Fun and games in CT
One of the benefits of living in Connecticut is the wide range of activities available for kids and parents, particularly during the summer. No matter where in the state you find yourself, you’re likely to find some sort of family entertainment.
Although there may be some restrictions due to COVID- 19, that should not stop you from having a good day at any of the attractions, including those listed below. Wherever you are, there is certainly a place nearby to have a good time. Be sure to visit the venues’ websites before you go to see what is open and available, and what the restrictions may be.
New Canaan Nature Center, New Canaan ( newcanaannature.org)
2020 update: New Canaan Nature Center is open. The visitor center is currently closed, but the trails and grounds are available to the public.
Just under 20 minutes from Norwalk, the New Canaan Nature Center is the perfect place for visitors to take a casual hike, explore the ponds, and visit the center’s birds of prey exhibit, as well as its goats, chickens, and donkeys ( while social distancing). The Children’s Play Garden and Herb Garden are also open for exploration. At this time, the main building remains closed, but trail maps are available at the Information Gazebo in the lower parking lot. Summer camp is also running through Aug. 14 for children ages 3- 10.
Walnut Hill Park, New Britain ( friendsoftherosegarden.com)
Located in downtown New Britain, Walnut Hill Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and is included on the National Register of Historic Places. It has hosted a variety of activities, including Connecticut’s first flight, the Race in the Park, musical performances at the Darius Miller Shell, tennis tournaments, baseball and cricket games, and exercisers using the loop. The beauty of its landscape, including the lawn, trees and perennials, may be enjoyed by all. A rose garden was added in 1929 and restored in 2010, and today includes hybrid tea roses, grandiflora and floribunda, climbers, and David Austin English roses.
Visitors can picnic, jog, bike, take walks, and enjoy the athletic fields, rose garden and water fountain, and a theater that features summer concerts.
Berlin resident Chelsea Slade enjoyed an excursion to the park with her two young sons recently. “My kids really liked having a picnic at the park, and they also liked seeing the veteran memorial statue and water fountain, plus the many different colored roses and two areas with small roofs where you can get out of the sun,” Slade recounts.
Slade also enjoyed the fact that the park is great with strollers because there are sidewalks with lots of bench seating..
Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park, Trumbull ( rockinjump.com/ trumbull/)
2020 update: In order to keep up with state guidelines, there is a reduced capacity to 60 jumpers. This is 30 percent of the normal capacity. Around the park there are many sanitizer stations and all team members are required to wear masks.
At the park, there are many different ways and places to jump. There is an open area, along with dodgeball, a warped wall to climb up, along with rock wall climbing. There is also a foam pit arena and a ninja course to test your skills. There is a tot’s area designed for kids ages 6 and under. At the park, you can also host your child’s next birthday party, sized for social distancing ( the two- hour event includes up to five jumpers, private check- in, a birthday gift for the birthday child, and space to celebrate).
On Wednesdays, the park offers special prices during which visitors receive two hours of jump time for the price of one. On Friday nights, older kids can participate in Neon Jump Night, which is held after dark when most of the park is closed. This event features special strobes and black lights along with all the top hits to make the night “rockin.”
Prime Climb, Wallingford ( primeclub.com)
2020 update: In order to comply with state- mandated capacity limits, Prime Climb requires advance reservations to reserve a slot for either of its two gyms. There are 30- minute blocks between reservations to allow time for cleaning and customers to exit.
Prime Climb is a full- service climbing gym offering two gyms: Mountain Fun, which focuses on kids, birthday parties and beginning climbers, and Prime Climb, which focuses on intermediate to advanced climbers, and beginners who are interested in pursuing climbing as a regular activity. Prime Climb activities include bouldering, top roping, and lead climbing, and lessons and guide services are offered; roped climbing at Prime Climb involves at least two people, a climber, and a belayer ( partner). Mountain Fun utilizes Auto Belay devices, in which no previous experience or rope management skill is required. By being clipped into the Auto Belay device, you may climb on your own. When you fall or reach the top, the device will automatically return you to the ground.
SportsCenter of Connecticut, Shelton ( sportscenterct.com)
Sports Center in Shelton is home to a wide range of activities for kids of all ages. Due to COVID- 19, the center is currently only open for the golf range, mini- golf, target paintball, funbowl, gamezone, and batting cage ( visitors must bring their own helmet). In addition, summer camp is limited to availability through Aug. 28 due to COVID- 19. Camp is open for morning and afternoon sessions, fitness and fun add- on, and also has a Friday Fun Day add- on.