The end of Summer is upon us and we’re starting to see the first signs of Fall. Pretty soon, we’ll be all about back-to-school, leaf peeping, apple picking, and pumpkin spice everything.
But we still have a couple more weeks of summer, and it’s time to make the most of it! Summer at the Museum continues until September 4, our favorite local teams are playing some great end of season games, and it’s still warm enough to head out for a swim and sandcastle building.
To make sure we don’t have any FOMO from this summer, we’ve made a checklist of Connecticut family fun activities. Let’s finish out the summer strong!
Want to print your own copy? Click here
Want to make your own checklist? Here’s a blank copy:
Summer at the Museum Visit
There’s still time to get Bingo – or just sneak in one last visit to a FREE museum!
Looking for your own to print at home? Check Here
Looking for your own to make? Template here
What happens when you get BINGO? Fame, Glory, Cool Points- who knows!?!?! Email me at Kate@Kidtivity.com to find out ?
As a side note, I’m working on a list of hidden gems at Summer at the Museum. Some of our Favorite Spots that have availability:
- Mystic Seaport
- New England Air Museum
- Florence Griswold Museum
- New England Carousel Museum
- Trolley Museum
Library Summer Reading Celebration/Events
Summer Reading is wrapping up, and there are several great end of season parties!
- August 8: Animal Friends at the Essex Library
- August 11: Nappy’s Puppets presents “Father Goose Tales” at Bristol Library
- August 16: Talent Show at Windsor Library
- August 11: End of Summer Reading Party: Comedy Magic Show followed by FREE ICE CREAM TRUCK at Columbia Library
- August 18: Summer Reading Closing Party at East Hampton Public Library
- August 23: Crime Lab for Kids at Newington Public Library
- August 23: SUMMER READING WRAP-UP PARTY at Cromwell’s Cora J Belden Library
Catch an End-of-Season Game
Summer is wrapping up- so don’t forget to catch one more Yard Goats Game!
You can also catch our other fun local teams, like the New Britain Bees and the Norwich Sea Unicorns. The end their season the first week of August, so definitely catch them quick!
Plus Hartford Athletic is offering fun promotions and the Connecticut Sun have some epic games left in the 2023 season.
Build a Sandcastle
Summer is coming to a close, but it’s not too late to build a last sandcastle/sand palace/ sand man. Connecticut has tons of family friendly beaches and also many, many swimming holes to choose from.
Here are some of our favorites:
Eat at a Seasonal Food Stand:
Summer is peak outdoor dining season, and we have some great spots for family foodies. I’m hoping to report on a bunch of spots this summer. For Science, of course ?
- Lenny and Joe’s Fish Tale in Madison has a Carousel
- Jessica’s Garden in Marlborough
- Looking for Lobster Rolls? Try Lobster Landing in Clinton or Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank.
- Johnny Ad’s in Old Saybrook offers both excellent seafood and non seafood items.
- Top Dog Hot Dog, Portland has delicious and inexpensive options – and is super fun!
- It’s open year round, but the outdoor dining at Parkville Market in Hartford is excellent.
See Some Animals
Photo Credit Above: Beardsley Zoo & Mystic Aquarium
Anyway, we have SO MANY places to see some sweet animals before back to school. And most of them are FREE with Summer at the Museum, so definitely take advantage!
Some of our favorite animal stops:
Splash around in the Water
Photo Credit: Brownstone/West Hartford Town
Pool, splash pad, ocean, swimming hole- whatever strikes your fancy! One last splash around in whatever local haunt is your favorite.
Some of our favs for families:
- Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village
- Veterans Park Middletown
- Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven
- Addison Park, Glastonbury
- Brownstone Adventure Park
- West Hartford Pools and Splash Pads
Eat More Ice Cream
Photo Credit: Kloter Farms, Arethusa Farms
I have an ice cream addiction this summer. We have eaten it a ridiculous amount of times this year. I regret nothing.
In all seriousness, Connecticut is the Ice Cream Capitol of the United States. We just are. Our ice cream is homemade, and creamy, and incredible. We have gelato, and sorbet, and custard, and soft serve and literally everything in between.
Anyway, we’ve been working on an ice cream trail, and you should definitely eat at more ice cream before summer comes to an end.
Then you should stay tuned for fall ice cream flavors, because that is a thing.
(Maybe I should ask the Connecticut Dairy Association to sponsor this blog ? They don’t, but a girl can dream, right?)
Dance at a Concert
Photo Credit: Town of Glastonbury; Town of Old Saybrook
- Thursdays, July 6-August 24: Windsor Summer Concert Series
- Thursdays, June 23- Aug 18: South Windsor Concert Series
- Tuesdays June 27- September 12: Trumbull Summer Concert Series
- Tuesdays, June 13 through Aug 29: Stratford Summer Concert Series
- Thursday evenings in August: Vernon Summer Concert Series
- Seymour Summer Concert Series
- Milford’s Walnut Beach Association Summer Concert Series
Head to the Park
We have so many fun parks and playgrounds that are great year round- but summer is an extra special time to visit.
As always, lots of time and energy went into making this checklist. However, sleep deprivation is real and things change all the time, so better safe than sorry- call ahead and check in with the venue before heading out.
What other end of summer essentials should we add? Let me know! Comment below or email kate@kidtivity.com
