pantanal

We are spending a week in a rental house in Manchester VT in August with our 5 year old and 1 year old, and would love ideas on fun things to do with kids, especially outdoor activities like easy hikes and fun events geared towards preschoolers. So far, we're planning to go on the alpine slide at Bromley (with the 5 year old), to the great bookstore in Manchester, to the Nature Museum at Grafton's Discovery Days for little kids, and maybe down to the Mass Moca museum for a day.

As I mentioned, we're looking for outdoor adventures and special events geared towards little kids, and even just knowing where the best playgrounds are would be very useful!

Thank you.

dfrostnh

Check with owner about running a lawn sprinkler. Spent yesterday with 3 gcs (2, 7, 9). Kids love sprinklers and simple water play. Unfortunately, the Montshire Museum is 1 1/2 hour drive. Would be great for 5 yo but not 1 yo. IF you decide to go, take a picnic lunch and bathing suits for the outdoor water activities. It's an all day kind of place so you might find it worth the drive. The only bad thing was a lot of sun and not much shade for parents around the water play area (wear hat and sunglasses).

HappyTrvlr

Drive up the hill to Bromley Mtn. They turn the ski area into fun summer rides, etc. I don't know if they're appropriate for a five year old but we have taken kids there of all ages in tne past.
Montshire is worth the ride, terrific hands on experience for kids. Drive via Rt. 4 and stop at Billings Farm Museum either coming or going.
Spend time at Emerald Lake State Park, near Manchester.
Go to the Children's area of the well reknown independent Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, rifht at intersection of 11/30 and 7.
There are numerous places to get excellent ice cream.

sandragoodlife

Merck Forest and Farmland in nearby Rupert has a Family Fun Farm Chores program that our young grandchildren enjoyed. It's on Thurs. from 2-4 and you need to sign up in advance. The farm is a teaching farm that offers berry picking also. There are wonderful hiking trails there also.
http://merckforest.org/index.php

Arlington Recreation Park has a very nice playground for children, a walking fitness path along the Battenkill River and a small swimming hole.

We rented bikes at Battenkill Bikes in Manchester and biked a nice ride from Dorset Green along Manchester West Rd. The bike shop can give you maps and route suggestions. We used a bike seat on one bike and a tagalong for our 5 year old.

Sunday visit the Farmers Market in Dorset - they have lots of wonderful food and music for the kids to enjoy.

We also enjoy kayaking on the Battenkill river but I think the one year old is too young for that.

There is a very nice walk in the Equinox Preserve in Manchester around the pond. Parking is on West Union St.
http://equinoxpreservationtrust.org/index.php

The Calvin Coolidge birthplace in Plymouth Notch is very interesting...a chance to see a spot frozen in time.

Enjoy your visit to Vermont - it's really special.

pantanal

Thank you for these suggestions. I didn't know about Montshire, but I looked it up and I think my son would love it. We'll definitely have to spend a day there. Berry picking is something I know he'd love, too, and we'll all enjoy the Northshire Bookstore.

Any other suggestions of place to go (ideally under an hour drive each way), good playgrounds or other fun kid stuff in the area?

HappyTrvlr

Manchester Recreation Park has a nice playground, from Min St take Rt30(Bonnet St) north, pass Catholic Church, next right, drive to end near tennis courts.

HappyTrvlr

The Rec Park also has a pool but not sure if you have to be a resident to use it.