New Canaan CARES, the New Canaan Department of Human Services, and the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce present the eighth annual 30 Days of Family!

Thank you to our amazing 2022 community partners: Carriage Barn Arts Center, First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, Interfaith Council of New Canaan, New Canaan Library, and the New Canaan Police Department.

Find the full list of April activities below, and check out our Facebook and Instagram for more information! Post your pictures on social media with the hashtag #NC30DAYS22.

30 Days of Family 2022

April 1 - Pizza Friday

Kick off this year’s 30 Days of Family with Pizza Friday! Make your own pizza from scratch, or order from your local favorite pizzeria!

April 2 - Music and Storytelling with the Stamford Symphony

Hosted by New Canaan Library – Join members of the Stamford Symphony as they perform music and narration to a popular children’s book!

Free event. For more information and to register now, visit the New Canaan Library website. 

April 3 - YWL's Easter Egg Hunt

Join the Young Women’s League of New Canaan at their annual Easter Egg hunt in Waveny Park! Enjoy an egg hunt, bouncy houses, face painting, and pictures with the Easter Bunny! 

This is a paid event ($5, cash only) per family. For more information, visit the YWL’s website.

April 4 - All the Way to the Top with disability rights activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins and author Annette Bay Pimentel

Hosted by New Canaan Library – Join disability rights activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins and author Annette Bay Pimentel for a reading of their book All the Way to the Top and a gripping discussion of Jennifer’s fight for disability rights, beginning in her childhood.

Free event. For more information and to register now, visit the New Canaan Library website.

April 5 - Animal Encounter at the Maritime Center

Visit the Maritime Center for an up-close look at one of your favorite aquarium animals! Check out a surprise encounter at 10:45 am, or watch seals get their lunch at 11:30 pm and 1:30 pm.

General admission tickets for children are $19.95. For more information, visit the Maritime Aquarium’s website.

April 6 - Paddington Gets in a Jam at the Stamford Palace Theatre

Watch Paddington, the famous, accident-prone bear, as he takes the stage in this fun-filled comedy.

Ticket prices range from $25-$50. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Stamford Palace Theatre’s website.

April 7 - Great Egg Hunt at the Nature Center

In addition to the Great Egg Hunt, enjoy an animal meet and greet and a scavenger hunt!

Members $10, Non-members $15. For more information and to register now, visit the Nature Center website.

April 8 - The Accidental Artists and drop-in craft at Carriage Barn Arts Center

Drop-in and be inspired by works in the current exhibit “The Accidental Artists,” then participate in a creative activity for all ages. Featuring abstract paintings by two men who experienced traumatic brain injuries and a diagnosis of Savant Syndrome, resulting in a new ability to paint and create like never before. 

Free event. For more information, visit the Carriage Barn Arts Center website.

April 9 - Easter Bunny Drive-By Hello

The Easter Bunny will be outside the Waveny House front door to greet your family. Stay in your car and receive a visit from the bunny’s helpers with a holiday treat. 

Free event. For more information, visit the Town of New Canaan’s website.

April 10 - Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at MTC

Don’t miss the closing matinee performance of this incredible musical! Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story tells the true story of rock and roll legend Buddy Holly.

Tickets are $45. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit MTC’s website.

April 11 - Home Spa Night

There’s nothing like a little rest and relaxation. Make your own face mask or bath bomb and put on some soothing music to relax to. Check out this guide on how to create the perfect home spa night.

April 12 - Storytellers at Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Take part in an interactive read-aloud of a story specifically curated to increase your child’s understanding of the museum’s featured themes.

Admission is free for children under 12. For more information and for help planning your trip, visit the Stepping Stones Museum for Children website.

April 13 - Game Night

Enjoy some friendly competition with a family board game night, or enjoy the thrill of the chase by seeing who the fastest Mario Kart racer is.

April 14 - Backyard Olympics

Who says the Olympics are just for the professionals? Host your own family Olympics in the yard. Check out this guide for hosting the best backyard games. Make your own medals and a torch to get the games started.

April 15 - Chalk Your Driveway

Pick up some sidewalk chalk and draw on your driveway! Share messages of kindness and encouragement with your neighbors or simply make someone smile with your work of art.

April 16 - Mutt-I-Grees® at Stepping Stones Museum

Meet a friendly dog assisting in a unique storytime that helps children build social-emotional skills and become caring, calm, and confident citizens. 

Admission is free for children under 12. For more information and for help planning your trip, visit the Stepping Stones Museum for Children website.

April 17 - Easter Celebration at First Presbyterian Church

Celebrate Easter at First Presbyterian Church with their Easter Egg hunt (following Easter Service). Afterward, enjoy treats from the bake sale, where all donations are going to a local animal organization.

Free event. For more information, visit the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan website. 

April 18 - Creating a Visual Novel at Silvermine

Create a visual novel in this School Break Art Studio Jam! Recommended for children ages 5-10.

$130 for a four-hour session. For more information and to register now, visit the Silvermine Arts Center website.

April 19 - Help a Neighbor

Our neighbors, especially our older neighbors, may need more help completing daily tasks. Offer to help with any chores or yardwork they may need assistance with. Check in on your neighbor later in the month!

April 20 - Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla at New Canaan Library (Webinar)

Author Anne Cooper Funderburg will trace the history of American ice cream. She will explore different serving innovations, such as the sundae and the ice cream cone. Join the live webinar while eating a delicious bowl of ice cream!

Free event. For more information and to register now, visit the New Canaan Library website.

April 21 - Puppet Theatre

Make puppets and bring them to life in a puppet theatre with CARES staff member Elle Smith and local artist (and CAREScrow creator) Kathy Megrue-Smith.

April 22 - Garden for Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day by getting your hands dirty in the garden! Plant flowers, herbs, or plants, and watch them grow throughout the spring.

April 23 - Earth Day Extravaganza at the Nature Center

Celebrate our planet with a tree identification walk, live animal shows, a scavenger hunt, spring crafts and games, and more! 

This is a paid event, tickets are $10 per person. For more information and to register now, visit the Nature Center website.

April 24 - Concert by New Canaan Chamber Music at the First Presbyterian Church

Andrew Young (piano) will be joined by Solomiya Ivakhiv (violin) and Alice Yoo (cello) for this concert “Dedicated to the People of Ukraine.”

Ticket prices range from $10-$250. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the New Canaan Chamber Music website.

April 25 - Family Hike

Explore the great outdoors and take a hike as a family. See how many different types of trees and plants you can identify. The New Canaan Nature CenterIrwin Park, and Waveny Park are great local options. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out Ward Pound Ridge Reservation (about a 8-mile drive from downtown New Canaan).

April 26 - Wash the Car!

Enjoy the sunshine by giving your car a bath! Break out the hose, sponges, and soap, and wash the dirt off your family car. Check out this DIY guide to washing your own car.

April 27 - Read Together

Take a trip to the New Canaan Library and check out a new book! Have the whole family make a selection, and take some time to read together.

April 28 - Scavenger Hunt

Download the CARES Scavenger Hunt and explore New Canaan!

April 29 - Movie Night

Watch a movie together as a family. Rediscover a classic, take a chance on something new, or rewatch a family favorite. Check out this list of the American Film Institute’s 100 Best Movies of All Time and see if any of them seem interesting.

April 30 - Young Gardners Series at Grace Farms

Young gardeners (ages 8–13) and their families will spend time planting, exploring the community garden, creating nature collages, and contemplating their connection to the earth.

The ticket price is $16 for members, and $20 for non-members. For more information and to register now, visit Grace Farms’ website.