April is Month of the Young Child

Join us to celebrate young children and the caregivers with free family-friendly activities throughout Windham County, Vermont!

Month of the Young Child is a fun-filled month celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. It’s annual celebration, originally inspired by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 1971, with the purpose of focusing public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and community organizations that meet those needs.

Locally the celebration is organized by the Winston Prouty Center, Early Education Services, and the Windham Early Childhood Educators Coop. 

Stay up-to-date on event activities at the Month of the Young Child Facebook Page

ONE-TIME EVENTS

Drama and Dress-Up
Wednesday, April 15, 10am-11am
New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St, Brattleboro
We will read stories and dress up in fun costumes! Kids are encouraged to act out the stories and put on small performances for each other or just listen and play! No registration needed. More info: outreachdirector@neyt.org.

My First Book Club
Wednesday, April 15, 4:45pm-5:15pm
Dover Free Library, 22 Holland Rd Suite 1, Dover
This monthly club invites parents to connect with each other on supporting young readers. Parents are encouraged to read with their child and discuss April’s worksheet. To join, email kendrau@doverfree.org or sign up at the circulation desk and ask for a book club sheet

Parent Tot Open Gym
Thursday, April 16, 10:00am-11:45am
Gibson Aiken Center, 207 Main St, Brattleboro
Open Gym is a place for parents and tots to come together and enjoy playing with playhouses, cars, toys, tunnel, a play kitchen, big rubber balls & more!

Visit Wild Carrot Farm
Saturday, April 18, 10am-12pm
Wild Carrot Farm, 118 Fairly Wild Way, Brattleboro
Enjoy horse-drawn hayrides, animals, and some seeds to plant. Happy spring!

Earth Day Celebration
Wednesday, April 22, 2pm-3pm
Pettee Memorial Library, 16 South Main St, Wilmington
Paint a plant pot and plant a seed to take home. Storytime & snacks available!

ESS Morning at the Movies: Lilo & Stitch
Saturday, April 25, 11am
Latchis Theatre, 50 Main St, Brattleboro
Enjoy snacks and a screening of Lilo & Stitch, hosted by Early Education Services at the Latchis Theater, for a fun-filled morning.

Parents and Pastries
Saturday, April 4, 9am-11am
Signal Pine Playschool, 22 West Hill Rd, Putney
A public playgroup for all ages! Come one and all for a coffee & pastries hour at SPP. Play inside or outside!

22nd Annual MOYC Family Fun Celebration
Saturday, April 11, 10am-12pm
Winston Prouty Center, 209 Austine Drive, Brattleboro
Enjoy live music from local performers and explore hands‑on nature and science activities with the Grafton Nature Museum and the Vermont Natural History Museum. Connect with local community resources offering information, snacks, and activities. Families will also receive free totes with take‑home materials and fun surprises. A special thanks to generous donations from Lakeshore Learning & VTAEYC!

Little Explorers Nature Playgroup
Fridays, April 3, 10, 17, 10am-11:30 am
Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, 1221 Bonnyvale Rd, Brattleboro
Together, we’ll explore and engage in discovery, wonder and play. We’ll also enjoy seasonal songs, stories and crafts. Please sign up at www.BEEC.org, to let us know you’re coming, and to receive notification if we are meeting at a different location due to muddy roads

Free Play
Sunday, April 12, 1pm-4pm
Red Eft Play, West Brattleboro: RSVP for exact location
Red Eft Play is a forest-school in West Brattleboro for children ages 4-10. We’ll be open for an open house and afternoon of outdoor free-play, crafts, and treats. We invite all families to come visit us, RSVP by emailing redeftplay@gmail.com.

ONGOING EVENTS

Early Education Services Playgroups & Support
Tuesdays, 10:30am-12pm
Townshend Public Library, 1971 Rt. 30, Townshend
Thursdays, 10am-11:30pm
EES Westminster, 78 Buck Drive, Westminster
Dedicated Dads
Wednesdays, 5:30pm-7pm

Rhyme Time
Wednesdays, 10:30am
Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., Brattleboro
Join us for weekly stories, songs and scarf fun. Rhyme Time is designed for children under 6 and their grownups. Held in the Children’s Room from March-July and September-January.

Sing & Dance with Robin
Thursdays, 11am-12pm
Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., Brattleboro
Music and movement program designed for children 5 and under, but all ages are welcome! This event is presented by the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library and the Children’s Room.

Open Hours at the Caterpillar Lab
Fridays & Saturdays , 12pm-5pm
The Caterpillar Lab, 13 Main St, Dublin, NH
Hands-on exploration for families to live specimens, use digital microscopes, explore native plants & learn about the hidden natural wonders with educators. Special closures or updates on the location move are posted on their social media pages.

Library Explorers Club
Fridays, 10am
Dover Free Library, 22 Holland Rd Suite 1, Dover
We invite children to learn about the library and literacy through play. No sign-up necessary.

Children’s Art Exhibit
April
Moore Free Library, 23 West St, Newfane
Preschoolers from nearby schools will be exhibiting their ocean-themed artwork at the Crowell Art Gallery.

PROMOTIONS & DISCOUNTS

Bartleby’s Books – Children’s Book Discount
17 West Main St, Wilmington
20% on all children’s toys and books on April 24 for anyone who mentions this promotion!

Everyone’s Books – Children’s Book Discount
25 Elliot St, Brattleboro
20% off board books and picture books to anyone who mentions the promotion!