The Aug 6–12 Round-up
Shining a Light
“I was so mad I could’ve shaked them”. These were not the words I expected to hear at my first Dad Guild meeting, but they’re what have helped me during my most frustrated times of parenthood. Of course I’m never going to shake my or anyone’s baby. But I know I’m not alone in those maddening moments when it’s been an hour and my boy won’t sleep.
— Anonymous, Burlington, VT
Are you caring for a baby, toddler, or little kid? Share your stories and musings with other parents!
Events
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Extend a Storytime
9:15 AM–9:45 AM @ South Burlington Public Library
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Join us each week as we read books and explore different ways of bringing stories to life! Through movement, music, art, construction, and so much more, caregivers will learn easy and low cost/free ways to make literacy more fun & exciting at home.
Sidewalk Sale
10:00 AM–6:00 PM @ Church Street Marketplace
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Inside, Drop In
Come celebrate summer with us during the 46th annual Sidewalk Sale! We're turning up the heat with five days of amazing sales and discounts all along the Marketplace.
Extend a Storytime
10:30 AM–11:00 AM @ South Burlington Public Library
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Join us each week as we read books and explore different ways of bringing stories to life! Through movement, music, art, construction, and so much more, caregivers will learn easy and low cost/free ways to make literacy more fun & exciting at home.
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 – Top 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 7, 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!
Sidewalk Sale
10:00 AM–6:00 PM @ Church Street Marketplace
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Inside, Drop In
Come celebrate summer with us during the 46th annual Sidewalk Sale! We're turning up the heat with five days of amazing sales and discounts all along the Marketplace.
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.
South Burlington Farmer's Market
5:00 PM–7:00 PM @ South Burlington Farmer's Market
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
South Burlington is getting a fresh new way to shop, connect, and celebrate local this summer! Join us for the launch of our brand new Farmers Market located along the BTV Airport Recreation Path.
Saturday, August 8, 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.
Sidewalk Sale
10:00 AM–6:00 PM @ Church Street Marketplace
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Inside, Drop In
Come celebrate summer with us during the 46th annual Sidewalk Sale! We're turning up the heat with five days of amazing sales and discounts all along the Marketplace.
Flynnzone Kids Hour: Animal Dance
10:00 AM–11:00 AM @ The Flynn
3–5 years | Free, Inside
Come dance and move with Burlington-based experimental dance company ANIMAL Dance! Through various exercises and movement games, participants will both learn about the elements of dance (time, energy, space, shape) as well as create new dances together as a group!
Family Bike Ride
10:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Local Motion hosted by Dad Guild
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Register
Join Local Motion and Dad Guild for a group bike ride, walk, roll or stroll. All ages and abilities are welcome. Need a bike to participate? Discounted rentals are available through Local Motion. Contact [email protected] for details.
Stories with Geoff at the NNE Branch
11:00 AM–11:30 AM @ Fletcher Free Library NNE
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Join Geoff for stories, songs, and movement in the New North End Branch!
Splash Dance: DJ Love
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 9, 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!
Sidewalk Sale
10:00 AM–6:00 PM @ Church Street Marketplace
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Inside, Drop In
Come celebrate summer with us during the 46th annual Sidewalk Sale! We're turning up the heat with five days of amazing sales and discounts all along the Marketplace.
Dad Guild Play Group
3:30 PM–5:00 PM @ Fletcher Free Library
0–5 years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Join us on the second Sunday of every month from 3:30pm - 5pm for a low-key playgroup at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. We’ll be in the kids’ section, most likely sprawled out on the floor somewhere, attempting to have conversations with one another while our kids have other plans. Come with low expectations and you won’t leave disappointed.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Family Play at the Garden
9:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Ethan Allen Homestead hosted by The Family Room
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
1:00 PM–2:00 PM @ Burlington Surf Club hosted by GROW
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 12, 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...
... playing in the water at a State Park
Check out State Parks with swimming (some also have playgrounds) or use the Park Finder to find nearby parks on a map.
Make sure to look at the water status page for swim conditions before visiting!
Alburgh Dunes
picnic area, playground, and swimming
Alburgh Dunes State Park covers 625 acres and became a state park in 1996. It is named for the sand dunes near the center and western end of its south-facing beach, one of the longest beaches on Lake Champlain. The beach and dunes form a barrier island, a natural feature that protects the wetland behind it.
Sand Bar
picnic area, playground, and swimming
Sand Bar State Park takes its name from a natural sandbar between South Hero Island in Grand Isle County and the town of Milton, Vermont on the mainland.
The sandbar formed over tens of thousands of years. Today the water along the top of the sandbar is only a few feet deep. Because of this shallow water, people once used this route as a natural ford between the mainland and the islands long before a bridge was built.
Lake Carmi
picnic area and swimming
Carmi is the fourth largest natural lake located entirely within Vermont. The beach and picnic area are located at the north side of the park.