Summer Fun
For Those Rainy Summer Days: Completely Free
For Those Rainy Summer Days: Some Cost
Here are some fun, kid-friendly options for getting out and about during the summer months! Have something you’d like to share with other parents? You can submit an event to our online calendar.
We emphasize free or low cost activities and also include ‘hidden gems’ or ‘insider tips’ that we learn about from other parents in the community. Every family is different; please exercise discretion and common sense in determining whether an activity is right for your family.
Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming & Walking Trails
Special Summer Events: Completely Free or Some Cost Involved
For Those Rainy Summer Days: Completely Free
Here are some free and low cost indoor options… for days when taking the kiddos outside just isn’t an option.
- Pregnant or postpartum parents and caregivers are welcome
- Ongoing weekly support group online
- Join from your smartphone, tablet or computer (or call in from a regular phone)
- Free of charge
- Come as you are: listen or share
- Learn about helpful tools and resources
Pre-registration is required. Please contact Hillary Montgomery at hillary.montgomery@cvmc.org or 802-371-5961.
Feeling “short changed” on opportunities for in person connections with other new parents? Want to begin building your parenting community in a face to face setting? New parents are feeling this sense of missing out on making social connections, you are not alone! The Good Beginnings Baby Stroll is an in person, outdoor social event for families with new babies and a great opportunity for exercise all in one! Join us for a walk with your little one in a stroller or held in a carrier.
Safety:
Masks are encouraged for unvaccinated people older than 2. Please, use caution and do not attend if you are showing any signs of illness.
Dates & Times:
Fridays in August at 10 AM. Meet at the parking area by Pioneer Street Bridge (Old Country Club Road.)
Library Story Hours and Museum Passes
Many area libraries offer story hours, passes to local museums, and other fun events throughout the summer. Call ahead or check their websites for details.
Aldrich Public Library
6 Washington St. Barre, VT 05641
(802) 476-7550 aldrichpubliclibrary@gmail.com
Brown Public Library
93 South Main Street, Northfield, VT 05663
(802) 485-4621 bpl-lib@trans-video.net
Jaquith Public Library
122 School St, Marshfield, VT 05658, (802) 426-3581
Kellogg Hubbard Children’s Library
135 Main Street, Montpelier, Vermont, 05602 (802) 223-3338
Waterbury Public Library
28 North Main Street, Waterbury
(802) 244-7036
174 River Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 (upstairs in the loft)
Babywearers of Central Vermont is an educational non-profit that teaches families how to use carriers effectively and safely. Our monthly meetings are free and open to all. They are a great way to learn about babywearing, connect with others, and support each other as parents and caregivers.
201 North Main Street, Barre, VT (802) 479-7069
Galleries and opening receptions are kid friendly and free to the public. A wonderful place to connect with the art culture and spend time with your child. Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 11:30AM–5PM.
3600 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677
Watch the bakery make fresh apple pies, tour the mill and get a fresh sample of apple cider!
Montpelier, VT
FREE shuttle bus around downtown Montpelier. Runs hourly during the week. Nothing like a bus ride to entertain a toddler!
Many playgroups take a break for the summer, but the Family Center of Washington County‘s Saturday Morning Playgroup is back.
For Those Rainy Summer Days: Some Cost Involved
Second Saturday of every month 9:30-11:30am Capital City Grange, Route 12 South, Berlin VT
A clothing exchange at the Central Vermont Capitol City Grange. Kids clothes newborn to Junior size 12, as well as toys and books. Three dollar fee per family. Contact Erin with any questions you may have (831) 337-8632 birthsinnerlight@yahoo.com
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
McDonalds: Berlin (as another playground option)
Red Hen Bakery: Middlesex
Manghi’s Bakery: 28 School Street, Montpelier
This local bakery is a favorite among families for its 5 cent rolls for kiddos.
654 Granger Road, Berlin
No charge for infants. 5-visit punch cards are available. Visit website for cost and schedule.
