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

GUIDE

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.

SPONSORED

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

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.

SPONSORED

Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com

GUIDE

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

GUIDE

Connecticut Summer Camp Guide

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

SPONSORED

Technology and Kids: Screen Time Limits, Social Media Safety, Cyberbullying, and More Expert Advice

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

Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut

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.

GUIDE

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

GUIDE

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

GUIDE

Free Fun Things to Do for Connecticut Kids

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

Essex, Connecticut with Kids: Top 10 Things To See and Do

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

The Best Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in Connecticut

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

Top Connecticut Playgrounds That Families Will Love

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

Top Skate Parks in Connecticut

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

VIDEO

25 Preschool Science Experiments: Simple Science for Toddlers through Kindergarten Kids

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

Best Nature Centers in Connecticut To Visit with Kids

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

How to Plan a Kids' Birthday Party At Home

Explore The Wizard Realm, photo courtesy of Puzzle Theory

Awesome Escape Rooms in CT: Kid-Friendly Parties and Family Adventures

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

Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT That Come To You

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

Kids Eat Free in Connecticut: Family-Friendly Restaurants With Free Kids' Meals

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

75 Fun Facts For Kids That Will Blow Their Minds

Find a new children's book to read today. Photo by Jody Mercier

100 Kids' Books Every Child Should Read Before They Grow Up

GUIDE

Guide to Kids' Classes in Connecticut

Photo courtesy of the Hartt School Community Division

Dance Classes for Connecticut Kids: 20 Studios for Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, and More

GUIDE

Boredom Busters for Kids

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

67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home

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

A Visit to the New England Air Museum in Connecticut with Kids

GUIDE

Crafts & Games: 100s of Activities for Kids

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

Stamford Museum & Nature Center: 7 Family-Friendly Things To Do

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

Best Free Coding for Kids Websites and Apps to Learn Programming Skills

GUIDE

Guide to Kids' Classes in Connecticut

Use recyclables and household objects to build a better bridge.

25 STEM Activities Easy Enough for Preschoolers

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.

Back to School Festivities and More Things To Do in CT this Weekend

25 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Connecticut for Families

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

5/26/23 - By Ally Noel

Summer festivals and fairs are on the way! Connecticut's 2023 summer calendar is stuffed full of fun, family-oriented fairs. From food extravaganzas to cultural festivals to shoreline and country-style fairs, there are so many family events in our little state this summer. Even better, many of the summer festivals and fairs on this list are free to enter. So grab a picnic basket and a blanket, and head out for games, rides, tastings, and more.

Be sure to check out our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide to keep up with new listings of summer fairs and festivals, as well as fun family events and activities. And our Guide to Free Fun for Connecticut Kids helps plan for more epic adventures at just the right price to stretch the summer budget.

Note: We've marked fairs that offer free admission, but you may have to pay extra for food, games, and rides.