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Best of October: Top Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids

There's magic in the air this October in Connecticut! Moms and More Annual Halloween Stroll photo courtesy of Iris Photography LLC
There's magic in the air this October in Connecticut! Moms and More Annual Halloween Stroll photo courtesy of Iris Photography LLC
9/30/22 - By Jennifer Coe

The best of October is here! The colorful leaves are falling, the pumpkins are plump and orange and there are great things to do with kids in October in Connecticut. You can check out the huge puppets at Night Fall or ride the quaint Pumpkin Trolley. Get your spooky fill at the Halloween Haunt or put on your costume for a not-so-scary Halloween Stroll. So read on for the best of October and our top things to do in Connecticut with kids.

Explore Mommy Poppins' Fall Fun Guide for more ideas for harvest and farm activities or take advantage of our list of 15 of Our Favorite Family-Friendly Fall Get Aways. Still craving more ideas for fun things to do in Connecticut? Bookmark our event calendar to search all the great things happening. Happy fall—and happy Halloween!

 

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All aboard for fall fun in October! Pumpkin Patch Trolley photo courtesy of the CT Trolley Museum, Facebook
All aboard for fall fun in October! Pumpkin Patch Trolley photo courtesy of the CT Trolley Museum, Facebook

Best of October: Top Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids

Pumpkin Patch Trolley

Saturday, October 1 - . Sunday, October 30 — East Windsor
Traveling tothe Pumpkin Patch is a family fun filled adventure where you ride on a trolley car out to the pumpkin patch field and each child can pick out a FREE pumpkin. Additionally, when you return back to the Museum you can decorate the pumpkin, play in the corn box, enjoy the outside play area and the entire museum. A great annual tradition for families. READ MORE

Night Fall

Saturday, October 1 — West Hartford
Hartford's magical FREE outdoor community celebration of seasonal change through performance, featuring art, music, dance and Anne Cubberly's legendary giant puppets! Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Elizabeth Park. Crafts and vendors too. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. READ MORE

Lyman Orchards' Corn Maze

Saturday, October 1 - Sunday, November 6 — Middlefield
Lyman's has been growing their corn for a unique 18th Century Revolutionary period corn maze this year! Think: Ben Franklin! Enjoy this 4-acre maze carved into Ben Franklin's likeness, lightning, a key and #allamerican. READ MORE

Pumpkintown USA

Saturday, October 1 - Monday, October 31 — East Hampton
It's opening day for the fall season at Pumpkintown! One of New England's premier non-scary Halloween villages, Pumpkintown USA annually draws about 25,000 visitors. The Village at Pumpkintown USA is home to more than 70 Pumpkinhead people and their pets. The unique village includes a fast food restaurant called MacPumpkins, a saloon, a jail, a church, barbershop, country store, farm, and a fire station. Dogs are welcome at Pumpkintown. READ MORE

Southington Apple Harvest Festival

Saturday, October 1 - Sunday, October 9 — Southington
Situated around the beautiful Southington Town Green, the Apple Harvest Festival is a family-oriented event which attracts an estimated 100,000 visitors annually. READ MORE

Hollowed Harvest - Greater Hartford Area

Saturday, October 1 - Sunday, October 30 — Plymouth
Experience the spooky family-fun of Halloween at the Hollowed Harvest! The Hollowed Harvest brings to life thousands of incredible Jack-O'-Lanterns creating stunning landscapes and larger-than-life displays designed to amaze audiences of all ages!​ Be amazed at our towering Jack-O'-Lantern sculptures, the  epic Jack-O'-Lantern Tunnel, & our intricately-carved Jack-O'-Lanterns at the Marshfield Hollowed Harvest! READ MORE

Pumpkin Passage

Saturday, October 1 - Saturday, October 29 — Montville
The Dinosaur Place in Montville, CT, once again opens their gates for all things magical & mystical — get ready for the annual Halloween event named the Pumpkin Passage Toddler-friendly trail of lights and fun family activities are awaiting you this October at the dinosaur-themed adventure park every Friday, Saturday & Sunday. READ MORE

Halloween Haunt

Friday, October 7 - Sunday, October 30 — Middlebury
Terror At Quassy - Halloween haunt event in the amusement park with numerous attractions, live entertainment, food and beverages (separate purchase). Not for the faint of heart nor recommended for young children. It is scary! Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through Oct. 31. Gates open at 6 p.m. Admission includes all haunt attractions and major rides in the park (no kiddie rides in operation for this event) READ MORE

4th Annual Witch Paddle and Coat Drive

Saturday, October 15 — Mystic
Wear your Favorite WITCH or Halloween Costume to the 4th Annual Witch Paddle and Coat Donation event. This event is looking for experienced paddler please as there will be no instructions given.  READ MORE

Bat Week at the Beardsley Zoo

Monday, October 24 - Sunday, October 30 — Bridgeport
Celebrate the role of bats in nature. Bat Week is organized by conservation organizations from across the United States and Canada. Learning opportunities for guests will be held all week, with crafts and fun activities at the Research Station. READ MORE

Halloween Stroll

Saturday, October 29 — West Hartford
Join us for the 2022 Halloween Stroll from Moms & More of West Hartford.Kids annually love this free trick or treating event that runs throughout West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. Families will enjoy music, giveaways, costumed mascots and more. A great event for kids of all ages. Kids are encouraged to come in costume. READ MORE

Eastern Connecticut Ballet Presents Ballet Spooktacular

Saturday, October 29 — Old Saybrook
Ballet Spooktacular is a Treat at The Kate! For children who just can't wait for Halloween, Eastern Connecticut Ballet's Spooktacular serves up a mix of "BOO-tiful" dancing, clever costumes, and a chance for young audiences to be a part of the fun. ECB's family-friendly celebration returns to the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts center in Old Saybrook, CT this fall: Saturday October 29 at 11:30am (sensory friendly performance), 1:30pm, and 3:30pm and Sunday, October 30 at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm Offering new treats both on and off the stage, the Spooktacular performance combines... READ MORE

HSO's Tales of Halloween

Saturday, October 29 — Hartford
This Halloween, take a trip through the world of spooky folklore alongside the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.  Featuring thrilling musical favorites from the concert hall and silver screen, spellbinding decorations, and fun festive activities, this concert will be a joyful fright for the whole family!  *Costumes are encouraged!* The concert will also showcase the world premiere of composer/conductor and Connecticut native John Jesensky’s“Tales of Halloween,” with interactive illustrations, and text by Connecticut artists.  Join us… if you dare! Don't forget to join... READ MORE

Trunk or Treat Ellington

Sunday, October 30 — Ellington
Ellington Congregational Church invites your family to their trunk or treat event. Bring a bucket and have some fun. Make sure you wear your Halloween costume! READ MORE

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