546 River Road, Waterbury
Public skating is a great way to bring the community together, stick and puck time is a fun way to stay active, and renting the ice for a party is a fantastic way to enjoy healthy recreation.
708 Rte US 302, Berlin
Bowling, laser tag, arcade, and a sports Bistro all under the same roof.
109 State Street Pavilion Building (next to the State House), Montpelier
Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Closed state and federal holidays. One admission fee gives access to both the Vermont History Museum and the Vermont Heritage Galleries. Adults: $7; families: $20; students, children, seniors: $5; members and children under 6: free.
7 Jones Bros Way, Barre VT
Discover the science of granite and the heritage of Vermont’s granite industry. The Museum is committed to providing engaging learning experiences for children, teens, and adults. Open June-October, Wednesday-Saturday, 10AM – 4PM
Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming & Walking Trails
Play on a Playground!
58 Barre Street, Montpelier
Located behind the Montpelier Senior Activity Center at 58 Barre Street. Also accessible from behind 46 Barre Street, via Monsignor Crosby Ave.
12 Pleasant Street, East Barre
Parking at the East Barre Playground is available at the end of Pleasant Street. Drive south on Route 110 out of East Barre Village, just past the St. Cecilia & St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church turn left onto Pleasant Street.
Elm Street, Montpelier
Located behind the Montpelier Pool.
51 S Main Street, Waterbury
In addition to the playground, this park has a large picnic pavilion, BBQ pit, basketball court, skate park, baseball field, disk golf course, and nature trails.
3 Baptist Street, Graniteville
The Lower Graniteville Playground is located at the corner of Graniteville Road and Baptist Street in the Lower Graniteville Village. The playground is next to the Post Office.
Corner of Elm and Summer Street, Barre
Fenced in playground for children of all ages to enjoy. Recently remodeled.
59 Parkside Terrace, Barre
This is quite the playground for little one to do lots of climbing, running and swinging. It even has a skate park next door for the older kids.
26 Wilson Street, South Barre
The South Barre Park is located behind Hannaford’s Market. Wilson Street provides access to the playground.
Brookside Primary School; 47 Stowe Street, Waterbury
This playground has a brick labyrinth, a water garden and slides built into the hillside so no one can fall off and everyone can ride down.
291 Hill Street, Barre
The Trow Hill Playground is located on Hill Street between West Cobble Hill Road and Balsam Drive, one hundred yards above the Trow Hill Grocery. It was last renovated in 2016. The public may also use the basketball and volleyball courts located at the EMS Station, at the intersection of U.S. Route 302 and McLaughlin Road.
10 Park Street, Graniteville
The Upper Graniteville Playground is on Park Street, which intersects with Graniteville Road between Cogswell Street and Donahue Road.
19 Brook Street, Websterville
The Upper Websterville Playground is located on Brook Street. Next to the Post Office, turn off of Church Hill Road into Brook Street. The playground is a very short distance up Brook Street. It was last renovated in 2015.
Get Outside! Swimming, Parks & Walking Trails
59 Parkside Terrace, Barre
Check out the website for more details.
Bolton Valley Access Road, Bolton
Check out the Bolton Potholes, one of Vermont’s most preeminent swimming holes. These large, round, rock “bowls” are located on the Joiner Brook falls about six miles out of Waterbury, just a quarter mile up the road to the Bolton Valley Resort.
3508 Camels Hump Road, Duxbury
Climbs the east side can be somewhat challenging, but there’s also an accessible loop with its own parking area.
Dog River Road, Montpelier
The Dog River Recreation Area has softball fields where our summer leagues are held as well as serving as a soccer field for the youth program in the fall. There are picnic tables and a couple of grills near the river for small get-togethers.
4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center
The Vermont’s Long Trail System, with its 272-mile footpath, 166 miles of side trails, and approximately 70 backcountry campsites (many featuring shelters) offers endless hiking opportunities for the day hiker, weekend overnighter, and extended backpacker.
