CALENDAR
APRIL
7 Friday (cont.) Mother Up! Central Vermont: Families discuss the realities of climate change, what that means on a local, state and national level, and how to create a more just and nature-friendly world. Dinner and childcare offered. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP requested. Info, 229-0041. FREE
8 Saturday Author Eileen Christelow: This Vermont writer shares her new picture book, Robins! How They Grow Up, a humorous and informative story about two feathered friends. Christelow signs books at Phoenix Books in Essex Junction at 10 a.m., followed by storyhour at 11 a.m., then stops by Phoenix Books in Rutland at 3 p.m. All ages. Essex Junction info, 872-7111; Rutland info, 855-8078. FREE Second Saturdays: This child-friendly afternoon, a collaboration between the Norwich Public Library and the Norwich Bookstore, celebrates reading with various themed activities. Check norwichlibrary.org for location. 1-2 p.m. Info, 649-1184. FREE ADDISON
‘Girl Rising’ Film & Discussion: Bear Pond Books teams up with Tanya Lee Stone for a screening and discussion about the global campaign for access to education for females, and what that means for communities and countries. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Savoy Theater, Montpelier, noon. $25 for 1 ticket and a copy of the book; $30 for 2 tickets and 2 copies. Info, 229-0774.
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KIDS VT
APRIL 2017
KIDSVT.COM
CHITTENDEN
EvoKids Saturday Drop-In Yoga: Youngsters master basic yoga poses through games, songs and dance. Mindfulness activities improve focus and concentration. Ages 3-7. Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, Burlington, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. $15. Info, 899-0339. One-on-One Tutoring: See April 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Paint & Play: Young artists take an imaginative leap outside the box and paint without brushes, then leave with a take-home project. Ages 3-10. Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. $10-20; preregister. Info, 864-0123.
Science & Nature
SCIENCE AND STORIES: Preschoolers rally ‘round for nature-inspired tales and activities. Ages 8 and under. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., through April 19. Regular museum admission, $13.50-16.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848. ANIMAL BUDDIES: NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM:
Preschoolers take their stuffed friends to the Museum for a “hibernation” night on Friday before 6 p.m. The next morning at 9 a.m., little tykes enjoy a light breakfast and learn how Vermont’s woodland animals spend their wintery nights. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, 9-10 a.m. $10 per buddy includes light breakfast for the whole family. Info, 748-2372.
Burlington Winter Farmers Market: Local farmers, artisans and producers offer fresh and prepared foods, crafts and more in a bustling indoor marketplace made merry with live music. UVM Davis Student Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info, 310-5172. FREE
BARK BASKETS WORKSHOP: Mentor Anika Klem demonstrates how to harvest pine bark and sew baskets using spruce roots. Ages 6 and up. EarthWalk Vermont, Plainfield, Saturday, April 8, 1-4 p.m. $10-25. Info, 454-8500.
Common Roots FUNdraiser: The community comes together to raise funds for a commercial refrigerator and freezer for the Wheeler Homestead, while creating art, eating well and making merry. 5-6:30 p.m. recommended for families with children in grades 4 and under; 7:30-9 p.m. recommended for families with children in grades 2-8. Davis Studio, Shelburne, $10 per person; $40 per family. Info, 652-0188.
monthly gathering explores Burlington’s urban wilds through the seasons. Bring a notebook, writing implement and your curiosity. Open to the community; ages 5 and up. Rock Point, Burlington, Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m.-noon. Suggested donation $10; $20 per family. Info, 557-7127.
Craft School Saturday Drop-In: : Artsy types make seasonal masterpieces in this everchanging weekly series. Projects available for pickup at a later date. Ages 5 and up with caregiver. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11 a.m. $10 per child. Info, 985-3648. Engineer For a Day: Mechanically-minded youngsters make paper airplane prototypes and present their designs to the group. Recommended for grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 1-3 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE
CORVID COMMUNITY NATURALISTS: This
PHYSICS PHUN DAY: ECHO staff and UVM
Society of Physics students explore the force of energy and matter through hands-on activities and awe-inspiring demos. All ages. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $13.50-16.50; free for members and children under 3. Info, 864-1848. SHEEP AND SHEAR DELIGHTS: Little lambs leap
while spring-lovers drop in and watch a sheep get its yearly haircut, then wash wool, and learn how to spin and felt. All ages. Shelburne Farms, Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $5-6. Info, 985-8686.
TOUR THE COSMOS: This 50-minute live presentation takes the audience on a journey deep into the universe. Ages 6 and up. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, Saturdays and Sundays, 1:30 p.m. $6 plus regular museum admission, $7-9; free for children under 5. Info, 748-2372.
