Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and Around Fairfield County - 2022
2022 Results: Connecticut's Best for Places to take Fairfield County Kids
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite places to take kids in Fairfield County. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you Fairfield County's...
TOP 21!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area. Check out your fellow readers' favorites on this page, 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!
1. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo creates wonderfully wild experiences for children and families all year 'round. Connecticut's only zoo, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, features 350 animals, representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won't want to miss our critically endangered Amur tigers and leopards, and Mexican and red wolves. Other highlights include the brand new Andean bear exhibit, New England Farmyard, spider monkey habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, plus the Pampas Plains featuring maned wolves, Chacoan peccaries and giant anteaters. Guests must buy tickets in advance at beardsleyzoo.org/. For more information, visit beardsleyzoo.org.
2. The 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; community-science opportunities; and a new 4D movie theater with sensory-enhancing special effects. The not-for-profit attraction is the centerpiece of the popular South Norwalk (or “SoNo”) neighborhood, with fun shops, nightclubs and restaurants.
3. SportsCenter of Connecticut
A unique family entertainment experience in Shelton with a Toptracer golf driving range, mini golf, lazer tag, fun bowl, arcade, batting cages, virtual reality, target paintball and the only double-decker ice rink for hockey and public skating. We are a great place for birthday parties, summer camps, ice skating/hockey programs & more!
You can visit our Facebook page here and our Instagram page here.
4. 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!
6. Chelsea Piers Athletic Club
Whether the ultimate goal for your child is to enjoy recreational sports, become a top competitive athlete on track for a college scholarship, or live a healthy lifestyle, Chelsea Piers supports your child's athletic journey with a wide variety of youth sports leagues. We have classes and clinics for kids as young as 1 through age 15 at all levels. Our highly trained, professional coaches are committed to building athletes beyond sports technique. We know the skills kids learn in sports translate to success off the field throughout their life. Visit our website today to find out why Chelsea Piers is the top choice for after-school sports programs in Fairfield County!
7. 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.
9. 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.
11. Lake Compounce
Celebrating its 174th season, Lake Compounce is the Premier Family Theme Park & Water Park in New England and the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America. What makes us the best amusement park in Connecticut for family-friendly fun and excitement? We're home to the top-rated wooden roller coaster in the world, Boulder Dash, as well as the best water park in Connecticut!
Enjoy our classic rides, thrilling coasters, and several attractions you won't find anywhere else in New England. Lake Compounce is your family's destination for special events, family dining options, and a whole season of fun!
12. Downtown Cabaret Theatre
Providing professional musical theatre & entertainment to CT for over 40+ years.
13. Quassy Amusement & Waterpark
Quassy Amusement Park, is an amusement and waterpark in Middlebury, Connecticut, USA. It has 20 rides on its 20 acres. Quassy is considered "home to the award-winning Wooden Warrior roller coaster." In addition to a variety of fun-filled classic and newer theme park rides, Quassy also has Splash Away Bay waterpark for the whole family to enjoy. We specialize in catering private parties for school, church, camp, sporting & corporate events and birthday parties.
14. Connecticut Audubon Society
The Connecticut Audubon Society offers fun, family-friendly nature experiences and environmental education activities, both outdoors and indoors. At the Center at Fairfield explore the Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary’s seven miles of trails and grounds, enriched by bridges, boardwalks and interpretive signs. Visit the Birds of Prey Compound to meet the resident raptors that serve as education ambassadors in school and community programs. The Center building houses live animal exhibits, the Nature Store, and classrooms used year-round for events and education programs that help all ages build awareness and understanding of the natural world and how to preserve it.
15. Jones Family Farms
Jones Family Farms, nestled in the White Hills of Shelton, with its 19th century dairy barn and homestead farmhouse, impresses the visitor as a peaceful and relaxed living environment. The beautiful countryside with its orderly rows of Christmas trees, neat stonewalls, and well-maintained fields are the result of efforts by seven generations of Jones family farmers.
The farmers of the 400-acre working farm invite families to visit and harvest seasonal crops. Presently under cultivation are 200 acres of Christmas trees, 15 acres of strawberries, 15 acres of blueberries, and 25 acres of pumpkins, gourds and squash. The Jones farmers harvest these crops from three different farm locations known as the Homestead Farm, the Valley Farm, and Pumpkinseed Hill. The farm also manages 50 acres of hay land and 50 acres of woodlots. Over ten acres of grapes are in production for the farm's winery.
16. 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 #11 in best places to take kids this year!
17. Sacred Heart University's Discovery Science Center 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.
18. Stamford Museum & Nature Center
The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art and popular culture, 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, lifelong learning, and inspiration. We seek to inspire creativity, foster self-discovery, promote environmental stewardship, and nurture an appreciation for learning through exhibitions, education programs, and special events that enhance every visitor’s experience of our unique site.
19. 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.
20. Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
The mission of the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is to cultivate and develop a diverse collection of trees, gardens, and plants for all to explore, enjoy and study; and to provide comprehensive environmental, horticulture and plant science educational programs for children and adults of all ages and abilities. We also create opportunities for inspiration, recreation, enjoyment and exploration of the natural world for all who visit.
21. Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation's leading maritime history museum whose 19-acre waterfront campus includes a historic seafaring village, tall ships and small boats, exhibit galleries, a renowned planetarium and much more! The museum has daily activities for the whole family, including demonstrations, crafts, games, and talks. In the summer, you can enjoy a boat ride on the Mystic River or check a boat out of the livery and be your own captain. For the younger set, there is a Children's Museum (ages 4-7) and the Homeport actiivity zone (ages 8-12). Don't miss the Discovery Barn, a STEM-based interactive space.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Rockwell Dance Center
ROCKWELL DANCE CENTER, in Trumbull seeks 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 and fun in a supportive, nurturing environment; we believe in recognizing and appreciating the individual strengths of each dancer.
Top Sports Educator: Chelsea Piers Athletic Club
Whether the ultimate goal for your child is to enjoy recreational sports, become a top competitive athlete on track for a college scholarship, or live a healthy lifestyle, Chelsea Piers supports your child's athletic journey with a wide variety of youth sports leagues. We have classes and clinics for kids as young as 1 through age 15 at all levels. Our highly trained, professional coaches are committed to building athletes beyond sports technique. We know the skills kids learn in sports translate to success off the field throughout their life. Visit our website today to find out why Chelsea Piers is the top choice for after-school sports programs in Fairfield County!
Top STEM Educator: The 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; community-science opportunities; and a new 4D movie theater with sensory-enhancing special effects. The not-for-profit attraction is the centerpiece of the popular South Norwalk (or “SoNo”) neighborhood, with fun shops, nightclubs and restaurants.