400 Parkway Street, Montpelier
Enjoy Vermont’s natural beauty in Montpelier at Hubbard Park. Hike up to the tower, visit one of the shelters, explore many trails, this park is great for the whole family!
3444 Little River Rd, Waterbury
Little River State Park is a campground state park on the 850-acre Waterbury Reservoir in Waterbury, Vermont. It is located in Mount Mansfield State Forest.
4061 Main Street, Waitsfield
Public pathways from Warren to Moretown to foster a healthy community by connecting the people, businesses and special places of the Mad River Valley.
44 Brook Street, Websterville
Many of these mountain biking trails also make for good rambles or walks. On some sections of trail, be on the lookout for cool sculptures carved by local artists!
Elm Street, Montpelier
The Montpelier pool often has family fun events. Look on their website for more information, schedules, and admission fees.
713 Elm Street, Montpelier
Walk the trail along the North Branch of the Winooski or extend your hike into Hubbard Park or North Branch River Park. You can even hook up with the East Montpelier trail network.
365 King Street, Northfield
Resident and non-resident season pool passes are available at the Northfield Memorial Pool or at the Town Clerk’s Office. Daily passes may only be purchased at the pool.
51 South Main Street, Waterbury
This park in the heart of downtown Waterbury hosts weekly Farmer’s Markets, with free live music to follow. Plus it’s perfect for the little ones to hop on a swing or go down the slide while the caretaker can rest in the shaded gazebo area.
177 Reservoir Road, Waterbury Center
90-acre park on a reservoir offers picnic sites, boat rentals, a nature trail, a swimming beach, picnicking, grills, restrooms and changing areas. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 am to sunset.
27 Butler Street, Waterbury
Swimming lessons, open swim, and more! Learn more about when the pool is open, and the fee on their website.
369 VT-12, Middlesex
Enjoy picnic areas, a swimming beach, disk golf course, boat rentals, and hiking trails.
Special Summer Events: Completely Free and Some Cost Involved
Summer is here, and communities across Vermont are serving free meals for kids 18 and under. Many meal locations will continue to offer grab-and-go meal service, as well as the option to pick multiple days worth of meals at once.
To learn how your community is serving meals, and to find meal locations near you, visit: Hunger Free Vermont’s 2021 Summer Meal spreadsheet or USDA’s Meals for Kids Site Finder
- Ben and Jerry’s-1281 Waterbury Stowe Rd Route 100, Waterbury.
- Bragg Farm Sugarhouse- 1005 Vt Rte 14 N, East Montpelier.
- Canteen Creamery– 5123 Main Street, Waitsfield.
- Chill Gelato– 32 State Street, Montpelier.
- Crossroads Beverage and Deli– 52 N Main Street, Waterbury.
- Dairy Creme- 320 State Street, Montpelier.
- Leonardo’s Italian Gelato & Sorbet- 131 South Main Street, Barre.
- Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks- 1168 County Road, Montpelier.
- Pump and Pantry- 33 Business Center Road, Williamstown.
- Simon’s Store and Deli– 377 River Street, Montpelier.
- The Snack Shack–515 North Main Street, Barre.
- The Sweet Spot- 40 Bridge Street, Waitsfield.
Farmer’s Markets
Some markets allow you to spend your SNAP/3SquaresVT benefits. For WIC families!
- Barre- Pearl Street, Wednesday Afternoons.
- Chelsea-North Common, Friday afternoons.
- Montpelier- 60 State Street, Saturday mornings.
- Northfield- Town Common, Tuesday afternoons.
- Plainfied– Mill Street Park, Friday afternoons.
- Randolph– 44 South Main Street, Saturday mornings.
- Waterbury- 2 Rotarian Place, Thursday afternoons.
- Waitsfield- Mad River Green. Saturday mornings.
