Town Resources

Resources for parents and educators in Southington, Plantsville, Marion and Milldale

Toddler

Barnes Nature Center

Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center in Bristol, part of the Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut, Inc., offers exhibits and activities, an extensive collection of reptiles and amphibians, live birds of prey, interactive exhibits, and hiking trails. 68 acres.

175 Shrub Road
Bristol,

Web Site: https://elcct.org/barnes/bnc/

Bradley Mountain Farm

Bradley Mountain Farm is located on a 200-year-old dairy farm, next to Crescent Lake, that is on the registry of National Historical Places. They offer opportunities to visit the farm, Goat Walks and Hikes, Goat Yoga, Soap Making Classes, Birthday Parties, Team Building activities, Farm Weddings and More.
For children in grades 2 to 12 there is a Junior Farmers 1/2 day drop off summer camp program.
Age 7-17 can participate in the Farm Explorers Membership evening program.
Goat Milk Soap is available for sale.


537 Shuttle Meadow Rd
Southington,

Phone: (860) 385-4628

Web Site: https://bradleymountainfarm.com/

Circle of Friends Music

Music and movement for adult with child ages 0-6. Schedule changes depending on the season.
Special classes are sometimes scheduled at the Southington Public Library or in a senior community.
Felice Danielson, Owner/Director.

447 North Main Street
Southington, musicwithfelice@yahoo.com

Phone: (860) 919-5135

Web Site: https://www.facebook.com/Circle-of-Friends-Music-offering-Music-Together-202984949721230

Family Resource Center of Southington

The Family Resource Center of Southington offers fun and free family programs for children ages birth to 5 years.
Contact Shannon Fitzsimons at sfitzsimons@southingtonschools.org to receive their program newsletter or send them a message through their Facebook page.

Strong School, 820 Marion Avenue
Southington,

Web Site: https://www.facebook.com/FRCSouthington

Frootie Tooties Candy & More

Frootie Tooties Candy & More is a retail shop, which sells candy, books and kids item. It also offers craft activities and a party space.

50 Center Street
Southington,

Phone: 860-621-5555

Web Site: https://www.facebook.com/FrootieTootiesCandy/

Hungerford Park Nature Center

The Hungerford Park Nature Center in Kensington is home to many domestic animals and native wild birds. There is a farm-yard, indoor exhibits, walking trails, and a picnic and play area. They offer preschool programs, summer programs, a 4-H club and rentals for birthday parties.

191 Farmington Ave
Kensington,

Web Site: http://www.newbritainyouthmuseum.org/

Imagine Nation

Imagine Nation is a NAEYC accredited, state licensed Early Learning School offers an affordable, quality School Readiness Preschool Program and a mixed age infant and toddler program. Their highly qualified, degreed teachers implement developmentally appropriate curriculum utilizing the State of CT Early Learning and Development Standards along with tangible learning experiences throughout our Museum Studios.
A free family membership to our Museum Studios is included upon enrollment.

The mixed age classroom is open to all children ages 6 weeks up to 3 years of age. The mixed age infant toddler classroom is a full-time program,
The preschool program is open to Bristol and out of town residents. Children entering the preschool program must be ages 3 to 5 years old.
At the beginning of the school year in September they accept children aged 2 years 9 months, turning 3 before December 31,
per State of Connecticut Licensing Requirements.

Tuition is based on a sliding fee scale according to you family’s gross income and size. They are open year round to working and accept Care4Kids child care subsidies for those families that qualify.

1 Pleasant St
Bristol, CT 06010

Phone: (860) 314-1400

Web Site: https://www.imaginenation.org/

Infinity Music Therapy Services

Infinity Music Therapy Services offers high-quality, client-centered music therapy, music lessons, and early childhood music services at their location, in home or at your child's school or childcare. We also offer dance and movement therapy as well as dance lessons.

Infinity Music Therapy Services is the only perinatal music therapy services provider in the state of Connecticut. We work with expecting families from the second trimester on providing assistance with child birth education through the creative arts, original womb song/ lullaby creation, music therapy assisted childbirth, early childhood/family bonding through music, early intervention through music therapy, and more.

We offer in-person services, sessions in the home, virtual and telehealth services, depending on the type of service.
We have experience treating children and adults with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, neurological disorders, and more.

196 Queen Street, Southington
info@infinitymusictherapy.com,

Phone: (860) 518-5557

Web Site: http://www.infinitymusictherapy.com/

Meriden YMCA

The Meriden YMCA is dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities.
Facilities include:
a 6-lane, 25-yard indoor heated pool
sauna; air-conditioned fitness center with a complete array of Precor Cardio, Cybex Strength Training Equipment & Free Weights
two racquetball courts
an indoor track
a gym with 6 basketball hoops
aerobics studio with free unlimited drop-in aerobics classes for full members
free spinning classes for full members
free water aerobics classes for full members
locker rooms

The Meriden YMCA also has the following child care facilities:
Infant & Toddler Learning Center at 95/99 Main Street in South Meriden.
Meriden YMCA Little Rascals Daycare Center at 43 Swain Ave.
Meriden YMCA Head Start at 398 Liberty Street.
Meriden YMCA Martin A. Gaffey Child Care Center at 66 Crown Street.
Meriden YMCA Early Learning Center at 12 Johnson Avenue.

110 West Main Street
Meriden, 06451

Phone: (203) 235-6386

Web Site: https://www.meridenymca.org/

New Britain-Berlin YMCA

The New Britain-Berlin YMCA has five locations throughout our community including a full Health and Wellness Facility and a preschool at 50 High Street in New Britain, two infant, toddler and preschool centers (one in New Britain and one in Berlin), a program center in Berlin and a fitness studio in Berlin.

