Celebrate National Grandparents Day
By Melanie Oliva, media intern
Happy National Grandparents Day! Always the first Sunday after Labor Day, National Grandparents Day means you have yet another reason to spend time with your grandchildren. Luckily, Vermont and Manchester and the Mountains is the perfect place to celebrate, offering fun activities that can be enjoyed by people from any generation.
Explore the Nurseries
September is a transitional time at local nurseries. As hanging baskets and potted plants are selling out, the autumnal festivities begin. In mid-August, the Equinox Valley Nursery opens their pumpkin patch. Pick out the perfect pumpkin with your grandchildren to paint or carve, eat freshly made cider donuts, enjoy a wagon ride with spectacular views of the mountains, and explore the annual corn maze.
Visit The Bookstore
Northshire Bookstore, a family-owned, independent bookstore in the heart of Manchester, has something for everyone. The entire second floor is dedicated to children and young-adult readers. It has everything a kid could want: books, stuffed animals, coloring books, puzzles, and toys. The first floor has adult books, novelty gifts, clothes, and CDs. Bring your grandchildren by for homemade cookies from Spiral Press Cafe and an afternoon exploring every nook of the bookstore.
Make your Newest Keepsake
It’s easy to get creative here in Vermont! Take your grandkids to Flower Brook Pottery, nestled in the town center of Dorset, Vermont, for “paint your own” fun. They have blank pottery pieces and a wide selection of underglaze colors. Your grandkids will have complete creative license and you, most likely, will have a few new dishes at the end of the day.
Similarly, you can head to Manchester Wood Crafts to start your next project. Your grandkids will have a great time exploring the store and picking out the perfect handmade, wooden object (which include doll furniture, jewelry boxes, and ornaments) to decorate. Just make sure that you get plenty of glitter, paper, and paint– washable paint, of course!
Have a Picnic in the Park
Take your grandchildren to the Dorset Farmer’s Market (every Sunday 10am-2pm) to grab some fresh produce, cheeses, and baked goods. Then, head over to the Dorset Green for a picnic lunch.
Go Picking and Pie Making
Apple picking season will just be starting up this weekend. Take your grandchildren to Mad Tom Orchard in East Dorset. There are plenty of picks perfect for pies– another fun project to take on with your grandchildren for the special day. See this link for more information on the best apples and orchards that Southern Vermont has to offer.