Do you, like me, have kids who are OBSESSED with Dinosaurs?
You are about to BLOW THEIR MIND.
First- Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts is going to be hosting Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo LIVE on February 18! This is the ultimate dinosaur playdate- we’re talking life-sized dinosaur puppets that are EXTREMELY realistic (Watch this to see them in action).
You and your child can even get tickets to meet the dinosaurs before the show!
This, naturally, has sparked a dinosaur craze in our house, and we’ve been on the hunt for the most fun dinosaur activities in Connecticut. Here’s what we’ve found so far:
Dinosaur State Park:
First, you’ll want to head to your local library to check out the Connecticut No Child Left Inside State Parks Pass. This allows you entrance into the visitor center for FREE! (Even without the pass, fees are very reasonable- it’s $6/adult, $2/child and free if your children are under 6!)
Some of the big highlights in the Visitor Center:
- Interactive Sand Tables
- Interactive dinosaur game
- Explore Real Fossils- and see hundreds of dinosaur tracks
- Discovery zone
- Gem Mining (Weather Permitting, extra fee)
We honestly end up there for hours. Pro Tip- if you want to explore the trails, consider doing them first. Once we go into the Visitor Center, the kids do not want to leave!
The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village
An amusement park dedicated entirely to dinosaurs? You bet! Open April -October,
- Trails with life sized dinosaurs
- Erupting volcano
- Connecticut’s Largest SplashPad
- T Rex Tower
We’ve selected it as Connecticut’s best amusement park for the preschool/toddler crowd. No long lines, just lots of open play and things to explore! It’s so wonderful to take the kids to a park where they can actually participate in EVERYTHING.
West Hartford Children’s Museum
“Dinosaurs in Your Backyard” explores the legacy of Connecticut Dinosaurs. Kids can dig for fossils, chase dinosaur footprints, and learn all about the dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth where we now stand.
Other highlights include:
- Live animals
- Dramatic Play Areas
- Educator led stations
- Hands on play areas!
Photo Credit: Yale Peabody Museum
Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven
We are eagerly awaiting the opening! Yale Peabody Museum boasts some incredible collections- and has some truly amazing Paleontologists on staff (look for Yale Palentologist Bhart-Anjan Bhullar on Netflix’s “Life on our Planet!)
When the museum reopens, you’ll get a chance to see dinosaur skeletons and OTHER COOL DINO ThINGs. In the meantimes, Peabody@Home has some cool resources for you to learn even more about dinosaurs right from your living room!
Photo Credit: Connecticut Science Center
Connecticut Science Center
The Science Center is always a hit with our kids, but this is always one of their favorites. Dilophosaurus, a dinosaur that roamed Connecticut over 200 million years ago, can be found on the top floor in the “River of Life” exhibit.
He likes to “talk” (roar at) children as they explore the Critter Corner, the Stream Table, and the Overlook.
On the other side of the exhibit, visit Our Changing Earth, an immersive experience that takes you on a journey through Connecticut’s changing landscape with hands-on activities and immersive displays.
Hubbard Park, Meriden
If you’re ever in doubt that dinosaurs once roamed across Connecticut, head to Meriden’s Hubbard Park. There’s tons of great hiking and a fun playground, but dinosaur lovers will appreciate hunting for fossils and tracks- both of which can be found by the main road and by the pond.
