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21 Best Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids October 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

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.
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.
9/28/25 - By Jennifer Coe

Looking for the best things to do in October 2025 with kids in Connecticut? For families that love Autumn, October is absolutely filled with endless ways to enjoy the season. During this month you can really get into a spooky-mood, with events like Light into the Dungeon at Old New Gate Prison in East Granby and New London Halloween Town. Or if you have someone in your family who wants to scare their socks off, maybe the Evidence of Evil Haunted Attraction at Lyman Orchards will fit the bill!

If you're more interested in Fall without the scares, check out the Fall Festival at Earthplace or Waterbury YMCA Trunk or Treat and Festival.

Explore Mommy Poppins' CT Fall Day Trips Guide for more ideas for harvest and farm activities or spend some time looking through our Best Fall Festivals in Connecticut 2025 for Harvest Family Fun.

 

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October is time for fall fun and Halloween excitement in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards.
October is time for fall fun and Halloween excitement in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards.

Best Things To Do in Connecticut October 2025 with Kids

Fall Festival at Action Wildlife in Goshen

Goshen
October 1-25, 2025
Come enjoy a hayride, corn pit, petting zoo, tire sandbox, pumpkin sling shot, giant hay slide, pumpkin bowling , pumpkin patch , hay maze, rubber duck races , food, beer/ wine, muesum, gift shop, playground, yard games, fall displays, and 300+ exotic/ farm animals, and more. READ MORE

Pumpkintown USA

East Hampton
Oct 1-31, 2025
One of New England's premier non-scary Halloween villages, Pumpkintown USA annually draws about 25,000 visitors. The Village at Pumpkintown USA is home to more than 70 Pumpkinhead people and their pets. The unique village includes a fast food restaurant called MacPumpkins, a saloon, a jail, a church, barbershop, country store, farm, and a fire station. READ MORE

Bishop's Fall Festival in Guilford

Guilford
October 1-31, 2025
Join Bishop's for their annual Fall Festival, running August 30 through November 1, where classic autumn fun meets Connecticut pizza pride. Enjoy apple picking, corn maze, activity area, wagon rides, cider, and more — this year, all infused with a special nod to the state’s most iconic food …stay tuned for more, this year’s Fall Festival is one you knead to experience.  READ MORE

Wee Fairie Village at Florence Griswold Museum

Old Lyme
October 1-31, 2025
This year’s Wee Faerie Village theme: Gardener’s Grove: a Growing Community. Gardener’s Grove celebrates the growing world with a wee community that is inspired by plants. Each site will be place for a faerie to live, work, play, or shop that is based on a single flora or plant type…flower, vegetable, bush, or tree. READ MORE

Tracks of Terror at Essex Steam Train

Essex
October 2-30, 2025
This October, ditch the predictable and head to Essex Steam Train & Riverboat for Tracks of Terror. Tracks of Terror begins as you enter the platform and have a front row seat to the movie short that sets the stage of our immersive experience. A short maze guides you to the train for a heart pounding journey through the Connecticut River Valley. READ MORE

Glow Wild Lantern Festival at Beardsley Zoo

Bridgeport
October 2-31, 2025
​GLOW Wild Presented by ASML returns to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. Journey through a wonderland of illuminated larger-than-life lanterns inspired by our wild world. Back by popular demand, this illuminating festival of lights is coming back for its third year. READ MORE

Southington Apple Harvest Festival

Southington
October 3-12, 2025
One of Connecticut’s largest and longest-running events, the Apple Harvest Festival draws over 100,000 attendees each year for six days of unforgettable fall fun. This year’s theme—Engagement & Experience—invites guests to dive deeper into the heart of the festival through interactive attractions, community connections, and immersive entertainment. READ MORE

Family-Friendly Haunted Walkthrough at Flamig Farm

West Simsbury
October 3-25, 2025
A family-friendly haunted walk at Flamig Farm on Friday & Saturday Nights in October is geared towards those looking for a not so scary experience.  From 7pm-8pm this will be more scary for those that liked to be scared. A little bit scary, a whole lot of fun. READ MORE

Light into the Dungeon at Old New Gate Prison in East Granby

East Granby
October 3-31, 2025
Experience the Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine like never before! In the late 18th century, people incarcerated at Old New-Gate Prison were housed in the abandoned copper mine in total darkness. READ MORE

