Family events in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, CT

A presentation focused on supporting aging parents will take place at Mystic & Noank Library. Additional information will be shared soon.

Players gather for a friendly Pokémon League event open to all ages and experience levels. Competition is organized into Juniors, Seniors, and Masters divisions. The entry fee is $5, and prize distribution is determined by attendance and final standings.

Stonington Soccer Club’s Junior Sharks offers a playful, age-appropriate soccer experience for children ages 3.5 to 8 at Taugwonk Field in Stonington, CT. Through game-based activities and movement, participants build coordination, balance, confidence, teamwork, and essential soccer skills in a supportive setting. It welcomes both newcomers and kids who already love kicking a ball, with a focus on the whole child... learning, growing, making friends, and having fun. Registration is open for birth years 2019 through 2023 and will remain available in each age group until capacity is reached. Last fall, more than 160 children from Stonington and nearby communities took part.

Celebrate cats of every kind at a family-friendly show and costume contest at Ocean Beach Park in New London, CT. See up to 35 breeds and more than 140 purebred and household pet cats as they compete across four judging rings. Judging runs continuously, with separate classes for kittens, championship, premiership, and household pets, and each judge hosts their own mini show. You can settle in to watch the action at the judging tables or stroll the floor to visit with exhibitors between rings. A cat costume contest takes place each day for cats entered in the show. The first 100 children each day receive free cat coloring books. Vendors will be on hand with cat-themed merchandise for pets and people, and food will be available with a food truck planned. A cat rescue will be on site to meet attendees. Some exhibitors may be open to discussing kittens or adults that are waiting at home. Photography is welcome with courtesy, and some cats designated as Pet Me Cats enjoy being petted with permission and hand sanitizing. Tickets are sold at the door and can be paid by credit, debit, or cash. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors 60 plus, veterans, and children ages 5 to 12. Parking is free.

Celebrate the season by the water with a family-friendly pumpkin carving gathering at Three Belles Marina. Create a jack-o’-lantern to take home, whether the design is spooky, playful, or a detailed showpiece. The activity welcomes all ages and is priced at $5 per person. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of fall fun and make festive memories by the waterfront.

A treat truck will be at the yearly trunk or treat event, serving cool treats throughout. Visit the truck to trick or treat and enjoy something sweet while you are there.

Turn tummy time into a high-energy play session with a neon-themed baby rave filled with dancing and bouncing. Expect a cheerful atmosphere, lively movement, and upbeat music to stimulate babies’ brains, along with familiar lap bounces and finger plays. This special program takes place on the last Monday of each month.

A spooky Halloween party fundraiser takes place at Mel's Downtown Creamery Colchester in support of the CES PTO. Enjoy sweet treats in a festive setting where costumes are welcome but not required. Halloween games, treats, and crafts will be on hand for extra fun, and the creamery will donate a portion of all sales to benefit the CES PTO.

A welcoming postpartum parent group at Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT provides a friendly space to connect with others caring for newborns and little ones. It centers on offering support to families through the first two years of a child’s life. Babies and partners are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Get into the Halloween spirit with a mix of spooky science and playful make-believe. Kids and families can explore eerie experiments, bubbly potions, and magic wands while educators lead demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the event. All activities are included with Museum admission. Wear a costume to receive $1 off Museum admission.

Residents of East Lyme, Niantic, and Waterford are encountering coyotes more often in their neighborhoods, which raises understandable questions about safety and how to respond. This seminar offers straightforward guidance on what to do when a coyote is seen and when concern is warranted. Dr. Mark Karaska, a former Connecticut State Park Ranger as well as a wildlife enthusiast and naturalist, leads an informal, informative look at the coyotes living alongside people. The discussion covers how to protect pets and minimize conflicts, practical steps to make yards less appealing to coyotes, how to react if one approaches, and the reasons behind their howls, barks, and cries, including what different sounds can signal. The program also highlights the intelligence, curiosity, and adaptability of these wild dogs, encouraging a clearer understanding that can make coexistence safer for families and local wildlife. Open to all.

Settle in for some reading time with Dune at Bill Library. This therapy dog frequently visits libraries and schools in the area with handler Lauren Rugh, a veterinary technician. The experience is open to the first ten families, and each family will have six minutes with Dune. Dune and Lauren are Ledyard residents, and they visit the library on a monthly basis.