Looking for fun things to do in New Haven CT, with kids?
You’re not alone… this Ivy League college town doesnโt exactly market itself as a family destination.
But once you know where to go in New Haven (and whatโs worth doing), itโs full of low-key wins, free museums, and kid-approved surprises that make for a great day out.
Free Things to Do in New Haven CT with Kids
Thereโs no shortage of free things to do in New Haven CT with kidsโฆyou just have to know where to look.
From world-class art museums to indoor play spaces and even a farm, these are the spots in New Haven weโd actually recommend (not just the ones that show up on a list).
Yale University Art Gallery
Free admission and climate control... two things parents love.
Yale University Art Gallery has modern art, ancient artifacts, and wide-open galleries that feel surprisingly invitingโฆeven with kids in tow.
This museum is great for older kids, teens, or a stroller stroll while you soak in something grown-up.
Location: 1111 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm (Open until 8 pm on Thursdays)
Website: artgallery.yale.edu
Good to Know: The Yale University Art Gallery is free to enter, spacious enough to navigate with a stroller, and usually pretty quiet midweek.
If all this culture works up an appetite, our guide to Where to Eat in New Haven will help you avoid the misses and find the real dining gems.
Yale Center for British Art
Donโt let the plain gray exterior fool youโฆthe Yale Center for British Art is full of light, space, and beautifully curated art thatโs surprisingly approachable for kids.
Located right across the street from the Yale University Art Gallery, itโs easy to pair both in one outing. The architecture alone is worth a peek, and on select weekends, they host free family art workshops that are actually fun…not just a table of crayons.
Location: 1080 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am โ 5 pm; Sunday, 12 โ 5 pm (Open until 8 pm on Thursdays)
Website: britishart.yale.edu
Good to Know: You can download and print out coloring pages of actual pieces in the museum so kids can bring the art to life while standing right in front of it. Itโs low-key geniusโฆand way more fun than just telling them not to touch anything.
Yale Peabody Museum
Fossils, murals, and the moment your kid becomes a paleontologist.
If youโve got a kid whoโs into dinosaurs, this is the place.
The newly reopened Yale Peabody Museum is totally free and full of towering fossils, interactive science exhibits, and just enough “Whoa, look at that!” moments to keep the momentum going.
Location: 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am โ 5 pm; Sunday 12 โ 5 pm
Website: peabody.yale.edu
Good to Know: No tickets are required, but weekends can get busy. Plan for 1 โ 2 hours for your visit.
Does your family love unearthing hidden treasures?
Check out our Guide to Magical and Unique Things to Do in Connecticut for more one-of-a-kind adventures.
Common Ground
No screens...just trees, animals, and mud.
On Saturdays, Common Ground opens its working farm and nature space to families… completely free.
There are friendly animals, short trails, garden beds, and just enough freedom for kids to feel like theyโre on a real adventure.
During the week, itโs part of an environmental high school. But on Saturdays, itโs one of the most relaxed (and unexpectedly fun) places for kids to roam in New Haven.
Location: 358 Springside Avenue, New Haven, CT
Hours: Saturdays only, 10 am โ 2 pm
Website: commongroundct.org
Good to Know: Free to visit on Saturdays ONLY.ย Expect mud, gardens, chickens, and a lot of good energy.
New Haven Free Public Library ~ Ives Main Library
Proof that libraries still know how to impress little readers.
This indoor spot is a quiet win on a drizzly day or when you just need a reset. The Ives Main Library branch has a dedicated childrenโs area with cozy play spaces, train tables, games and rotating story times.
Location: 133 Elm Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 am โ 8 pm; Friday & Saturday, 10 am โ 5 pm
Website: nhfpl.org
Good to Know: Check the library calendar for story time and special events. Free to visit and stroller-friendly.
IKEA โ Smรฅland
Inside IKEAโs New Haven location, Smรฅland is a supervised play zone where potty-trained kids can stay for up to an hourโฆtotally freeโฆwhile you shop or grab lunch in peace.