One membership gives you access to three YMCAs. The Meriden, New Britain and Berlin YMCAs have joined together to better serve our three communities. This means more membership privileges for those with full memberships:

Access to more facilities
More group exercise classes (take them at any of the three locations)
More program choices
Save on programs. Sign up for any program held at the New Britain, Berlin and Meriden YMCAs at the lower full member rate.

50 High Street
New Britain,

Phone: (860) 229-3787

Web Site: https://www.nbbymca.org/

Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area

Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area focuses on conservation education, offering educational programs, demonstrations, and workshops pertaining to wildlife and natural resource management. These facilities include an education center with an exhibit area and a large meeting room, as well as interpretive trails, and habitat management demonstration sites. 771-acre state preserve.

341 Milford Street (Rte 69)
Burlington,

Web Site: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Wildlife-Mangement-Areas/Sessions-Woods-Wildlife-Management-Area

Southington Public Library

The Southington Public Library has more than just books. You can also check out videos, CDs, games, backpacks of educational materials, shaped cake pans and more.
The Children's department has a puppet theater, computers with educational programs, train table, blocks and other toys.
Their children's programs are free to attend; though the more popular programs do require you to sign up beforehand and to put down a refundable deposit (which you get back when you attend the program! It just saves your spot!).
Programs are promoted at the Children's circulation desk and on their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/SouthingtonKidsPlace/ (but not on the Library's Calendar of Events).


Southington Library, 255 Main St
Southington,

Phone: (860) 628-0947

Web Site: http://www.southingtonlibrary.org

Southington Recreation Department

The Southington Recreation Department offers a variety of programs for youth and adults including baseball, softball, basketball, lacrosse, football, soccer, tennis lessons, swimming lessons, Music on the Green Concert series, summer playground program (aka as camp), summer theater and more.

Registration the Summer Theater and Summer Playground programs usually opens in March.
The Playground Program is open to Southington resident children, ages 5-12. The program is held rain or shine, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, at South End Elementary School & Recreation Park. The program is comprised multiple, 2-week sessions. Each child may be registered for a maximum of two sessions.
https://www.southington.org/departments/recreation/playground.php

Their Kid's Entertainment Series is held on Tuesday evenings in the summer from 6-8 PM at the Community Pavilion on the Southington Drive-In property, 995 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, Plantsville. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an evening of free entertainment. All ages are welcome!

Southington Town pools and the splash pad at Memorial Park are open seasonally to Southington residents only; however, each resident with proper ID may bring one (1) non-resident guest. Registration for swimming lessons at Recreation and Memorial Parks usually opens in May and June.
(NOTE: The pool at Recreation Park is closed for construction the summer of 2023.)
https://www.southington.org/departments/recreation/pools.php

The Town of Southington Recreation Department is a proud sponsor of several youth sport leagues.
BASEBALL & SOFTBALL
Southington Girls Softball League
Southington Knights Travel Baseball
Southington Northern Baseball
Southington Southern Baseball
Southington Western Baseball
BASKETBALL
Southington Youth Basketball Association
CHEERLEADING & FOOTBALL
Southington Knights Travel Football & Cheerleading
Southington Valley Midget Football League
LACROSSE
Southington Lacrosse Association
SOCCER
Southington Soccer Club
Southington Youth Soccer League
WRESTLING
Southington Youth Wrestling Club
https://www.southington.org/departments/recreation/youthleagues.php




Web Site: https://www.southington.org/departments/recreation/index.php

Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA

The Southington-Cheshire YMCAs offer a variety of programs for children and adults - enrichment, swimming lessons, sports programs and more.
Nursery school, preschool and afterschool childcare programs
Summer camp programs
Dedicated babysitting (Amazing Kids Club) room - for when parents are using the facilities.
Spirit, Mind & Body Center featuring our Women's Health & Wellness Center, Studio 130 (classroom for Yoga, Pilates and other fitness classes)
Sports Performance Center
Separate locker room facilities for Men, Women, Boys, Girls and Families
Saunas
Southington’s only 6 lane, 25 yd. indoor heated pool. (Elevator and handicap accessible)
Over 15,000 square feet of Fitness space
Functional training area for personal training
State of the art Group Cycling Studio
Studio 29 - large aerobics studio with suspended wood floor
Full gymnasium with 6 basketball hoops and/or volleyball set-up
2 Racquetball Courts
143 acre YMCA Camp Sloper Outdoor Center.
Cheshire Community YMCA Health & Wellness Center



29 High Street
Southington,

Phone: (860) 628-5597

Web Site: http://www.sccymca.org/

Tinkergarten

Tinkergarten is on a mission to elevate childhood. They bring families together in a natural place in their community for classes where kids learn through play.
Each class becomes a tight-knit group of children and adults who learn together through well-designed, outdoor play-based activities. They help kids develop a host of important capabilities, including empathy, collaboration, creativity, persistence and problem solving. Their expert-designed classes and activities help kids ages 18 months—8 years develop core life skills while enjoying healthy, fun, engaging experiences in the physical freedom of local green spaces.

Free trial classes and paid summer classes will be offered at Recreation and Panthorn Park.
Put in 06489 or 06479 in the search of their website.




Web Site: http://www.tinkergarten.com

Whippersnappers Play Gym

Whippersnappers Play Gym offers extraordinary programs at their indoor play gym that help children develop confidence and self-esteem through unique and innovative activities. Their goal is to offer a clean and safe environment for children to explore through music, creative movement, fitness, games, and arts & crafts. Their programs focus on fine and gross motor development in a non-competitive environment

360 Sandbank Rd
Cheshire, CT

Phone: (203) 272-4386

Web Site: http://whippersnappersplaygym.com/