Greater New Haven is jam-packed with so many kid-friendly museums, cultural centers, restaurants, beaches, and more! To help narrow down the options for family fun, we've created a list of 50 things to do with your kiddos in Greater New Haven. We hope this list inspires you to visit a new museum, head out on a trail you have not yet explored and make new memories with your family!
- Rent kayaks, paddle boards, bikes and motor scooters from Scoot & Paddle.
- Visit The Pez Factory in Orange.
- Get your adrenaline fix at It Adventure Couse, the world's largest indoor ropes course.
- Catch a Youth Day at one of Yale's Bulldog games.
- Pick up some cupcakes from the Cupcake Wars-winning Sugar Bakery in East Haven on Main Street.
- Check out the snakes, turtles, and fish located inside the Coastal Center at Milford Point. Don't forget to climb the spiral staircase for sweeping views of the marsh. TIP: BYOB (Bring-your-own-binoculars!)
- Taste the delicious hand-crafted small-batch ice cream from Walnut Beach Creamery. We love Walnut Beach Mud.
- Explore the rooms of the CT Children’s Museum on a Saturday afternoon.
- Catch a show at the historic Shubert Theater. The theater is now offering virtual streaming.
- Stroll along the three-quarter mile Walnut Beach Boardwalk.
- Climb to the top tower at Pease Place.
- Solve a series of puzzles to Escape New Haven.
- Bounce off the walls at BounceTown USA.
- Climb to the top of West Rock and visit Judge’s Cave.
- Play all day at Bodie’s Place playground and splash pad.
- Head to the Yale Center for British Art’s galleries and make sure to ask for a children's activity kit at the information desk.
- Grab lunch at the seaside Greek Spot Café. We highly recommend the chicken souvlaki and spanakopita.
- Build something awesome at the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop. Then hit the East Rock State Park trails.
- Visit Mondo Pond and discover 36 acres teeming with wildlife. (We love springtime for this!)
- Stroll through the Yale Old Campus. (And take all the photos for IG!)
- Catch a movie on the big screen at Cinemark Connecticut Post 14 and IMAX. The theater is now offering an option to rent out an entire theater room for private parties up to 20.
- Visit the City Seed Farmer’s Market on Saturdays in Wooster Square.
- Pack a picnic and head to Eisenhower Park for three miles of trails, streams and a cool StoryWalk.
- Check out the Shops at Yale. We can't ever say no to Urban Outfitters.
- Lace up your skates at the Milford Ice Pavillion.
- Schooner’s has one of the coolest summer camps in the region. From sailing to science, your kiddos are sure to find adventure.
- Go Strawberry Picking at Glendale Farms.
- Climb to the top of East Rock for panoramic views of the city.
- Got the need for speed? Take your kiddos to watch The Milford Riders Club.
- DIY your own wood sign with The Painted Plank. The studio is offering fantastic take-and-make projects for both children and adults!
- Pick up a pizza box of cookies at Insomnia Cookies.
- Visit a salt cave at Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness.
- Get lost in the sounds of music at New Haven Symphony.
- We are suckers for book stores and Atticus Bookstore/Café is a favorite.
- Spend an afternoon in Edgewood Park.
- Get crafty at The Clay Date.
- Go Letterboxing at Bladen’s Brook and discover some dinosaurs!
- Hop aboard a trolley at the Shoreline Trolley Museum.
- Pick up an architecture guide or felt art kit for the kids at the entrance desk of Yale University Art Gallery and go exploring.
- Go Stargazing at the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium’s free planetarium shows and telescope observations. Now offering Tuesday night streaming.
- Get a taste of history and some of the most famous pizza in America at Frank Pepe’s.
- You MUST visit Milkcraft for some of the most delicious ice cream you'll ever taste.
- Go for a hike at Racebrook Tract.
- Channel your inner Picasso at Picasso Parties.
- Visit Hawkwood Game Cafe and discover a treasure trove of board games for all ages. Spend the day playing classics or discovering new favorites!
- Spend an afternoon at the wooden Painter Park playground in West Haven.
- Go indoor rock climbing at City Climb Gym.
- When renovations are completed, walk among the dinosaurs in the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. The museum is offering amazing virtual programming, classes and activities in the meantime.
- Head to Lighthouse Point Park in the summertime to take a spin on the antique Lighthouse Point Carousel and admire the lighthouse.
- Embrace the holiday season and visit Lighthouse Point Park come winter for Fantasy of Lights.
Have any other local places we should add to the list? Email us at makaylasilva@macaronikid.com and we will start to research!
