Your Complete Guide to Raising Kids in Fairfield County

Here is your ultimate guide to life in Fairfield County with kids. Consider it a cheat sheet to everything you need for raising a family in Connecticut, from the best events each weekend to the top birthday party places, summer camps, schools and child care, sports and after-school activities, doctors and hospitals, parent support groups, and more.

Hey there, Connecticut! You're a big part of the New York metropolitan area, and NYMetroParents has you covered when it comes to raising your kids. Living in Fairfield County, CT is great for families, with close proximity to New York City, and equally easy getaways within New England for beaches and big parks. There are so many family-friendly activities in Fairfield and nearby NYC, that you get to have it all when it comes to fun time with your kids. 

Here we present your cheat sheet to family life in Fairfield County, where you'll find what you want for your family when you want it, from schools and child care to after-school activities and summer camps, birthday party places, doctors and urgent care centers, parent support groups, and much more.

Family Fun in Fairfield

We take family fun time pretty seriously, which means we’re constantly updating our Calendar of Events with fun and low-cost things to do every day with kids in Fairfield County. The calendar is searchable, too, so it’s easy to find the events your family is most interested in, or you can head straight to our Editor’s Picks page to see where we’ll be taking our kids this month. And hey, Connecticut ain’t cheap, right? That’s why we round up the best FREE events for you every month.

Want our top event picks delivered to your email inbox every week (just in time to plan a fun weekend)? Then sign up for our family activities newsletter.

If you’re looking for something specific, our family fun guides will point you in the right direction. Here are some of our perennial favorites:

Carousels

Kid-Friendly Museums

Minor League Baseball Games

Volunteering

Zoos, Nature Centers, and Botanical Gardens

Or maybe you just want to know the best things to do every season in the suburbs? We’ve got you covered there, too: Our editors scoured the suburbs for the 100 must-do events in Fairfield County throughout the year, including 20 awesome annual events in each season.

Family Getaways Near Fairfield County, CT

Sure, we love quiet suburbs, but sometimes a weekend trip good to broaden our horizons. Lucky for us, there are many places within easy traveling distance that are geared towards families with kid-friendly fun. Here are a few of our best bets:

Legoland Discovery Center in Westchester

Town of Ramapo Challenger Center in Rockland

Concord, Massachusetts

Sesame Place in Pennsylvania

See the full list of family outings here.

If you’re craving some time outdoors, check out our seasonal guides to fun on farms: maple sugaring (spring), berry picking (summer), apple picking and pumpkin picking (fall), and where to cut your own Christmas trees in December.

Thinking about sending your kids to summer camp? Our camp guide to the Fairfield County area includes nearby sleep-away camps along with specialty camps and traditional day camps.

Choosing Classes, Sports, and Camps

When they’re not in the classroom, we schedule our kids’ time around classes, sports, and other extracurricular activities during the school year and camp during the summer. There are so many wonderful options in this big city of ours, but we’ll help you choose the best fit for your child. Check out our guides to:

Sports Programs for Kids in Fairfield

After-School and Weekend Classes for Kids

Summer Camps in and near Fairfield County

Of course, these extracurriculars look great on a college resume, but the last thing we want to do is overschedule our kids. We’ve got expert tips for avoiding burnout and finding balance.

Planning a Birthday Party in Fairfield

Whether you're hosting a party at your home, or at a nearby play space, theater, bowling alley, park, or other venue, you’ll find plenty of fun party places, party entertainment, specialty cake shops, party stores, and more on our site, to help you plan the best party in the neighborhood. Plus, check out the party tips and inspiration section of our site for everything from fun party favors to birthday cake recipes.

Fairfield County Schools and Tutoring Services

While Connecticut is home to some of the best schools in the world, the system can be hard to navigate. We’ve got advice for you every step of the way, from when you’re choosing the right preschool philosophy for your child (Montessori, Waldorf, play-based…) to when you decide to send your child to public, private, or religious school. Plus, we’ve got expert tips if you’re searching for tutors, learning centers, or the best school for a child with special needs. And check out our archive of education articles for year-round advice updated regularly.

Keeping Your Family Healthy

It’s important to have a family doctor and a team of health care professionals nearby that you trust with your family’s well being. Search our site for:

Doctors and Dentists

Urgent Care Centers

…and more family health services and providers

Also, check out our archive of health articles for a wealth of advice that will help you make the best choices for your family, such as:

How to Know When to Go to the ER or Urgent Care

10 Tips to Keep Your Kid’s Teeth Healthy

How to Know If Your Child Is Getting Enough Sleep

Finding Childcare in Fairfield County, CT

As a busy parent, you need a nanny, babysitter, or other caregiver that you can trust. Use our site to find:

Nanny and Babysitting Services

Day Care and Child Care Centers

Finding Friends and Parent Support

If you’re new to the suburbs or just new to parenting, you might be looking for a support network of like-minded parents to answer those burning questions: Where are the nearest playgrounds? Which restaurants in my neighborhood have high-chairs and allow strollers? Where can we go sledding on a snow day?

Parent Support Groups in Fairfield

Support Groups for Parents of Kids with Special Needs

Plus, read essays by other city parents who know exactly what you’re going through.

Getting to Know NYMetroParents

Did you find what you’re looking for above? Feel free to email us your feedback and questions to editor@nymetroparents.com.

And remember, NYMetroParents keeps the conversation going beyond our comprehensive website. Make sure to pick up our print magazines (find a copy near you), and join our virtual community on Facebook and Twitter, where the comments are lively and the sneak-peeks are constantly coming!