25 Things to Do with Grandkids in Fairfield County This Spring
Spring is the best season for grandkid days in Fairfield County — everything opens up and the crowds haven't arrived yet. Here's what to put on the list.
Spring in Fairfield County is a sweet spot that most parents miss. They’re still in school-routine mode, which means weekday mornings at parks, beaches, and museums are almost entirely yours. The farms are waking up, the beach parking is free until summer, and the grandkids haven’t had months of summer boredom to make them picky about what “counts” as fun.
Here’s what to put on the list — organized by how much planning they take.
No Planning Required
1. Sherwood Island State Park, Westport — Free parking until Memorial Day weekend. Bring a blanket and snacks.
2. Compo Beach, Westport — Town residents get priority parking in summer, but spring mornings are open to all.
3. Waveny Park, New Canaan — 300 acres of open space. The dog park is separate so no unwanted chaos.
4. Greenfield Hill, Fairfield — The dogwood trees bloom in late April. Short walk, spectacular.
5. Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk — Early spring before the boats come in. Bring binoculars.
6. Downtown Westport — Stroll Main Street, find a bench, get coffee. Kids walk; grandparents rest.
7. Mianus River Park, Greenwich — Flat trails along the river. Manageable for most mobility levels.
8. Fairfield Center Green — Classic New England town green. Old First Church, coffee nearby.
One Quick Call Ahead
9. Ferris Acres Creamery, Newtown — Opens for the season in late March. Call to confirm.
10. Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport — Connecticut’s only zoo. Best on weekday mornings before school trips arrive.
11. Stepping Stones Museum, Norwalk — Timed entry on busy weekends. Weekdays are walk-in.
12. Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk — IMAX theater worth the extra ticket. Sharks are a big hit.
13. Bruce Museum, Greenwich — Natural history and art under one roof. Free first Tuesday of the month.
14. New Canaan Nature Center — Maple syrup program ends in March. Spring wildflower walks start in April.
15. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, Norwalk — Free to walk the grounds. Tours on weekends.
Rainy Day Backup
16. SoundWaters, Stamford Harbor — Marine education center. Free and fascinating.
17. Bowlero Stamford or Greenwich Bowling — Bumper lanes available. Mid-morning is empty.
18. Kidville or Romp n’ Roll — Indoor play spaces for the under-7 crowd. Requires socks.
19. Norwalk Library — Story time programs, puzzles, and a calm hour. No cost.
20. Stratford Library or Darien Library — Both have excellent children’s sections and surprisingly good programming.
Seasonal: Only Available in Spring
21. Silverman’s Farm, Easton — Animal farm opens in spring. Baby animals in April and May.
22. Mike’s Maze at Lyman Orchards — Not quite spring, but plant it now. Opens late summer.
23. White Flower Farm, Litchfield — Worth the drive in May when the displays are at peak. Grandkids love the scale.
24. Maple Row Farm, Easton — Call about spring programming; they sometimes do workshops.
25. Any local garden center — Let the grandkids each pick one plant. It becomes a project that lasts all summer.
The Grandparent’s Spring Rule
Spring is the only season where Fairfield County feels genuinely local. The summer people haven’t arrived. The school buses aren’t clogging parking lots. You can show up without a plan and usually find a parking spot.
Use it. By June it’s over.
Browse venues by category at grandkidsguide.com/fairfield-county-ct/.
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