We survived the holidays, and last week flew by.
But now we are entering week 2 of winter break. A whole week home with those excited, hyper children. I don’t know about you… but I’m not so excited for that.
Winter break is synonymous with kids that are bored after five minutes, complaining and whining, tantrums, and if you have multiple children, then you are in store for some epic sibling fights.
So, let me help you out. Here’s a very extensive, very helpful list to keep you, and your kids, busy all week. I’ve included our tried and true, favorite outings; as well as a sneak peak at some of the new places that we are hoping to check out in the next year!
Hopefully the winter weather cooperates and doesn’t trap us in the house. Because honestly, I can’t help you there. I’ll be in the bathroom crying in that case…
Aquariums, Museums, Zoos & More…
Visit Connecticut’s only zoo. Make sure to take a ride on the carousel too! Open daily (except New Year’s Day). Read our Review.
Discover and learn at the children’s museum! Open daily including New Year’s Day (closed on New Year’s Eve). Read our Review.
Come explore and learn! Make sure to check out the Tree-riffic display, with voting open until December 31! Open all week including New Year’s Day. Read our Review.
Celebrate winter vacation all week long with special activities. Open daily including New Year’s Day. Read Our Review.
Discover the dinosaurs and their tracks at the indoor exhibit center. The park is open Tuesday, and Thursday- Sunday. Closed on New Year’s Day.
Come learn inside the museum during winter vacation! Open on Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday. Closed on New Year’s Day.
Explore and learn at this children’s museum with two floors of fun! Open December 31 for a special New Year’s Eve celebration, and Thursday-Saturday! Read our Review.
Three floors of fun! Open Daily except New Year’s Day. Read our Review.
Spend your winter break by exploring the world of STEAM! Open all week, with a special kids celebration on New Year’s Eve. Read our Review.
Enjoy pretend play, animals and more with your little ones! Closed Monday and on New Year’s Day. Read our Review.
This indoor aquarium is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while staying warm! There’s always great things going on at the Maritime every day! Open daily from December 26 through December 31, including a Noon Year’s Eve celebration! Read our Review.
Visit the penguins, fish and other animals at the aquarium this week! Open all week. Enjoy special events including Winterfest on December 30 and Northern Lights on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Read our Review.
Enjoy activities all week long including hands-on build and fly challenges, demonstrations, open cockpit experiences, and more! Open all week for winter vacation (closed on New Year’s Day). Read our Review.
Come see and experience the PEZ brand in person! Open all week (closed on New Year’s Day). Read our Review.
Frozen Fun at the Nature Center will including making six-sided snowflakes, learning how animals survive in the cold, and hiking around the trails for frozen treasures. Open daily all week, closed on New Year’s Day. Read our Review.
Indoor Fun…
Jump, climb and slide off the winter energy on the indoor inflatables! Open all week for winter vacation, including New Year’s Day. See website for hours.
Bowl, play laser tag, complete an escape room or play video games at this all-in-one entertainment complex. Open all week.
Enjoy indoor play with bounce houses, mini golf, play houses, ball pits and much more. Hours vary. Read our Review.
Dig for fossils, mine for gems or pan for gold in the discovery center. There are also other activities available on certain days including crafts and breaking open a geode. Open daily, closed on New Year’s Day.
Enjoy open play on the trampolines, on the climbing walls, in the Kids Zone or the Ninja Warrior Course. Open daily during winter break. Read our Review.
Open Play hours will be available during winter break. Check website for hours. Read our Review.
Jump out the winter sillies in one of their six inflatables and play some arcade games! Open daily all week, including New Year’s Day.
Winter Break Open Jump, open daily. Read our Review.
Whether you like to rock climb, play mini-golf, battle in Laser Tag or even bowl, you’ll find that all at Nomad’s and more! Make sure to mark your calendar for their Noon Years Eve family celebration! Read our Review.
The playground will be open on December 31, January 3 and January 4, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., for open play. Read our Review.
Open Play will be offered during various times throughout winter break. Check their schedule online.
Come out and skate during their various open skate times daily, including Cheap Skate on Thursday night. Read our Review.
Climb, slide, ride, jump, bounce and play all day in this indoor playground during their open play hours. Read our Review.
Outdoor Fun…
Explore the trails, visit with the animals or play in the playground. Don’t let the winter stop you from enjoying the outdoors! Open Daily. Read our Review
Just because it’s cold out, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun at the playground. So long as it’s not icy or snowy, most playgrounds are open during winter break. Bundle up and get out of the house, and go enjoy the playground. Here’s a few ideas if you want to check out a new place!
