Mostly Free and Fun Things To Do With Kids In CT This Weekend June 7-8: CT Trails Day, Pirates, and Paint the People!

6/5/14 - By Jacqueline Miller

As our school year winds down with the chaos of ballet recitals, baseball games, and swim practices, the weekends become even more important to us as a family, as we look for the activities that we can all enjoy together (next up is definitely a trip to The Adventure Park in Bridgeport)! Okay, who's going to admit that they still haven't signed up for  summer camps yet. I sheepishly raise my hand - so you are in good company. We've rounded up 10 great day camps that still have openings. Get in on the action now!

This week marks the kick off of some of our favorite summer outdoor series, including Movies in the Park at Harbor Point (Stamford), Carload Night at the Pleasant Valley Drive In (New Hartford), as well as concerts at Weed Beach (Darien) and Ballard Park (Ridgefield). Make sure you subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you won't miss a thing!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Pinterest in order to get updates on events, contests, and free giveaways. Our event calendar is updated constantly with the best activities around the state.

Have a great weekend!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

All Weekend 

Connecticut Trails Day (throughout CT) 
Trails Day takes place at 258 separate events across the state. Activities include hiking of different lengths and difficulties, as well as paddling, bike riding, horseback riding, geocaching, letterboxing, and rock climbing. Some of our favorite, child-friendly events include the Hike at Williams Park in Brookfield, the Hike at Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton, the Wildlife CSI Hike at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, and the Second Sunday Hike at Greenwich Audubon. Saturday and Sunday. Check individual listings for details.

The Greek Experience Festival (Fairfield County) 
Admission is free to this annual festival at the Assumpton Greek Orthodox Church in Danbury. Enjoy Greek food, music, dancing, and traditional costumes and games. Free. Friday to Sunday.

Tent Weekend at the Second Congregational Church (Fairfield County) 
After the long winter, Second Congregational Church in GReenwich is inviting the community to help celebrate the return of warm weather at its annual Tent Weekend. Festivities include something for everyone, including a student show, a jazz concert, children’s music, carnival games, and picnicking. Free. Friday to Sunday.

Celebrate West Hartford (Hartford County) 
The 28th annual Celebrate West Hartford community fair takes place on the grounds of West Hartford Town Hall and presents businesses, civic and service organizations, recreation groups and charitable foundations a way to increase public awareness of their important work. Attracting over 35,000 people each year from the greater Hartford area, Celebrate West Hartford also provides festival attendees with a wide range of family activities including a juried arts & crafts show, great food, entertainment, games, carnival rides, and a certified 5K road race. There is no admission charge for the event and many of the activities are free. Free. Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, June 7th

Little Folks Fair (New Haven County) 
Come out an enjoy a day on the Guilford Green just for children! Petting zoo, donkey rides, face paining, train rides, food, games and much more! The fair transforms the Green into a playground for children, creating memories that will last a lifetime. The Little Folks Fair is the main fundraising event for the Community Nursery School, with parents organizing, creating and running the day-long event. $2 per person (free for children under 2).

ASAP Tag Sale during Washington Community Day (Litchfield County)
Come out to the Washington Depot Town Hall for a fun community day! Businesses will have tables set up with lots of great giveaways, demonstrations and kids' activities. Walk over to the Old Gas Station for a Tag Sale like no other! Tons of toys, clothes and furniture. All proceeds will support the non-profit After School Arts Program. There will be a crazy hair station, free summer camp giveaways and more fun and games. 10-3 in the center of Washington Depot. Free.

Fireside Stories (New Haven County)
At this evening event at the Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset State Park in Madison, Ranger Russ tells native stories and folk tales next to a fire on the shore. Bring a blanket and marshmallow stick, and they'll provide the marshmallows. Free.

CT Landmarks Day at Phelps-Hatheway House and Garden and the Amos Bull House (Hartford County) 
Celebrate CT Landmarks day with free admission to these historic sights. At the Phelps-Hatheway House, there will be a weathervane exhibit in the barn, children's games on the lawn, and sachet making in the Visitor's Center. At the Amos Bull House, the Sea Tea Improv group will entertain guests with a historical comedy about the world travels of the Butler and McCook families. Free.

Paint the People (Litchfield County) 
The Village Center for the Arts is hosting the 3rd annual Paint the People at Young’s Field in New Milford. It features paint, live music, fine art creation, a student art exhibit, a high school and college-age paint/dance tent, a creative corner for ages 2-6, food, and more paint! Slingshot paint balloons on to a t-shirt, have a paint war with family and friends, join a tug-o-war over a paint puddle or take a cartooning class with renowned cartoonist Bob Camp, Co-creator of Ren & Stimpy. Entrance - $5, Interactivity Activity Bracelet - $10, Nightfall Dance Tent- $15.

Sunday, June 8th

Celebration of the Woods (Fairfield County) 
Enjoy a celebration day on the trails of Darien's little-known Dunlap and Selleck's Woods. The day will be filled with entertaining activities for children and adults, including bird walks, a butterfly garden to explore, fairy houses to build, a hands-on amphibian exhibit at the vernal pond, and tadpole catching on the "beach" at Dunlap Lake. Come and explore the Nature Discovery Trails which will be alive with music and pleine aire artists. Refreshments and a food truck will be available throughout the day. Free.

Ice Cream Social at the New Canaan Historical Society (Fairfield County) 
This fun, old-fashioned event held on Historical Society grounds from 1-4 includes ice cream, music by the Town Band and the Saxationals, a parade of vintage cars, and Colonial games and crafts for children. The Hanford-Silliman House, Cody Drug Store, Rock School, John Rogers Studio, and Tool Museum will all be open (and with weaving/spinning demonstrations). Free admission, but there is a small fee for ice cream and cake.

Pirate's Day (New Haven County) 
Come dressed as a pirate and be a part of Connecticut's best and largest scavenger hunt! Twenty-three treasure hunt stops await visiting mateys with booty and clues to solve for a chance to win a treasure chest of prizes. Raffle tickets will be sold at various events prior to June 8th, and two lucky visitors (must come dressed in pirate garb) will join the other Pirates aboard the Oz to sail from the Milford Yacht Club to Lisman Landing. Free.


Enjoy!