Winter in Connecticut is not always about Christmas Lights and Sleigh rides like you see on the Hallmark Channel. Christmas is such a short part of Christmas, once the festivities end we still have 3-4 grueling months of freezing cold weather and bored kids. Here are some things around the state that you can take the kids to so you do not lose your sanity.
I broke it down by younger kids under 8 and 8 and up. Obviously maturity and siblings play a huge factor but I will leave that up to you and your family!
Under 8
- KidCity Children’s Museum – 19 WASHINGTON ST., MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457
This place is number one on my list to recommend to every person I know with little kids. The imagination in this place is like no other place I have ever experienced. My kids lit up the first time we came here. Different themed rooms throughout the entire building (outside doesn’t do it justice on its size). All of the rooms allow kids to build castles (literally “brick by brick”). An entire restaurant themed room with all the fake food you could possibly imagine, indoor seesaws and slides, as well a fake corn maze the kids get to be farmers in.
Reservations Required- Yes
Cost- $12 per person adults & Children
Food- None, but there is a place to have your own snacks if you choose
Discounts- $3 charge with proof of SNAP card
Hours- Everyday 9am-4pm
2. The Children’s Museum – 180 Mohegan Dr, West Hartford, CT
This one is on the smaller side but still packed with plenty of activities to keep the kids busy. Here you can find dinosaur exhibits, feeding of live animals (bunnies etc), a butterfly garden, as well as an interactive maze.
Reservations Required- No
Cost- $15 per person adults & Children, Under 2 Free
Food- None
Discounts- Discounts given from your local library
Hours- Weds-Friday 9:30-3:30
Saturday- 1pm-5pm
Sunday- 10am-4pm
3. Niantic Children’s Museum – 409 Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357
Here you can find different rooms to explore. The imagination room is full of opportunities for your little ones to try on different career hats. Here they can become a captain of a ship,a farmer, firefighter and more. There is also a toddler area in this room built specifically for them.
Imagination Room
Next is the discovery room. Here you can find the beloved Museum Animals. These consist of a tortoise, tree frogs, and more. In this room the kids can participate in S.T.E.A.M based activities sure to make their young minds run wild. Magnet walls, microscopes , and train tables are around every corner.
The newly added Nano-Mini Exhibition room is teaching our littles about all things little. It helps them learn that there are things beyond our eyesight. Interactive panels and games are sure to keep them busy!
*Enjoy the big calendar full of events and classes
Reservations Required- No
Cost- $10 per person adults & Children, Under 1 Free
Food- None
Discounts- Discounts given for memberships
Hours- Tuesday- Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm
4. Lutz Children’s Museum– 247 South Main Street Manchester CT 06040
Best part about this museum is the exhibits are ever changing. Currently there is a farm exhibit where each of the kids on the farm have different jobs like they would in a real farm. These jobs can range from milking a fake cow to collecting the eggs for the day. There are 50 animals here that the kids can enjoy including the favorite Chinchilla.
Reservations Required- Yes
Cost- $10 per person adults & Children, Under 1 Free
Food- None, but have picnic tables and small snacks in gift shop
Discounts- Discounts given for memberships,
Hours- Tues-Friday 9am-noon
Saturday/Sunday- 12pm-4pm
5. Ever Wonder Children’s Museum– 11 Mile Hill Road Newtown, CT
At Ever Wonder the goal is to inquire, discover, learn and have fun. They have exhibits that let kids do this in all subjects ranging from math to science and technology. Imagination play playground, technology corner, animal center, science center, adventures in engineering and many more that are bound to have every one of your children curious about something.
Reservations Required- Recommended
Cost- $10 per person adults & Children, Under 1 Free
Food- None
Discounts- Discounts given for memberships, 3.o0 per person with EBT card, active military discount
Hours- Tues/Thurs/Friday- 9am-3pm
Weds- 9am-6pm
Saturday/Sunday- 10am-3pm
Before I move on to the older kids I just want to put a reminder to donate out there if you are able. These museums run on donations and if you enjoy yourself and are able to give even a little I know they really are grateful!
Now on to the big ones, the ones who we want to get their faces out of their phones and Ipads. The ones who probably roll their eyes when they have to hang out with us. Here are a few things in Connecticut for them! May they be grateful and remember the fun times you tried to give them (even if their attitudes suck haha)
6. Super Charged Racing – 1 Sachatello Industrial Dr, Oakdale, CT 06370
This place is the home of the largest multilevel race track in Connecticut. Other activities besides the awesome go kart track include Ninja Wipe Out sections, Trampolines, Ax Throwing and Arcade Games.
Pricing-
Go Karts- 1 Race is $25, From there you can buy them in bundles to save a few dollars. Each “Pro Race” is 8 minutues long on their multi level track. Min 58 inches to drive.
Friday is $15 Race day
Ninja and Trampoline section- 1 hour is $17.50. Extra charge for socks.
Ax Throwing- $25 per lane with a max of 6 people.
