# Hartford Littles: things to do with little kids in Hartford and New Haven, CT this weekend

> Halloween is a Saturday, and libraries from Hartford to Hamden have trick-or-treating and costume storytimes. The Peabody Museum in New Haven is free and runs story time both weekend afternoons. This week has 11 outings, 9 of them free and 7 indoors.

- Week: Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2026
- Last checked: 2026-10-28
- 11 outings at 11 places; 9 free; 7 indoor. For kids ages 0–6.
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/index.md
- City guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/guide/index.md
- Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/visiting/index.md
- Events data (JSON): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events.json
- RSS feed: https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/feed.xml

## Top picks this week

- **Story Time at the Yale Peabody Museum** (Sat, Oct 31; Sun, Nov 1 · 1pm) at Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511. Cost: Free. Ages 0+. Indoor. Exact address not confirmed on the organizer’s page. Stories and a craft on the second-floor overlook, for kids 8 and under. Museum admission is free. Source: https://peabody.yale.edu/events Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/story-time-at-the-yale-peabody-museum/
- **Halloween on the Hill at Hill-Stead** (Sat, Oct 31 · 12–4pm) at Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road, Farmington, CT 06032. Cost: See the event page. Ages 0+. Come in costume for treats along the Pond Loop, a hayride, and a pumpkin slingshot that feeds the sheep. Source: https://hillstead.org/event/halloween-on-the-hill-2026/ Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/halloween-on-the-hill-at-hill-stead-museum/
- **Storytime Costume Parade in West Haven** (Fri, Oct 30 · 10:30–11:30am) at West Haven Public Library, Main Library, Connie Sacco Room, 300 Elm Street, West Haven, CT 06516. Cost: Free. Ages 0–4. Storytime, then a costume parade and mini pumpkin decorating. No registration; drop-ins welcome. Source: https://westhavenlibrary.libcal.com/event/17266243 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/storytime-costume-parade-in-west-haven-public-library/
- **Trick or Treat at Miller Memorial Library** (Sat, Oct 31 · 2:30–4pm) at Miller Memorial Library, Children’s Department, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518. Cost: Free. Ages 3+. Indoor. Halloween crafts in the Children’s Department, then trick-or-treating around the library. Source: https://hamdenlibrary.libcal.com/event/17617784 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/trick-or-treat-at-miller-memorial-library/
- **Family Sensory Storytime at Hartford Public Library** (Fri, Oct 30 · 11am–12pm) at Downtown Library, Hartford Public Library, 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103. Cost: Free. Ages 0–5. Indoor. Stories, music and rhymes with sensory play for kids 5 and under. Free, no registration. Source: https://hplct.libnet.info/event/14683710 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/family-sensory-storytime-at-hartford-public-library-downtown/

## A Saturday that works (Saturday, Oct 31)

1. **Morning**: Trick-or-Treat at North Haven Memorial Library, North Haven Memorial Library. During library hours, 10am–5pm. Cost: Free. https://northhaven.librarycalendar.com/event/trick-or-treat-library-38879
2. **Lunch**: Modern Apizza, East Rock, 874 State Street. Open 10:30am–10pm. Cost: $. (from the city guide) https://modernapizza.com/
3. **After nap**: Halloween on the Hill at Hill-Stead, Hill-Stead Museum. 12–4pm. Cost: See the event page. https://hillstead.org/event/halloween-on-the-hill-2026/

Plan for a nap break in the middle. Times come from each event’s page or the place’s own site, so check before you head out.

## By day

- **Friday, Oct 30**: Family Sensory Storytime at Hartford Public Library (free); Storytime Costume Parade in West Haven (free); Halloween Story Walk at Ora Mason Branch (free); Let’s Get Crafty! in Woodbridge (free)
- **Saturday, Oct 31**: Stay and Play at the Stetson Branch (free); Halloween Story Time and Crafts at Ives Main Library (free); Trick or Treat at Miller Memorial Library (free); Trick-or-Treat at North Haven Memorial Library (free); Story Time at the Yale Peabody Museum (free); Halloween on the Hill at Hill-Stead; Spook-tacular Animals! at Roaring Brook Nature Center
- **Sunday, Nov 1**: Story Time at the Yale Peabody Museum (free)