Pumpkin Passage

Montville
October 3-31, 2025
Fun Events every Weekend! Trail of Lights, Dinosaurs & Pumpkins! This is a toddler-friendly Halloween event, and fun family activities are waiting for everyone. READ MORE

Evidence of Evil Haunted Attraction at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield
October 3-31, 2025
Do you dare enter the dark orchards after dusk? Connecticut's Interactive Haunted Attraction will send you running for the orchard hills! This fall, step into the unknown and face your fears at Evidence of Evil Haunted Attraction! Located at the picturesque Lyman Orchards, our interactive haunted experience is designed to thrill, chill, and leave you breathless. READ MORE

Fall Festival at Earthplace

Westport
October 5, 2025
Join Earthplace for a full day of family fun, featuring a variety of activities and food trucks! Admission includes access to a corn pool, arts & crafts, pumpkin bowling, nature exploration, the all-new Earthplace Adventure Course, hayrides, an apple slingshot, games, and more! READ MORE

After Dark in Fairfield

Fairfield
Fridays and Saturdays in October
If you Dare, come for a Scare, at this Haunted Attraction. Embark on a Hayride through acres of Haunted Trails, ending with our All New Funhouse Walkthrough.  This high intensity, high startle experience, will have you gasping for breath around every corner.  READ MORE

New Haven Chalk Art Festival

New Haven
October 11, 2025
Enjoy a day of music, art and family entertainment in celebration of the local community in the heart of downtown New Haven and Yale University. The Shops at Yale invites all professional and amateur artists, students, and artist groups to participate in the 7th New Haven Chalk Art Festival. READ MORE

Annual Witch Paddle and Coat Drive in Mystic

Mystic
October 11, 2025
Wear your favorite Witch or Halloween Costume and come paddle in this Spooktacular  Event on the Mystic River. You must provide your own Paddleboard or Kayak, PFD, Paddle and Leash.  READ MORE

Annual Family Beer Garden at Wakeman Town Farm

Westport
October 12, 2025
Join Wakeman Town Farm for their annual family Beer Garden event.  Highlights include live music by Hitch and the Giddy-Up + Rob Morton, lawn games, bubbles, animal encounters, and pumpkin crafts for the littles. READ MORE

New London Halloween Town

New London
October 17, 2025
Celebrate Halloween at New London Waterfront Park. The City of New London, in collaboration with the Downtown New London Association, invites families to immerse themselves in a spooktacular Halloween experience at Halloween Town, an event set to take place on Friday, October 17th from 6pm to 8pm at the spooky New London Waterfront Park. READ MORE

Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival

Glastonbury
October 17-19, 2025
Each year the Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival is rated as one of the best annual events in the entire state that includes a full midway of amusement rides, food trucks, live music, an expanded Harvest Pub, and the 5k Road Race on Sunday. READ MORE

Waterbury YMCA Trunk or Treat and Festival

Waterbury
October 18, 2025
You're Invited to a Spooktacular Trunk or Treat! Get ready for a frightfully fun day at the Greater Waterbury YMCA's Trunk or Treat event. Held at Riverside Cemetery for an unforgettable Halloween celebration. READ MORE

Roadsmary's Baby Fall Fest at Two Roads

Stratford
October 19, 2025
Join Two Roads for their Family Fall Festival! Enjoy family fun activities like costume contests, pumpkin carving, live music and more.  Costume Contest too. READ MORE

Halloween Hug a Horse in Avon

Avon
October 25, 2025
Join US Horse Welfare for their annual Halloween Hug-a-Horse, a cherished family tradition filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit! Children can dress up in their favorite costumes, trick-or-treat from horse to horse, and share special goodies with our gentle rescue horses, who enjoy the treats just as much as the kids. READ MORE

Beasties and Besties Halloween Bash at Stepping Stones Museum

Norwalk
October 25, 2025
Calling all little goblins and ghouls! Stepping Stones invites you to a night of frighteningly festive fun at our annual Beasties and Besties Halloween Bash. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Ride
Two Roads Brewing Company
US Horse Welfare and Rescue

About the Author

Jenny Coe
Jenny Coe is a longtime Mommy Poppins writer and contributor and full-time mom to three boys. Jenny has also been a contributor at Patch and The Reminder (Hartford Courant). Here at Mommy Poppins, Jenny writes about great things for kids to do in Connecticut and New England, affordable fun, and nature experiences (her favorite!).
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