Family Adventures
A list of local Family Friendly Events, Activities, & Places to Visit
Kids’ Classes
Chaffee Art Center, Rutland, VT
Saturdays, 10-11am. Ages 6-12. 4 weeks for $65 or $20 per class.
RSVP by phone 802-775-0356.
Story Time
Manchester Community Library, Manchester, VT
Tuesdays, 10:30am.
We’ll be exploring the practice of gratitude during the month of November. At Story Time we will read about what it means to be grateful and how gratitude can be a part of our everyday lives.
Story Time
Dorset Village Library, Dorset, VT
Wednesdays, 3pm.
Storytime and activities in the backyard if the weather is nice, inside downstairs if it’s not! Angela will read stories, help you with a craft and provide some light snacks. Call or email Angela (angela.dorsetvillagelibrary@gmail.com) for questions about story time or kids club.
Story Time
Northshire Bookstore, Manchester, VT
Thursdays, 10:30am.
Join us in person in our Manchester, VT store for story time with the fabulous Kathy Penge. She’ll share some recent favorite picture books with your little ones.
If you have questions about this or any other Northshire event, please e-mail us at events@northshire.com.
Museum ABCs
Bennington Museum, Bennington, VT
Third Thursday of each month, 1:30-2:30pm. Free.
This free monthly program is designed for children ages 3 to 5 and their adult companions. The program is produced in collaboration with the Bennington Free Library and is generously sponsored by the Bank of Bennington whose fundamental and consistent support has made this program possible for the past twelve years. For the past three years, funds from the Stewart’s Holiday Match also have helped to make Museum ABCs possible.
Each Museum ABCs program focuses on a different theme and includes visits to the Museum galleries, stories carefully selected to support early literacy, and art and craft projects designed to encourage engagement between children and adults.
Kids Club
Dorset Village Library, Dorset, VT
Third Thursday of each month, 3:30pm. Free.
Angela will have fun activities planned. You can try your hand at our new ping pong table! We will have a small selection of Legos for building and you may bring your Pokemon Cards if you wish.
Kids Club will happen every third Thursday of the month… mark your calendars!
Call or email Angela (angela.dorsetvillagelibrary@gmail.com) for questions about story time or kids club.
Play dough workshop & playgroup
Mountain Community Arts, Londonderry, VT
Sunday, January 29, 3-5pm.
For caregivers and children, make your own play dough to take home and meet some new friends. $10/ family please register as space is limited.
Making Meals & Memories
Sunrise, 226 Union Street, Bennington, VT
Tuesday, January 31, 4-6pm.
You’re invited to spend an evening with Sunrise, Making Meals & Memories! Cook and enjoy a healthy dinner together. Engage with your child(ren) in fun activities and crafts. Bring home an activity bag with books, games, and healthy snacks. You do not need to be a member of Sunrise’s other programs to participate! Families throughout Bennington County are encouraged to attend, and children of all ages and stages are welcome.
RSVP to our Parent Educator, Tiffany Racicot at 802-442-0058 or tracicot@sunrisepcc.com.
NDS Sledding Playdate
Manchester Country Club, Manchester, VT
Friday, February 17, 3pm.
Bring a sled and join us for sledding and s’mores!
Open to all NDS families. Please bring cash if you wish to purchase additional refreshments from MCC.
Firehouse Breakfast
Manchester VT. Fire Department, Manchester, VT
Sunday, February 19, 7-11am.
Join us for a full menu with pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, English muffins, breakfast potatoes and OF COURSE locally made real maple syrup! Top it off with a cup of coffee, tea, or orange juice!
The breakfast will run from 7 – 11 a.m. with seating available in the heated truck bays! Kids love getting to eat surrounded by real fire trucks!
Don’t miss it!
We’ll see you at the Firehouse!
Winter Wildlife Celebration
Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, VT
Saturday, February 25, 10am-4pm.
Celebrate the wonders of winter at the VINS Nature Center with a fun-filled day of family activities!
