Activities to Engage in Around Connecticut Before the Academic Year Commences
Discovering Family Fun in Connecticut Before School Begins
Connecticut offers a wealth of activities for families looking to make the most of the remaining summer days before school starts. From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, there's something for everyone.
Exploring the Great Outdoors
For those seeking a dose of nature, rent a kayak and paddle through rivers, streams, and the Long Island Sound. Or, embark on one of the stroller hikes available, providing a breath of fresh air for you and your little one. For the more adventurous, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are popular in eastern Connecticut, offering active water-based recreation for families.
Educational Experiences
Education and entertainment go hand in hand in Connecticut. Visit Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo to see tigers, wolves, monkeys, and more. For a closer look at coastal creatures, explore a tide pool. If you're interested in art, culture, and history, consider a visit to Connecticut museums to get kids thinking.
Amusement Park Fun
Theme parks like Lake Compounce in Bristol and Quassy Amusement & Waterpark in Middlebury offer a mix of historic charm, award-winning roller coasters, water parks, and kiddie rides. These parks cater to families with younger children, making them perfect for a fun-filled day out.
Community Events
Special seasonal community events like Westport's Kickoff to Summer Event at Compo Beach feature food vendors, carnival rides, face painting, bake sales, kids’ fun runs, and other family-centered activities.
Family Entertainment Centers
Spend a day at an all-in-one family entertainment center, where you can find activities such as bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and more.
Camping and Arcades
For a more rustic experience, consider camping at one of Connecticut's family-friendly campgrounds. If you're in the mood for retro gaming, save your quarters and head to old-school arcades.
Fairs, Festivals, and More
Connecticut's summer fairs and festivals are still in full swing! Don't miss out on Puppet Fest at Stepping Stones Museum, the Ice Cream Train at the Naugatuck Railroad, or the Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival. For a unique experience, visit Connecticut lighthouses or aquariums to see octopuses, rays, and jellyfish up close.
Water Parks and Splash Pads
To cool off close to home, check out some of the best splash pads, splash parks, and water playgrounds in Connecticut. If you're feeling more adventurous, take a road trip to one of the swimming ponds or jump off cliffs and zoom into the water at New England water parks like Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park.
Endnote
This is just a taste of what Connecticut has to offer. For a comprehensive list, check out the massive 50+ Free List of Things to Do in Connecticut. So, get out there and make the most of the remaining summer days with your family!
[1] Lake Compounce [2] Quassy Amusement & Waterpark [3] Children's Performance Series [4] Curious Creatures at Wickham Park [5] Westport's Kickoff to Summer Event
- Before school starts, consider visiting theme parks like Lake Compounce and Quassy Amusement & Waterpark for a fun day out with family, offering a mix of historic charm, award-winning roller coasters, water parks, and kiddie rides.
- To incorporate some educational experiences, don't miss Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, where you can see tigers, wolves, monkeys, and more, or explore community events like Westport's Kickoff to Summer Event at Compo Beach, featuring family-friendly activities.
- For a unique blend of entertainment, lifestyle, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and travel experiences, explore all-in-one family entertainment centers, water parks, splash pads, or even embark on an adventure at some of Connecticut's local fairs, festivals, or lighthouses.