## All outings this week

- **Family Sensory Storytime at Hartford Public Library** (Fri, Oct 30 · 11am–12pm) at Downtown Library, Hartford Public Library, 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103. Cost: Free. Ages 0–5. Indoor. Stories, music and rhymes with sensory play for kids 5 and under. Free, no registration. Source: https://hplct.libnet.info/event/14683710 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/family-sensory-storytime-at-hartford-public-library-downtown/
- **Stay and Play at the Stetson Branch** (Sat, Oct 31 · 10–11:30am) at Stetson Branch, New Haven Free Public Library, 197 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511. Cost: Free. Ages 0–4. Indoor. Stories, songs and free play for kids up to 4 and their grown-ups. Source: https://nhfpl.libcal.com/event/15637705 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/stay-and-play-at-the-stetson-branch/
- **Halloween Story Time and Crafts at Ives Main Library** (Sat, Oct 31 · 11–11:30am) at Ives Main Library, New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm Street, New Haven, CT 06510. Cost: Free. Ages 3+. Indoor. A fall and Halloween story followed by a craft. Costumes are welcome. Source: https://nhfpl.libcal.com/event/17732080 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/halloween-story-time-and-crafts-at-ives-main-library/
- **Trick or Treat at Miller Memorial Library** (Sat, Oct 31 · 2:30–4pm) at Miller Memorial Library, Children’s Department, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518. Cost: Free. Ages 3+. Indoor. Halloween crafts in the Children’s Department, then trick-or-treating around the library. Source: https://hamdenlibrary.libcal.com/event/17617784 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/trick-or-treat-at-miller-memorial-library/
- **Storytime Costume Parade in West Haven** (Fri, Oct 30 · 10:30–11:30am) at West Haven Public Library, Main Library, Connie Sacco Room, 300 Elm Street, West Haven, CT 06516. Cost: Free. Ages 0–4. Storytime, then a costume parade and mini pumpkin decorating. No registration; drop-ins welcome. Source: https://westhavenlibrary.libcal.com/event/17266243 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/storytime-costume-parade-in-west-haven-public-library/
- **Halloween Story Walk at Ora Mason Branch** (Fri, Oct 30 · 9:30am–5pm) at Ora Mason Branch, West Haven Public Library, 260 Benham Hill Road, West Haven, CT. Cost: Free. Ages 2+. Exact address not confirmed on the organizer’s page. An outdoor story walk of the book “Halloween Scare in CT.” Friday is the last day. Source: https://westhavenlibrary.libcal.com/event/17751440 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/halloween-story-walk-at-ora-mason-branch/
- **Let’s Get Crafty! in Woodbridge** (Fri, Oct 30 · 11–11:30am) at Woodbridge Town Library, Craft Room, 10 Newton Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525. Cost: Free. Ages 3+. Indoor. A weekly drop-in craft in the library’s Craft Room for ages 3 and up. Source: https://woodbridgetownlibrary.libcal.com/event/13806041 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/lets-get-crafty-in-woodbridge-town-library/
- **Trick-or-Treat at North Haven Memorial Library** (Sat, Oct 31 · During library hours, 10am–5pm) at North Haven Memorial Library, 17 Elm Street, North Haven, CT 06473. Cost: Free. Ages 0+. Indoor. Exact address not confirmed on the organizer’s page. Stop by the children’s and adult circulation desks for a treat. No registration. Source: https://northhaven.librarycalendar.com/event/trick-or-treat-library-38879 Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/trick-or-treat-at-north-haven-memorial-library/
- **Story Time at the Yale Peabody Museum** (Sat, Oct 31; Sun, Nov 1 · 1pm) at Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511. Cost: Free. Ages 0+. Indoor. Exact address not confirmed on the organizer’s page. Stories and a craft on the second-floor overlook, for kids 8 and under. Museum admission is free. Source: https://peabody.yale.edu/events Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/story-time-at-the-yale-peabody-museum/
- **Halloween on the Hill at Hill-Stead** (Sat, Oct 31 · 12–4pm) at Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road, Farmington, CT 06032. Cost: See the event page. Ages 0+. Come in costume for treats along the Pond Loop, a hayride, and a pumpkin slingshot that feeds the sheep. Source: https://hillstead.org/event/halloween-on-the-hill-2026/ Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/halloween-on-the-hill-at-hill-stead-museum/
- **Spook-tacular Animals! at Roaring Brook Nature Center** (Sat, Oct 31 · 10am–4pm) at Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton, CT 06019. Cost: Included with nature center admission. Ages 2+. A Halloween animal scavenger hunt and crafts. No pre-registration. Source: https://roaringbrook.org/ Event page (share this link): https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/spook-tacular-animals-at-roaring-brook-nature-center/

## Holiday season in Hartford

- [Santa visits](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/santa/index.md): Breakfasts, photos and trains
- [Christmas lights](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-lights/index.md): Drive-thru and walk-through
- [Thanksgiving weekend](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/thanksgiving/index.md): Parades, turkey trots, what’s open
- [Parades & tree lightings](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-parades/index.md): Dates and start times
- [Christmas trains](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-trains/index.md): Polar Express and Santa trains
- [The Nutcracker](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/nutcracker/index.md): Shows for kids, sensory-friendly flagged
- [Christmas markets](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-markets/index.md): Markets and winter wonderlands
- [Christmas break](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-break/index.md): What’s open Dec 24, 25 and Jan 1
- [Noon Year’s Eve](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/noon-years-eve/index.md): Countdowns at noon
- [December with kids](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/december/index.md): Things to do all month
- [Ice skating](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/ice-skating/index.md): Holiday rinks and skate aids

## Nearby towns

- [Things to do with kids in New Haven, CT](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/new-haven/index.md): 12 things to do with kids

