norwalk Skate Park, Facebook

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Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.

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Revel in nature's majesty at Webb Mountain. Photo by Ally Noel

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Plan the perfect at-home kids' birthday party with these ideas and tips. Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels

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Explore The Wizard Realm, photo courtesy of Puzzle Theory

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Make ponies the stars of your child's birthday party. Photo courtesy of The Little Party Ponies

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Free burgers? Yes, please! Photo courtesy of Widow Brown's Cafe

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Learn some random fun facts that will leave your kids laughing. Photo by Sara Marentette

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Photo courtesy of the Hartt School Community Division

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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander

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Staff members are on hand to explain the historic aircraft. Photo courtesy of the New England Air Museum

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With a working farm, plenty of trails to explore, and hands-on programming, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a family-friendly wonderland. Photo courtesy of Stamford Museum & Nature Center

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The internet is full of coding programs for kids, but which are the best? We tested them all. Photo courtesy of Kodable

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Use recyclables and household objects to build a better bridge.

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Find big fun in all shapes and sizes at free museums for kids in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of the Eli Whitney Museum

Free Museums in Connecticut To Visit with Kids

Back to School Concert at Castle Hill Farm will feature a performance by Poppi's Planet. Photo courtesy of the artist.

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Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in Chicago

Christmas trains in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Railway Museum.

10/23/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for Christmas trains in Chicago? Many are cancelled, but we were still able to find available Polar Express train rides near Chicago.

Rail worker shortages are even impacting Santa Claus's Polar Express schedule in 2022. The jolly old elf has cancelled his dozens of journeys out of Union Station for the season, and many suburbs have followed suit. But we've still managed to find plenty of Polar Express and Santa Express Christmas train rides in Chicago with seats available. Check out the glamorous buffet on the Burr Ridge Park District Storytime Train or visit the Illinois Railway Museum before or after your ride on the Happy Holiday Railway. Check out mini trains in Aurora or Orland Park, or board a trolley in Bloomingdale or Chicago Ridge. And the CTA holiday trains and buses are back for 2022.

While you're preparing for the holiday season, check out our favorite advent calendars for this Christmas season. You can also bone up on ideas for your Elf on the Shelf, who will be returning sooner than you think!

Here are our favorite Polar Express train rides in Chicago that are happening this year, and a list of those to look out for next year!