Has it really been 11 years since my last visit to the Fair Weather Growers Fall Festival in Cromwell, CT?? A quick glance at this (ancient!) post confirms for me that my now 12-year-old was indeed a wobbly one year old the last time we visited. Thankfully, my endlessly energetic 8-year-old was more than happy […]
The GastroPark in West Hartford
A couple weekends ago I was looking for an easy dining destination for my family, preferably al fresco so we could enjoy the gorgeous fall weather that had finally arrived in Connecticut. And that is how we ended up at a new-to-us outdoor eatery: the GastroPark in West Hartford. Have you heard about the GastroPark? […]
5 Things I’m Looking Forward to This Fall
Fall has always been my favorite season– the crisp air, the brilliant colors, the cozy apparel…the pumpkin spice everything 🙂 I’ve grown to love this season even more as I have spent time exploring the many family-friendly outings and activities that make this time of year extra special in Connecticut. So today, I’m sharing the […]
Pick Your Own Farms and Orchards in Connecticut
Check out these PYO (pick your own) destinations in CT that have been OAAM approved (i.e. we’ve been there, we’ve picked that, we’ve loved it, and we think you will too!). Don’t see your favorite farm on our list? Please leave a comment and tell us about your top PYO pick! We’d love to check […]
FREE Summer Activities for Kids in Connecticut
We always love it when we discover FREE activities for families in Connecticut! Here are some of our best finds for the summer season! FREE Arts & Crafts FREE Visits With Animals FREE Water Activities FREE Museum Visits FREE Beach Visits FREE Hiking FREE Concerts & Shows Looking for even MORE free fun? You can […]
OAAM’s Summer Bucket List for the Connecticut Mom (Budget Edition)
Hi friends! We know this is the post you’ve been waiting for 🙂 Summer is (almost) here and we have all the inspiration you need for a season of family-friendly fun! But first, I wanted to take a moment to give a very special shout-out to our current and most loyal sponsors. Did you know […]
Bicycles on Main in Old Wethersfield
Please note: This post was published in 2025. However, this is an annual event so this post should still give you a good idea of what to expect on your visit! We love visiting the annual Scarecrow Walk in Old Wethersfield each fall, so we were excited to find out that each May, for National […]
Inheriting Freedom & Emerging Activists: A Family Tour and Craftivist Workshop at the Stowe Center for Literary Activism in Hartford
Hi friends! Today we’ve got a special guest post from the wonderful folks at the Stowe Center for Literary Activism in Hartford. They are on the blog to tell us about their recurring summer program for kids ages 5+, which starts this weekend and continues through August. We can’t wait to check out this event […]
PAW Patrol LIVE: A Mighty Adventure GIVEAWAY
This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Tatiana F., the winner of a family four-pack of tickets to PAW Patrol LIVE in Hartford! Didn’t win but still want to go?? Keep reading for details and to purchase tickets. Thank you to The Bushnell for sponsoring this post and providing the tickets for this giveaway. All opinions […]
Favorite FREE Printable Activities for Kids
I’ve rounded up some of the best coloring pages, puzzles, games and more–all FREE for you to print and use at home! These are great activities for rainy days, school vacations, play dates, birthday parties, restaurants, on-the-go entertainment or anytime you need a few minutes of peace and quiet 🙂 I’ve included a link to […]
Connecticut Touch-a-Truck Events 2025
Check out our updated 2026 Touch-a-Truck event list HERE! Touch-a-Truck season kicks off this weekend in Connecticut! This is such a fun time of year when car, truck and tractor loving kids can see and explore some of the coolest vehicles around. When we first started this blog over a decade ago, these events were […]
A New Playground for Veteran’s Memorial Park in Hebron, CT
About a lifetime ago I took my toddler “Boo” (now 14 and definitely no longer answering to the nickname “Boo” LOL) to the Veteran’s Memorial Playground in Hebron, CT for one of the early outings on this blog. Recently, I was delighted to discover that this park has received a HUGE playscape upgrade! So I […]
Spring Break Staycation Guide for CT Parents
Hi friends! Next week is spring break for many of us with school-age kiddos in CT. If you have a fabulous trip planned for your family, then this post isn’t for you– quit reading!! Haha, just kidding 🙂 But seriously, if, like me, you’re staring down a week off with no travel plans in sight, […]
Maple Sugaring Activities in Connecticut (2025)
Please check out the updated for 2026 version of this post HERE. One of the things I love about writing this blog is that over the years I’ve grown increasingly aware of the subtle rhythms of New England agricultural life. I know that pick-your-own season officially opens with strawberries in June, that fresh berries and stone fruits […]
Playhouse on Park
Hi everyone! Our Out and About Dad John O’Leary is back on the blog today with another OAAM first–a post meant just for us parents! Although Playhouse on Park does offer shows for young audiences, this time we’re hoping to inspire some grownup fun 🙂 Let’s face it, parenting is joyful but it can also […]