## Seasonal events and guides

- [Things to do with kids in Hartford and New Haven in November](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/november/index.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Hartford and New Haven in December](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/december/index.md)
- [Santa visits in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/santa/index.md)
- [Christmas lights in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-lights/index.md)
- [Ice skating with kids in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/ice-skating/index.md)
- [Thanksgiving weekend in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/thanksgiving/index.md)
- [Christmas parades and tree lightings in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-parades/index.md)
- [Christmas train rides near Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-trains/index.md)
- [The Nutcracker for kids in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/nutcracker/index.md)
- [Christmas markets in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-markets/index.md)
- [Christmas break with kids in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-break/index.md)
- [Noon Year’s Eve in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/noon-years-eve/index.md)
- [Free things to do in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/free/index.md)
- [Indoor play places in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/indoor-play/index.md)
- [Library storytimes in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/storytime/index.md)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### What can we do with kids this weekend in Hartford and New Haven?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) our top picks are [Story Time at the Yale Peabody Museum](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/story-time-at-the-yale-peabody-museum/) (Sat, Oct 31 and Sun, Nov 1); [Halloween on the Hill at Hill-Stead](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/halloween-on-the-hill-at-hill-stead-museum/) (Sat, Oct 31); [Storytime Costume Parade in West Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/storytime-costume-parade-in-west-haven-public-library/) (Fri, Oct 30); [Trick or Treat at Miller Memorial Library](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/trick-or-treat-at-miller-memorial-library/) (Sat, Oct 31). That’s four of 11 outings on this weekend, all checked on the organizer’s page and picked for kids ages 0–6. [See the full list](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/#all).

### What are kid-friendly things to do in Hartford and New Haven this weekend?
This week we found 11 outings that work for kids ages 0–6, all of them this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Our top three: Story Time at the Yale Peabody Museum, Halloween on the Hill at Hill-Stead, Storytime Costume Parade in West Haven. [See the full list](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/#all).

### Where are the Halloween events for kids in Hartford and New Haven this week?
6 Halloween outings are on this week’s list for ages 0–6, including [Halloween on the Hill at Hill-Stead](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/halloween-on-the-hill-at-hill-stead-museum/), [Storytime Costume Parade in West Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/storytime-costume-parade-in-west-haven-public-library/), [Trick or Treat at Miller Memorial Library](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/trick-or-treat-at-miller-memorial-library/) and [Halloween Story Time and Crafts at Ives Main Library](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/halloween-story-time-and-crafts-at-ives-main-library/). Each one’s page has the date, time, price and the organizer’s link. [See them in the list](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/#all).

### Are there free things to do with little ones in Hartford this week?
Yes, 9 of this week’s 11 picks are free, including library storytimes and Halloween Story Time and Crafts at Ives Main Library. Tap “Free” in [Find your thing](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/#all). For free places you can visit any week, see [free things to do in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/guide/#free) in the city guide. Free museum days and free events coming up are on [free things to do with kids in Hartford](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/free/).

### What are good indoor activities for kids in Hartford and New Haven when it rains?
7 picks this week are indoors, mostly at the libraries. Tap “Rainy-day OK” in [Find your thing](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/#all). For indoor playgrounds and play spaces you can visit any week, see [indoor play places in Hartford](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/indoor-play/).

### Where is storytime for little kids in Hartford and New Haven this week?
4 storytimes are on this week’s list: [Family Sensory Storytime at Hartford Public Library](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/family-sensory-storytime-at-hartford-public-library-downtown/) (Fri 11am–12pm, Downtown Library, Hartford Public Library), [Halloween Story Time and Crafts at Ives Main Library](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/halloween-story-time-and-crafts-at-ives-main-library/) (Sat 11–11:30am, Ives Main Library, New Haven Free Public Library), [Storytime Costume Parade in West Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/storytime-costume-parade-in-west-haven-public-library/) (Fri 10:30–11:30am, West Haven Public Library, Main Library, Connie Sacco Room) and [Story Time at the Yale Peabody Museum](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/events/story-time-at-the-yale-peabody-museum/) (1pm, Yale Peabody Museum). Each one links to the library or venue page we checked it on, so check there for registration. [See them in the list](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/#all). For every weekly storytime by day and branch, see [library storytimes in Hartford](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/storytime/).

### What’s on for babies and toddlers under 3 in Hartford and New Haven this week?
There’s no baby-only program on this week’s list, but 6 picks welcome kids from birth, including Story Time at the Yale Peabody Museum, Halloween on the Hill at Hill-Stead and Storytime Costume Parade in West Haven. [See the full list](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/#all).

### How do you pick what goes on the Hartford and New Haven list?
We go through Hartford’s library calendars, parks, museums, zoos and local family pages every week, and keep what works for ages 0–6. Each listing links to the page we checked it on, and where the organizer or venue has its own page, we confirm the date, time, place and price there. This list was last checked Oct 28, 2026. [How we choose and check listings](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).

### How do I get this list every week?
Sign up for the Thursday email at the bottom of the page. It’s one short email, and you can unsubscribe any time.