Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and Around Fairfield County - 2019
2019 Results: Connecticut's Best for Places to take Fairfield County Kids
2019's Top 20 Places to Take Fairfield County Kids: Once again, our readers have spoken! Thousands of parents voted in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. 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! Check out your fellow readers' favorites, and then enjoy exploring the best of the region! Be sure to click on our Everything That's Free page! And also sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter!
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.
Pump It Up of Norwalk
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.
Chelsea Piers Connecticut
One of the finest sports and recreational facilities in the country, located in Stamford, Chelsea Piers offers instructional programs, camps, sports leagues, competitive teams, fitness and drop-in fun for children and adults.
My local library
Of course, the libraries in the Fairfield County area are not really ONE place, but 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. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!
Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
The nationally recognized aquarium focuses on the fascinating marine life in Long Island Sound and its watershed, including prowling sharks, curious seals, rambunctious river otters, stately sea turtles, pulsing jellyfish and thousands of other animals. The Aquarium also offers: educational programs, including public study cruises out onto the Sound; changing special exhibits; and Connecticut's largest IMAX movie theater, with a screen that’s six stories tall! The not-for-profit attraction is the centerpiece of the popular South Norwalk (or “SoNo”) neighborhood, with fun shops, nightclubs and restaurants.
Rockin' Jump Trumbull
Rockin' Jump is the Ultimate Trampoline Park featuring Aerial Silks, Trapeze, Warrior Course, Warped Wall, Rock Climbing Wall and of course Trampolines. Great for parties, group events, field trips, fundraisers and quality time with friends and family. Book your next birthday party with at Rockin' Jump and let us do all the work for you! Have fun while exercising at Rockin' Jump!
Stepping Stones Museum for Children
At Stepping Stones Museum for Children, the hands-on exhibits and educational programs engage, inspire and delight every child — as well as countless parents and caregivers.
Stamford Museum & Nature Center
Pantochino Productions
Pantochino Productions Inc. is a professional theatre company specializing in theatre for the entire family. Founded in 2010, our mission is to entertain, engage and enrich young audiences and their families with an array of original, affordable, professional entertainment experiences, and provide positive, nurturing training to young actors.
Mystic Aquarium
As New England’s hands-on aquarium, Mystic Aquarium offers guests a variety of up-close encounters with a wide range of marine animals, including endangered African penguins and New England’s only beluga whales. Dive below the sunlit seas in Titanic – 12,450 Feet Below, the aquarium’s newest exhibit full of captivating imagery, breathtaking recreations, emotional soundscapes, hands-on activities and thrilling entertainment that transport you to the moment and inspire your course for exploration and discovery.
Lake Compounce
New England’s Family Theme and Water Park! Featuring rides and entertainment for all ages. Connecticut’s largest water park, 20+ rides for kids 5 and younger, and new this year: Phobia Phear Coaster, perfect for thrill seekers.
Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
The Adventure Park’s 13 “treetop trails” consist of about 200 platforms installed in the trees and connected by various configurations of cable, wood, and rope to form “crossings” of different kinds including the ever-popular zip lines.
Quassy Amusement Park
Quassy Amusement Park, is an amusement and waterpark in Middlebury, Connecticut, USA. It has 22 rides on its 20 acres. Quassy is considered "one of the last of the old-time trolley parks." In addition to a variety of fun-filled classic and newer theme park rides, Quassy also has a water park for the whole family to enjoy. We specialize in catering private parties for school, church, camp, sporting & corporate events.
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
With 12 gardens, 93 acres, and hundreds of new species to discover, the Bartlett is a living classroom for people of all ages to experience and enjoy nature. Whether you are looking for an enchanting environment to discover, exploring the grounds with a four-legged friend, researching a particular variety of plant, or attending one of our events, the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens has something for your whole family to enjoy.
SportsCenter of Connecticut
A unique family entertainment experience in Shelton with a driving range, mini golf, lazer tag, fun bowl, arcade, batting cages, and the only double-decker ice rink for hockey and public skating. We are a great place for birthday parties!
Hammonasset Beach State Park / Meigs Point Nature Center
A visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, is more than just another day at the beach. Connecticut's largest shoreline park offers over 2 miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk, or just relaxing in the sun and surf. Visit Hammonasset.org and meigspointnaturecenter.org to find out all about the different ways families can enjoy the park!
Audubon Society (various locations)
The Connecticut Audubon Society conserves Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and habitats.
Connecticut Science Center
With more than 150 hands-on exhibits, a state-of-the-art 3D digital theater, four educational labs, plus daily programs and events, the Connecticut Science Center offers endless exploration for children, teens, and adults. From physics to forensics, geology to astronomy, visitors have the sciences at their fingertips.
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
Professional Musical Theatre & Entertainment for Children and Adults in Bridgeport. Offering three distinct stages of entertainment: Main Stage Theatre, Main Stage Concerts and our award-winning professional Children's Theatre. Patrons are encouraged to “BYOB & Picnic” in the unique cabaret atmosphere.
Discovery Museum and Planetarium
Our interactive STEM programs provide a chance for young learners to explore, collaborate, and solve problems. We encourage young learners to ask questions and engineer solutions today so they are better prepared to embrace the challenges of tomorrow. In addition to STEM learning experiences, dynamic exhibits, and hands-on learning programs, the Museum is also a unique venue for special events with special themed birthday party, wedding, and corporate event packages available.
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
Chelsea Piers ConnecticutOne of the finest sports and recreational facilities in the country, located in Stamford, Chelsea Piers offers instructional programs, camps, sports leagues, competitive teams, fitness and drop-in fun for children and adults.
Favorite Place to Have Fun OUTSIDE
Connecticut's Beardsley ZooConnecticut’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.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum
Stepping Stones Museum for ChildrenAt Stepping Stones Museum for Children, the hands-on exhibits and educational programs engage, inspire and delight every child — as well as countless parents and caregivers.
Favorite Performing Arts
Pantochino ProductionsPantochino Productions Inc. is a professional theatre company specializing in theatre for the entire family. Founded in 2010, our mission is to entertain, engage and enrich young audiences and their families with an array of original, affordable, professional entertainment experiences, and provide positive, nurturing training to young actors.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Farm
Jones Family FarmFor over 150 years, the Jones family has been working the lands on their farm in Shelton, Connecticut. Today this 400-acre farm offers one of the finest harvest-your-own picking experiences due to the high quality crops and the knowledgeable, friendly farmers and staff. Generation after generation of farm guests visit the farm each year–not only to savor the unbelievable flavor of our delicious strawberries or to find the perfect Christmas tree, but to enjoy time with their family while experiencing the rustic beauty of our farm.
Favorite Nature Center
Stamford Museum & Nature CenterDedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art, the natural and agricultural sciences, and history. The Museum is a vital cultural and educational resource for the community, and a focal point for family activity and interaction.
Favorite Sports Team
Bridgeport Sound TigersWe are a pro hockey team in the AHL (American Hockey League) and are affiliated with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League.
Favorite Arts Education
Rockwell Dance CenterIt is the mission of ROCKWELL DANCE CENTER to provide each student with a creative and inspiring dance education. We feel it is imperative that every dancer be given a strong, technical foundation by utilizing proper terminology, training and anatomical understanding. RDC encourages artistry in a supportive and nurturing environment; we believe in recognizing and appreciating the individual strengths of each dancer
Favorite Sports Education
Chelsea Piers ConnecticutOne of the finest sports and recreational facilities in the country, located in Stamford, Chelsea Piers offers instructional programs, camps, sports leagues, competitive teams, fitness and drop-in fun for children and adults.