Pay homage to the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a celebration at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Photo by Winston Williams
MLK Weekend 2026 in New York City: Best Things To Do with Kids
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
39 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids Guide
Galactic snow tubing at Camelback offers an LED light show come nightfall.
Best Snow Tubing near NYC for Families
Museo del Barrio's The Three Kings Day Parade takes over the streets of East Harlem Photo by Mommy Poppins
Top Things To Do with Kids in NYC in January 2026, from MP Editors
Hit the ice at the scenic Mohonk Mountan House, which offers winter day passes to enjoy its spectacular resort amenities. Photo courtesy of the venue
23 Fun Winter Day Trips from NYC
Bryant Park's Bumper Cars are a mainstay of late-winter fun in the park. Photo by Janet Bloom
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 47 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
Kids as young as 14 can apply for an eco-focused internship at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Photo courtesy of the Alley Pond Environmental Center
Best Museum Programs in NYC for Teens
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Winter fun for kids in New York City: Building a snowman is just the start of fun things to do with kids in NYC during winter
GUIDE
NYC Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
39 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Kids can see the masterpieces and get hands-on with art during a free visit to MoMA on Friday evenings. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museum Days (and Always-Free Museums) in NYC
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 728 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love

Drive-In Movie Theaters in Connecticut for Outdoor Movie Nights With Kids

Enjoy a flick at Southington Drive-In. Photo courtesy of visitct.com
Enjoy a flick at Southington Drive-In. Photo courtesy of visitct.com
5/13/22 - By Laurie Rein

For parents and kids in the Nutmeg State, few outings marry family fun with retro vibes better than a drive-in movie in Connecticut. Families can bring (or buy) snacks and a few pillows and enjoy this classic form of entertainment at several drive-in movies in CT,  or cross state lines and enjoy outdoor movies at New York drive-ins. Summer 2022 movies are going up at drive-ins near you with some showings beginning this month.

Be sure to keep tabs on our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide for more outdoor movies in CT and warm-weather family fun.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Park and watch a black and white film at Remarkable Theatre. Photo courtesy of Remarkable Theatre
Park and watch a black and white film at Remarkable Theatre. Photo courtesy of Remarkable Theatre

Drive-in Movies in Connecticut

Mansfield Drive-In Movie Theater

Mansfield Center
Catch movies on one of Mansfield's three screens. Three generations have owned and operated this local mainstay since 1954. Its concession stand offers throwback eats reminiscent of a '50s-style diner.  READ MORE

Drive-in Movie Nights at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center

Stamford
Catch family-friendly movies on the big screen at Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Tickets are sold online, and parking spots are first come, first serve. Moose & Monty’s Munch Boxes (with movie-sized popcorn, M&Ms, Sour Patch Kids) are available to pre-purchase online with tickets. Food trucks are on-site until show time. READ MORE

Remarkable Drive In

Westport
Westport's pop-up drive-in screens classic films and new releases. There's no concession stand, but families are welcome to bring their own snacks. Sound for the film is piped through a radio station (you can bring a transistor radio if you prefer that to your car's radio). READ MORE

Drive-In Movie Night at Riverside Reptiles

Enfield
See Jurassic Park on a giant blow-up movie screen at Riverside Reptiles! Chips, cookies and water will be available for purchase. READ MORE

Southington Drive-In

Southington
Southington Drive-In has been entertaining families for decades. It is the only community owned and operated drive-in in the state.  READ MORE
Take in a movie under the stars at Four Brothers Drive-In. Photo courtesy of Four Brothers Drive-In, Facebook
Take in a movie under the stars at Four Brothers Drive-In. Photo courtesy of Four Brothers Drive-In, Facebook

Drive-In Movies in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Warwick Drive-In Movie Theater

Warwick, New York
Dating from 1950, the Warwick Drive-In boasts three big screens and shows double features seven nights a week in season. A mix of adult-oriented and family films rotate. Admission is per person. A snack bar and restrooms are available. READ MORE

Overlook Drive-in Movies

Poughkeepsie, New York
Double features are offered on the big, outdoor screen, with new titles posted weekly. The diverse selections tailor to all ages, including family-oriented films, horror films, retro classics, and more. Concessions available, as are ticket books, which are also valid at the Hyde Park Drive-In. READ MORE

Hyde Park Drive-in Movies

Hyde Park, New York
This sister theater of the Overlook Drive-In presents movies Friday through Sunday on one big screen. Discount ticket books are available for use at either theater. Snack-bar selections include burgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, pizza rolls, veggie rolls, popcorn, and more.  READ MORE

Fair Oaks Drive-In Movie Theater

Middletown, New York
Catch family-friendly flicks—both new releases and classics—on this theater's pair of screens. Live concerts, comedy shows, and meet-and-greet events are also on tap for the summer season. Visit the venue's website for details on its week-to-week schedule. READ MORE

Four Brothers Drive-In Movie Theater

Amenia, New York
This picturesque drive-in theater in Amenia has it all. Catch a movie and enjoy more perks like an on-site restaurant, arcade games, putt-putt golf, a playground, amenity packages—even overnight camping. Live bands are often scheduled, too. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
Recent Articles By Laurie Rein:
Read more articles by Laurie Rein.