Find feathered friends and encounter animals up close at petting zoos in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Westmoor Park
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Connecticut Childrens' latest Back to School Toolkit provides straight-forward, age-appropriate, expert advice to keep kids happy and healthy.
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Kids classes like judo can help children build new skills and develop socially
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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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Hold on tight, because summer festivals and fairs are gearing up for Connecticut families! Photo courtesy of Vernon's Annual Summer Carnival
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Bounce, splash, and make the most of summer at the best inflatable water parks in New England. Photo courtesy of Brownstone Adventure Sports Park
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Our ultimate family bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut before kids grow up. Photo courtesy of Lake Compunce
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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
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We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
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Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
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Try to keep your balance at Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Norwalk. Photo courtesy of Sky Zone
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Grab some friends for some birthday laps around the track. Photo courtesy of RPM Raceway
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Elevate the fun at these 8 New England theme parks that are great for families. Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce
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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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Take a fun-filled family retreat to one of New England's best indoor waterparks! Photo courtesy of Waterpark of New England
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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
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Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Urban Air.
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Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
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A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures
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Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
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Young hikes can tackle these short nature walks. Photo courtesy of Roaring Brook Nature Center
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Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel
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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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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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Staff members are on hand to explain the historic aircraft. Photo courtesy of the New England Air Museum
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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
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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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Totally Free Stuff to Save You from February Madness

2/2/18 - By Julia Tolstrup

Well, it depends on which groundhog you ask--Punxatawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter while Connecticut's own Chuckles the groundhog predicts an early spring. Either way, we all know that even though February is the shortest month it can feel endless at times. Sure we've got the Super Bowl shaking things up this weekend, but it's still cold, it's still getting dark pretty early (though if you're like me you get excited when you realize it's 5:00 pm and still a little dusky) and it's all too easy to succumb to a case of cabin fever. In order to stave off any seasonal meltdowns, I've rounded up 10 family events and activities around Connecticut and the best part is they're all FREE! So when the road conditions permit, bundle up the fam and get out while the getting is good! For even more free stuff to do all year round, check out these 50 Free Things to do Indoors!

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Submarine Force Museum
Climb aboard the submarine Nautilus for a journey through ships that made history from the first ship to voyage to the North Pole to the real story of the first submarine to venture 20,000 leagues under the sea.

1 Crystal Lake Road, Groton, CT 06340  860-694-3174

Westport Astronomical Society
For all you stargazers out there, Westport Astronomical Society hosts a calendar of events every month including a public night at the observatory on Wednesdays. In February one of those Wednesdays just so happens to be Valentine's Day.

182 Bayberry Lane, Westport, CT 06880  203-293-8759

Yale Peabody Museum
On Thursday afternoons visitors get in free at this world class natural history museum. Whether you like dinosaur fossils or rocks and minerals, Peabody has a little something for everyone.

170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511  203-432-5050

Yale Center for British Art / Yale Art Gallery
These two are practically across the street from each other in downtown New Haven. Parking can be a pain sometimes, but with free admission to both museums and endless options if you want to grab some lunch after, this is a great way to spend a whole afternoon.

1080 Chapel Street / 1111 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06510

Connecticut Audubon
​With locations throughout Connecticut, many of which offer indoor centers to check out, Audubon can be a great answer to a cold afternoon.

Museum of Connecticut History
Learn how the Nutmeg State grew and changed through the centuries and its place within the rest of the nation. Kids will enjoy a scavenger hunt that will lead them through the museum in search of clues to Connecticut's past.

231 Capitol Hill, Hartford, CT 06101  860-757-6535

UConn Animal Barns
Did you know that visitors are invited to tour the UConn animal barns in Storrs every day from 10:00 - 4:00? Have an animal lover in your brood? Head on over and see how a barn is run.

3636 Horsebarn Road, Storrs, CT 06269  860-486-2413

Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry
UConn is actually quite renowned for its puppetry program. Ballard Institute offers a glimpse into the world of puppetry and frequently puts on free puppet shows. Reservations are strongly recommended.

1 Royce Circle, Suite 101B, Storrs, CT 06268  860-486-8580

 New Britain Youth Museum
There are two locations to explore here. The New Britain Youth Museum located behind New Britain Library has a calendar of activities for kids as well as play areas to explore. The center at Hungerford Park in Kensington is home to several species of domestic animals as well as wildlife. 

30 High Street, New Britain, CT 06051  860-225-3020 / 91 Farmington Avenue, Kensington, CT 06037  860-827-9064

The Library
When my kids were very small we were at the library so much that on more than one occasion I was mistaken for an employee. Your local library is undoubtedly one of your best resources when it comes to keeping the kids entertained--and you sane--while we ride out the rest of winter.