Out and About Mom

Things to Do with Kids in Connecticut

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2022 Summer Bucket List for the Connecticut Mom

Here it is! Our annual Summer Bucket List for the Connecticut Mom! This has become a favorite tradition here at Out and About Mom. Every spring we take a scroll down memory lane (i.e. look back over all our past blog adventures–that’s 10+ years of outings!) and select just 50 of our favorite destinations, events and activities in (and around) Connecticut. We try to pick a wide variety of activities–dipping our toes into all kinds of summertime staples–to help you plan fun outings for your family all summer long. Some are old favorites and some are new finds. But they all have one thing in common: we’ve been there, we’ve done that, we’ve loved it, and we think you will too!

That is what makes this site so unique. We don’t just give you a list of places. All our recommendations come with firsthand knowledge and experience! And pictures. So many pictures.

And of course, this list isn’t just for moms. It’s for dads too. And grandparents and aunts and uncles and nannies and neighbors and anyone else who finds themselves searching for fun activities to do with kids this summer.

This year, get the kiddos involved in choosing your family adventures! Download and print our FREE (and adorable, if we do say so ourselves) summer fun bullet journal page. Whether you fill it out first as an inspiring “to go” list, or use it as a record of your adventures as you have them, we hope this little tool helps you make many summertime memories.

So without further delay, we give you (listed in no particular order) 50 items on our 2022 Out and About Mom Summer Bucket List! We hope you have SO. MUCH. FUN. 🙂

  1. Climb the mini Hartford landmarks (and go for a spin on the historic carousel) at the Bushnell Park Playground in Hartford. And don’t forget to check Bushnell Park’s Facebook page for tons of family-friendly events and activities all summer long!
  2. Pick your own cherries at Belltown Hill Orchards in Glastonbury.
  3. Duck under dozens of water-spewing spigots at School Street Spray Park in Agawam, MA. (Opens late June; check their website for updates!)
  4. Sink some putts and order up some scoops at Farmington Miniature Golf and Ice Cream Parlor in Farmington.
  5. Soar on the tree swing and savor some lobster rolls at Jessica’s Garden in Marlborough.
Scaling Hartford landmarks at the Bushnell Park Playground in Hartford, CT.
Dozens of cooling spigots await at the School Street Spray Park in Agawam, MA.

6. Stroll the historic streets with an ice cream cone from Main Street Creamery in Old Wethersfield.
7. Glide through the tree tops above of dozens of animals on the Skyfari Sky Ride at Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon, MA.
8. Motor around the Go Kart track at at Sonny’s Place in Somers.
9. Reach for the rings while twirling on the Flying Horse Carousel in Watch Hill, RI.
10. Mark your calendar for the beautiful and delicious (hello, homemade ice cream!) fundraising event, Sunflowers for Wishes at Buttonwood Farm July 23rd-31st, 2022 in Griswold.

Enjoying a homemade scoop from Main Street Creamery in Wethersfield, CT.
Taking a spin on the Go Karts at Sonny’s Place in Somers, CT.
Reaching for the rings on the historic 19th century Flying Horse Carousel–the oldest continuously operating carousel in the country– in Westerly, RI.

11. Have a movie night under the stars at the Southington Drive-in. See 2022 schedule here–lots of beloved Disney films this year! (Encanto we’re looking at you.)
12. Grab a sweet treat at the Durham Dari Serv, one of the oldest ice cream stands in the state.
13. Fly on the zip lines at Soarin’ Indoors in Manchester.
14. Stroll the boardwalk at Ocean Beach Park in New London.
15. Conquer the arcade games at Nomads Indoor Amusement Center in South Windsor.

Contemplating the enormous ice cream cone treats being served for more than half a century at the Durham Dari Serv in Durham, CT.
Finding all kinds of fun–like a splash pad, playground, arcade and mini golf–along the boardwalk at Ocean Beach Park in New London, CT.

16. Explore three levels of scientific surprises (and don’t forget to visit the playful river otters!) at the EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature in Worcester, MA. Bonus points for zipping over to The Steaming Tender restaurant for dinner on the train tracks in Palmer, MA.
17. Picnic on burgers and fries (BYO table accessories and outdoor games encouraged!) at historic Harry’s Place restaurant in Colchester.
18. Pet friendly chickens, meander through the children’s garden and make mud pies in the outdoor “kitchen” at Open Farm Day at Common Ground in New Haven.
19. Pick up some seeds for your garden and a sweet treat at Heirloom Market in Wethersfield.
20. Take a self-guided tour of the animal barns on Horsebarn Hill, then watch ice cream being made (and enjoy a homemade scoop!) at the UConn Dairy Bar in Storrs.

Hanging with the River Otters at the EcoTarium Museum in Worcester, MA.
Visiting with friendly animals at Open Farm Day at Common Ground in New Haven, CT. Summer Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Just drop by! Open Farm Day is free and no RSVP is needed.

21. Have the book, “Make Way for Ducklings” come alive with a ride on the Swan Boats in Boston’s Public Garden in Boston, MA.
22. Feed the goats and sheep at Ray of Light Farm in East Haddam.
23. Enjoy a delicious burger and ice cream at the Riverfront Grill after a round of golf at Hidden Valley Mini Golf in Southington.
24. Investigate the tidal pools at Harvey’s Beach, then pop in for a pie at Pizza Works in Old Saybrook.
25. Let the kids be surrounded by butterflies at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens in South Deerfield, MA.

