Vermont Family Adventure: 10 Kid-Friendly Activities in South Burlington

Growing up with weekend visits to Busan's bustling markets, I've always been drawn to agricultural experiences that connect children to food sources. Shelburne Farms delivered this and more. This 1,400-acre working farm and nonprofit environmental education center became our home base for two full days of our trip.

The Children's Farmyard was an instant hit with my kids, who spent hours feeding chickens, petting gentle calves, and learning how to milk cows from patient staff members. My daughter, normally shy around animals, found herself confidently offering grain to sheep by the end of our visit—a proud parenting moment captured in dozens of photos.

The Farm Cart offered delicious farm-fresh lunches, but I also packed our trusty insulated picnic tote with snacks and water bottles. This kept little tummies satisfied during our extensive walks through the property's walking trails, which offer breathtaking views of Lake Champlain.

Don't miss the cheese-making demonstrations at the Farm Barn, where you can watch artisans transform the morning milk into award-winning cheddar. The samples were generous, and my husband and I may have purchased more cheese than reasonable for our hotel refrigerator!

If there's one thing my Korean mother instilled in me, it's that you haven't truly experienced a place until you've browsed its local markets. The Burlington Farmers Market, held in City Hall Park on Saturdays, is a sensory explosion that rivals even the vibrant markets of my childhood in Busan.

We arrived early, around 8:30 AM, armed with our reusable produce bags and empty stomachs. My investment background has taught me to identify quality and potential, skills that transferred surprisingly well to selecting the perfect heirloom tomatoes and artisanal breads.

The children were enthralled by the street performers and live music, while my husband made it his mission to sample every maple product available. We built an impromptu picnic from our market finds: fresh berries, local cheeses, crusty bread, and maple-smoked meats. Finding a patch of grass in the park, we feasted while people-watching—one of those simple family moments that somehow becomes a core memory.

What makes this market special is the genuine connection between producers and consumers. Many vendors offered samples and happily explained their growing practices, reminding me of how 할머니 (grandmother) would introduce me to her favorite fish mongers at Jagalchi Market back home.

Growing up near the beaches of Busan gave me a lifelong appreciation for waterfront activities. While Lake Champlain can't compete with the East Sea in size, its pristine beaches and calm waters make it perfect for families with young children.

North Beach was our favorite spot, offering a clean, sandy shore and shallow swimming areas perfect for little ones. The beach has excellent facilities including clean bathrooms, a concession stand, and plenty of shade trees for midday breaks. We spent hours building sandcastles, wading in the gentle waves, and watching sailboats drift across the horizon.

For our beach days, I packed our pop-up beach tent which provided crucial shade for afternoon naps and a protected space for diaper changes. With young children, having this portable shelter made our beach days significantly more comfortable and extended our stay by hours.

Oakledge Park offered a different lake experience with rocky outcroppings that fascinated my geology-obsessed son. The wheelchair-accessible boardwalk made it easy to navigate with our stroller loaded with beach gear. We even spotted bald eagles during our visit—a wildlife sighting that had my husband reaching for his binoculars faster than I could say 'look up!'

Vermont's summer weather can be unpredictable, and when afternoon thunderstorms rolled in during our trip, we were grateful for the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. This science and nature museum became our sanctuary for a full day of educational play.

The interactive exhibits about lake ecology captivated my children for hours. They particularly loved the touch tank where they could gently handle various aquatic creatures under staff supervision. My son, normally reluctant to touch unfamiliar things, surprised us by confidently running his fingers along a sturgeon's back—a moment of growth I wouldn't have witnessed without this experience.

The center's multiple floors offer age-appropriate activities for toddlers through teens. For younger visitors, the play areas with water tables and building blocks provide sensory exploration opportunities. Older children appreciate the more complex exhibits on watershed conservation and indigenous knowledge of the region.

We packed our kids water bottles which proved essential for keeping everyone hydrated during our museum adventures without having to purchase overpriced drinks at the café. The bottles' spill-proof design meant I didn't have to worry about water damage to the exhibits—a win for this anxious mom!

No trip to Vermont would be complete without immersing yourself in maple culture, and South Burlington offers several family-friendly ways to experience this sweet tradition. Palmer's Sugarhouse became a highlight of our trip, even in summer when production isn't active.

Their educational tours explained the maple harvesting process in terms my children could understand, complete with a tractor ride through the sugar bush (maple grove) that had them squealing with delight. The pancake breakfast served with various grades of maple syrup was both a delicious meal and a tasting education. My daughter developed a sophisticated palate, declaring she preferred the robust flavor of Grade A Dark over the more delicate Golden—perhaps I have a future food critic on my hands!

To extend the maple experience at home, we purchased a maple syrup making kit which includes taps, buckets, and instructions for collecting sap from maple trees. While we don't have sugar maples in our New York neighborhood, this kit will make a wonderful educational activity when we visit friends with property upstate.

Don't miss the maple creemees (soft-serve ice cream) at Palmer's Sugar House. This Vermont specialty combines the silky texture of premium soft serve with authentic maple flavor—a combination that had us returning three times during our week-long stay. My husband still talks about these creemees with a dreamy expression that I usually only see when he's watching Formula 1 races.

As someone who grew up hiking the mountains surrounding Busan with my father, I'm passionate about introducing my children to the joys of nature exploration. Red Rocks Park in South Burlington offers the perfect introduction to hiking for families with young children.

