Shining a Light

You know it's summer when your dinner negotiations boil down to telling your toddler they must eat their french fries if they want ice cream, and then pleading with them to not just eat the rainbow sprinkles but the ice cream as well.
— Anonymous, Burlington, VT

Are you caring for a baby, toddler, or little kid? Share your stories and musings with other parents!

Events

Thursday, August 13, 2026

GROW Preschool Yoga
11:00 AM–11:30 AM @ Fletcher Free Library
2–5 years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Join Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga for songs, movement, and other fun yoga activities. Recommended for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers.

Party on the Bricks – Leahy Block
5:30 PM–8:00 PM @ Church Street Marketplace
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Each week, the party pops up on a different block of the Marketplace. Think patio dining, dancing in the street, cold drinks, good friends, and warm summer nights.

Friday, August 14, 2026

Sing-Along with Linda Bassick
9:00 AM–10:00 AM @ Pingala Cafe NNE
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Friday morning sing along!

South End Get Down
5:00 PM–9:00 PM @ The Pinery
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
South End Burlington's Free Block Party is every Friday with food, music and family-friendly activities, like face painting and ice cream. Enjoy over 60+ vendors throughout the season and a fun Friday night with family. Show up early for shorter lines and a calmer time.

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Burlington Farmer's Market
9:00 AM–2:00 PM @ 345 Pine Street
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Every Saturday more than 70 vendors gather at 345 Pine Street - just a short walk from downtown.

Shelburne Farmer's Market
9:00 AM–1:00 PM @ Shelburne Parade Grounds
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
The market is where local farms and makers welcome their neighbors and visitors to the best of Shelburne.

Littlest Guppies
9:00 AM–10:00 AM @ Community Sailing Center
3–5 years | Outside, Register
Littlest Guppies is a one‑hour program for children and their caregivers. Each session includes a mix of water‑based activities- such as water play by the dock, paddleboarding with a caregiver, or exploring one of our sailboats- and on‑land science games and activities. Guppies spend half the session on the water and half on shore. Spots fill up quickly.

Junior Farm Tour
10:00 AM–11:00 AM @ Common Roots Farm Stand
2–5+ years | Free, Outside, Register
Bring your young explorers to Common Roots for an engaging, hands-on farm walk created just for kids! Together, we’ll explore how healthy soil builds healthy bodies and learn how plants grow from the ground up.

Sensing the Season at Rock Point
10:30 AM–12:00 PM @ Rock Point Center
3–5+ years | Free, Outside, Register
Come to Rock Point Center for a guided activity about engaging with growth and change in our natural environment throughout the season. This includes a brief introduction into phenology (the study of seasonal environmental and biological changes) and the opportunity to explore spots along the trail with prompts and a scavenger hunt to aid your observations.

Storytime and Artmaking for Families
11:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Shelburne Museum
2–5+ years | Paid, Inside, Drop In
Join us as we read a fun and whimsical selection of books about art, creativity, community, and wonder. Each storytime will conclude with an artmaking activity.

Sing Along with Linda at the NNE Branch
11:00 AM–11:30 AM @ Fletcher Free Library NNE
0–5 years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Dance, wiggle, and sing with local musician/early educator, Linda Bassick!

Littlest Guppies
11:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Community Sailing Center
3–5 years | Outside, Register
Littlest Guppies is a one‑hour program for children and their caregivers. Each session includes a mix of water‑based activities- such as water play by the dock, paddleboarding with a caregiver, or exploring one of our sailboats- and on‑land science games and activities. Guppies spend half the session on the water and half on shore. Spots fill up quickly.

Splash Dance: Skipipop
1:00 PM–3:00 PM @ City Hall Park
2–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Delighted kids and their caregivers soak up some serious summer fun with a DJ-fueled dance party in City Hall Park's interactive, wheelchair accessible splash fountain.

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Winooski Farmer's Market
10:00 AM–2:00 PM @ Winooski Framer's Market
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
The Winooski Farmers Market is a sweet little market bringing food and fun to the Onion City. We’re proud to present Vermont-made farm-fresh products, prepared foods, crafts, live music, community guests, and activities!

Soda Plant Sunday Market
10:00 AM–2:00 PM @ Soda Plant
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Inside, Drop In
Come explore the Soda Plant and enjoy local artists, crafters, vintage, coffee and food plus free live music. All are welcome!

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Family Play at the Garden
9:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Ethan Allen Homestead
0–5 years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Community building, fun learning activities for children aged 0–5, and social connections for caregivers. May–October at the Ethan Allen Homestead Community Gardens for outdoor activities, optional gardening, nature play and more!

Sing-Along with Linda Bassick
11:00 AM–11:30 AM @ Fletcher Free Library
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Dance, wiggle, and sing with local musician/early educator, Linda Bassick.

Baby Playgroup hosted by GROW
1:00 PM–2:00 PM @ Burlington Surf Club
0–18 months | Free, Outside, Register
Join us for some adult hangout time with babies and kiddos in tow! Our playgroup is a chance for parents of little ones to meet, connect, chat, make friends and ask questions about all things baby and parenthood.

Old North End (ONE) Farmer's Market
3:00 PM–6:30 PM @ Dewey Park
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Working with local farmers, we help increase food access in a growing & diverse Burlington neighborhood.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Shelburne Farms Community Concert Series
5:00 PM @ Shelburne Farms
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Set up your lawn chair and blanket, bring a picnic dinner or enjoy food for sale on site. This event is certain to be a pleasure for the whole family! Kids will love dancing on the lawn and visiting with the animals in the Children's Farmyard.

May we Suggest...

... looking ahead to Vermont Cheese Week

"It’s more cheese than you can shake a sheep at."

The Vermont Cheese Council's State-wide celebration of cheese and cheese-makers is taking place September 13–20!

Check out the Cheese Week events page to find something for your family and friends.