20 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Connecticut this November

Our list of fun and low-cost things to do with kids in Connecticut this November includes Thanksgiving events, a festival of lighthouses, family shows, and more in Bridgeport, Danbury, Fairfield, New Haven, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Westport, and Wilton.

Student Print Workshop

Bruce Museum, Greenwich
Nov. 5

Kids in grades 4-6 can learn about the art of printmaking at a Student Print Workshop. Participants discuss themes and printmaking techniques, then create their own solar-plate intaglio prints. Materials are included. Call the museum for reservations. Suitable for all abilities.

‘Tractor Mac’ Author Visit

Fairfield University Bookstore, Fairfield
Nov. 9

Children love nothing better than to listen to a book read by the person who actually wrote it. Not only did Billy Steers write Tractor Mac, he illustrated it as well. Steers will read Tractor Mac and sign copies of the book as well on Nov. 9. Steers originally created the stories to entertain his young sons at bedtime. A simple craft and snack will follow the story. Call to reserve your child’s spot. FREE!

Fall Break Out Day: Vote for Farm Veterans

Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Stamford
Nov. 11

Of course we love all the farm animals at the Stamford Nature Center, but maybe there’s that one special two- or four-legged friend that you have a soft spot for. Cast your vote for your favorite at Fall Break Out Day: Vote for Farm Veterans. Afterward, take a trip back in time and learn how farm veterans worked on early New England farms, and make your own butter. Head to the woods to discover how to identify old trees and learn how to read a “tree cookie.” The day ends on a sweet note with s’mores.

2013 Festival of Lighthouses Contest

The Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk
Nov. 16 – Jan. 20, 2014

A beacon of light guides you to The Maritime Aquarium for the 2013 Festival of Lighthouses Contest. The annual contest features 24 handcrafted lighthouses displayed throughout the aquarium galleries, all created by regional artists, craftspeople, and just plain creative types. Some of the lighthouses are replicas while others are purely from the artist’s imagination. The lighthouse with the most votes will win $1,500, so be sure to make your vote count.

‘Madeline and the Bad Hat’

Westport Country Playhouse, Westport
Nov. 17

Buckle your seatbelts and take a trip to Paris to visit your favorite Ludwig Bemelman heroine. This live production of Madeline and the Bad Hat follows the friendship between Madeline and her neighbor Pepito, the Ambassador’s son. Although the relationship gets off to a bumpy start, Madeline soon learns that her mischievous new neighbor is not as terrible as she thinks and that first impressions aren’t always reliable.

Astronomy Nights

Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Stamford
Nov. 8 and Nov. 22

You may feel tiny when you attend Astronomy Nights at the Stamford Museum Observatory. Enjoy a short presentation on a topic regarding space and then, weather permitting, visit the observatory to view the night sky through a 22-inch research telescope. The program is suitable for ages 5 and older. On Nov. 8, learn all about Neptune—last of the gas giants. On Nov. 22, find out how to purchase a telescope.

‘Annie, Jr.’

Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Bridgeport
Nov. 10, 16-17, 23-24, and 30 (plus select dates in December)

With equal measures of pluck and positive attitude, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan.

‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites’

Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield
Nov. 23

Eric Carle’s beloved creatures light up the stage in The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle Favorites at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Not only does the caterpillar change into a beautiful butterfly, but Little Cloud travels through the sky and Mixed-Up Chameleon discovers his own unique character. Children are encouraged to read the stories and then bring their books to the play, as the actors will sign their books after the show.

Ann’s Place Festival of Trees

Matrix Conference & Banquet Center, Danbury
Nov. 22-24

Stroll through a wonderland of trees, purchase raffle tickets to win your favorite tree or another great prize, shop the Market Place and Quilter’s Corner, catch the joy of a children’s tea party, and enjoy live entertainment. Do you have a LEGO lover? Enter him into the 6th Annual LEGO Artists Challenge. Plus, vote for your favorite robot in the Robotics Competition. Serving hundreds of people per month, at no cost to them, Ann’s Place provides support services to those touched by cancer. The Festival of Trees is an essential part of funding the operating expenses for Ann’s Place.

Thanksgiving Events

Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford, Westport, Wilton
Nov. 26-30

Some people love Halloween, others can’t wait for Christmas, and then there are the turkey lovers. And why not? No gifts, no candy, no expectations to be dashed. Thanksgiving is simply about enjoying comfort foods with the ones you love and knowing that everyone across the country is doing the same. Here are a few ways to celebrate.

‘A Christmas Carol’

Shubert Theater, New Haven
Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1

Christmas comes early at the Shubert Theater with its production of A Christmas Carol. In this musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, three ghosts of Christmas help the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge discover the true meaning of Christmas. The cast performs two dozen traditional Christmas carols, including “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The Holly and the Ivy,” “Here We Come A-wassailing” “Away in a Manger” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

5th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop

McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center, Greenwich
Nov. 29 – Dec. 24

Santa and his live reindeer return to Santa’s Workshop at McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center. At approximately 2pm on Friday Nov. 29, Santa will arrive down Greenwich Avenue with Dancer, Dasher, Prancer and Blitzen. Families can visit the reindeer and have their photo taken with Santa at his special workshop.

Flamenco Dance

Stepping Stones Museum, Norwalk
Nov. 30

Stepping Stones celebrates Spain in its Around the World Performance Series featuring Flamenco Dance. Rebeca Tomas introduces Flamenco from a cultural, historical, and geographical standpoint.

Norwalk Symphony Orchestra for Kids

Wilton Library, Wilton
Nov. 30

Children ages 3-10 and their families get to experience hands-on participation with string instruments from musicians with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. There will be a violin and a cello. Advance registration is suggested.

‘Great White Sharks’

Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk
Through April 3, 2014

They may look scary, but in the IMAX film Great White Sharks, viewers learn that these misunderstood creatures actually deserve help and respect because they are an important part of the oceanic food chain. This film hopes to change people’s attitudes towards theses sharks by taking viewers around the world to visit the Great White hotspots and listen to stories from several people whose lives and work are linked to these animals.