Family events in Waterford, CT

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.

This rescheduled, free, family-friendly event raises awareness and understanding of perinatal mental health disorders while creating a welcoming space for parents and caregivers. Attendees can connect with local resources that support those who are pregnant or raising young children, including nutritionists, therapists, and nonprofit organizations. Expect opportunities to meet other mothers and families, engaging activities for children with face painting, a variety of vendors, and door prizes. Complimentary snacks and water will be available. Bringing a picnic lunch and a blanket is encouraged for relaxed family time. Registration is required so organizers can plan accordingly, though fundraising is not required.

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.

On Shelter Island, a fly-in pairs a display of aircraft and classic cars with a hearty menu featuring brisket from the smoker, barbecue chicken, premium burgers, roasted corn, Italian ices from Ralph's, and fresh baked cookies. Early arrivals can grab hot coffee. Presented by the Shelter Island Pilots Association.

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.

At The Kate - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook, Eastern Connecticut Ballet presents Ballet Spooktacular, a Halloween-themed program filled with imaginative costumes, graceful dancing, and chances for young attendees to join in the fun. Look for delights onstage and off as spellbinding ballet is paired with classical music and playful special effects. The spooky touches are designed to enchant rather than frighten, making it friendly for children. This 35-minute performance is recommended for ages 4 to 12 and offers an experience the whole family can enjoy.

Families are invited to explore the legacy of Abstract Expressionist artists Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner with a guided tour of their home and studio led by Joyce Raimondo, Education Coordinator. Designed for children ages five and up with their adult companions, the experience continues outdoors where participants create their own drip paintings on the property’s scenic grounds. A $15 fee covers supplies, including an 11 x 14 inch canvas board and tempera paint.

Sunday All Skate welcomes all ages for an open skate session at GDC Roller Skate Rink in Greenport, NY. Rink staff are on hand to assist newcomers with balance and to help build confidence on wheels. Outside food is permitted, and the concession stand offers freshly made cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, snacks, and beverages. Groups can make reservations during any public session, and a contact form is available on the website.

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.

Perfect for kids who cannot wait for Halloween, Eastern Connecticut Ballet’s Spooktacular brings a playful mix of classical ballet, imaginative costumes, and special effects to The Kate, with little surprises onstage and off. Children are invited to be part of the action, and the atmosphere stays festive rather than frightening. The performance runs 35 minutes and is recommended for ages 4 to 12, and it is welcoming for the entire family.

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.

An energetic storytime tailored for children 18 months to 3 years old and their caregivers, featuring stories, fingerplay rhymes, and music, along with additional activities to keep little ones engaged. No registration is required.

Enjoy an evening featuring bingo along with other games. The event is open to everyone, and participation is entirely optional. Attendees may take part in the games or simply watch.

Preschool Storytime features a playful blend of read-alouds, music, and rhyming activities created for children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers. Participants meet in the children's room at Gales Ferry Library before the session begins. Registration is not required.

Timed for the Halloween season, this program explores the world of bats with expert Julia Chase-Brand. Known to many from Nickelodeon as the Bat Lady and recognized as a pioneering distance runner, she also made history as the oldest person to earn a medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University. Growing up in Groton, Connecticut, she spent more than a quarter century studying bats in the mountains of Trinidad and the rainforests of Australia. The discussion delves into myths and realities, explaining why blind as a bat is a misconception. Bats in the Americas use echolocation, and research shows they also depend on vision for navigation, avoiding obstacles, escaping danger, and even recognizing patterns when it suits their needs. A vivid range of species takes the spotlight, including red, white, and striped bats, bats that fish, bats that build tents, bats that eat frogs, and even frogs that prey on bats. Field stories introduce other unforgettable animals too, from an amorous gorilla to a tarantula measuring seven inches and a friendly capybara that liked to curl up with people. The program engages both children and adults and highlights a lifetime of exploration, discovery, and learning. Parking is available at Barlow Nature Preserve. WLT members and youth may attend at no cost, and not-yet members pay $10 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and space is limited.

Take part in a Pokémon League event featuring separate divisions for Juniors, Seniors, and Masters. The entry fee is $5, and prizes scale with attendance and placement.

Entry is $30. Costumes are welcome for those who want to dress up, and regular attire is perfectly fine. Choose whatever makes you comfortable.

Children in kindergarten through sixth grade can paint a mini pumpkin to take home or leave at the library. Dress for a mess. Registration is required.