Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
We love VT! There is so much do Vermont with kids and we’re here to help you plan the perfect Vermont Family Vacation. We try to share activities to enjoy for different seasons and for different age kids. Whether you plan to visit Vermont for the day, are planning a Vermont family road trip or want to spend a week in Vermont with kids here are 30 amazing Vermont family activities.
If you are looking for more information about travelling and exploring Vermont, make sure to check out the Vermont Travel Guide.
Planning the Perfect Vermont Family Vacation
Before you explore some of the things to do in Vermont with kids listed below, there are a few things to consider when planning your Vermont family vacation. You will need to decide where to stay and when to visit. Vermont has activities for family in any season, but depending on what you want to do, make sure you choose the right time to visit.
November-April you can expect snow in Vermont, especially in the mountains and to the north. This makes it a great time for winter activities with kids in Vermont. You will even find snow in the mountains into May. If you want outdoor hiking weather or weather for swimming in lakes, try to visit June-August. September and October are excellent months to visit Vermont and there are plenty of Vermont fall activities to keep you and your kids busy.
If you are trying to decide where to stay in Vermont, consider looking at a family resorts in Vermont or a finding a family camp in Vermont. You may also choose to stay in a location where you’re close to some of the Vermont Family Activities below.
Best Family Activities in Vermont
Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
This is a classic Vermont activity with younger kids. At the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, you can watch the teddy bears be made by hand and then choose your own bear to purchase and take home with you. There is even a bear hospital since these bears are guaranteed for life!
Shelburne Museum
Shelburne Museum explore American history, art, and design with 39 structures on a large property. Full of historic buildings moved to the property and creative art pieces, this is a one of a kind museum. There are fun activities specifically for kids so check their website for details.
Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Tour
My family LOVES ice cream so we are always on the lookout for the best ice cream stand. At the famous Ben and Jerry’s factory you can not only eat ice cream, but take a tour to see how they make their famous ice cream. Kids of all ages will love this tour and make sure you stop by the visitors store while you’re there!
Weston Playhouse
Catch a live show at Weston Playhouse. This theatre offers a wide range of shows including plenty of kids friendly options. Catching a live show can be the perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening on your next Vermont Family Vacation.
Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington
Immerse yourself in avian world with at this museum all about birds. You will find many bird carvings with information about birds inside, and then you can go walk outside and look for birds in their natural habitat. This has an element of both science and art and is a great visit for kids who love nature.
Learn more about the Birds of Vermont Museum
Green Mountain Railroad
Take a ride with your kids on the Green Mountain Railroad. Check out their options to see Vermont from train. View the fall foliage or take the dinner train. Your kids with love the historic train and the chance to ride the rails in Chester and Burlington.
Shelburne Farms
Vermont is built on farming and this is an amazing educational center focused on teaching and sharing ideas are sustainability. Shelburne Farms has plenty of activities for people of all ages, making it an ideal place to visit on a Vermont family vacation. Visit the farm and gardens and walk around the property.
ECHO Leahy Center
This award winning facility is home to well over 100 exhibits and animals to visit and explore. The ECHO Leahy Center is a science and nature museum best for kids under 12. You should plan a few hours to spend at the center to explore everything.
Take a Hike
Anytime of year Vermont is a wonderful place to hike and explore. Depending on the age of your kids you can explore some of the taller peaks in the Green Mountains, or look for shorter hikes to waterfalls. Our favorite way to find the perfect hikes is to check out All Trails.
Find Covered Bridges
Vermont is famous for its covered bridges and you can plan your entire trip around finding these iconic bridges through Vermont. You can follow a map of covered bridges and you kids can help keep track of how many they find. See more about Vermont’s covered bridges here.
Billings Farm and Museum
Operating for over 150 years, this working farm is the perfect place to visit and meet farm animals and learn about the dairy industry. Billings Farm and Museum offers many programs and special events so make sure to check their website. If you visit in the spring you will get to see some of the baby animals.
Kids Activities: Vermont in Winter
Pump House Indoor Waterpark
You can visit the Pump House Indoor Waterpark anytime of the year, but it’s the perfect activity when the weather isn’t cooperating outside. Part of the Jay Peak Family Resort, this is a large indoor water park that also has a retractable roof for the summer months. There is a river float, slides and more.
Ski
You can’t say ‘winter in Vermont’ without conjuring up the image of skiing down one of Vermont’s classic ski runs. Vermont has many wonderful big and small ski resorts, and planning a family ski vacation in Vermont will give you wonderful family memories. Many of the ski resorts also offer cross country skiing, snowshoeing, skating, hot tubs and more.
Vermont Maple Sugar Experience
Vermont is well known as a producer of liquid gold (aka maple syrup). Learn more about how they make maple syrup by visiting a sugar house. The best time to visit is during sugaring time (late winter), but you can also go to Morse Farm with is open all year long and get the famous maple cremees!
Activities in Vermont with Kids: Fall Activities
Apple Picking
Apple picking is a Vermont tradition and if you are visiting Vermont in the fall or even late summer, make sure you add apple picking to your list. There are many orchards that offer pick your own opportunities. One of our favorite is Scotts Farm Orchard both because they focus on sustainable practices and have a beautiful location.
Vermont’s Fall Folliage
Vermont is beautiful all year, but it truly shines in the fall when the leaves change colors. You will find deep reds, yellows, oranges and more. There are some many ways to enjoy the fall colors, take a scenic drive, find a hike, or take a train ride. You can see a fall foliage map to find the best colors here.
Kids Vermont Activities in the Summer
Mountain Biking
Vermont has become known as a mountain biking destination on the east coast. Even young kids will enjoy mountain biking (once they can ride a bike). Check out the Kingdom Trails in East Burke, VT for miles of mountain biking opportunities. They often host kids clinics and you can rent bikes right in town. Also consider checking out mountain biking in Stowe, Vermont which is a great place to stay for a Vermont family vacation.
Beach Day on a Lake
Vermont may be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take your family to the beach! There are plenty of lakeside beaches and your kids will enjoy swimming in the fresh water. A few of the beaches to consider are: Sand Bar State Park, Milton, Boulder Beach State Park, Groton, Camp Plymouth State Park, Plymouth, Branbury State Park, Salisbury, and Caspian Lake, Greensboro.
Rock of Ages Granite Quarry, Graniteville
This is the large granite quarry in the world. Learn about the quarry, tour the factory and see the dramatic looking quarry. The tour lasts about 40 minutes and you can pack a picnic to enjoy on your visit. See more to plan your visit to the Rock of Ages Granite Quarry.
Quechee Gorge
Vermont’s deepest gorge, the Quechee Gorge and Quechee State Park is considered the ‘Grand Canyon’ of Vermont and this glacially carved canyon is 168 feet deep. Catch the view from the bridge or picnic overlooking the waterfalls. This is also a great campground for kids in Vermont and has about 45 sites.
Get out on the Water
Vermont is home to many lakes including Lake Champlain that runs more of the state to the West. Take advantages of the water to plan a day out on a lake. You can rent kayaks or even motorboats to spend a day on the water as part of your Vermont Family Vacation.
