Family events in Meriden, CT

Craft Camp is opening the studio for more summer creativity with colorful, hands-on projects for kids. This session focuses on 3D pet sculptures, and activities are tailored to each child’s age and skill level. Every visit includes one main DIY project and a smaller bonus craft, with plenty of time to experiment and feel proud of what they make. The camp welcomes children ages 5 and up. Across the program, other creations include 3D tower builds using forms, paint and gems, under the sea scenes with glow in the dark painting, clay figures, sculptures, wind chimes, mosaics and sand art. Plan ahead since space is limited and reservations are required. Pre purchase is needed to hold a spot, and full refunds are available with 72 hours notice before the start time. Drop off is optional, so parents can stay or step out for coffee. Please pack a peanut free snack and a drink, and expect some karaoke fun during the snack break. You can choose a single day or attend multiple sessions, with a cost of 38 dollars per person.

Current Girl Scouts and volunteers will be at Union Park to share what Girl Scouts are all about. Learn how to join a troop in the Middletown and Portland area, explore steps to start a new troop, and find out about ways to get involved as an adult volunteer.

Bring your little one for a kid-friendly story time focused on music and movement. The session includes stories along with rotating hands-on music props and instruments like bells, tambourines, rhythm sticks, shaker eggs, scarves, and more. It’s designed for toddlers and children ages 1 to 5 and their grown-up, and registration is required. Registration closes on August 7, 2026 at 9:30 AM.

Bring your little ones (ages 0 to 5) for Buzz around playtime at the library, with fun interactive stations after the morning storytimes. This is a free, drop-in event, so there’s no registration required.

Head to the courtyard to whip up your own batch of molasses slime. This hands-on craft is for teens, middle school, and high school students.

Bartlem Beats brings the River of Dreams concert to the bandshell at Bartlem Park. The presenting sponsor is Richard Chevrolet. Platinum sponsors are DW Gem Services LLC and IAT Insurance Group. Gold support comes from Advanced Dentistry, Blacks Road Self Storage, Cheshire Lions Club, Feldman Orthodontics, Gaylord Physical Therapy, Holiday Hill Day Camp, KDM Kitchens, Liberty Bank, New Leaf Dental, and Ricci Construction Group. Silver support is provided by BH Burke & Co, Cheshire Coffee, Dowling Ford Inc, The Goddard School, and Housemann Family & Sport Chiropractic. Concert production and sponsor services are provided by Powerstation Events.

Celebrate 32 years in business with a food-filled gathering that covers lunch and dinner among friends. Lunch brings classic cookout favorites such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and picnic salads. Little neck clams are available throughout the day while supplies last, and guests can shuck their own. For dinner, there is a choice of one main course featuring lobster, steak, or prime rib, served with a baked potato and native corn on the cob, followed by dessert treats and an anniversary cake. A period with happy hour drink prices is planned. Tickets and prices are not yet available. Advance purchase will include lunch, dinner, and dessert, with options to add an extra lobster or an extra steak or prime rib for an additional charge. Door pricing will be offered, and lunch is provided only to those who are present during the lunch period. Dinner to go will be available while supplies last, dinner only. The celebration also includes two raffles for 10 pound lobsters.

Calling all little mover and shakers for a music and movement class built for ages 0 to 5. You’ll sing, dance, stomp, and sway while working on fine and gross motor skills with Miss Holly. After storytime wraps up, there will also be a playtime. Registration is required, and participants need to arrive within the first 15 minutes of the program start to secure their spot.

Unearth prehistoric fun at this family-friendly Dino Dig Experience where kids can dig up dino bones in sensory bins. Registration is required, and it’s geared for children ages 5 to 11.

Join in for Wiggle Worms, a special storytime for babies and toddlers ages 0 to 3. Expect a fun session packed with songs, puppets, dancing, and more. After storytime wraps up, there will be Busy Bees Playtime. Registration is required, and participants need to arrive within the first 15 minutes of the program start to secure a spot.

Kick off weird animal week with a fun STEM challenge inspired by the Idaho Beaver Drop. You’ll learn the idea behind the project, then build and test your own parachute to see how well it would work for rehoming beavers.

Prepare for the unexpected at a self defense seminar for women and girls ages 13 and up. Jane Jitsu and Real World Krav Maga lead instruction that emphasizes practical, real world techniques and instinct-driven concepts, focusing on self defense tactics you can put to use.

Kids can have a “build your car” style experience where they decorate half of a box to cruise into a drive-in movie. After decorating, children can take their car home or leave it on site to watch the movie. Registration is required, and everyone needs to arrive within the first 15 minutes of the start time to secure a spot. The movie featured is Hoppers (PG).

A weekly Pokémon league for all ages featuring a constructed format, with trading always welcome. To find the listing in the Riftbound event locator, enter E.E.J.L. in the store search and include the periods. For more information, call (203) 833-1535 or email reyes@eejlworldllc.com.

Open to all ages, this weekly Pokémon league features trading throughout the event and league tournaments in three formats: Standard, Gym Leader, and Ditto. Entry fees start at $5 and vary by event. Participants should secure a Pokémon Player ID through the official website in advance, and help with registration is available on site if needed.