Shining a Light

Sometimes, when she's falling asleep I hear her quietly singing "...E-I-E-I-O" to herself.
— Anonymous, Burlington, VT

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

Events

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Family Play at the Garden hosted by The Family Room
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. Through October at the Ethan Allen Homestead Community Gardens for outdoor activities, optional gardening, nature play and more!

Toddlertime
9:15 AM–9:45 AM @ South Burlington Public Library
1–3 years | Free, Inside, Drop In
This lively, interactive storytime is just right for your wiggly toddler. Short stories and familiar songs, rhymes and fingerplays are featured, with time to wiggle and dance. Sitting still is not a pre-requisite!

Toddlertime
10:00 AM–10:30 AM @ South Burlington Public Library
1–3 years | Free, Inside, Drop In
This lively, interactive storytime is just right for your wiggly toddler. Short stories and familiar songs, rhymes and fingerplays are featured, with time to wiggle and dance. Sitting still is not a pre-requisite!

Storytime
10:30 AM–11:00 AM @ Winooski Memorial Library
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Join the Winooski Memorial Library every Thursday for storytime! We'll be reading our favorite books, singing songs, doing a little dancing, and sharing in the fun!

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.

Petra Cliffs Homeschool Drop-In Hours
11:00 AM–1:00 PM @ Petra Cliffs
2–5+ years | Paid, Inside, Drop In
Homeschool Drop-In Hours is unstructured climbing time, with families receiving an orientation & basic safety instruction. This is a great opportunity to connect with other homeschool families!

Family Happy Hour hosted by GROW
5:00 PM–6:00 PM @ The Pinery
0–5+ years | Free, Outside, Drop In
Bring your partner, bring your baby/kids and connect with other GROW families in the area over beers and a sunset! The Pinery is a fully outside beer garden with food trucks and shade from the sun.

Friday, September 4, 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 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.

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, September 5, 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.

Creative Play Saturday
10:00 AM–11:30 AM @ The Makery
18 months–5 years | Paid, Inside, Register
Caregivers join their child at many different crafting stations where kids can explore with all their senses and develop their fine motor skills. We'll set up an assortment of ever changing craft opportunities so kids can explore colors, shapes, textures, and so much more at their own pace. Previous crafts have included: Collage, stamps, painting, coloring, beading, play-doh, slime, and more!

Sensing the Season at Rock Point
10:30 AM–11:45 AM @ 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.

Sunday, September 6, 2026

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

Children's Storytime
10:30 AM–11:00 AM @ Wild Meadows Books and Cafe
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Join Christine, our Children's Programming Manager and a former early childhood educator, in our Children's section for storytime!

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Playgroup
10:30 AM–11:30 AM @ Winooski Memorial Library
0–5 years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Meet at the library for a playtime with a variety of educational toys. Adults will have the chance to talk about child development or just chat.

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 @ GROW
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, September 9, 2026

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

Early Months (Baby Massage)
10:30 AM–12:00 PM @ The Family Room
0–6 months | Free, Inside, Drop In
A soothing environment to learn and practice massage techniques. Best for babies 6 weeks until they are old enough to crawl away. Caregivers will have time to connect and share with others.

Children's Storytime
10:30 AM–11:00 AM @ Wild Meadows Books and Cafe
0–5+ years | Free, Inside, Drop In
Join Christine, our Children's Programming Manager and a former early childhood educator, in our Children's section for storytime!

May we Suggest...

...attending Playing Fields

Plasticiens Volants Sea Fantasy – The Pearl will be presented on school fields across Vermont, Sept 8–20.

A mesmerizing street show adapted for school fields featuring a menagerie of giant sea creatures accompanied by music and special effects

Without a snorkel or a mask, audiences are invited to dive into an underwater world where a lonely pearl dreams of exploring beyond her shell. As she embarks on her journey, an entire aquatic community rallies around her, helping her brave crashing waves, powerful winds, and swirling tides before finding a welcoming new home.

Burlington shows will be:

• Sunday, September 13 in Downtown Burlington
• Tuesday, September 15 at J.J. Flynn Elementary

The Playing Fields Project is a back-to-school celebration that travels to school districts around Vermont. The project invites communities to gather together for joyful and awe-inspiring performances on school fields. Everyone is invited to join the fun!