Food- V’s Pizzeria and Pub located inside the building.
Hours of Operation- Monday-Thurs 3pm-9m
Friday- 3pm -11pm
Saturday 10am-11pm
Sunday 10am-8pm
*Waivers required for Go Karts, Ninja/trampolines, and Ax Throwing
7. Xperiment Vr – Location in Trumbull and North Haven Connecticut
Xperiment VR is a place where your gamer will fall in love. While yes the goal is to get their face out of the electronics Xperiment VR is full of all different games. Here they can experience multiplayer, educational, artistic, VR escape rooms, and action games.
Pricing is as follows.
Hours are Weds/Thursday – 4pm-8pm
Friday- 4pm-9pm
Saturday- 11am-9pm
Sunday – 11am-6pm
Food- None
Savings- Constantly having special events with savings such as teen night and kids night out
Now if you are like me, I have a vast age range in our family. We have 6 years old all the way up to 14. The best places for us is somewhere that can be fun for all of the kids. We sometimes let our two oldest split from us to enjoy one part of the activity while the three boys enjoy the rest.
Here are some places we have found that all five of our clan really enjoy.
8. Star Force Lazer Tag– 784 River Road , Shelton CT 06484
We LOVE this place! With 20 + activities you can find an activity for everyone! These range from ice skating, mini golf, laser tag, arcades, bowling, paintball and batting cages. The girls have enjoyed mini golf and skating while the boys are busy with the arcade and batting cages. After everyone does their own activity they enjoy, we then get back together for a few competitive (I can’t help myself) games of bowling that are sure to end in someone crying or complaining that someone cheated(you know exactly what I mean). They even have a golf range if mom or dad enjoys that.
For pricing it is best to check out their website to see which activity is what your family is interested in. But just a jist to see what pricing is like.
Laser tag – $15.95 per person for an hour
Ice Skating Adults $13 , Kids $11
Hours – Sunday-Thursday 9:30am-9pm
Friday/Saturday – 9:30am-10pm
Food- None
Specials – Always a calendar of events going on with special pricing, Subscribe to their email list for updated specials
9. Spare Time– Bristol, Vernon, Windsor Locks
With three locations and such a small state you are bound to find one close to you! All three locations you find state of the art bowling lanes, a room full of arcade games, laser tag and more. All ages are bound to find something that makes them smile here.
Pricing – Bowling- 5.99 per person plus shoe rental
Friday/Saturday after 6pm- $41.99 per lane per hour
Laser tag- $8 per person
Video games- Depends on game
Food- Here you can find a great bar/ restaurant and they will also bring drinks and food right to your lane
Hours- Sunday- Thursday 10am-11pm
Friday/ Saturday 10am-Midnight
Deals – Unlimited bowling Sunday- Weds nights 9pm-11pm $9.99 a person
Tuesdays- 50% off the games
Thursdays- Strikes and Slices unlimited pizza and games $12.99 a person 9pm-11pm
Friday & Saturday -10pm to midnight Bowling after Dark (Music and Laser show) $14.99 unlimited bowling
*Watch for the kids bowl free all summer program (great for rainy summer days)
10. Denise Malones Aquatic Center– 325 Mix Street Bristol CT06010
What kid doesn’t miss swimming in the winter. I know I miss going to a pool and just letting the kids have at it. Its great exercise and tires them out. Best part is all ages enjoy swimming! This HUGE indoor pool offers open swim. There are swim lanes but also a huge open pool area that ranges from 4ft to 12ft. There is also a big diving board if any of your kids are able to use it.
Cost- $7 for Adults $3 for Kids
Hours- This varies by season and swim team practice times. Best to go to their website to make sure you are going during an open swim session.
Food- None
Deals – Annual memberships at a discount. Resident and non resident rates.
11. Cinemark Movie Theaters –
Locations- Enfield, Manchester, North Haven, Milford
The movies have been one of the best times to pass cold and rainy days. Cinemark Movie theaters have really stepped their comfort and convenience up in regards to the movies. Each location has a different set up but all of these amazing HEATED seats that recline now! I can remember these flimsy seats that hurt your back as you froze with the blasting AC. Now you are sitting in your own individual recliner that heats up as you relax and watch a movie. These theaters offer regular, Dbox and 3D movies for the entire family to enjoy.
Visit the location you are going to for movie listings and times.
Food- Some locations have a bar parents can enjoy, there are your typical movie snacks all the way up to pizza and burgers. If you order ahead of time you can even have your snacks and drinks delivered right to your seat! No more juggling drinks and food while the littles hold nothing haha.
Cost- Depends on movie and style of theater (Imax, 3D) but usually lands somewhere around $15 per person .
Deals- Sign up for Cinemark movie rewards for deals and rewards for every movie you attend
Matinees of course are always at a discount.
I hope you have found something here that will make a ton of memories (in between fits and complaints) with your family. Remember not to have huge expectations (something I am guilty of) and just go with the flow.
XOXO
Erin
