On a warm summer day (or spring, or fall, or even winter!), there are few things better than a trip to the beach. Here in Connecticut, we are lucky to have miles of beautiful beachfront on the Long Island Sound, perfect for a picturesque day in the sun. However, if you have little ones, you are probably aware that some beaches are more kid-friendly than others. Don’t worry – I’ve put together this list of the best Connecticut beaches for families to use as you prep for your next beach day!
5 of the Best Connecticut Beaches for Families to Enjoy A Sun-Soaked Day of Fun
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Hammonasset Beach State Park is a popular beach with plenty for the whole family to enjoy! It’s an excellent spot for picnicking, kayaking, saltwater fishing, swimming, and exploring nature. It’s the starting point for the 25-mile Shoreline Greenway Trail, which is perfect for a day of biking. Kids will love the onsite Meigs Point Nature Center with hands-on opportunities to learn about ocean wildlife. Additionally, there are nearby bathrooms, a historic boardwalk, picnic shelters, concessions, and showers. It’s also a great spot for seashell hunters!
Jennings Beach
Jennings Beach makes spending a day on the shore easy, especially with kids! It has 27 acres with plenty of sandy beach access, volleyball courts, and other attractions to take advantage of the lovely views of the Long Island Sound. There’s a great concessions spot that sells everything from ice cream to hot dogs to fried clams, perfect for an on-the-go picnic. Jennings Beach also has Sand Castle Playground, a great spot for a little extra play and exploration when you need a change from making sand castles.
Jacob’s Beach
Jacob’s Beach is a 25-acre stretch along the Sound with all the fixing for a great beach day. If you’re a non-resident, you’ll need to buy a day pass, granting you access to the playground, boat rack, picnic area, and bathroom facilities. One of the biggest treats here is their new splash pad. Kids can enjoy splashing in fountains and playful jetstreams in this interactive water feature. It’s great for little ones who may be hesitant around the ocean or put off by cooler saltwater temperatures. This is one of the best Connecticut beaches for families to enjoy quality time together.
Calf Pasture and Shady Beach
Calf Pasture Beach is a great place for a more active beach day. Home to a skate park, volleyball courts, bocce courts, a splash pad, and a shady playground, it’s the perfect spot for beachgoers looking for a more adventurous day in the sun. Calf Pasture is also perfect for kayakers, whether you bring your own or rent a boat there. While lifeguards at Calf Pasture are nearby, Shady Beach Park has an unsupervised beach with covered picnic tables, grills, and additional restrooms.
Cove Island Park
Cove Island Park is a great recreational space with two sandy beaches. Additionally, there’s also a playground, a cycling path, BBQ grills, softball fields, tennis courts, and so much more. Bring your bikes, roller skates, or just your bathing suit for a fun day outdoors! Nature lovers will also appreciate the Cove Island Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can spot a huge diversity of wildlife. It’s home to over 50 species of butterflies and 309 species of birds!!
Best Connecticut Beaches for Families
Pack a picnic basket, slip into your bathing suit, and pick a spot from this list of the best Connecticut beaches for families. Don’t forget your sunscreen, and take lots of pictures!
If you’re trying to find more ways to make memories with your family, we should talk! I’m a Connecticut family photographer, and I absolutely adore providing sessions to give families the gift of gorgeous photography. I bring my love of adventure to every session so you can be positive your photographs feel like real life, not a posed version of yourselves. Let’s chat so I can tell you more about my process and see if we’ll be a good match!
