Here’s what’s on our short list of Holiday Break Activities . . . be sure to share your ideas with us all week long!
Monday, 12/29
Discover our River Museum in beautiful Essex…free Winter Workshops for Kids today and Tuesday @ 9 a.m.
New Britain Museum of Art Family Day Lend a Hand! Community Quilting drop-in workshop, children and an accompanying adult can make and decorate two fabric squares using applique, fabric markers, and a variety of 3D embellishments. Take home one as a miniature quilt keepsake, and sign and donate the other to our collaborative quilt project for Covenant to Care for Children, a statewide, nonprofit agency working with faith and community organizations to meet the needs of children ages birth to 17 who are abused, neglected, or impoverished. *FREE with Museum Admission* Quilting exhibit ends this weekend, January 4.
Connecticut Science Center is open with EXTENDED hours (10AM–6PM) over School Vacation. Check out the traveling exhibit “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body” or the new Dino Encounters Show! Consider a day-long Science Exploration Camp for your child on Monday or Tuesday.
New England Air Museum offers family fun activities for the holiday break through Sunday.
Enjoy ice skating indoors at Veterans Memorial Skating Rink in West Hartford. Check the holiday schedule for special hours.
Visit Mystic Seaport and enjoy holiday magic! Special activities like a special holiday tour of the Charles W. Morgan at 11 a.m., learn magic tricks at noon and attend a professional magic show at 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Visit the Children’s Museum and make a holiday craft. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Springfield Museums host wacky fun this week. Most activities are free with museum admission! Tour the special exhibition The Magic of Gingerbread, enjoy hands-on art and science activities, planetarium shows, scavenger hunts and more. Live performances included.
Tuesday, 12/30
The Great Trains Exhibit in Norwalk hosted at by the Wilton Historical Society offers historic 18th and 19th century buildings are transformed into a train-lovers delight with eight different train layouts winding through tiny towns with many different kinds of building, tunnels and two working ferris wheels. The interactive display enchants visitors of all ages with lots of buttons to push and knowledgeable “train engineers” on hand to “talk trains.” In a special train room for the youngest guests, there are buttons galore plus Thomas the Tank Engine and a Brio set for hands-on fun.
Wednesday, 12/31
Seal Watching Cruise through the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Advance reservations recommended. Bring your binoculars and wear plenty of warm clothes. Include a visit into the museum especially to see Santa Dive with Sharks! Then vote for your favorite lighthouse in the annual “Festival of Lighthouses Contest.” Lighthouses are new each year through January 19!
Kwanzaa celebrations continue in Hartford this year at First Night Hartford! From 6 to 8 pm Sankofa Kuumba presents its annual Kwanzaa celebration at Charter Oak Cultural Center. Learn the seven principles of Kwanzaa through the artistic gifts of story, song and dance. This community celebration has the theme of Faith or Imani, the 7th principle of Kwanzaa. This annual event also pays homage to both recent and ancient ancestors: family, friends, artists and community leaders who paved the way and will honor the artists who have participated in the past 25 years of public Kwanzaa celebrations initiated by Sankofa Kuumba.
A lot of effort is made to give you accurate information but it’s always best to “be safe than sorry” by calling the organization ahead of your visit!