Last Chance for Holiday Happenings…
Enjoy free ice skating at Bushnell Park’s outdoor ice rink. Final day is January 20, 2020.
The magic returns with this annual holiday train show. Enjoy a 26 foot model train layout, exhibits in the gallery, a scavenger hunt and more. There is also toddler size viewing at the American & Lionel Train layout. Free with museum admission. Now through February 23, 2020. Read our Review.
Enjoy this spectacular light display, daily including Christmas night, until January 1.
Enjoy this amazing display with over 350,000 twinkling white lights adorning 200 figures and buildings. Now through January 1. Open daily at 5 p.m.
Enjoy the bright lights of Bright Nights at Forest Park. Open daily (including holidays), starting at 5 p.m., through January 5. Read our Review.
Over 100,000 lights brighten the sky, while you enjoy a scenic drive through this winter wonderland! Open daily through December 31.
Thrills at the Amusement Parks…
The Park is open during the winter for this special event! Open from December 26 to January 1. Read our Review.
We Love to Read…
Check the Barnes & Noble website for event listings at your local store!
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We love libraries! We have visited quite a few – make sure to check out our list if you are looking for a new library! Here are some highlights from some of our favorites:
Avon: One of our favorite children’s libraries in northern Connecticut! Read our Review.
Canton: A cute little library on the other side of the river. They will be offering a Frozen Sing-A-Long on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Read our Review.
Coventry: If you are looking for a great library east of the river, the Booth & Dimock Memorial Library has a fun little children’s library on the bottom floor. Read our Review.
East Hartford: If you like airplanes, this is the library for you! They will be hosting a slew of activities during winter break including movies, craft sessions, open makerspace hours and more! Read our Review.
Enfield: Our hometown library is a personal favorite. During winter break, they will be offering activities starting on Monday and Tuesday, including a Noon Year’s Eve party. Some of these activities do require tickets! Read our Review.
Granby: Stop by for Family Fun Time on Monday or Tuesday. Read our Review.
Mansfield: Drop by for school vacation fun on Monday or Tuesday, and Infant & Toddler Time on Friday. Read our Review.
Rockville: Drop in for activities on Monday including Music in Motion at 10:30 a.m. and an all-day drop in activity with magnets. Read our Review.
Simsbury: Explore the huge children’s library on the bottom floor and enjoy one of their many daily events including baby playgroup on Monday, Noon Year’s Eve on Tuesday, and Storytime Café on Friday. Read our Review.
South Windsor: Stop by for Noon Year’s Eve on Tuesday. Read our Review.
Windsor : Stop by the library for some playtime with the trains and blocks, or just explore their beautiful children’s library. Make sure to check out their event calendar including Sunnyside Up on Tuesday, Little Picassos on Thursday and Book Babies on Friday. Read our Review.
Windsor Locks: Stop by to make a craft in the children’s library or just sit and play with the library’s toys including a train table. Read our Review.
West Hartford: You’ll enjoy this beautiful children’s library complete with a stage, pretend play area, baby room and more! Read our Review. Open during winter break. Mark your calendar for the New Year’s Dance Party on Tuesday. Read our Review.
Road Trip!
Indoor Play, open daily including New Year’s Day. Read our Review
Road Trip! Check out this wonderful museum during their Vacation Week! Open daily all week, including New Year’s Day. Read our Review.
Enjoy special events all week including storytimes and puppet shows. Open daily, closed on New Year’s Day. Read our Review.
Enjoy their special event, Festival of Lights, where the whole park lights up with Christmas lights and all rides are open (including unlimited train rides)! Open until January 1. See website for hours and dates. Read our Review.
Holiday School Vacation Week will include seasonal crafts and activities, as well as regular admission to a great museum! Open during winter vacation but closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Make sure to put First Night Junior on your calendar as well (December 31)! Read our Review.
Come build and play with Lego! Open daily including New Year’s Day. Read our Review.
Escape to the tropics in this indoor butterfly haven! Open daily. Read our Review.
Visit the Holiday Train Show and explore the gardens in the winter! Open daily all week. Read our Review.
Explore the five museums at the Quadrangle. Open during winter vacation, closed on New Year’s Day. Read our Review.
You don’t have to let go of Christmas just yet! Come see Santa, stand under the snow, enjoy a little shopping for yourself, and much more! Open daily. Read our Review.
