There’s just no end to all the things kids can do in Connecticut, either just plain fun or attractions that engage their creativity and imagination. Here are the Tribuna’s top 5 kids’ activities in Connecticut to experience this summer:

Lake Compounce Theme Park

www.lakecompounce.com

New England's Family Theme and Water Park has more than 50 thrilling rides and attractions, including Crocodile Cove, Connecticut's largest waterpark and Boulder Dash, voted the #1 wooden coaster in the world.

Other Amenities: Open After COVID, ADA Compliant, Bus Parking, Camping, Food/Beverage Services, Groups Welcome, Guided Group Tours, Meeting/Event Facilities, Restaurant on Site

Dates of Operation: May- Dec.

Connecticut Science Center

www.ctsciencecenter.org

Explore more than 165 hands-on, minds-on activities and exhibits in 10 galleries, a state-of-the-art 3D digital theater, four educational labs, plus daily programs and events, gift shop and restaurant at the Connecticut Science Center.

Pricing: General admission: adults $23.95, seniors $21.95, children (3-17) $16.95, 2 and under free.

Other Amenities: Open After COVID, ADA Compliant, Food/Beverage Services, Gift Shop, Groups Welcome, Guided Group Tours, Indoor Activity, Meeting/Event Facilities, Special Rentals

New England Air Museum

https://www.neam.org/

Imaginations soar at New England Air Museum, the largest aviation museum in the northeastern United States, with 80 aircraft featured in three display buildings.

Pricing: $16 for adults, $10 for children ages 4-14, and free for 3 and under, $14 for Seniors (Ages 65 and older). Veterans are free every day in 2020 courtesy of KeyBank.

Other Amenities: Open After COVID, ADA Compliant, Bus Parking, Gift Shop, Groups Welcome, Guided Group Tours, Indoor Activity, Meeting/Event Facilities, Special Rentals

Dates of Operation: Open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and Tuesday through Sunday for the rest of the year. Closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

https://essexsteamtrain.com

Timeless. Beautiful. Captivating. This year, step back in time to historic 1892 Essex Station and embark on an unforgettable 2.5-hour journey into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. A steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches on a narrated round-trip through the quintessential New England towns of Deep River and Chester.

Other Amenities: Open After COVID, Bus Parking, Food/Beverage Services, Gift Shop, Groups Welcome, Guided Group Tours, Meeting/Event Facilities, Special Rentals

Dates of Operation: May 13-June 11, Sat.-Sun. June 17-August 27, open daily. Sept.1-24, Fri.-Sun. & Labor Day. Foliage: Sept. 28-Oct. 22, Thu. -Tue.

Dinosaur State Park

www.ct.gov/deep/dinosaurstatepark

National Historic Landmark featuring Jurassic-period dinosaur tracks and a diorama depicting the setting in which the park's tracks were made. Visitors may make plaster casts of tracks (Casting materials not supplied at the park, so please call for instructions.) Nature trails, auditorium, museum shop and picnic area. 

Tour time: 1-3 hours

Other amenities: Dining Nearby, Gift Shop, Parking 

Pricing: Center: adults $6, children (6–12) $2, 5 and under, free. Park: free

Other Amenities: ADA Compliant, Bus Parking, Gift Shop, Guided Group Tours, Hiking Trails

Dates of Operation: Oct. 1-Dec. 31 - Grounds are open daily 9 - 4:30. Trails close at 4 p.m. Exhibit Center is open Tuesday - Sunday 9 - 4:30. Closed Mondays.