Fun Things for Kids to Do in Connecticut

Connecticut is a state packed with fascinating places for kids to visit, whether it's museums, beaches, or any of the 139 state parks. Here is a sampling of family fun you can experience in the Constitution State.

Educational Museums

• Earthplace (Westport) — this natural history museum features a wildlife sanctuary with injured animals, hands-on exhibits, and an outdoor playground. Earthplace — Where Science, Conservation, and Education Meet

• Kidcity Children's Museum (Middletown) — limited to children ages 1 to 7 and accompanying adults, it's three stories of pretend and imagination stretching. Kidcity Children's Museum (kidcitymuseum.com)

• Mystic Aquarium (Mystic) — is home to the country's largest outdoor Beluga whale habitat, along with penguins and sea lions. Mystic Aquarium | Connecticut's Premier Aquarium

• Stepping Stones Museum for Children (Norwalk) — your kids' imagination will be sparked by the Energy Lab and wowed by the 27–foot ColorCoaster mechanical toy. Stepping Stones Museum for Children | Norwalk, CT — Stepping Stones Museum For Children

Historical Museums

• Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum (Cheshire) — take a trip down memory lane at this comprehensive toy museum with more than 80,000 antique toys and collectibles, including comics and cartoons. BCCCM | The Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum (barkermuseum.com)

• Mark Twain House & Museum (Hartford) — is the site where the famed American author wrote his classic books about the adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer and enjoyed what he described as the "happiest and most productive years of his life." Home — Mark Twain House

• Mystic Seaport Museum (Mystic) — features a historic village, working shipyard, whaling boats, and a harbor tour. Mystic Seaport Museum — Maritime Museum in Mystic, CT

• New England Air Museum (Windsor Locks) — get ready for your flight of fancy to take off with over 100 aircraft — from early flying machines to fighter jets. New England Air Museum (neam.org)

• The New England Carousel Museum (Bristol) — a chance to see the wonderfully crafted wooden horses your grandparents and great-grandparents rode at local amusement parks as kids. The Carousel Museum Home

• The Submarine Force Library & Museum (Groton) — periscope up for fun and adventure as you tour the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered ship and the first to make a fully submerged transit under the North Pole. It's the only submarine museum run by the U.S. Navy, and the volunteers actually served on subs. Museum Groton CT, Groton Museum Submarine, Navy Museum Groton CT, Sub Museum Groton Connecticut, Sub Base Museum Groton CT, Us Submarine Museum Groton (ussnautilus.org)

Parks

• Cove Island Park (Stamford) — enjoy breathtaking views and walking paths that follow the shoreline. The kids can bring their bikes, rollerblades, and skateboards. Plus, you can fire up one of the BBQ pits for lunch or dinner. Cove Island Park | Parks and Recreation Sites | Stamford, CT (stamfordct.gov)

• Dinosaur State Park (Rocky Hill) — features two miles of kid–friendly nature trails, some designed to take strollers. An added plus is a "geodome," built at the spot where 500 dinosaur tracks were discovered. Dinosaur State Park home page

• Silver Sands State Park (Milford) — located in Long Island Sound with plenty of beaches, great walking paths, and a boardwalk. Bring a shovel; Captain Kidd reportedly buried treasure here. Silver Sands State Park (ct.gov)

• Wickham Park (Manchester) — this beautiful park will help you connect with nature. Features numerous specifically designed gardens — including English, Lotus, and Japanese — to wander through, plus a playground. Home — Wickham Park

Beaches

(Parking/beach fees may apply.)

• Compo Beach (Westport) — offers a sweeping view of Long Island Sound, a boardwalk, pavilion, and a playground for the kids. Compo Beach | Westport, CT (westportct.gov)

• Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison) — one of three state beaches, it offers an expansive 2–mile beach, boardwalk, camping facilities, and a nearby nature center. Hammonasset Beach State Park (ct.gov)

• Ocean Beach Park (New London) — if the beach isn't enough, there is an adjacent splash park, arcade, and Olympic–sized pool. Connecticut's Best Public Beach — Visit New London

• Rocky Neck State Park (East Lyme) — another state beach with soft sand that is a great spot to hike, bike, or camp. It also has a boardwalk and picnic area overlooking the beach. Rocky Neck State Park (ct.gov)

• Sherwood Island State Park (Westport) — Connecticut's first state park has gorgeous beaches for strolling, a nature exhibit, walking trails, a picnic grove outside, and an inside pavilion. Sherwood Island State Park (ct.gov)