They are coming to Connecticut any way witch they can for the top things to do in October 2025 with kids! Witch Paddle photo by Kaylee Wright, courtesy of Adventure Mystic.
21 Best Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids October 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
Fall foliage experiences give New England families a chance to enjoy leaf-peeping in exciting ways. Photo courtesy of the Adventure Park at Storrs
Foliage Experiences in New England 2025: Fun Takes on Fall Foliage
GUIDE
CT Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2025
The kids can hang out and have fun with the top free things to do in Connecticut! Earthplace photo by Zoe Brown, courtesy of the center.
100 Free Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids
Enjoy the best of the Fall, with apple picking in Connecticut and fun apple festivals. Photo courtesy of Holmberg Orchards & Winery
Apple Picking in CT in 2025: Best Apple Farms and Apple Festivals for Kids
Our ultimate Connecticut bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut with kids! Mystic Seaport photo by author Kelly Patino
Ultimate Connecticut Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in CT
Roll on in to the top birthday party places in Connecticut for teens and tweens in 2025! Photo courtesy of Bowlero
Fun Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Tweens and Teens in 2025
By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
Best Museums for Kids in Connecticut: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
Hop aboard for a trip through Litchfield County and fun things to do with kids! Naugatuck Railroad photo courtesy of the Railroad Museum of New England.
25 Things to Do With Kids in Litchfield, Connecticut
Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway
Ride, splash, and have gallons of fun at the best outdoor water parks in New England! Splash Away Bay Water Park photo courtesy of Quassy Amusement Park
Best Outdoor Water Parks in New England for Family Fun
Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut.
GUIDE
Connecticut Guide to Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones
New England Family Travel Guide
Bubbles are a classic free fun activity for Connecticut kids
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do for Connecticut Kids
Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
GUIDE
Connecticut Day Trips & Weekend Getaways Guide
Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
Best Petting Zoos in Connecticut: Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos
Find a sweet treat for the whole family at the best places for breakfast in Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Hotcakes
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut
As classic as the roller rink or modern as a VR experience, these fun indoor places are perfect spots for teens and tweens to hang out! Photo by Ally Noel
Fun Places in Connecticut Where Tweens and Teens Can Hang Out Indoors
Parents can enjoy some relaxation when their kids spend time at the
10 Family-Friendly Hotels and Spa Resorts in Connecticut
A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures
The Best Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in Connecticut
Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers
Find family fare and great deals at these Connecticut restaurants where kids eat free! Photo courtesy of Canva
Kids Eat Free: Connecticut Restaurants for Every Day of the Week
Flat walking trails make Wharton Brook State Park a sure bet for kid hikers. Photo by Mommy Poppins
A Dozen Short Hikes in Connecticut for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel
Top Attractions in Connecticut: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
From rolling hills and lakes to scenic views and summits, there's great outdoor adventure for families at Connecticut state parks. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
25 Connecticut State Parks and Forests That Are Great to Visit with Kids
Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons
Top Connecticut Playgrounds That Families Will Love
Run through the vineyards at Aquila's Nest. Photo courtesy of Aquila's Nest, Facebook
The Best Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in Connecticut
Practice new skills at Calf's Pasture Beach, photo courtesy of Norwalk Skate Park, Facebook
Top Skate Parks in Connecticut
Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
  VIDEO
25 Preschool Science Experiments: Simple Science for Toddlers through Kindergarten Kids
Revel in nature's majesty at Webb Mountain. Photo by Ally Noel
Best Nature Centers in Connecticut To Visit with Kids
We’ve rounded up the best escape rooms in Connecticut for a fun family outing!
Awesome Escape Rooms in CT: Kid-Friendly Parties and Family Adventures
The festivities get downright magical with Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT! Photo courtesy of Dean Davids Magician
Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT That Come To You
The Halloween fun is creeping in along with the top things to do in Connecticut this weekend. Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
Halloween Fun, Fall Festivals, and More Fun Things To Do in CT This Weekend

9 Hot Christmas Show, Train, and Tea Tickets in Boston to Book Right Now

Each year, families look forward to the Polar Express Train to the North Pole. Photo courtesy of the Blackstone Valley Polar Express, Facebook
Each year, families look forward to the Polar Express Train to the North Pole. Photo courtesy of the Blackstone Valley Polar Express, Facebook
10/22/21 - By Kelley Heyworth

Pumpkins may dot our doorsteps, but smart parents know that now is the time to start thinking about the December holidays—and snatch up the city's hottest Christmas tickets now. Prime seats at certain events, like The Nutcracker, Holiday Pops Kids Matinees, and the Train to Christmas Town are worth booking early, since they promise to sell fast. Whatever suits your family's fancy, you're sure to be the lucky ones with these tickets in hand before the mittens come out of the closet. 

