By Allie Steers
After a long and isolated year at home, the good news is there’s plenty to do with kids around Litchfield County this summer. Whether you are looking for camps, classes, hikes, swimming spots, or tutoring programs—we have an extensive list of ideas for you. Please check individual COVID-19 guidelines and regulations as things are constantly changing. Have a fun summer in Litchfield County!
1. Explore, discover, and create at ASAP! Summer Camp in Washington. Campers will engage in hands-on learning through art, outdoors.
2. Join an engaging nature program at the Sharon Audubon Center.
3. Visit White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield and explore their 4,000-acre wildlife sanctuary featuring murals, dioramas, live animals, rock cave, and more.
4. Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury allows children to explore nature, art, agriculture, and ecology in a stimulating outdoor environment.
5. Visit the animals from goats to deer and kangaroo at Highwire Deer & Animal Farm in Woodbury.
6. Rent a kayak or canoe at Lake Waramaug State Park and take in the beautiful surrounding views.
7. Cool off at Sandy Beach on Bantam Lake—the largest natural lake in CT. Kids can enjoy a dock with a slide, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, and volleyball nets.
8. Join a course or workshop at Titus Tutors and build upon existing foundations. Kids will be challenged with proactive learning strategies and critical thinking skills that wil stay with them throughout their entire academic careers.
9. Nurture creativity and make something at Reis Learning Center. They offer exciting classes, summer programs, and artisan workshops for all learners.
10. Go for a hike at Steep Rock Preserve.
11. Have a picnic at Topsmead State Forest. There is lots of room to spread out and explore the 510 acres of forests and meadows.
12. Pick your own fruit at one of the local farms.
- Maple Bank Farm
- March Farm
- Litchfield Hills Blueberry Farm
- Ellsworth Hill Orchard Berry Farm
- Evergreen Berry Farm
13. Go for a swim at Mount Tom State Park in Bantam and hike the trail to the stone tower for a beautiful view.
14. Grab ice cream or milkshakes on a hot day at a local ice cream shop
15. Hike or drive to the top of Haystack Mountain in Norfolk and go up to the observation tower for some breathtaking views.
16. Hike the falls at Kent Falls and bring a picnic.
17. Enjoy some fun outdoor dining at Popey’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Morris.
18. Engage in multi-sensory activities that sparks curiosity and motivates learning at KidsPlay Children’s Museum in Torrington.
19. Schedule a tour at Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy and enjoy the diversity of waterfowl on display.
20. Take riding lessons at Fox Crossing Equestrian in Morris or join their summer camp.
21. Visit over 50+ alpacas at Southwind Farms in Watertown.
22. Let your kids experience the joys of boating and other water sports like wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and tubing at Connecticut Watersports on Bantam Lake.
23. Enjoy the beautiful outdoor sculpture exhibit by sculptor Denis Curtiss in Kent. Sculpturedale has three acres of tended garden for visitors to stroll.
24. The newly renovated Miniature Golf course is open and ready for play for all ages at The Litchfield Golf Center.
25. Bike the Railroad Ramble bike path in Salisbury and Lakeville.
26. Float above the Litchfield Hills in a hot air balloon and create a memory you’ll never forget with Aer Blarney Balloons in Bethlehem.
27. Bring out the artist in your kids. Village Center for the Arts in New Milford has a variety of creative programs and camps for kids of all ages.
28. Sign up for Eagle Rock Day Camp in New Preston. Your kids will spend the summer outdoors doing a variety of programs and special events to make their summer memorable.
29. Head to the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington. Kids will learn the lifeways and lessons of the Natives while hiking in the woods, playing games, and doing crafts.
30. Join Pratt Nature Center’s summer program, explore the trails, and go for a swim in the East Aspetuck River.
31. Take riding lessons at Lee’s Riding Stables in Litchfield.
32. Spend a night camping at Cozy Hills Campground in Bantam.
33. Check out the Hidden Valley Preserve and visit the Thoreau Bridge.
34. Join the Grumbling Gryphons Theater Arts Summer Camp in West Cornwall for drama, dance, art, music, and filmmaking.
35. Be a detective for a day and solve a mystery at Pursue the Clues in Torrington.
36. Take a self defense class at Blue Boy Boxing in Thomaston.
37. Go bowling at New Milford Lanes. They have glow bowling on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 6:30pm!
38. Spend the day geocaching all around Litchfield County! Download the geocaching app on the app store.
39. Volunteer together at the Community Kitchen of Torrington.
40. Open up your kids’ world by heading to the local farmers markets around.
- New Milford Farmers’ market
- Bethel Farmers’ market
- Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh market
- Kent Farmers’ market
- Washington Farmers’ market
41. Have a picnic at Harrybrooke Park in New Milford, and then head to Lovers Leap for a beautiful view.
42. Visit R&B Sports World in Winsted for mini golf, go karting, batting cages, and more.
43. Watch the annual water ski show on Bantam Lake.
44. Warner Theater in Torrington offers five camp sessions throughout the summer where kids can develop their artistic talents in an encouraging atmosphere.
45. Play tennis at the local public courts. Shepaug Valley School and the Washington Primary School are open throughout the year. Courts are available on a first come first serve basis, and you must bring your own racket and balls.
46. Go for a walk at the Orzech Family Preserve in Roxbury. Once you cross the bridge there is a nice spot with a picnic table and a small sandy area.
47. Grab an art kit from Art Room Atelier or check out their private classes and zoom camps.
48. Take dance classes at Studio D in New Milford. They have classes ranging from ballet to gymnastics to hip-hop.
49. Join a program at The Glebe House in Woodbury. These interactive programs will stimulate your child’s interest in history, horticulture, and early American trades and the arts.
50. Have a family fun weekend at the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in Goshen. There are great activities for children including games and crafts.