Think ball pits, climbing trees, and just enough chaos to tire them out (without you having to manage it).
Location: 450 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT
Hours: Monday to Friday, 3 โ 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11 am โ 6 pm
Website: ikea.com
Good to Know: Kids must be potty trained and between 37″โ54″ tall. Itโs first come, first served and can fill up quickly on weekends.
Fun Things to do in New Haven with Kids
New Haven isnโt just easy to exploreโฆitโs genuinely fun, especially when you know where to go.
These family-friendly things to do in New Haven CT, go beyond the basics, with places to climb, create, and even ride a vintage trolley.
Connecticut Childrenโs Museum
Step inside a storybook, and yes, the kids can touch everything.
Built with younger kids in mind, the Connecticut Children’s Museum is full of open-ended play zones that invite building, pretending, and exploring.
Itโs best for toddlers through early elementary school ages and a great option when you need something age-appropriate and low-pressure.
Location: 22 Wall Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Fridays 1 โ 5 pm and Saturdays 12 โ 5 pm
Website: Connecticut Children’s Museum
Good to Know: Admission is $10 per person over 12 months. Itโs a small, simple space, which honestly works in your favor. Plan to stay for about an hour.
Shore Line Trolley Museum
All aboard for serious transportation excitement.
Hop aboard a century-old trolley and ride through the marsh like itโs 1920.
The Shore Line Trolley Museum is more experience than exhibit, and thatโs exactly what makes it fun.
Youโll cruise the rails, stop to explore the trolley barns, and get an up-close look at vintage vehicle restoration.
Location: 17 River Street, East Haven, CT
Hours: Wednesday โ Sunday, 11 am โ 3 pm (Trolley tours run seasonally from the end of June โ August)
Website: shorelinetrolley.org
Good to Know: Online tickets are $14.80 for adults and $11.68 for kids 2-18. Tickets include a trolley ride and access to the museum. The ride is a little bumpy (in the best way), and the indoor trolley barns are a hit with kids who love trains and pushing buttons.
It Adventure Ropes Course
Itโs part obstacle course, part raveโฆ and surprisingly great for all ages.
One of the largest indoor ropes courses in the world, It Adventure Ropes Course is part obstacle challenge, part adrenaline rush.
With ziplines, rope bridges, swinging planks, and climbing walls, thereโs something here for brave kids and confident tweens. Thereโs also a smaller section just for younger climbers.
Location: 40 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT (inside Jordanโs Furniture…yes, that’s right)
Hours: MondayโThursday: 10 am โ 7 pm; Friday & Saturday: 10 am โ 9 pm; Sunday: 11 am โ 6 pm
Website: itadventure.com
Good to Know: Kids must be 48″ tall (or 42″ with an adult) for the full ropes course. But, there’s a separate Little It course for younger climbers. Tickets are credit card-only, and booking online saves you 10%.
Unique Things to Do in New Haven With Kids
Because some days, the kids need a cuddle... and so do the cats.
Not your average kid list. These things to do in New Haven CT, are a little weirder, a little cooler, and definitely the kind of stops theyโll remember.
Mew Haven Cat Cafe
Sip a latte while surrounded by adoptable cats? Yes, please!
Mew Haven Cat Cafe has been serving coffee and cat cuddles since 2018…and yes, itโs somehow both relaxing and chaotic in the best way.
Youโll book a 50-minute session in the cat lounge, and if you fall in love with oneโฆ well, donโt say we didnโt warn you.
Location: 904 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT
Hours: Daily 10 am โ 7 pm (Closed Wednesdays)
Website: mewhavencatcafe.com
Good to Know: Tickets for a 50-minute session are $16 for adults and $12 for kids 12 and under. Sessions start on the hour and book up fast (especially on weekends) Kids must be with an adult (1 adult per 2 kids max)
Elm City Games
Part game shop, part clubhouse, Elm City Games is a haven for board game enthusiasts of all ages. With an extensive library of games to choose from, you can try out a new favorite or revisit a classic.
