There are plenty of things to do in a dynamic and vibrant city like Stamford.
Perched in Fairfield County, there is never a dull moment in this city, whether you’re strolling along the beachfront, eating in the Downtown restaurants, or exploring the picturesque trails.
Formerly called Rippowam by the Siwanoy Tribe, Stamford got its name from the English town of Stamford in Lincolnshire.
Thirty miles from Manhattan, the city houses Fortune 500 companies like Charter Communications, Harman International, Synchrony Financial, and United Rentals.
Despite being a booming commercial region, Stamford is home to over 45 nearby districts and has several picturesque community parks and beaches.
Additionally, there are places of importance for the arts, culture, and science, which are popular among residents and visitors alike.
If you have a week to spare, ticking items off this list of the best things to do with kids in Stamford, Connecticut, is a great way to explore the city.
Here are some of our top picks:
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If you have a whole day to spend with your kids, there’s no better place than Cove Island Park.
Along the Long Island Sound, Cove Island Park features a wide range of play areas for kids and various recreational amenities.
You can walk or run with your kids on the trail and see the beautiful beach and the views of Long Island Sound.
There are also rollerblades and cycling paths where you can play a game of racing with your kids.
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The 83-acre park is also an Important Bird Area, as more than 287 types of birds are known to pass through the area.
Another great feature of Cove Island Park is the Terry Conners Ice Rink, where your kids can take ice skating lessons.
You can also reserve the ice rink for your kid’s birthdays or other occasions.
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One of the best places to enjoy the beauty of nature in Stamford is the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens.
Located on a lush 93-acre property in Brookdale Road, the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens houses more than 3,500 plants.
It was explicitly designed to provide a natural environment for kids to explore and learn more about nature while getting fresh air and exercise.
Kids can enjoy the scenic grounds of the Arboretum as they walk along its many trails and visit all 13 gardens.
You can join the Sensory Garden Programs with your kids and learn how animals develop adaptation skills to live and thrive in the wilderness.
You can also tour the Vegetable Gardens and let the kids discover the wonders of eating them fresh from the gardens.
If you want a fun and educational activity with your kids, visit the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens.
Kids will have a blast watching Santa rappel from a building in downtown Stamford during Heights and Lights!
Heights and Lights is a holiday celebration that takes place every year, where you can enjoy watching Santa Claus and friends descend a 22-story building doing stunts and tricks as they make their way down to the ground floor.
A spectacular fireworks display follows Santa’s entrance from above.
Walk on Bedford Street to shout with the crowd for the annual countdown leading to lighting up the city’s holiday tree!
Remember to bring your kids’ wish list so they can tell Santa themselves!
Take photos to capture the moment and make lasting holiday memories while you’re there.
If you’re looking for a unique way to have fun during the holidays with your kids in Stamford, check out Heights and Lights!
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Stamford Museum and Nature Center is among the kid-friendly attractions in the city that you shouldn’t miss.
The 118-acre museum is situated in North Stamford and houses a 10-acre operational farm, a Tudor-style museum, a showroom that hosts art shows, a participatory nature center, and outdoor trails.
It also has a sizable planetarium, a four-floor observatory with a research telescope, and a pond.
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You can go to the spacious playground if you want your kids to learn more about the environment.
You can also head to the Heckscher Farm, a peaceful haven where guests may unwind, featuring barns, a vegetable garden, meadows, and countless farm animals.
Stamford Museum and Nature Center also offers options for schools and other community groups to visit and explore, as well as specialized guides for all ages.
Perfect for family bonding, the trap’t Escape Room Adventures on Progress Drive is ideal for kids to learn new skills such as teamwork and creative thinking.
At trap’t Escape Room Adventures, you can play in different themed escape rooms designed for two to six players.
Each room has a different storyline, with puzzles and mysteries that you and your kids will need to solve to “escape” from the room.
Some of the themes available at trap’t Escape Room Adventures include Time Chasers, where you’ll play against time to save the U.S. president by finding a cure for him.
If you’re in the mood for a scary puzzle, choose Abducted, where you need to escape from a madman.
You can also try Museum Mayhem, where you’ll help look for museum items in time for its grand event.
trap’t Escape Room Adventures provides extraordinary fun for the whole family.
A favorite spot for kids and adults, the AMC Majestic 6 on Summer Street is a great place to enjoy a family movie night with your kids.
Offering state-of-the-art amenities, it has comfortable seating to enhance your movie-watching experience.
The theater also features expansive menus, including a wide selection of meals, snacks, and drinks.
Head to the AMC Majestic 6 with your kids to catch the latest movies!
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The Ferguson Library is located at Public Library Plaza.
The library was named after John Day Ferguson, who was instrumental in promoting public education in Connecticut and the establishment of the public library in the city.
Ferguson Library offers different areas that cater to various age groups, such as kids, teens, and adults.
It has a variety of educational programs for kids to explore their interests, nurture their creativity, and expand their horizons.
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If your child loves reading and learning new things, you can encourage them to join the Summer Learning Clubs, where kids can meet friends and hone their skills for reading and comprehension.
You can also buy books at the Ferguson Library’s bookshop or join the library’s many book clubs and discussion groups to facilitate your child’s love for reading and learning.
While here, don’t forget to check out the extensive digital media collection, including e-books, that your kids can enjoy.
If you’re looking for an exceptional place in Stamford to spend the day skating and hockey, look no further than the Twin Rinks Stamford.
