Shining a Light

Neither my husband nor I spent much time with kids before having our daughter. Our first big excursion with her was apple picking when she was a month old. At the time, changing a diaper still felt like a delicate operation to maneuver tiny limbs and wipe the teeniest butt.

As we arrived at the orchard, I watched a father quickly lay his daughter on the busy lawn, swiftly and confidently changing her diaper in the open air. I must have said something like 'Wow...' while gaping in awe. He smiled and replied: 'Trial by fire.'
— Anonymous, Burlington, VT

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

Events

Thursday, July 16, 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.

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 – 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, July 17, 2026

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

Main Street Block Party
1:00 PM–7:30 PM @ City Hall Park
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Main Street construction is complete, and it's time to party! The beautiful new sidewalks will be filled with live music, family-friendly activities, local business pop-ups, public art tours, and opportunities to explore Burlington’s revitalized Main Street in a whole new way.

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 is every Friday night May 15 - August 28, 5-9pm 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.

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Burlington Farmer's Market
9:00 AM–2:00 PM @ 345 Pine Street
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Every Saturday from May 10th through October 25th, more than 70 vendors gather at 345 Pine Street - just a short walk from downtown.

Turf Time/Tykes Scramble Fun Run
9:00 AM–11:00 AM @ South Burlington High School
2–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Join SBRP staff on the SBHS turf field for a fun morning of family playtime. We'll bring the music and lawn games along with hula hoops, a large parachute, soccer balls and goals, Tykes lacrosse and t-ball equipment and more.

Wild Turtle Weekend
10:00 AM–3:00 PM @ ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
0–5+ years | Paid, Inside, Drop In
Join ECHO’s Animal Care team for a special weekend dedicated to Vermont’s native turtle species! Enjoy turtle-themed programming throughout the museum and meet ECHO’s turtle Animal Ambassadors in live presentations.

Dads & Kids YO-YO Workshop hosted by Dad Guild
10:00 AM–12:00 PM @ The Soda Plant
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Register
What the yo-yo? Does your kid want to learn how to yo-yo? Do you want to learn how to yo-yo? Join us at the Guild Hall on Saturday, July 18 th from 10am-12pm to learn from local yo-yo legend, Jake Gorton! All participants get a yo-yo to take home. Limited spots so RSVP today!

Stories with Geoff at the NNE Branch
11:00 AM–11:30 AM @ Fletcher Free Library (NNE Branch)
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Join Geoff for stories, songs, and movement in the New North End Branch!

Main Street Block Party
11:00 AM–9:00 PM @ City Hall Park
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Main Street construction is complete, and it's time to party! The beautiful new sidewalks will be filled with live music, family-friendly activities, local business pop-ups, public art tours, and opportunities to explore Burlington’s revitalized Main Street in a whole new way.

“Célébrons l’Eté” / Outdoor Picnic & Games at the Children’s Garden hosted by Vermont French Learning Hub
11:00 AM–1:00 PM @ Wheeler House
0–5+ years | Donation, Outside, Drop In
We’ll learn about gardening, composting and caring for plants, learn songs, play games and other age-appropriate activities. All ages are welcome and there will be a variety of options, all parent-led, including a summer treasure hunt.

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.

Summervale
4:00 PM–8:00 PM @ Intervale Center
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
The Intervale Center is excited to announce the return of Summervale, a free summer festival in celebration of community and local food, featuring live music and family-friendly activities at the historic farmstead in the Intervale.

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Breakfast w/ Bluey hosted by Dad Guild
9:00 AM–10:30 AM @ Vermont Comedy Club
6 months—5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Breakfast with Bluey returns to the VT Comedy Club, its original location. There'll be free pancakes and Bluey on the projector screen for 60 minutes, then we'll quickly transform into the hottest dance club open at 10am in Vermont, glow sticks and all.

Wild Turtle Weekend
10:00 AM–3:00 PM @ ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
0–5+ years | Paid, Inside, Drop In
Join ECHO’s Animal Care team for a special weekend dedicated to Vermont’s native turtle species! Enjoy turtle-themed programming throughout the museum and meet ECHO’s turtle Animal Ambassadors in live presentations.

Winooski Farmer's Market
10:00 AM–2:00 PM @ 20 Winooski Falls Way
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!

Monday, July 20, 2026

Summertime Stories and Crafts for Kids!
11:00 AM–11:45 AM @ Fletcher Free Library
2–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Kids and their caregivers are invited to the Youth Area for storytime and a fun craft project based on this year's Summer Challenge theme: Unearth A Story!

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Baby Playgroup
1:00 PM–2:00 PM @ Burlington Surf Club (WND & WVS)
0–18 months | Free, Inside, 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, July 22, 2026

Babytime
10:30 AM–11:00 AM @ South Burlington Public Library
0–6 months | Free, Inside, Drop In
Wednesdays, 10:30am - 11:00am, for non-mobile infants and their adult caregivers. A gentle, slow storytime that features songs, rhymes and lap play for our youngest patrons. Grown-ups caregivers are welcome to socialize after storytime.

Family Artmaking
10:30 AM–12:00 PM @ Shelburne Museum
2–5+ years | Paid, Inside, Register
Young artists and their families are invited to create art inspired by special exhibitions at the Museum. Bring your imagination, and we’ll bring the supplies, guidance, and enthusiasm!

Beach Bites
5:00 PM–8:00 PM @ Leddy Beach
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Join us for a family-friendly picnic on the lake for a perfect summer evening – featuring stellar local food trucks, sunsets, live music, lawn games, and free public skating at Leddy Arena!

29th Annual Town of Shelburne Concert Series
5:30 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...

...a berry-picking trip

Isham Family Farm
3515 Oak Hill Rd, Williston, VT 05495

During the month of July, Isham Family Farm is open for pick-your-own blueberries. Blueberry picking continues into August, along with black currants. Quart and pint containers are provided. The farm has opened a creemee stand at the sugarhouse.

Blueberry Brunch Festival Sundays: July 19 and 26, 2026 with food and cocktails

Sweet Roots Farm and Market
4702 Ethan Allen Hwy, Charlotte, VT 05445

Offering Certified Organic farm grown fruit and vegetables, farm market, groceries and more.

Pick your own blueberries open daily 9:00 AM–6:00 PM

Adam's Berry Farm
985 Bingham Brook Rd, Charlotte, VT 05445

Pick your own berries and flowers open Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM, and Sundays: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Raspberries: Open for picking
• Blueberries: Open for picking
• Flowers: Opening Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Full Belly Farm
686 Davis Rd, Hinesburg, VT 05461

We encourage people of all ages to come experience the unparalleled flavor of a fully ripe, just-picked berry!

Pick your own blueberries open Tuesday–Sunday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Please call ahead for up-to-date availability 802-453-3793