Family Fun & Activities

Spending quality time with the ones you love is important for all families.  With today's busy schedules and hectic lifestyles we often overlook even the little things that put a smile on the faces of our loved ones.  Here you will find some activities for your children and even the whole family to keep those smiles alive.

• 2008 MetDESK Family Fun Day Photos
• 2008 MetDESK Family Picnic Photos
• 2009 Elmwood Community Center Dinner Dance Photos

Annual Boo Bash

WHEN:      October 24, 2009 from 1 to 4 pm

WHERE:    Hatters Park Banquet Hall, 7 East Hayestown Road, Danbury,  CT       

Free Halloween party for families who have kids with Down Syndrome.  Sponsored by the Danbury Area Playgroup for Children with Down Syndrome and in part by the CT Down Syndrome Congress.  Food, crafts, signing and singing with Ms. Janine.  RSVP to Marianne Flannigan at (203) 778-4873 or Patty Alessandro at (203) 778-5694.

Halloween Party

WHEN:      Saturday October 31, 2009 from 3 to 5 pm

WHERE:    48 Union Street, Stamford, CT

Breakthru Fitness and Abilis Youth are hosting this Halloween Party for families who have kids with special needs.  Abilis' Hanging Out Group (teens and young adults) will be running a few trick or treat stations for the younger kids and enjoying the festive atmosphere.  Fee is $15.  You must register for this event.  Please contact Monica at (203) 629-1880 ext. 336 or smyth@abilis.us.

 Activities for your Children and Family to Enjoy: 

• Circle of Friends- Circle of Friends  has created an exceptional network of friends for children and teens with special needs.  They organize social activities both one on one and in group settings that foster camaraderie and friendships.  For a schedule of their Sunday Circle/Teen Scene Events or Adult Socials and for more information on all of our programs, please contact The Circle of Friends, 40 King Street, Norwalk, CT 06851 at (203) 866-0534 or circlefriendsct@gmail.com.
• Lose the Training Wheels- Lose the Training Wheels is a wonderful special needs bike program for children age 8 to 18, with the desire to learn to ride a two-wheeled bike.
• Smugglers' Notch, VT- Whether it is winter or summer Smugglers' Notch, Vermont is a wonderful place to vacation with your family.  They have award winning children's program and activities for all ages.  Their adaptive programs for individuals of all ages with special needs offer a 1:1 situation with specially trained counselors mainstreamed into the usual camp setting whenever possible.
• New Canaan Dance Academy- NCDA has designed a program for special needs students teaching dance fundamentals.   
• Moving to the Beat- Parents of special needs children routinely tell Robert The Guitar Guy that miracles occur in his music classes.  The strong beat and ritualistic play creates an environment where special needs children follow instructions, participate and shine.  Robert was the regular music specialist at New York School for Special Education for years. 
• Boundless Playgrounds- Helping communities create extraordinary barrier-free playgrounds where children, with and without disabilities, can develop essential skills for life as they learn together through play.  Find a Boundless Playground in your area.
• Autism on the Seas- Brought to you by Alumni Cruises, Autism on the Seas is dedicated to serving the cruising needs of families and individuals faced with autism.
• Kartwheels in Motion- Gym and pool activity programs for children and young adolescents with developmental, physical and cognitive challenges.
• Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports- Offering activities to individuals and families with almost any physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral diagnosis.  They are committed to promoting independence and further equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational activities.
• CHAMPS- After school art and music programs held throughout Eastern Massachusetts for children and teens, many or whom are challenged physically, developmentally and emotionally.
• Access Sport America- Inspires higher function and fitness for children and adults of all disabilities through high challenge sports such as kayaking, water skiing, rock climbing, tennis and soccer using adaptive equipment.
• Yogabilitation- Pediatric therapy and yoga for children with special needs.
• Arts for Healing- Providing much needed therapy in the form of creative arts to children and adults with special needs.
• Unified Sports Program- Teaching sports to kids with disabilies alongside their friends.  USP offers programs like wiffleball, basketball, swimming, bowling and more.
• Ski Sundown's Adaptive Program- Providing ski and snowboard lessons to students of all ages with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities.
• Best Buddies of Connecticut- Best Buddies matches individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in one to one friendships with their non-disabled peers.  They offer various events open to the public, including a first annual Friendship Walk coming up in October 2009.
• The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art- The Dinosaur place is a family oriented activity center featuring outdoor activities including Dino trails, a "Maze" asaurus, Monty's Playground & Splashpad and indoor activities including The Bone Zone, Thunder Creek, Jackpot Mine, Craft Center, Geodes, and Mineral & Fossil Gallery.
• Action Wildlife- Does your child love animals?  Check out Action Wildlife, Connecticut's wildlife sanctuary located on over 100 acres and featuring over 350 exotic animals.  Enjoy hayrides, petting zoo, drive-through safari and exploration center.

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