1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

Stamford Museum & Nature Center - Seasonal fun awaits you at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Bring friends and enjoy a picnic on the Meadow, explore more than 80 acres of nature trails, drop in to the Heckscher Farm and say hello to the animals, and don't miss the latest exhibition in the Bendel Mansion Museum Galleries. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a place for families. Come discover, learn, and enjoy!

5

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.

6

Bridgeport Bluefish - Family-friendly professional baseball right here in Fairfield County! A member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

7

Bruce Museum: Explore Art and Science at the Bruce Museum. Consistently voted the "Best Museum" by area media, the Bruce Museum is a regionally-based, world-class institution highlighting art, science & natural history. Family friendly, changing exhibitions and educational programs for all ages make this gem of a museum the treasure of Greenwich

8

BounceU - Let your kids bounce off BounceU's walls, not yours! BounceU is an amazing indoor inflatable playground With two great nearby locations in Stratford and North Branford. BounceU has everything a kid could dream of for active indoor play and a fabulous birthday party, and they pride themselves on superior customer service. All a parent needs to bring are some kids ready to bounce and a camera to capture the fun! And socks.

9

Downtown Cabaret Theatre: A professional non-profit theatre in Bridgeport that includes a 30-year Cabaret Children's Theatre Season, as well as a well established Cabaret Nights series of concerts.

10

The Jones Family Farm: For 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 their delicious strawberries and blueberries or to find the perfect pumpkin or Christmas tree, but to enjoy time with their family while experiencing the rustic beauty of the farm.

11

Jumpin' Jeepers: Jumpin' Jeepers is a 3,000 square foot indoor learning playground that was created to promote physical, social, and cognitive development in children ages 1-9 . A two -level climbing and play structure with tunnels, tubes, slide and zipline, a bounce castle, imaginative play area, and and a dedicated toddler area. There is free WiFi for the adults.

12

Discovery Museum and Planetarium - Connecticut's premiere science museum and planetarium is right in Bridgeport! It is a hands-on interactive museum for all ages with over sixty-five exhibit areas.

13

Sportsplex at Fairfield: A campus of unique athletic and recreational facilities, delivering the most comprehensive sports and fitness experience in Connecticut.

14

Silverman's Farm provides the total farm experience, with an animal park, pick your own apples and peaches starting in August, country farm market, fresh-baked pies, and lots more! A wonderful place to bring your family in late summer and fall!

15

Connecticut Science Center: With 150 hands-on exhibits, a state-of-the-art 3D digital theater, four educational labs, plus daily programs and events, there is endless exploration.

16

Earthplace - The Nature Discovery Center - The mission of Earthplace is to educate the community about nature and the environment. Earthplace maintains a 62-acre wildlife sanctuary with trails, features an interactive natural history museum, houses live wildlife for public viewing, and hosts many public nature programs and events.

17

Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History: A natural history museum at Yale University, it is one of several go-to places for Fairfield County parents who want to give their kids the natural history experience in a friendly environment that is information-packed and fun without being overwhelming.

18

Captain's Cove Seaport: Since 1982, Captain’s Cove Seaport has grown from a vacant lot and a handful of slips to one of Connecticut’s premier tourist attractions and seaport complexes. Located on Historic Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport, they are an active maritime and amusement center. There is no admission fee.

19

My local library: Of course, the libraries in Fairfield County 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.

20

Quassy Amusement Park: Located in Middlebury, CT, this amusement park attracts Fairfield County parents for its exciting and fun-filled attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Lots of wonderful water fun in the summertime!

Favorite Place to Have Fun INSIDE

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.

Favorite Place to Have Fun OUTSIDE

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.

Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum

Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

An entertaining learning environment with marine science, education, and an aquarium devoted to Long Island Sound.

Favorite Children's Theater

Downtown Cabaret Theatre

A professional non-profit theatre in Bridgeport that includes a 30-year Cabaret Children's Theatre Season, as well as a well established Cabaret Nights series of concerts.

Favorite Farm (agri-entertainment)

Silverman's Farm

Silverman's Farm provides the total farm experience, with an animal park, pick your own apples and peaches starting in August, country farm market, fresh-baked pies, and lots more! A wonderful place to bring your family in late summer and fall!

Favorite Nature Center

Stamford Museum & Nature Center

Seasonal fun awaits you at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Bring friends and enjoy a picnic on the Meadow, explore more than 80 acres of nature trails, drop in to the Heckscher Farm and say hello to the animals, and don't miss the latest exhibition in the Bendel Mansion Museum Galleries. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a place for families. Come discover, learn, and enjoy!