The 2.5-mile trail system features well-maintained paths with moderate terrain suitable for little legs. My son, equipped with his kids hiking backpack, proudly carried his own water and snacks throughout our adventure. This small responsibility made him feel like a 'real hiker' and kept him engaged throughout our excursion.

The park's highlights include spectacular views of Lake Champlain from 100-foot red sandstone cliffs (safely fenced at viewpoints) and small beaches where children can search for interesting stones and driftwood. We spent nearly an hour at one beach area, creating elaborate stone structures and watching boats pass in the distance.

The diverse ecosystem provided natural science lessons at every turn. We spotted various bird species, identified different tree types, and even found salamanders under rocks near the wetter areas of the trail. I created a simple scavenger hunt on my phone the night before, which transformed our hike into an exciting treasure hunt that kept the children motivated when their energy began to flag.

My passion for motorsports began during childhood weekends at Busan's racing circuits with my father, and I've been determined to share this excitement with my own children. While South Burlington itself doesn't have a racetrack, the legendary Thunder Road International SpeedBowl in nearby Barre (just a 45-minute drive) provided the perfect opportunity for a family motorsports adventure.

Thunder Road offers a quintessential American short-track racing experience that's surprisingly family-friendly. Thursday night races became our special evening out, with the kids wide-eyed at the sights, sounds, and vibrations of stock cars battling around the high-banked quarter-mile track. The intimate setting means there's not a bad seat in the house, though I recommend the grandstand turns 3-4 for the best action views.

Knowing the noise could overwhelm young ears, I came prepared with our kids ear protection which allowed my children to enjoy the excitement without discomfort. These adjustable earmuffs were comfortable enough that they kept them on throughout the event, protecting their hearing while still allowing them to hear my explanations about racing strategies.

The accessibility of local racing is what makes it special—drivers and crews often mingle with fans before races, and my son was thrilled when a driver gave him a signed hero card and showed him the interior of his race car. These personal interactions create motorsport fans for life, just as they did for me decades ago in Korea.

Some of the best family experiences come from simple, unplanned moments. Overlook Park in South Burlington exemplifies this perfectly—a humble community space that became our favorite evening ritual during our Vermont stay.

This unassuming park sits on a hill overlooking Burlington International Airport, offering spectacular views of planes taking off and landing against the backdrop of the Adirondack Mountains. For children fascinated by aircraft (as mine certainly are), this provides endless entertainment without admission fees or structured activities.

We packed our outdoor picnic blanket with its waterproof backing and packed it with simple dinner supplies from local markets. The blanket's generous size accommodated our entire family plus all our food, and the stakes kept it secured even on breezy evenings—essential when dining with unpredictable toddlers!

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks, we'd point out planes to the children while enjoying local cheeses, fresh bread, and seasonal fruits. My husband, ever the aviation enthusiast, used a flight tracking app to tell the children where each plane was heading, sparking conversations about geography and future travel dreams.

These evenings at Overlook Park remind me of similar moments from my childhood in Korea—simple family gatherings where the entertainment came from our surroundings and each other's company rather than elaborate planned activities.

A short drive from South Burlington in Weybridge lies a hidden gem for animal-loving families: the UVM Morgan Horse Farm. As someone who believes in exposing children to diverse educational experiences, this working horse breeding facility and museum offered the perfect blend of entertainment and learning.

The Morgan horse, America's first breed, has a fascinating history that the knowledgeable staff shares through age-appropriate tours. My children were mesmerized by these elegant animals, especially when we timed our visit to coincide with the afternoon demonstration where trainers show the horses' capabilities and temperament.

The highlight for my daughter was the opportunity to gently pet a friendly Morgan under staff supervision. Her face reflected pure joy as she ran her small hand along the horse's neck, an experience far removed from our usual urban lifestyle. For my son, the mechanical displays showing traditional harness configurations captured his technical interest.

To document these special moments, I used my smartphone gimbal stabilizer to capture smooth video of the children interacting with the horses. The stabilization technology meant I could focus on experiencing the moment with my family while still creating high-quality keepsakes of their wonder and excitement.

The farm's picturesque 19th-century buildings and pastoral setting also provided stunning backdrops for family photos that now hang prominently in our home office—daily reminders of the joy of discovery we experienced together.

No family trip to Vermont would be complete without paying homage to the state's most famous ice cream makers. The Ben & Jerry's Factory in nearby Waterbury (just 30 minutes from South Burlington) offers a delightful combination of education, entertainment, and of course, delicious treats.

The 30-minute guided tour walks visitors through the ice cream production process, with viewing windows into the factory floor where you can watch the magic happen (if visiting on a production day). My children were fascinated by the massive machinery and the explanation of how liquid ingredients transform into their favorite frozen desserts.

The company's commitment to social and environmental responsibility is woven throughout the experience, providing valuable conversation starters about sustainability and ethical business practices—topics I'm passionate about both as an investor and as a parent raising socially conscious children.

After the tour, we sampled exclusive flavors in the scoop shop and explored the Flavor Graveyard, where discontinued varieties are memorialized with clever epitaphs. This unexpected attraction became a highlight for my literature-loving husband, who appreciated the wordplay and humor.

To manage the inevitable sugar rush that followed, I was grateful for our portable travel games which kept the children engaged during our drive back to South Burlington. This compact game provided just enough mental stimulation to prevent the post-ice cream energy surge from becoming overwhelming in the confined space of our rental car.