Top 20 Places To Take Kids In and Around Hartford!
Connecticut's Best for Kids in Hartford - 2019
2019's Top 20 Places to Take Hartford Kids, as voted by KidsOutAndAbout.com readers! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like favorite spot for indoor play, favorite nature center, favorite museum, and much more! Use this list as your starting point, then browse our calendar, sign up for our weekly e-newsletter list of things to do, and be sure to visit our Everything Free page!
Pump It Up - Rocky Hill
At Pump It Up, it is our mission to throw the best birthday party on the planet! From giant inflatables to 100% private arenas and party rooms, to smile-inducing arena experiences, it’ll be the party everyone is talking about. Plus, two dedicated Party Pros will do it all for you, from set up to clean up, and everything in between! Book your party online today! Our huge inflatable indoor playgrounds make every day feel like your birthday. Check out our Events Calendar to find out all the ways your kids can come unleash the fun at the best play place for kids around.
Connecticut Science Center
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!
My local library
Of course, our local library system is not really ONE place, it is MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication.
Imagine Nation Museum
The Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center, is a hands-on, interactive children's museum best suited for ages 2 to 8! Visit us on Facebook or at www.imaginemuseum.org for updates, info, hour additions, and event details!
Mystic Aquarium
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!
Kidcity Children's Museum
A Children's Museum for Little Kids & their Favorite Grown-Up.
Hammonasset Beach State Park
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.
Lyman Orchards
Set on 1,100 scenic acres in central Connecticut, a destination for great food, wholesome family fun, beginner and championship public golf.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum
Celebrate the life of children's book author and illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel in his hometown of Springfield, MA.
Laser Planet
LASER PLANET is Connecticut’s premiere Family Entertainment Center! LASER PLANET offers: Laser Tag and an Arcade. Located at 2457 East Main St in Waterbury CT, Laser Planet is centrally located in Ct off of interstate 84.
YMCA
The YMCA of Greater Hartford is a charitable association open to all and committed to helping people develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body. This commitment is reinforced by our belief in living out universal values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo creates wonderfully wild experiences for children and families all year 'round. Located on 52 beautiful acres in Bridgeport, the state’s only zoo features more than 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Explore our South American Rainforest with free-flight aviary, the New England Farmyard, Victorian Greenhouse, and prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas. Visitors may enjoy a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and take a spin on the colorful indoor carousel.
Dinosaur State Park
We are one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. Beneath our geodesic dome, you will find an exceptional display of early Jurassic fossil tracks that were made 200 million years ago. Surrounding our Exhibit Center are more than two miles of nature trails and the Dinosaur State Park Arboretum, containing more than 250 species and cultivars of conifers, as well as katsuras, ginkgoes, magnolias and other living representatives of plant families which appeared in the Age of Dinosaurs.
Foster Family Farm
The Foster Family has farmed this land since 1790. We're proud of our farming history and now we invite you and your family to spend a day in the country. Solve the mazes, enjoy a leisurely hayride, pick a pumpkin and pat some friendly farm animals.
Hartford Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack were the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers, and play at the XL Center, managed by Northland AEG and the former home of the Hartford Whalers of the NHL and the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association.
JCC
Your Mandell JCC is a community of people of all ages, stages and beliefs who share laughter, learning, listening, and leading. Members are part of a "neighborhood" where minds grow more active, bodies grow stronger, and friendships grow exponentially. On its main campus in West Hartford, you will find a range of fitness, recreation, education and cultural facilities including a state-of-the-art fitness center, a cultural center, a preschool, an aquatics center, a theater, a family room, an art gallery, a lecture hall and a physical therapy center. Off campus, the Mandell JCC has four satellite facilities – Camp Shalom, in Windsor; The Swim & Tennis Club, in Bloomfield; The Shirley Reaback Early Childhood Center, in Glastonbury; and The Mandell JCC Fitness Center at Saint Francis, in Hartford.
Jump On In - Newington
Celebrate your birthday the NINJA way or simply enjoy HUGE inflatables! Jump On In is a fun, safe, supervised indoor facility featuring great interactive play structures such as Inflatables, Ninja Warrior Course, Zip-line and more that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen!
Lutz Children's Museum
Lutz Children’s Museum provides a multi-faceted museum for children to explore culture, history, and the natural sciences through internal and external exhibits, programs, and experiences. Most exhibits and activities are designed for children aged two through ten.
Quassy Amusement Park
Affordable family fun and home to the award-winning Wooden Warrior roller coaster. New thrill rides include Reverse Time and Frantic. Take a spin on the Grand Carousel or chug along on the Quassy Express train. Splash Away Bay waterpark has dozens of ways go get drenched from slides, fountains, a splash pad for kids and new Slide City. Birthday party packages are a fantastic value at Quassy as well. Visit our Web site or call 1-800-FOR-PARK for details.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in several categories. Here are their choices.Favorite Place to Have Fun INSIDE
Pump It Up - Rocky HillPump It Up is the pioneer in birthday party entertainment. Founded in Pleasanton, California in 2000, it was an immediate success, allowing parents to host children’s parties in a private, safe, and clean environment. Today, Pump It Up is Kids' Favorite Place with centers across the country. It has set the industry standard for indoor inflatable safety, while providing your community with a fun and healthy family activity.
Favorite Place to Have Fun OUTSIDE
Hammonasset Beach ParkConnecticut'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.
Favorite Nature Center
Dinosaur State ParkWe are one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. Beneath our geodesic dome, you will find an exceptional display of early Jurassic fossil tracks that were made 200 million years ago. Surrounding our Exhibit Center are more than two miles of nature trails and the Dinosaur State Park Arboretum, containing more than 250 species and cultivars of conifers, as well as katsuras, ginkgoes, magnolias and other living representatives of plant families which appeared in the Age of Dinosaurs.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum
Connecticut Science CenterWith 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!
Favorite Performing Arts
Hartford StageHartford Stage enters its 56th season beginning an exciting new chapter. Newly-appointed Artistic Director Melia Bensussen and Managing Director Cynthia Rider will continue the theatre’s legacy of artistic excellence by creating theatrical works that enlighten, entertain, and educate. The leading provider of theatre education programs in Connecticut, Education @ Hartford Stage offers student matinees, in-school theatre residencies, teen performance opportunities, theatre classes for students (ages 3-18) and adults, afterschool programs and professional development courses.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Farm
Lyman OrchardsSet on 1,100 scenic acres in central Connecticut, a destination for great food, wholesome family fun, beginner and championship public golf.
Favorite Arts Education
Sea Tea Comedy ImprovSee live, original comedy shows at Sea Tea Comedy Theater and take comedy classes & workshops at Sea Tea Improv Studios! Our Touring Company is available for hireto entertain or teach improv workshops for your workplace, school, or event.
Favorite Sports Education
YMCAThe YMCA of Greater Hartford is a charitable association open to all and committed to helping people develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body. This commitment is reinforced by our belief in living out universal values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