Enjoying the beautiful views on the serene course at Hidden Valley Miniature Golf in Southington, CT.
Playing in the shallow pools that form during low tide at Harvey’s Beach in Old Saybrook, CT.
Checking out the model trains at Pizza Works in Old Saybrook, CT.

26. Surprise a friend or family member with a beautiful bouquet of pick-your-own flowers from Petersen Farm in South Windsor.
27. Have a close encounter with Monty the T-Rex and 40 other life-sized dinos along the family-friendly trails, then cool off at New England’s largest SplashPad at The Dinosaur Place in Montville.
28. Let your little bundles of energy hang from the rafters (literally!) at the amazing IT Adventure Indoor Ropes Course in New Haven.
29. Plan an all-ages play date at the expansive Kids in Motion Playground, then head up the road for a sweet treat at Sweet Claude’s Ice Cream in Cheshire.
30. Dig into a delicious (and scenic) pancake breakfast on the outdoor deck, then hop on the wagon to pick blueberries and raspberries at Rose’s Berry Farm in Glastonbury. For the 2022 season, Rose’s will start serving Breakfast with a View on Sunday, June 12th and continue through October 9th. Breakfast is SUNDAYS ONLY, from 8:00am-1:00pm. Reservations are not accepted (but credit cards are!).

Building a beautiful PYO bouquet at Petersen Farm in South Windsor, CT.
Visiting dozens of life-sized dinos along the nature trails at The Dinosaur Place in Montville, CT.

31. Grab a bite, sample the milk bar (pecan praline milk, anyone?) and round out your meal with a scoop of fresh ice cream at the Farmer’s Cow Calfé in Mansfield.
32. Hike to the waterfalls at Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown.
33. Beat the heat with an all-day indoor adventure at Urban Air in Orange or Manchester.
34. Climb the walls at Central Rock Gym in Glastonbury.
35. Print our Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt and then take a (kid-friendly) hike through Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam or Earle Park in Glastonbury. Feeling really adventurous? Check out the DEEP’s The Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge!

Your kids will love to drink their milk when they can choose from an array of interesting flavors like banana and maple at the bottomless milk bar at The Farmer’s Cow Calfe in Mansfield, CT.
Conquering the climbing walls at Central Rock Gym in Glastonbury, CT.

36. Enjoy fresh picked fruit and an al fresco lunch at Dondero Orchards in Glastonbury.
37. Enjoy a homemade scoop of ice cream as you tour the barnyard at Gran-Val Scoop in Granville, MA.
38. Schedule a visit during animal feeding time at The Children’s Museum in West Hartford.
39. Marvel at the painted ponies (and other creatures) at The New England Carousel Museum in Bristol.
40. Bounce and climb at Fun In Trampoline Park and Indoor Play Place in Middletown.

Blueberry picking at Dondero Orchards in Glastonbury, CT.
Looking on as the museum staff feeds dozens of animals during a scheduled feeding demonstration at The Children’s Museum in West Hartford, CT.
Taking a spin on the indoor merry-go-round at the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, CT.

41. Plan a preschooler playdate at The Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester.
42. Turn an errand into an activity with playful puppets in the produce department (and elsewhere) at Stew Leonard’s grocery store in Newington.
43. Make memories and adorable painted figurines (or plates or mugs or vases or…) at Glazed Pottery Painting & Art Studio in Glastonbury.
44. Pick up some fresh produce and local treats at the enormous Coventry Farmers’ Market in Coventry.
45. Sign up for “Kids Bowl Free,” then hit the lanes (and arcade) at Spare Time in Vernon.

Playing dress up in the barn at Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester, CT.
Painting pottery at Glazed in Glastonbury, CT.

46. Find animal barns, walking trails, a pond, a playground, a nature center and more in the 473 acres of amazing Northwest Park in Windsor.
47. Wander through the award-winning rose garden showcasing more than 120 varieties to admire (peak season is June!) at Mohegan Park in Norwich.
48. Have Christmas in July at Santa’s year-round workshop at Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, MA.
49. Have dessert for breakfast at The Sloppy Waffle in Newington.
50. Climb inside the cockpits of historic aircraft at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks.

Taking a dip in Spaulding Pond at Mohegan Park in Norwich, CT.
Making candles at Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, MA.
Enjoying sweet breakfast treats at The Sloppy Waffle in Newington, CT.

And there you have it! Our 50 picks for the summer of 2022. Of course, we know there are SO MANY more summertime adventures out there. We’d love to hear about your family’s favorites! Please feel free to leave a comment on this post and share your own picks with all our Out and About Mom readers!

Have fun out there!

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Comments

  1. Awesome! I like that you included locations in MA and RI as I don’t live in CT (but I am in New England). I can’t wait to see what locations come next!

    • Hi Cecelia!

      Thank you so much for your kind words! Summer can be a good time to explore a little farther, so it’s always fun to have some day trip destinations in the mix 🙂

      So glad that makes the list useful for you as well!

      Thank you so much for being an Out and About Mom reader. Hope you have a fun summer!

      Shawna