Located in Hartford County, Connecticut, Manchester is a vibrant town that offers an excellent environment for raising children, with a wide array of educational and entertainment opportunities. With its strong sense of community, beautiful parks, and thriving downtown area, it is no wonder that Manchester is a popular choice for families. Manchester boasts an exceptional school district, known for its commitment to academic excellence. From pre-schools to high schools, the town offers a variety of educational options, including both public and private institutions. Furthermore, the schools in Manchester provide a supportive and nurturing environment for students, ensuring that they receive a well-rounded education. In addition to its educational offerings, Manchester also provides numerous recreational activities and entertainment options for children of all ages. The town is home to several community parks, offering playgrounds, sports fields, and walking trails. Wickham Park, with its acres of open space, gardens, and picnic areas, is a favorite spot for families to gather and spend quality time together. For those seeking entertainment, Manchester features an array of family-friendly attractions. The Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford, just a short drive away, offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that inspire young minds. Furthermore, the Shoppes at Buckland Hills provide a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including a state-of-the-art movie theater and an indoor trampoline park. Overall, Manchester, CT is an ideal place for families looking to provide their children with a nurturing and stimulating environment. With its top-notch educational opportunities, ample recreational spaces, and exciting entertainment options nearby, Manchester offers a well-rounded experience for both kids and parents alike.
Read morechild enrichment programs in Manchester, CT


Silk City Gymnastics & Dance
Silk City Gymnastics and Dance is continuing the great tradition of Wininger’s Gymnastics and Dance, established in 1974. The new owners, Lazar and Iliana Gakev, have kept the same philosophy and coaching staff as the original gym, while also creating an enjoyable environment for gymnastics and dance classes. Lazar and Iliana Gakev bring a wealth of experience to the gym. They have both achieved numerous medals for their gymnastics performances in international competitions, Lazar being an alternate for the 1988 Olympic Games and Iliana competing at the 1994 World Championships. Furthermore, they have both earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Gymnastics Coaching. Silk City Gymnastics and Dance are committed to providing the highest quality gymnastics and dance instruction in the area. With Lazar and Iliana at the helm, they will continue to create an enjoyable atmosphere while imparting their knowledge and expertise to their students.

DuBaldo Music Center
The DuBaldo Music Center has been open for nearly 70 years and has been a go-to spot for music lovers and aspiring musicians alike. What began as a dream for Bruno has become a staple in the Manchester community. Families have been coming here for generations for music lessons, instruments, and a chance to experience the joy of music. The friendly and knowledgeable staff has been helping customers for decades and is eager to help you find the perfect instrument or class to fit your needs.

Highland Guitar Studio
When I was thirteen, I dreamed of being a rock star. By seventeen, reality set in. I had to find something that would open doors for me in the real world. I chose classical guitar and headed off to college in Connecticut. There I found a vibrant music scene where I honed my skills and learned to read music. My education opened the door to an exciting career in musical theatre. I was fortunate to land a part in a revival of Don Quixote at The Goodspeed Opera House. That experience hooked me. Since then I’ve gone on to play in many other productions, and even learned to play multiple instruments. Today, I'm living the dream I had as a thirteen-year-old. I'm performing and creating music, and I'm doing it in a way I never would have imagined. It's a fulfilling life, and I'm grateful for the chance I got to make my dreams come true.


Summit Studios
Summit Studios provides an excellent opportunity for people of all ages and interests to develop their skills in the performing arts. Our professional teaching artists create a supportive and stimulating atmosphere in which students can explore their own individual talents and interests. We take pride in each and every student’s successes and achievements. At Summit Studios, our goal is to give our students the highest level of performing arts training. Our experienced instructors strive to create an environment that encourages growth and exploration of each individual’s unique abilities. We are proud of all of our students and the progress that they make. At Summit Studios, we believe that everyone has the potential to reach their own goals in the performing arts. With our experienced teaching artists, we create an environment that is both nurturing and stimulating, allowing each student to discover their own unique instruments within. We are proud of all of our students and the accomplishments they have achieved.

CAST children's theatre
At CAST, we are committed to enriching the lives of children through the magic of performing arts. By inspiring them to strive for higher goals, we hope to foster a rich appreciation for the arts among the greater Manchester area and beyond. It all started when Co-Founder and Executive Director, Donna Mercier, first opened CAST out of her own home. As a small children's theatre group, we mainly operated during the summer months, mounting musical productions out of local schools. Since then, CAST has grown tenfold and continues to make a lasting impact in the lives of children. We strive to make every performance meaningful, with each show and each child being just as important as the next. Through our dedication to the performing arts, we hope to create a vibrant and engaging cultural experience that will last for generations to come.

The MusicMakers Academy
At MusicMakers, we understand that when it comes to classical music, it's all about the education. That's why we focus on YOU and your goals, and work with you step by step to get you there. We are a Grammy Nominated classical music school with a progressive attitude, and have been offering lessons online and in person long before the pandemic hit. No matter where you are, MusicMakers can help you reach your music goals. We are based in Manchester, Connecticut, but our students come from all across the USA! We have even adapted to teaching in 4 different time zones to make sure we can reach everyone. If you're looking for a classical music school that puts your education first, then MusicMakers is the perfect place for you. Our Grammy Nominated staff have a progressive attitude and are devoted to helping you reach your goals. We offer lessons online and in person, and are currently teaching in 4 different time zones. So no matter where you are, MusicMakers can help you reach your music goals.


Trick DynamiX CT
At Superhero Moves, we understand the importance of developing a "fear-conquering muscle" to help people tackle life's challenges. Our mission is to help everyone build this muscle by teaching flips, twists, and kicks - otherwise known as tricking. As avid tricking enthusiasts, we take great pleasure in watching people become more confident in their bodies and skills. Safety is paramount, which is why we strive to provide the best teaching methods and paradigms to ensure trickers remain safe. With the confidence and power gained from their tricking journey, our goal is to help people become fearless in the face of life’s obstacles, rather than be overcome by fear of failure. We are passionate about helping trickers develop their fear-conquer muscle and become more confident in their abilities. Our aim is that they can use this newfound confidence and power to tackle life’s challenges, rather than be intimidated by them. We believe that by providing a safe and supportive environment, everyone can learn to become a superhero!


Manchester Soccer Club
This is an excellent opportunity for parents to get involved in their child’s development and have fun at the same time! Our program is tailored to ensure that your child has the best opportunity to learn and develop their soccer skills. With one weekly practice and one weekend game, your child will have the chance to improve their soccer skills and make some great friends along the way. Parent volunteers are essential in this program, and no coaching experience is necessary! Our professional club trainer will guide the practice sessions, so you won’t need to worry about not knowing how to coach. This is an excellent chance to get involved in your child’s development and have some fun at the same time.


Code Ninjas
At Code Ninjas, kids learn to code while having a blast. With hundreds of locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, Code Ninjas provides a safe and inspiring environment for kids to gain problem-solving, critical thinking, and STEM skills. Through engaging game-based curriculum, kids develop self-confidence and teamwork skills while coding their own video games. Code Ninjas is the world’s largest and fastest-growing kid's coding franchise, making it a great choice for parents who want to give their children the opportunity to learn and have fun while doing it.


Camp Merrie-Woode
Welcome to Camp Merrie-Woode! Our extraordinary natural setting has inspired thousands of girls and young women since 1919. In this friendly, non-competitive community of simplified living, each individual is valued for who she is and who she will become. On this site, you can explore all of the wonderful camp programs we offer, learn about our history, choose a session, and so much more. And if you are interested in spending the summer of a lifetime as a counselor at Camp Merrie-Woode, let us hear from you!