April showers bring May flowers, and along with all the colorful blossoms come an array of springtime celebrations. The Hartford and New Haven areas are bursting with exciting outdoor family festivals in April, May, and June. These eleven events feature crafts, delicious treats, family-friendly activities, and boundless fun. So head outside with the children and enjoy all that spring in Central Connecticut has to offer.

If you have little scientists at home, summer is the perfect time to stimulate and nourish their interest in science and nature at these summer camps. Long, warm days allow for exploration of forests, beaches, riverbeds, and clear skies. Whether it be paleontology, archeology, animals, or geology, Connecticut, though a small state, packs a plethora to choose from for any science buff. Take a look at these fantastic options available for kids in New Haven County and grant your children the gift of hands-on learning while acquiring new skills and expanding their circle of friends. Also, be sure to check out our CT Summer Camp Guide and our Summer Camp Directory.

Too wet? Too cold? Too hot? No problem. The climate-controlled Bounce Town in Canton provides a great outing for children, no matter what the season or the reason. Oversized inflatables will entertain for hours: rush up the ladder of a fire truck, go under the sea on a Nemo-like adventure, chase each other through a Frozen bouncy house, giggle your way down the bumpy Kahuna slide (my daughter couldn’t get enough of this one), and challenge each other to a basketball shootout. Kids will leave exhausted, happy, and begging to return.