Family events in South Central Connecticut Planning Region, CT

Geared toward families with students in grades 5 through 7, this interactive information session features guided tours, hands-on activities, and a question and answer segment led by current students. Participants can also meet directors and parents to learn directly about the school community and what makes it distinctive.

Phantasm Gaming in Branford hosts a recurring Pokemon Junior League on Wednesdays for players ages 12 and under. A Pokemon ID is required to take part, and staff in the shop can help create one if needed. Entry is $5, and each participant receives a pack with admission. The store offers a welcoming setting for tabletop gaming, including trading card games, roleplaying games, wargaming, and board games, with space for both casual and competitive play.

Movies in the Plaza returns with free outdoor film screenings at Pitkin Plaza in downtown New Haven. Settle in with your own lawn chairs and picnic blankets, bring takeout from a nearby spot, and enjoy a lineup that spans blockbusters, nostalgic throwbacks, cult favorites, and family picks. Admission is free, and quick registration is required at the check-in table upon entry. Complimentary light snacks will be available, and a limited amount of on-site seating will be provided, so bringing your own is recommended. Screenings are weather dependent, and updates will be shared on the event website and Facebook event page on the day of the screening. Viewer discretion is advised, and guests are encouraged to review each film’s content before attending with children.

Discover new games at Unison Co. A wide selection will be available to explore, and attendees can learn as many as they wish. The focus is on learning through play in an open, try-anything format.

A My Gym Halloween party welcomes children and their siblings for a playful celebration filled with Halloween-themed games, music and movement, puppet theater, a costume parade, and more. Admission is a $15 donation per child. All proceeds support the My Gym Foundation, which provides essential equipment and services to children with physical or developmental disabilities and to families facing financial hardship or chronic illness. For safety, no tights, toy weapons, long capes, or masks are allowed on the gym floor. A parent must participate with each child. Space is limited and registration is open. To secure a spot in advance, payment can be made with cash in person or by sending a PayPal or Venmo screenshot via text or email. Two sessions are planned, one for children 3 and under and another for ages 3 months through 10 years.

Weather permitting, this car cruise features music, door prizes, a 50/50, and trophies including a Best in Cruise award. Vehicles from 2006 and earlier are the focus, and a specialty vehicle section is available.

Kuhn’s 2nd Annual Fall Festival & Paddle Sport Event brings a full day of autumn fun to the North Colony location on Silver Lake in Meriden. This family-friendly gathering features paddle races open to all types of watercraft, live music, a variety of food trucks, and a marketplace of local crafters and community groups. Seasonal activities are planned for all ages, creating a welcoming lakeside atmosphere. The event also shines a light on Kuhn’s mission to support adults with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, and addiction challenges as they work toward success in the community. Whether you come for the on-the-water competition, to explore local vendors, to enjoy the music, or to relax by the lake, there is something for everyone.

Family Day in New Haven offers food, arcade games, and activities for all ages. Children must attend with a parent or legal guardian. Barcade will donate a portion of Family Day token sales to Gamers Outreach, a charity that provides video game based recreation to children in hospitals with support from the gaming community.

At the Clarion Inn in North Haven, the New England Comic & Toy Convention fills the space with comics, toys, and collectibles from across fandoms. Browse vendors offering vintage and modern toys, comic books, collectible card games, video games, Pokemon items, plush, anime, and manga. Special guests include Larry Hama, known for Marvel’s G.I. Joe titles such as A Real American Hero and Special Missions and for work on Wolverine, with additional credits on Conan, Avengers, Batman, and Spider-Man. Ron Rudat, a key designer behind 1980s G.I. Joe and the WWF Hasbro lines, will be on hand. Dick Terhune, the voice of Prowl and Maccadam in Transformers Cyberverse and Patchwerk in Hearthstone, with roles across World of Warcraft, Vampire: The Masquerade, and Diablo, will appear as well. Matt C. Ryan, creator of Brenda Steelhammer, art director at Bad Elf, and head of Free Lunch Studios, is also featured. Admission options include an early entry ticket for $20 and a general admission option for $5. Children 10 and under are admitted free.