This adventure guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier adventure destination.
The barn door swings open and suddenly your three-year-old is face-to-face with Peaches the pig, who's clearly hoping someone brought snacks. Welcome to Sunday mornings at Hildene, where "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" isn't just your child's favorite story - it's the morning's agenda.
Starting June 15th, families can discover what might be Vermont's most enchanting children's program, where classic picture books meet real farm animals in an experience that turns reading into adventure. Every Sunday from 11 AM to noon through July 27th, kids become part of the story as professional farmers bring tales to life with the animals who inspired them.
Here's what will make Storytime on the Farm special: after reading stories like "If You Give a Pig a Pancake," your kids will actually get to feed (something other than pancakes!) to Peaches, Hildene's charming pig who's known for her sassy flair. When the story features sheep, everyone will head over to meet the flock. Reading about cows? Time to visit the rare Randall cattle, a breed so uncommon that there are currently fewer than 1,000.
The program takes place in Hildene's "Dene," the working farm portion of the estate that many visitors never discover. Kim Pinsonneault, who manages the farm animals, transformed a gorgeous area of the farm into the magical setting where each session begins. "We wanted something that felt like stepping into a storybook itself," she explains, gesturing toward the hay bale seating and arched entryway.
What really sets this apart is the flexibility. Rain doesn't cancel anything - the team simply moves under covered areas or into the greenhouse. "We're pretty flexible," Kim notes. "If it's not out here, we'll do something where we're under [the barn] awnings, or we just open [the greenhouse]."
Getting to story time becomes part of the adventure. Families check in at Hildene's Welcome Center, then choose their own journeyway: walk the scenic Maple Trail (it's all downhill to the farm) or catch the tram that winds through pastures and past the restored 1800s schoolhouse. Kids consistently rank the tram ride as a highlight - there's something magical about riding through working farmland and sugar maple forests to reach your destination.
The timing will work perfectly for families. After the hour-long program, picnic tables behind the greenhouse will invite you to extend the morning with lunch you've brought from home. Parents can pack sandwiches and let kids decompress (ie, run around and have a great time) from all the excitement while taking in views that stretch across the property.
Between stories, children discover how a real farm operates. They might watch chickens and ducks who've been trained to parade into their solar-powered coops as evening approaches, or meet the four new donkeys who serve as emotional support animals for the other livestock. There are goats, and alpacas, and guinea hens whose loud calls seem to alert everyone to the story hour start.
The educational component runs deeper than just entertainment. Kids learn about rotational grazing, see composting systems that turn event food scraps into garden nutrients, and discover how everything on the farm serves multiple purposes. Even the newest arrivals - baby goats born this spring - become teaching moments about animal care and farm cycles.
Story time is free with regular Hildene admission ($25 for adults, youth 6-16 $8, children under 6 free) and completely free for members. No reservations required, but arrive at the Welcome Center at least 30 minutes early to get your stickers and ensure you reach the farm on time - whether by tram or on foot.
The program welcomes all ages, though it's designed with young children in mind. "We don't want to exclude anybody," Kim says. "Who doesn't want to bebop through here?"
This isn't just about one morning's entertainment. Hildene's farm operates year-round with seasonal programming that gives families reasons to return. Summer brings "Meet the Kids" days featuring baby goats, while fall offers harvest festivals with pumpkin picking and apple pie contests. Winter visitors can explore the greenhouse filled with fresh greens and herbs growing despite Vermont's snow.
The farm experience extends well beyond story time. Hildene produces its own honey (sold in the museum store), taps maple trees for syrup, and grows vegetables that feed both farm animals and local community programs. The rare Randall cattle represent a conservation success story - the breed originated on a farm just miles from Hildene and nearly disappeared before dedicated breeders brought it back from the brink.
For families seeking authentic Vermont experiences that don't feel manufactured, Hildene delivers something increasingly rare: a place where children can touch, smell, and interact with the real thing while learning stories that stick. It's education disguised as pure fun, which might be the best kind of learning there is.
Story time at Hildene runs Sundays, 11 AM-12 PM, June 15 through July 27. Rain or shine. For questions, contact Stephanie at (802) 367-7960. Plan to arrive at the Welcome Center by 10:30 AM to ensure you don't miss the magic.
This adventure guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier adventure destination.