Saturday Drama Club: Junior thespians create a character, spin a story and put on a performance, all in three hours. Ages 6-12. Old North End Community Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $15. Info, 355-1461. Shelburne Sugar-on-Snow Party: Families sample the state’s “liquid gold” on ice and delight in boiling demonstrations, a petting zoo, walking trails and live music. Palmer’s Sugarhouse, Shelburne, noon-4 p.m. Info, 985-5054. FREE
Sibshops for Siblings of Children with Special Needs: Sisters and brothers of special needs kids join together for group games and a craft, then share a meal and conversation. Ages 6-12. Older siblings welcome. Howard Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $5 suggested donation; RSVP. Info, 876-5315.
DISCOVERY SUNDAYS: Families have fun with hands-on science experiments and investigations using wheels, towers, magnets, feathers, water and bubbles. All ages. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Regular museum admission, $12.50-14.50; free for children under 4. Info, 359-5001, ext. 228. ROBIN’S NEST NATURE PLAYGROUP: Little
explorers and their caregivers discover the sights and sounds of the forest and field, while learning how the natural environment can be used as an adventurous classroom. Dress in outdoor clothing. Ages 5 and under. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, Mondays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., through June 5. Donations welcome. Info, 229-6206. BABY FARM ANIMAL CELEBRATION: Visitors “ooh” and “ah” over cute and cuddly calves, lambs, chicks, ducklings and goslings. Horsedrawn wagon rides, tours of the heirloom garden and children’s activities round out the day. All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, Friday, April 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $4-14; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355. MONTSHIRE UNLEASHED: AN EVENING FOR ADULTS: The museum opens its doors after
SPRING MIGRATION BIRD WALK: Avian aficionados of all ages bend their birding ear to warblers, vireos, thrushes and waterfowl, with the assistance of nature center staff. All ages. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, Friday, April 28, 7-8:30 a.m. $10; free for members. Info, 229-6206. VERMONT MAPLE FESTIVAL: Come on, get
sappy! A giant parade, marionette shows, Main Street entertainment, specialty foods and more showcase Vermont’s signature sweet. All ages. Check vtmaplefestival. org for schedule. Downtown St. Albans, Friday, April 28; Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30. Most events are free. Info, 524-5800.
hours so grown-ups can let their inner curiosity run wild. Beer, wine and food available for purchase. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, Friday, April 14, 6-9 p.m. Regular museum admission, $15; free for members. Info, 649-2200.
BERLIN POND BIRDING: All-age ornithologists
SALAMANDER SLEUTHS: Nature lovers seek springtime amphibians under damp forest rocks and logs. Ages 3-5 with an adult companion. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, Thursday, April 20, 9-10:30 a.m. $8-10 per adult-child pair; $4 per additional child; preregister. Info, 434-3068.
BIRD-MONITORING WALK: Eagle-eyed
BUZZING WITH VERMONT’S NATIVE BEES:
Nature-lovers learn about Vermont’s own pollinators and build a bee nest box to take home for these un-BEE-lievable beauties. Ages 5 and up with caregiver. Shelburne Farms, Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.-noon. $10-12 per adult-child pair; $5-6 per each additional child; preregister. Info, 985-8686. MUDFEST: Young ecologists celebrate
Vermont’s messiest season with activities, games, live music and a daily “mud fling.” All ages. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, April 22-30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $13.50-16.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848.
look for song birds, waterfowl, loons and herons returning from their winter in the south. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, Saturday, April 29, 6:30-11:30 a.m. $20-25; preregister. Info, 229-6206.
participants bring binoculars to search the museum’s property for fluttering feathers. Best for adults and older children. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, Saturday, April 29, 7:30 a.m. donations welcome; preregister. Info, 434-2167. FREE
ST. JOHNSBURY WORLD MAPLE FESTIVAL: This sweet celebration features the 5K Sap Lap, a hearty pancake breakfast complete with this year’s bounty, a downtown street fair and a kids’ fun zone. All ages. Downtown St. Johnsbury, Saturday, April 29, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Info, 626-4124. FREE EARTH GARDENS AND THE SEEDS OF LIFE: PLANTING A TRADITIONAL FAMILY GARDEN:
Using storytelling, slides and music, Michael Caduto entertains while connecting family gardens with the season of renewal and provides hands-on demonstrations for families to use in their own spring planting. Ages 5 and up. Justin Morrill Homestead, Strafford Village, Sunday, April 30, 1-2:15 p.m. $5; $10 maximum per family. Info, 765-4288.