Family events in Bristol, CT

An intergenerational tour presents one journey told through two perspectives, following Black abolitionist Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe, a white author who opposed slavery. Beginning with their childhoods and continuing through their rise as influential writers, the program focuses on how love, family, and education shaped their lives. Highlights include the story of Douglass secretly teaching himself to read and write, the crucial support of his future wife Anna Murray in his escape to freedom, and the ways Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin was inspired by Douglass and other Black activists of the nineteenth century. Through hands-on interaction with historical objects and documents and guided conversation, participants explore difficult chapters of U.S. history in an age appropriate, empowering way. Intended for ages 6 and up.

Designed for groups of up to five, this playful splatter painting session at Creative Jam Art Co. includes one nine by twelve inch canvas per person and a care package with a plastic poncho, shoe coverings, gloves, and other essentials. Nine paint colors and a variety of brushes and tools are provided to help each person create a unique piece. The splatter room portion lasts 30 minutes, and the overall appointment accounts for prep and cleanup time. Groups may add more people at the regular splatter room entry fee of $27 per person. While in the studio, participants can enhance the experience by purchasing additional canvases or ceramics, and by opting for extras like paint filled balloons or paint squirters. For booking reference, if the system lists three participants, it indicates three groups of up to five people.

Kids can visit the Children's Room to make a craft, then take their finished creation home.

This family program at Colt Park celebrates the restoration of the Sam Colt Memorial with a hands-on craft activity. Participants can create a relief sculpture inspired by features of the monument or design their own, with materials available. The National Park Service will provide a guided tour of Coltsville.

Chess instruction is available for anyone, welcoming participants of any age and experience level. Whether you are learning the basics or brushing up on strategy, one-on-one and small group sessions provide personalized guidance. Offered every Saturday, this program is open to all and is made possible with support from the Connecticut Community Foundation.

The 64th annual West Indian celebration takes place in Bushnell Park, featuring a parade, a marketplace of vendors, and a concert. Admission is free. Food and other items will be available for purchase.

New England Auto Museum Car Show is shifting to a new spot in Bristol, Connecticut. The former North Main Street location is unavailable, so the event is moving a short distance to Hope Street. Attendees should enter from Riverside Avenue, which intersects North Main Street. Thanks to the City of Bristol for helping make the new location possible.

A single tour shares two intertwined stories, spotlighting the Black abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the white anti-slavery author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Their journeys are traced from childhood to literary influence, with attention to the roles of love, family, and education. Highlights include how Douglass secretly taught himself to read and write, the crucial support of Anna Murray in his escape to freedom, and the ways Uncle Tom’s Cabin drew inspiration from Douglass and other Black activists in the 19th century. This interactive, conversation-centered experience invites participants to handle historical objects and documents while engaging with difficult chapters of U.S. history in an empowering, age-appropriate setting. Created for intergenerational audiences, recommended for ages 6 and up.

The Hartford Yard Goats, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, host the 2nd Annual G.O.A.T. Card Show at Dunkin’ Park. Partnering with THE 413 CARD SHOW, presented by Fox Sports 97-9, and supported by Nash In The Ville Honkytonk, this gathering welcomes collectors, hobbyists, and fans of every age. Browse more than 100 tables filled with sports cards, memorabilia, and collectibles from a wide range of sports and hobbies. Displays will extend around the full 360 degree concourse of Dunkin’ Park, a venue recognized as Best Ballpark in America four times. Look forward to convenient parking, open concessions, and a lively ballpark atmosphere while you shop, trade, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Admission is $10, with free entry for children 10 and under. Vendors should secure tables only through official channels, as any offers made outside those channels are not valid.

Spend the day riding the Litchfield County Clipper, a hop-on, hop-off scenic rail trip through the Litchfield Hills. Start at Thomaston Station or, for the first time, depart from Torrington at Market Street Creative or the new Water Street platform. Travel between stops at your own pace, stepping off to explore, shop, and enjoy local dining. Highlights include Thomaston Station, downtown Torrington’s shops and eateries, and Market Street Creative. One ticket covers unlimited same-day rides, so you can plan your route and choose the stops you want.

