Kids-Oriented Activities In Connecticut
UPDATED: 4:49 pm EDT October 16,
2006
WFSB.com has compiled a listing of activities and venues oriented toward our children.If you have information you'd like to share with us, feel free to send WFSB.com an e-mail. Flamig FarmWEST SIMSBURY -- If you ask residents of the Simsbury area about Flamig Farm, they're sure to tell you it's the farm with the word "eggs" spelled backward. Beyond its quirky spellings, the farm features a farm animal zoo, pony rides and horse-drawn and tractor hay rides. You can also visit Flamig's farm store. For more information about the farm, visit its Web siteSessions Woods Wildlife Management Area BURLINGTON -- Sessions Woods WMA is a wildlife habitat that features trails, demonstrations, displays and educational programs. The habitat also features a back-yard wildlife area. The focus of the habitat is to education visitors about conservations. For more information about the habitat, visit its Web siteBeardsley Zoo BRIDGEPORT -- The Beardsley Zoo features animals sure to awe children and adults alike. The zoo has more than 300 species of animals, including endangered species such as the Siberian tiger, Andean condor, ocelot and the Andean bear. You can also explore the zoo's South American rain forest and the New England farmyard. For more information, visit the zoo's Web siteAction Wildlife Foundation GOSHEN -- The Action Wildlife Foundation features animals from across the globe. Some animals that visitors can view include reindeers, ostriches, emus, donkeys, llamas, water buffalos and zebras. The foundation also has a 50-acre drive-through wildlife safari as well as a petting zoo. For more information about the foundation, visit its Web siteMystic Aquarium MYSTIC -- The Mystic Aquarium will satisfy your child's curiosity of the deep blue sea. The aquarium features all sorts of aquatic life, including whales, penguins, sea lions and a 30,000-gallon tank filled with exotic fish. Children can also roll up their sleeves to touch live cownose rays in the ray touch pool. For more information about the aquarium's programs, visit the aquarium's Web site  Connecticut Science CenterHARTFORD -- Opening in 2008, the Connecticut Science Center will offer 40,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 3D Science Theater and Discovery Center classrooms. For more information about the museum and its construction, visit its Web siteNew England Air Museum WINDSOR LOCKS -- The New England Air Museum offers kids an opportunity to explore all sorts of aircrafts -- from military to civilian. Kids can climb inside the cockpits of various planes at the museum, which is located at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. For more information about the museum, visit its Web sitePeabody Museum of Natural History NEW BRITAIN -- The Yale Peabody Museum features The Great Hall of Dinosaurs where children can engage in prehistoric fun. The museum's exhibits such as Birds of Connecticut will also intrigue parents. For more information about the museum, visit its Web siteThe Children's Museum WEST HARTFORD -- The Children's Museum offers hands-on learning opportunities in science and nature for children. The museum has several permanent exhibits as well as rotating ones, and the museum also boasts the Gengras Planetarium. Younger children will love the bubble exhibit. For more information about the museum, visit its Web siteImagine Nation Children's Museum BRISTOL -- Imagine Nation offers a variety of hands-on exhibits, including sand and water tables, and a jungle-themed playspace. The museum also features ESPN's "Play Your Way" where kids can roleplay their favorite sports stars. For more information about the museum, visit its Web siteChildren's Museum of Southeast Connecticut NIANTIC -- The Children's Museum of Southeast Connecticut offers interactive exhibits for children ages 1 through 12. Featured exhibits include the Health Discovery Center as well as a literacy exhibit. For more information about the museum, visit its Web siteDinosaur State Park ROCKY HILL -- Dinosaur State Park was built after the accidental discovery of 2,000 dinosaur tracks, of which the park was built around. The museum also features interactive displays. For more information about the park, visit its Web siteThe Old State House HARTFORD -- A $3.5 million exhibit made its debut at Hartford's Old State House this September. The exhibit captures Hartford's history from the 1500s to the present and features more than 300 artifacts. For more information about the permanent exhibit, visit the State House's Web siteCopernican Observatory And Planetarium NEW BRITAIN -- The Copernican Observatory and Planetarium, located on the campus of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, boasts one of the largest public telescopes in the country. The planetarium offers programs for both children and adults. For more information about the planetarium, visit its Web site  Fernidge ParkWEST HARTFORD -- West Hartford's Fernidge Park has wading pools as well as a full-sized pool to help visitors keep cool in the warmer months. The park also has a playscape, tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas and athletic fields. For more information about the park, visit its Web siteLighthouse Point Park NEW HAVEN -- Lighthouse Point Park offers visitors nature trails, a bird sanctuary, swimming areas as well as exhibits. The 82-acre park is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. For more information, call 203-946-8005.Quassy Amusement Park MIDDLEBURY -- Quassy Amusement Park's Saturation Station is sure to keep the kids cool and content during the summer. It is the park's interactive family water play area complete with water canons, fountains and a dumping bucket. A beach is available for the more timid water-lovers. For more information, visit the park's Web siteOcean Beach Park NEW LONDON -- Ocean Beach Park offers a half-mile of beach as well as restored, classic amusement rides. The beach also has an Olympic-sized pool and water slide. For more information, visit the beach's Web site  Ski SundownNEW HARTFORD -- Ski Sundown offers skiing and snowboarding for the entire family. They also hold four-day children's vacation programs for your young beginning or advanced skier or snowboarder.Farmington Valley Greenway FARMINGTON VALLEY -- The Farmington Valley Greenway features 25 miles of multi-use trail. The trail is being constructed through five Connecticut towns. The trail is a perfect spot for family biking or hiking trips.Kent Falls State Park KENT -- Kent Falls State Park features a 250-foot waterfall as well as hiking trails, fishing and picnicking areas. The hiking trail follows the river to the upper falls where you can watch water fall into the Housatonic River.Talcott Mountain State Park SIMSBURY -- Talcott Mountain State Park, located in Simsbury, features the Tower Trail, a 1.25-mile hike to the Heublein Tower. The 165-foot structure was built as a summer home in 1914 by Gilbert Heublein and, on a clear day, offers a spectacular view. The park also has picnicking areas.Bushnell Park HARTFORD -- The highlight of the 40-acre park in the state's capital is the vintage 1914 carousel. The park also houses a pond, a performance pavilion, a Spanish American War memorial and the Pumphouse Gallery. Children will fancy themselves transported back to the times of knights in armor while walking beneath the park's gothic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch. For more information about the park's tours and activities, visit its Web site.Mount Southington Ski Area SOUTHINGTON -- Mount Southington Ski Area offers various classes for children of all ages including the Ski Threes program. In Ski Threes, private instruction is offered for parents and their 3-year-olds.  Lake CompounceBRISTOL -- Lake Compounce in Bristol offers thrills for all ages. Besides featuring roller coasters and water slides, the amusement park has rides with maximum height requirements, meaning more fun for the little ones who often get left out of thrill-seeking.Fusion Zone BARKHAMESTED -- Fusion Zone in Barkhamsted has 7,000 square feet of arcades and laser tag. They also offer party rooms to any family occasion. For more information, visit Fusion Zone's Web site.Stone Age Rock Gym MANCHESTER -- Stone Age Rock Gym features an indoor climbing wall and lessons for beginning rock climbers. The gym also offers guided rock-climbing trips and lessons. For more information, visit the gym's Web site.Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink WEST HARTFORD -- The Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink in West Hartford is open for public skating sessions and offers lessons as well. The rink also features wireless Internet access for parents waiting in the lobby during their children's lessons. The skating rink is undergoing renovation, which, when completed, will provide a NHL regulatory size rink |