Be sure to check our holiday guide as we move into November for even more trains, Christmas shows, and special kids' holiday events: We're constantly updating our lineup of holiday, Christmastime and Hanukkah events. 'Tis—almost—the season of joy!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Kids love to don pajamas and hand Christmas train conductors their golden tickets. Photo courtesy of the Cape Cod Central Railroad, Facebook
Kids love to don pajamas and hand Christmas train conductors their golden tickets. Photo courtesy of the Cape Cod Central Railroad, Facebook

Hot Holiday and Christmas Trains

The Polar Express Train Ride - Blackstone Valley

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays November 19 - December 19
The Magic Returns this holiday season for a three-hour experience at the Blackstone Valley Polar Express. Hop on a 90-minute train ride to view the North Pole that’s filled with singing, games, a reading of the classic children’s story “The Polar Express”, and a visit from Santa.  READ MORE

The Polar Express Train on Cape Cod Central Railroad

Various dates November 26 - December 23
“The bell still rings for all who truly believe” Adventure comes to life when the train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by our merry-making cast. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for approximately 90-minutes to meet Santa. READ MORE

IC North Pole Express at Newburyport Station

Sunday, December 4
Take a train to the North Pole from Newburyport Station. READ MORE
The Nutcracker and its Sugar Plum Fairy is back live. Photo courtesy of the Boston Ballet
The Nutcracker and its Sugar Plum Fairy is back live. Photo courtesy of the Boston Ballet

Hot Holiday and Christmas Shows

Elf On the Shelf

Two performances Friday, November 26
The Elf on the Shelf: The Musical is the thrilling spectacle of music and dance that transports audiences to the North Pole to glimpse the magical lives of Santa’s Scout Elves.  Featuring an original story and score, dazzling sets and costumes, and heartfelt moments that will bring the family together, this joyous and uplifting celebration will leave audiences captivated by the splendor of the season.  READ MORE

Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker

Various dates Friday, November 26 - Sunday, December 26
Slip away into the warm drawing room of the Silberhaus family and watch as Clara’s surroundings transform before your eyes. From the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the iconic snow scene, this classical ballet—set to the beloved music of Tchaikovsky—continues to enthrall audiences of all ages. READ MORE

Holiday Pops Kids' Matinee

Various dates Sunday, December 5 - Sunday, December 26
These special family holiday concerts include a children’s sing-along and post-concert photos with Santa. Kids Matinees are shorter than regular concerts and last about 75 minutes. READ MORE

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage

Two performances Sunday, December 5
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage encompasses each of your favorite scenes from the original animated television show, with more fun, more music, and more finding the true Christmas spirit. After the final bow, the show crescendos into a celebration of song as the audience is invited to join the Peanuts gang in singing traditional Christmas songs and carols. READ MORE

A Christmas Story: The Musical

Tuesday, December 7 - Sunday, December 12 and Tuesday, December 14 - Sunday, December 19
Set in 1940s Indiana, a young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish.  READ MORE
A few of the guests at the Four Seasons' Teddy Bear Tea Sleepover. Photo courtesy of the Four Seasons
A few of the guests at the Four Seasons' Teddy Bear Tea Sleepover. Photo courtesy of the Four Seasons

Hot Holiday and Christmas Tea

Teddy Bear Tea Sleepover at the Four Seasons

Room rates apply Saturday, December 18 - Wednesday, December 22
The annual Teddy Bear Tea is a sleepover again. Have a festive afternoon tea in your room and enjoy appearances by Truffles the Bear. Connecting families for an overnight experience that celebrates holiday magic in the heart of the city, the cherished tea will be offered in your park-facing suite, where you can spend time together and savor all the holiday treats that make the experience so special for families. The magic is extended with an early check-in so you can enjoy the hotel's eighth-floor pool overlooking Boston's holiday lights. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Kelley Heyworth
Kelley Heyworth is the regional editor for Mommy Poppins, covering Boston, Connecticut, and the rest of New England. She has covered parenting and health topics for nearly two decades, as an editor for Child Magazine and Fitness Magazines and a contributor to Parents Magazine, Mommy Nearest, and other national publications and websites. Previously, she was a writer and editor at Sports Illustrated and Philadelphia Magazines. A mom of three boys outside of Boston, Kelley also writes a blog, Happy Healthy Kids, and loves hiking, running, cooking, gardening, and spending time at beaches in Nantucket, Connecticut, and New Jersey with family and friends.
Recent Articles By Kelley Heyworth:
Read more articles by Kelley Heyworth.