Twin Rinks Stamford is a popular destination with two NHL-sized rinks.
The rinks offer programs for those interested in excelling in ice sports, including hockey, figure skating, and speed skating.
In addition to its impressive roster of ice sports events programs, Twin Rinks Stamford also offers public skating hours for those who want to have fun on the ice.
You can also play in the arcade, visit the ballet studio, or check out the fitness center.
Whether you want to take your kid for a fun ice skating session or show them how it’s done, Twin Rinks Stamford on Hope Street is the place for you!
Let your kids choose which one to ride from the 30 carved animals in The Nissen Carousel at Mill River Park!
The carousel is at Mill River Park’s pavilion and is a great place to bring your kids for an afternoon of fun and excitement.
You can choose from various animals at the carousel, such as horses, rabbits, or frogs.
If you need to rest for a while, visit the Carousel Cafe and get some refreshments.
You can also rent the pavilions and celebrate your kid’s birthday here or organize a family get-together.
Head to Mill River Park with your kids and enjoy a fun ride on the carousel!
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A whole day is needed to explore the Stamford Center for the Arts, but it’s worth every minute!
The Stamford Center for the Arts is a cultural complex with several performing arts centers, including the Palace Theatre and Rich Forum.
Your kids can watch live performances, from theater plays to dance and music concerts, here.
The Palace Theatre, originally opened in 1927, can accommodate 1,580 people.
Meanwhile, the Rich Forum is a multipurpose performance facility that houses Truglia Theatre with 757 seats and a black box theater named Leonhardt Studio.
Aside from these two main venues, the Stamford Center for the Arts also includes a Visual Arts Gallery, which regularly hosts exhibitions.
You and your kids can also explore the Sackler Gallery, where you can see different works of art.
A respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, Commons Park is the perfect place for an afternoon picnic with your kids.
Located in the heart of Harbor Point, Commons Park features acres of greenery and open spaces.
It boasts walkways that you can use for a relaxing stroll and a playground that your kids will love.
If you want to relax for a few minutes, you can head to the fountain and watch the water jets dance around.
Commons Park is also home to several community events, including farmer’s markets, Zumba, and yoga classes.
If you’re in the mood for the movies, you can join the Sunset Movie at the Park and watch a classic film under the stars.
Looking for an exciting, action-packed way to spend the day with your kid?
Look no further than the RPM Raceway on West Avenue, where you can experience the thrill of racing at high speeds.
Let your kids ride the go-karts for an adrenaline-pumping experience, or take them to the arcade, where they can enjoy classic video games and pinball machines.
RPM Raceway offers other activities, such as Virtual Reality Battles, Racing Simulators, and Luxury Bowling.
When you get hungry, you can try RPM Raceways’ exceptional food offerings.
You can also book parties here, with a minimum of eight participants.
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Have some fun under the sun at Cummings Park on Shippan Avenue.
A popular spot for swimming and lounging on the sand during the hot summer months, Cummings Park has an expansive sandy beach along Long Island Sound.
Its main draw is the white marble seal monument, the only remains from a former seasonal harbor seal colony.
The gorgeous 79-acre park also boasts ball and soccer fields and tennis and basketball courts.
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Spend the afternoon playing with the kids in the playground or fishing at Cummings Park’s pier.
If you get tired of swimming or fishing, you can head to the Cummings Marina and check out its boat slips and moorings.
Snacks are also available in the seasonally open cafe.
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This may not be a unique experience for some kids, but your little ones will enjoy spending the day at Stamford Town Center.
Located in downtown Stamford, this shopping center features dozens of stores and restaurants to keep your kids entertained for hours.
Some of the most popular stores here include Apple, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and one of the biggest Barnes & Nobles in Connecticut.
There are also several kid-friendly restaurants here, such as Chicken Now, Subway, Funland Frozen Yogurt, and Halo Ice Cream.
Kids will also enjoy some of the entertainment offerings of Stamford Town Center, such as The Fun Palace and Soccer Fun Zone.
The sprawling mall is perfect for shopping trips with your kids or family outings when you want to unwind in a cozy environment.
Visiting Best Time Ever is time well spent for your kids.
Located in downtown Stamford, this arts center is home to various unique attractions that will occupy your kids for hours.
There’s a wide range of activities for kids of all ages—your little one will love interacting with the friendly staff and other kid participants.
With art projects and activities meant to spark your child’s imagination, the Best Time Ever Art Studio will hone your children’s creativity.
Kids can also enjoy the Best Time Ever Playscape, where they can run, jump, and play on the 12,000-square-foot Space Field.
Best Time Ever also organizes birthday parties and other special events for kids.
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Teach your kids to commune with nature at Mill River Park in downtown Stamford.
Here you can explore acres of green spaces and tranquil walking paths and enjoy breathtaking vistas.
During Phase 1 of the park’s development, over 400 trees and a variety of local wildflowers were sown, creating the perfect environment for birds, bugs, and other species.
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The largest cherry tree grove in New England can be found in Mill River Park, thanks to the three different kinds of cherry trees planted here.
Walk on the trails around the park to see local wildlife, such as birds and fish.
The park is also home to several unique attractions, including the interactive Cohen Skating Center, Steven & Alexandra Cohen Fountain, and a dog park.
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Whether you’re looking for fun activities or educational excursions, there are plenty of great options in Stamford for kids of all ages.
Its attractions are surefire ways to nurture your kids’ love for the arts and nature.
Visit the city and try these best things to do with kids in Stamford, Connecticut!
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