Learn the basics of coding at the library with a six week beginner series using Python. Each session lasts one hour and meets in the Computer Classroom. For ages 13 to 18.

Catch a complimentary film at the library, with popcorn provided. All are welcome. To register, call Manross at 860-584-7790.

At Parkville Market, Monday Movie Nights bring family-friendly films to the patio for open-air screenings. Featured selections include Goat, Onward, KPop Demon Hunters, and Inside Out 2. Kids eat free all day on Mondays with the purchase of an adult entrée from the same vendor. Sponsored by CREC (Capitol Region Education Council).

Ms. Karen shares the first chapter or two from a selected book, and afterward participants can check out a copy to continue reading at home. Designed for children ages 8 and up, this session is part of an ongoing Summer Reading program. Register by visiting or calling the library at 860-584-7790.

Visit the Children's Room each Tuesday to hear a story featuring seeds, trees, and nature-inspired characters.

Homeschool Tuesdays at Capital Ice Cream offers a relaxed meetup for homeschooling families to connect and play in a friendly setting. Children can explore hands-on toy and activity areas, enjoy story time, and take part in both solo and group play, while adults meet other families in the homeschool community. Families are welcome to bring lunch and stay as long as it suits their day.

The Computer Classroom hosts Fiero Code’s Summertime Competition, offering a fun way to learn coding or to polish existing skills so you can show them off to friends and family when fall arrives.

Walk among and experience a living history Union infantry company during this in-person program. The 8th Regiment CT Volunteers, Company A, Inc. will portray Civil War-era Union infantry through four simultaneous stations: History, Drill, a weapons demonstration (no firing), and a Haversack Drill. If weather turns inclement, the event will move indoors.

The Yard Goats welcome the Moon Mammoths to Dunkin' Park for a head-to-head game featuring the team created and popularized by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The event also celebrates Reading Books in Summer participants with support from Eversource. Attendees can take part in Baseball Bingo presented by Hartford Provision Company for a chance to win prizes. The game is presented by Call Before You Dig.

In the Children’s Room, little ones can settle in for a storytime filled with tales that carry imaginations to far‑off places. This gathering is intended for children ages 6 and under.

Now in its 12th year, this back-to-school block party at CREC’s central headquarters in Hartford brings the Greater Hartford community together to support children and families as a new school year approaches. Over 1,200 backpacks stocked with school supplies are available at no cost for children ages 3 to 17. All attendees complete a check-in process, and pre-registration helps make that step faster. Backpacks are distributed only after check-in at the Block Party and when children are present. Throughout the event, CREC partners with the City of Hartford and more than 30 community organizations to share information about schools and local services with the over 3,000 people who attend.

An Adult Camo Jersey will be given to the first 1,000 fans in attendance, presented by the CT Army National Guard. The Yard Goats host the Tigers affiliate, and there will also be a celebration of Reading Books in Summer kids, thanks to Eversource.

Follow hints from librarians to track down Silas the Cat, a stuffed animal hidden and waiting to be found. After spotting him, take a photo, show it to a librarian, and receive a prize. Suitable for ages 2 and up, this lighthearted scavenger hunt encourages curiosity and sharp observation.

A relaxed story time invites little ones to enjoy a mix of music, stories, and simple movement activities. Designed for children ages 0 to 5 attending with a caregiver, this session welcomes walk-ins and does not require registration. For details, contact Manross Library at 860-584-7790.

This weekly library storytime blends reading with music and introduces a new theme each week. After the story, children can make a related craft.

Explore an iconic Hartford landmark in Bushnell Park with free tours of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, the city's monument honoring 4,000 residents who fought in the Civil War. Volunteer Arch Guides lead brief tours that share the story of the Arch's design and construction and explain the symbolism found in its carvings and statuary. No pre-registration is required. If time is short, you can skip the tour and climb 96 steps to the top for views of the park and the State Capitol. If the weather looks uncertain, check the website for any cancellation updates. Street parking is available around the park, and payment is made at the kiosk.

Italian Heritage Night brings specialty dishes and themed promotions to the ballpark, adding Italian flavor to the festivities. The Yard Goats take on the Tigers' affiliate, setting the stage for an evening of baseball alongside a cultural celebration.