Fairy Court is ready to greet you as you begin your journey through the woods to hunt for fairies. Visit with the Vermont Reindeer Farm for an up close experience with this amazing arctic species. Be first in line to claim a seat for the chance to have an up close encounter with a chickadee and join Moose Biologist, Nick Fortin, to learn about how the magnificent Moose tackles winter. As you go about your day take a moment to watch as a snow sculpture comes to life! You can also join in for winter games, bird on the canopy walk and attend a program to learn how raptors survive winter. Snow or no, it’s sure to be a great way to discover the wonders of winter!
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.
Manchester Swimming Pool
Dana L Thompson Park, Manchester, VT
Open 6/19-8/20
White Memorial Park Pool
White Memorial Park, Rutland, VT
Opens 6/12
Northwood Pool
Rutland, VT
Opens 6/19
Stratton Pool
Stratton Mountain, VT
Indoor, call 802-297-4230.
Mitchell Therapy Pool
Rutland, VT
Indoor, view rates online.
Bennington Pool
Bennington Rec Center, Bennington, VT
Indoor, open year-round
Splash Pad
109 North St, Bennington, VT
Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Hildene, Manchester, VT
December-March, Thursday-Monday, 10am-4:30pm.
Approximately 12 miles of trails are open to guests, whether on foot, skis (bring your own gear) or snowshoes (available to rent at Hildene). Trails are of varying levels of difficulty. We offer snowshoe rentals for children and adults. Please be aware that we are not a Nordic Center; our trails are natural and ungroomed.
Top Winter Things to Do
Snowshoeing, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, sleigh riding, snowmobiling, winter hiking, skating, and more!
Mountain Adventure Park
Bromley Mountain, VT
Manchester Rec. Park
Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park, Recreation Park Rd, Manchester, VT
Open until 10pm
Arlington Recreation Park
Route 313, Arlington, VT
Emerald Lake State Park
65 Emerald Lake Lane East Dorset, VT
June 26-2nd Monday in October 10am -Sunset
Hapgood Pond
Hapgood Pond Rd, Peru. VT
Lake Shaftsbury
262 Shaftsbury State Park Rd Shaftsbury, VT
June 26-2nd Monday in October 10am -Sunset
Merk Forest & Farmland Center
3270 Route 315, Rupert, VT
Open year round, Dawn to Dusk
Bennington Rec Center
655 Gage St. Bennington, VT
8am-8pm
The Manchester Community Library
138 Cemetery Ave Manchester Center, VT
Virtual Story Time Tuesdays & Thursday 10:30-11:30am
Winhall Memorial Library
2 Lower Taylor Hill Road, Bondville, VT
Dorset Village Library
On the Green at Church St & RT30, Dorset, VT
Martha Canfield Library
528 East Arlington Rd, Arlington, VT
Manchester Farmers Market
Adams Park, Manchester, VT
Thursdays June 4 -October 8 3-6pm
Dorset Farmers Market
Summer Market : HN Williams General Store2732 Vt. Route 30, Dorset, VT.
Winter Market : JK Adams Kitchen Store 1430 Vt. Rt 30, Dorset, VT
Sundays 10am-2pm
West River Farmer’s Market
Londonderry, VT
Saturdays Memorial Day to Columbus Day 9am-1pm
Wildwood Berry Farm -PYO
2977 Mad Tom Road, East Dorset, VT
Opening July 13, 9am-5pm
North Meadow Farm
726 North Rd, Manchester, VT Open 7 days a week
Offering fresh eggs, cheese, and raw milk. Plus a petting zoo and playground for the kids to visit.
Earth Sky Time
1873-1951 VT-7A Manchester, VT Open Sunday-Friday
Farm Store & Bakery
Wonderfeet
11 Center St, Rutland, VT
Fridays 10am-2pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm, Sundays 12-4
The Montshire Museum of Science
One Montshire Road, Norwich, VT
Wednesdays-Sundays 10am-4pm
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT
