Family-Friendly Weekend Events in Vermont this January

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Here is your list of family-friendly weekend events around Vermont for the month of January, courtesy of Busy Btown.

Welcome to 2020, folks. It seems like 2019 ended in a flash, but the new year brings a lot of great new opportunities to spend time with your loved ones. The year ended with so many activities, it was nearly impossible to list them all. This month is a bit slower, so no one will blame you if you choose the comfort of your couch over bundling up and heading outdoors. That said, each weekend has a few options, most of which are indoors, to get you out and experiencing something fun or crafty with your little ones.

Enjoy the start to your new year everyone!


January 3rd-5th:

Dive-In Movie: Moana
Where: The Edge, 75 Eastwood Drive, Burlington
When: Friday, January 3rd, 6:00pm-8:00pm
South Burlington Recreation and Parks are holding a family-friendly drive-in movie event at The Edge. A projector will play the feature movie, Moana, while you swim or float in the pool. No registration is required, but you’ll need to sign a waiver. 

Owl Pellet Detectives
Where: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne
When: Saturday, January 4th, 10:00am-11:30am
At this family-friendly class (for kids ages 5 and up), you’ll dissect owl pellets and look for clues on what owls like to eat. You’ll also get to meet real owls from the Outreach for Earth Stewardship. Registration is required. 

Kids Workshop – Mini Hockey Game
Where: The Home Depot, 759 Harvest Ln, Williston
When: Saturday, January 4th, 9:00am-12:00pm
While supplies last, kids will be provided with a workshop apron, commemorative pin, and supplies to create their own mini hockey game. Kids will develop hands-on skills with sanding, nailing, painting and more. A parent or adult should be present the whole time, and registering is recommended.

January 10th-12th:

Classical Music Encounters
Where: Winooski Memorial Library, 32 Malletts Bay Ave, Winooski
When: Friday, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Head to the Winooski Memorial Library for a Wu Brothers Music performance, introducing the classical works of Bach, Mozart, Elgar, and more. The Wu Brothers are students at Essex High School and have been playing music since they were nine years old.

two teen boys, brothers, in button down shirts
Henry and Nathan Wu // Photo courtesy of Wu Brothers Music

Free Family Saturdays: Family Dance Party with DJ Craig Mitchell
Where: Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, 153 Main St, Burlington
When: Saturday, January 11th, 10:00am-11:00am
At this family-friendly gathering, your family is invited to take over the Flynn’s MainStage lobby to dance along to the music of DJ Craig Mitchell. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is suggested.

Webby’s Art Studio: Just Ducky
Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne
When: Saturday, January 11th, 11:00am-3:00pm
Join friends at the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education classroom at the Shelburne Museum for a family-friendly activity where you’ll create a duck hand puppet inspired by a current exhibition, Joel Barber & The Modern Decoy.

January 17th-19th:

Winter Wildlife Wander
Where: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne
When: Saturday, January 18th, 10:00am-12:00pm
Take your family to explore the Farms’ winter landscape as you travel on foot and look for clues of winter wildlife. This program is for ages 5 and up, and registration is required. 

man and boy looking closely at the snow
Winter Wildlife Wander // Photo credit Ashley Prout

Parent’s Night Out
Where: Founders Memorial School, 33 Founders Rd, Essex Junction
When: Friday, 5:30pm-9:00pm
Take that date night you’ve been waiting for, and bring your kids to Founders Memorial School for a movie, pizza, popcorn, and games. Bring your kids (ages 3-10) in their pajamas, along with a pillow, blanket, water, and snack, and head out for a few hours of your own. Kids must be potty trained. 

Webby’s Art Studio: Ship in a Bottle
Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne
When: Saturday, January 18th, 11:00am-3:00pm
Join friends at the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education classroom at the Shelburne Museum for a family-friendly activity, where you’ll make your own ship in a bottle inspired by the marina scenes currently featured in the Webb Gallery. 

January 24th-26th:

Astronomy Day
Where: Montshire Museum of Science, One Montshire Road, Norwich
When: Saturday, January 25th, 10:30-4:30pm
Take your family to the Montshire Museum to learn from educators and guest astronomers about the stars, planets, comets, and meteorites that light up our night sky.

woman teaches children about meteorites
Science Discovery Lab at the Montshire Museum // Copyright 2019 Rob Strong

Webby’s Art Studio: Sculpture Puzzle
Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne
When: Saturday, January 25th, 11:00am-3:00pm
Join friends at the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education classroom at the Shelburne Museum for a family-friendly activity where you’ll make your own 3-D art puzzle out of soft balsa wood. You’ll be able to cut, build and color as you desire. 

Kids Carnival Chaos
Where: Stowe Elementary School (Gym), 254 Park Street, Stowe
When: Saturday, January 25th, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Take your kids to the Carnival Chaos event in Stowe to burn off some energy. There will be games, costumed characters, music, bouncy houses, face painting, and more. Please note that for some games and concessions, fees will apply. 

Open Gym Night
Where: Essex High School, 2 Educational Drive, Essex Junction
When: Saturday, 7:00pm-8:30pm
Bring your kids to this great event, where they can run, skip, jump, build, and craft. Play as a family, and meet others in your community. Open Gym Night is free, but bring a non-perishable food item to support the local food pantry. 

January 31st:

Parent & Me Paint Night
Where: David Gale Recreation Center, 336 Park Street, Stowe
When: Friday, January 31st, 6:00pm-8:00pm
These Parent & Me Paint Nights are designed just for you and your little one(s), but space is limited, so enroll early! The rate is $40 per pair, plus $15 per additional participant.

play room in a recreation center
David Gale Recreation Center // Photo courtesy of David Gale Recreation Center

Across the Month of January:

Horse-Drawn Rides
Where: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne
When: Each Saturday & Sunday, 11:00am-2:00pm (every half hour)
Enjoy the great outdoors on the beautiful Shelburne Farms property with a 20-minute horse-drawn ride. Rides cost $10 per adult, $8 for kids 3-17, and are free for children under 3. Private rides are also available in the afternoon.

Social Sundays
Where: Milton Artists’ Guild, 199 US Route 7, Milton
When: Each Sunday, 1:00pm-3:00pm 
Milton Artists’ Guild hosts a free art day, where families can come together to create a free art project. Art projects are designed for children between the ages of 3 and 15. No pre-registration is required, and refreshments and snacks are provided.


Need more ideas? Want to add anything to our list of family-friendly weekend events this January? 

Check out Busy Btown for other entertaining things to do in Chittenden County, and to see a weekly list of our Top 10 Events for the upcoming weekend. You’ll also find resources on indoor activities, trails, parks, playgrounds, and more around Chittenden County. 

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