If it’s up to you to entertain the kids when visiting friends or family in Greenwich, you need to focus on nothing but fun and frenzy.
Fun, because you want to be the favorite of the kids.
And frenzy-focused, because you’re sure to need to get some of that energy used-up.
To help you survive spending quality time with the munchkins, here’s our parent-approved list of things to do in Greenwich, CT, with kids.
The top things to do in Greenwich, CT, with kids
Whether you’re visiting:
Or another neighborhood in town, you’re sure to find plenty of kid-friendly activities during your visit.
This writer’s top picks from babysitting include:
Map design by Stanton House Inn with resources from Flaticon
Run Free at Greenwich Point Park
Although entry into this town-owned parkland and beach is free for locals, you’ll have to purchase a pass for yourself. You can then enjoy 147.3 fun-filled acres where kids can enjoy the beach, parkland, and hiking trails.
Because Greenwich Point Park is right on Long Island Sound, if the kids are old enough, you can rent some kayaks and spend time out on the water for an hour or two. If time with the under 10 crowd is wearing you down, you can also look across the sound at the NYC skyline and dream about the quiet life calling you home.
Take a Ferry Ride
Catching a ferry from the ferry dock at Arch Street is an adventure in itself. The ferry heads out to Great Captain Island and Island Beach from June through mid-September. And getting to these destinations is half the fun!
On Great Captain’s Island, you can enjoy time on the beach and visit the lighthouse built in 1868. That said, to get here, you’ll either need a boat or a friend with a boat. But this is Greenwich, so that’s likely not a huge stretch.
Island Beach is smaller and all about sea and sand. Check the town of Greenwich’s Island Beach ferry schedule to plan your beach day.
If the kids love the ferry to Island Beach, the Cruise to Nowhere is a two-hour tour of the sound where you can enjoy the views of the local mansions and shoreline. The cruises leave the docks on Wednesdays and Saturdays during July and August. If you arrive a little early, take the kids to Roger Sherman Baldwin Park next to the docks, where they can watch the ferry arrive.
Learn Something About Nature at the Audubon Center
The Greenwich Audubon Center is a great interactive spot. Here, kids get to enjoy nature experiences by:
- Hiking in the conservation area
- Or participating in the many educational programs run throughout the year
You can take your pick among seven nature sanctuaries. You and the kids can explore wetland habitats or traipse through diverse forestland.
Kids will love spotting local birds or learning all about the vital role the coastal ecosystems play in their local environment.
Get Creative at Greenwich Library
Introduce them to an old-school experience with a visit to Greenwich Library. This local community hub offers a long list of ongoing programs with creative play areas where kids are not likely to get bored. Meanwhile, you can admire the historic building’s architecture and stroll through the exhibits in the art gallery. The Flinn Gallery host an impressive collection of artworks in varied mediums.
Go Back in Time at Putnam Cottage
The charming red Putnam Cottage is set against the emerald, green lawn of the Putnam Hill Historic District’s 36 acres.
Built in the late 1600s, what might seem an old cottage and nothing but a bore to kids, this is an important American Revolution landmark. It features the cottage itself, a barn, a carriage shed, and colonial gardens. If you love antiques, the cottage is furnished with 18th-century pieces, so there’s something for everyone. Included in this family-friendly historic district is:
- The Second Congregational Church
- And Tomes-Higgins House, designed by famed architect Calvert Vaux
It’s a lovely walking tour introduction to Greenwich history!
Take the Toddlers to Cos Cob Park
If the kids are preschoolers, Cos Cob Park is the ideal place with the areas only playground in town designed for toddlers. The playground provides a soft place to land as kids climb and explore the tot-sized equipment. It’s sure to take the fear out of babysitting little ones. You’ll be confident you can return the kids to their parents in one piece. Once they’re all tuckered out, stroll along the pathways designed for strollers, allowing you to enjoy lovely views of Long Island Sound.
Get the Kids Involved at Bruce Museum
Chances are, even if the kids have already been to this area museum, they’ll look forward to another visit.
This is the place where kids can look and touch with hands-on exhibits and programs designed to get kids interested in art and science.
There’s always something going on at the Bruce Museum, so check their website to find out what’s scheduled when you’re in town.
The Greenwich Historical Society is another fantastic Greenwich museum to bring the kids. With outdoor exhibitions as well as indoor historical ones, it’s sure to keep them busy.
Just don’t let them touch anything.
Ice Skate at Binney Park
This nature-themed park is a place you can always find something to do in winter, spring, summer and fall. If you’re visiting in the winter, grab your ice skates and take to the ice on the park’s frozen pond. You can also explore the various activities throughout the year at Binney Park, including:
- Movies and concerts in the summer
- Leaf peeping walks in the fall
- And romping in the playground in the spring
- CT summer concert series
Picnic at Bruce Park
Located on the border between Greenwich’s lovely Cos Cob neighborhood and downtown, Bruce Park is an easy walk from either. And it’s picnic areas are a wonderful place to sit down with kids and enjoy a good old-fashioned packed lunch. Over 100 acres of beautiful parkland include:
- Walking paths
- Lovely views of Long Island Sound
- Ponds and waterways with local ducks
- A large playground, perfect for kids of any age
Of course, it’s also one of the most popular playgrounds in the area. So it’s the idyllic spot to spend quality time with the kids over lunch and then let them do their own thing while you relax.
Introduce Reading as a Hobby at Diane’s Books
Located on Grigg Street, off the beaten trail of bustling Greenwich Avenue in the downtown Greenwich shopping district, Diane’s Books has been selling books for over 30 years. Kids will love browsing the shelves of this charming bookstore, and you can treat them to a book to mark your visit. The ambience is more Meg Ryan’s The Shop Around the Corner than Tom Hanks’ Fox Books. It offers a more intimate experience where kids can feel free to explore and discover the joy of reading.
Enjoy a Movie with Plenty of Snacks
When in doubt, movie theaters near Greenwich always have something playing to help kill a few hours.
It’s a much easier activity as you can sit back and relax without having to run around after the kids.
There are plenty more indoor activities in Greenwich and throughout Connecticut to keep your tykes entertained during your visit.
Discover even more things to do in Greenwich, CT, with kids
Still nervous you’ll run out of things to do with kids while you’re here?
Not to worry!
Greenwich and nearby is full of activities, whether you’re looking forward to spending time with kids, from toddlers to teenagers!
Explore more of our free guides for even more things to do in Greenwich, CT, with kids:
- The top parks in Greenwich
- Or start planning a visit with our guide to the best hotels in Greenwich, CT
And be sure to download a free copy of the Greenwich Visitor’s Guide for all of the best attractions, activities, and things to do in Greenwich, Connecticut.