Elm City Games is a welcoming space inviting you to stay and play, making it perfect for family outings or a casual hangout with friends.
Location: 71 Orange Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 10 am โ 10 pm; Friday & Saturday: 10 am โ 11:45 pm; Sunday: 10 am โ 10 pm
Website: elmcitygames.com
Good to Know: Elm City Games offers memberships for frequent visitors, but $10 drop-ins are always welcome. Outside food and drinks are welcome, so feel free to bring snacks for your game session.
Barcade ~ Family Day
Barcade is normally reserved for adults 21 and up, but once a month, they open for a family-friendly afternoon packed with vintage arcade games.
Think pinball, Pac-Man, and classic machines you forgot you loved.
Location: 56 Orange Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Family Day runs 1โ6 pm one Sunday each month
Website: barcade.com/newhaven
Good to Know: Itโs a great way to introduce kids to arcade games in a chill environment. Bring cash or quarters! (ATM on-site)
FAQs About Visiting New Haven With Kids
Q: Is New Haven walkable with kids?
Yes, mostly…. especially around downtown, Yale, and Wooster Square.
Museums, pizza spots, and some of the best cafรฉs are all within easy walking distance.
That said, sidewalks can be narrow in spots and not always ideal for strollers. If you’re exploring on foot, stick to one area at a time and plan to park nearby.
Street parking is usually available, but bring your patience…and the ParkMobile app.
Q: Where can I park near the main attractions?
Street parking is available in most areas, and downtown has several reliable garages.
The Crown Street and Temple Street Garages are great options for Yale museums, restaurants, and the public library, and both offer EV charging stations.
Heading to Wooster Street for pizza? Thereโs a small lot and limited metered parking, so go early unless youโre up for a few laps. Most meters and lots use the ParkMobile app, so itโs worth downloading ahead of time.
Q: Whatโs the best age range for visiting New Haven?
New Haven is a great fit for elementary-aged kids and up. Younger ones will enjoy spots like the childrenโs museum and library, but most of the experiencesโthink museums, ropes courses, and cat cafรฉs, are better suited for ages 5 to 12+.
Itโs not a theme park town, but New Haven CT, is ideal for curious kids who love to explore, learn, and try something new.
Q: Can you do New Haven as a day trip with kids?
Absolutely. In a few hours, you can visit a museum (or two), grab some pizza, and indulge in a sweet treat.
But if youโre hoping to add a ropes course, a beach stop, or slow things down, an overnight stay makes everything easier (and a lot more fun for everyone).
Check out our guide to the Best New Haven Hotels to make the most of your trip.
Q: Is New Haven safe for families?
Yes… especially during the day and around the main attractions. Downtown, Wooster Square, and the Yale campus area all have a steady flow of people and a visible security presence.
Like any small city, itโs smart to stay aware of your surroundings, stick to well-trafficked areas, and plan your parking so youโre not wandering too far after dark.
Final Thoughts on Visiting New Haven With Kids
New Haven might not be packed with playgrounds or theme parks, but itโs full of surprises when you know where to go.
From world-class museums that are actually free to pizza legends and quirky cat cafรฉs, itโs a city that works best when youโve got a planโฆand now you do.
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Things to do in New Haven CT…
If youโve got toddlers in tow โ head to the Connecticut Childrenโs Museum, let them reset at the New Haven Libraryโs play space, or roam with the goats and chickens at Common Ground.
If youโre entertaining big kids โ ride the Shore Line Trolley, climb the ropes at It Adventure, or grab a table at Elm City Games and let them battle it out over board games and snacks.
If your crew includes a teen โ hit the Peabody Museum, schedule some cat lounge time at Mew Haven Cat Cafรฉ, or keep things easy with a slice and a stroll around Yale.
And if youโre just here for the pizza โ no judgment. Modern, Sallyโs, Pepeโsโฆ you really canโt go wrong (though we do like a good playground-pizza combo near Sallyโs and Pepeโs if you’re waiting it out with little ones).
Happy Travelsโฆ
