Community Corner
Top 20 Places To Take Kids In and Around Hartford!
Read below for KidsOutAndAbout's list of Top 20 Places to take kids in Hartford, CT
Connecticut’s Best for Kids in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford and the surrounding area is rich in fun events and exciting places. The venues listed below are wildly popular with kids and families in our area. But don’t miss out on ALL the other wonderful places as well! Browse through our site and discover lots more to do! To stay on top of ALL of the opportunities for kids in our area, please make sure to sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter!
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With 150 hands-on exhibits the CT Science Center provides fun exploration of physics, forensics, geology, astronomy and much more! Your family will also enjoy a state-of-the-art 3D digital theater, four educational labs, plus daily programs and events! For the second year in a row, Connecticut Science Center is #1!
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Mystic Aquarium has more than 300 species and an extensive collection of marine mammals, including New England’s only beluga whales. Mystic Aquarium has been a pioneer in offering guests a variety of up close encounters with a wide range of marine animals. Mystic Aquarium held the #2 position last year, too!
NCTC provides hands-on educational opportunities in the performing arts for kids and young adults, encouraging self-discipline, self-esteem and self-confidence while inspiring creativity.
Your kids will Create, Explore and Play at The Bright Spot Children’s Playspace in Vernon! Our classes, drop off programs, open play, and mini-camps will be the bright spot in your child’s day!
Kidcity in Middletown is a place where kids and their grownups play pretend together, using their imaginations and having fun! Kidcity is best for ages 1-8, with the majority of visitors under the age of 5.
Old fashioned fun! Lake Compounce is the oldest continuously-operating amusement park in the United States and has a waterpark and beach in addition to the park itself for everyone to enjoy!
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens, opened in October of 2000, consists of an 18,400-square foot facility that includes a 8,000-sq. ft. glass conservatory filled with butterflies, moths and tropical vegetation. Located in South Deerfield, MA. During the summer, they are open 7 days per week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last admission of the day sold at 5:30 p.m.
New England life from 1790-1840 with costumed historians and period demonstrations and buildings. Visitors can explore, touch, try new things, and be part of the action. Hands-on fun is at the heart of everything we do.
Along with exciting and fun-filled attractions for the whole family to enjoy, Quassy specializes in catering private parties.
The Children’s Museum Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than 100 live rescued animals. Travelers Science Dome is CT’s largest digital full dome planetarium, fun with science and nature for the family or school group, scout group (we have Camp-ins!), and more!
The Connecticut Children’s Museum building houses three programs, interwoven in purpose and philosophy: Creating Kids Child Care Center, Creating Curriculum Child Care Provider Training Program and the Connecticut Children’s Museum itself. Each is inspired by the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, articulated by Harvard psychologist, Howard Gardner. This is a rich and resourceful, cutting edge educational theory, which recognizes the multiplicity of children’s intelligences and honors the different ways children learn.
The Lutz Children’s Museum was founded in 1953 to provide educational resources to children, families, and schools. Our current services include hands-on exhibits, live animals, classes, concerts, trips, special events and a nature center.
Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park
Affiliated with Power Ridge, Brownstone is a 3 season outdoor activity area with zip lining, rock climbing, cliff diving, wake boarding, snorkeling and swimming, scuba diving and MORE! It sounds intense, but most activities are great for all ages! They are located in Portland, CT. The General Swimming Daily Pass includes swimming, hiking and biking, with access to snorkeling and kayaking. Adventure Sports Daily Pass includes the General Swimming activities plus cliff jumping, rock climbing, zip lines, waterslide, rope swing, scuba diving, and inflatable obstacles.
Jump around on over 13,000 square feet of connected, world-class trampolines. Our trampoline field features over 50 trampolines, the famous angled wall trampolines and a series of launching decks of different heights.
Connecticut’s largest shoreline beach. Kids can swim in the salt water, collect shells, build a sandcastle, sunbathe, relax, and walk along the 3/4 mile boardwalk, gazing upon Long Island Sound. Launch a carry-in boat, take a canoe trip, or fish from the stone breakwater. Summer activities include nature talks, bingo, movies, horseshoes, bocce and volleyball. The children’s play area offers a pirate ship, swings, and slides. Visit Meigs Point Nature Center and experience the hands-on saltwater touch tank or search for the hundreds of bird species present at the park.
Bushnell Park is filled with history and natural beauty. Enjoy a tree walk, an afternoon by the pond, a ride on the carousel, or visit one of the many statues and memorials right in downtown Hartford!
The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village
Robotic Dinosaurs, Dinosaur trails, Hiking, Dinosaur maze, playground, Splashpad, Events, Exhibits, Hands on activities, Family fun.
Gillette Castle was built by William Gillette, an actor who famously (in his day) played Sherlock Holmes. Visitors can park and tour the extensive grounds overlooking the CT River at no charge. There is an admission fee to tour the castle.
This South Windsor facility is 7,500 square feet consisting of two party rooms and a large play area. The play area houses five giant inflatables and a 16 foot rock climbing wall.
You’ll love our 200 million-year-old fossil trackway, and interactive exhibits. Bring materials to cast your own dinosaur footprint to take home and plan for a hike through our trail system! Bring your kids to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs!
2014 Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.
Favorite Place to Have Fun INSIDE
Whippersnapper’s offers extraordinary programs at their indoor play gym that help kids develop confidence and self esteem.They offer a clean, safe environment for children to explore music, creative movement, fitness, games and arts & crafts. Birthday Parties, too!
Favorite Place to Have Fun OUTSIDE
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime history museum whose 19 acre waterfront campus includes a 19th-century seafaring village, tall ships and small boats, exhibit galleries, a renowned planetarium and much more!
Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum
The Lutz Children’s Museum was founded in 1953 to provide educational resources to children, families, and schools. Our current services include hands-on exhibits, live animals, classes, concerts, trips, special events and a nature center.
Favorite Performing Arts
Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
The Bushnell, a not-for-profit organization, is renowned for community programs, as well as being a leading educator and advocate of the arts.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Farm
Family-owned orchard since 1741 with 225 acres and over 40,000 fruit trees. U-pick, cider mill, orchard tours, golf course and academy, and countless events throughout the year.
Favorite Sports Team
The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Family-friendly baseball at its finest in New Britain, CT!
