Rain, snow, or a particularly cold Vermont day doesn’t have to mean staying home. If you’re searching for indoor activities, things to do in Brattleboro, VT with kids, or simply a way to rescue a rainy or snowy day, you’ll find plenty of ways to get out of the house, burn off some energy, explore something new, or spend a cozy afternoon together.

Many of these activities require little or no advance planning, making them especially useful when the weather changes your plans at the last minute.

Explore a Museum or Gallery

A museum or gallery is an easy way to turn a dreary day into an afternoon of discovery—and Brattleboro and the surrounding area offer several that are worth exploring.

The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center brings contemporary art to downtown Brattleboro in the town’s historic former train station. Exhibitions change throughout the year, giving families something new to discover on repeat visits. The museum also hosts family-friendly programming and special events, including its popular annual LEGO Contest.

For something completely different, head underground to the Museum of Things Tiny and Found, located in the lobby of the Hooker-Dunham Theater in downtown Brattleboro. Somewhere between a museum, an antique shop, and a wonderfully curious collection, it’s filled with tiny and found objects collected over the years.

Families with older children and teens can also stop into Mitchell•Giddings Fine Arts on Main Street. The downtown gallery features changing exhibitions of contemporary art in a range of mediums, making it an easy addition to an afternoon exploring downtown Brattleboro.

A short drive from Brattleboro, the Vermont Museum of Natural History’s Pool Nature Center in Marlboro offers another educational option. The center serves as home to the museum’s education animals and hosts wildlife presentations and other educational programs. Public hours and programs vary, and private visits can also be scheduled. The museum regularly takes its programming on the road to area libraries, so it’s worth checking its events calendar to see what’s happening nearby.

Stay Active Indoors

When the kids have energy to burn but the weather isn’t cooperating, there are a few ways to get them moving without bundling everyone up.

Brattleboro Bowl is a classic rainy-day choice, with 20 bowling lanes plus an arcade and pool tables. It’s an activity the whole family can enjoy together and an easy way to fill an hour or an afternoon.

For something you won’t find in most towns, check what’s happening at the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA). Its custom-built Trapezium gives kids the opportunity to experience circus arts right here in Brattleboro.

NECCA’s Youth & Family Open Gyms are particularly useful for a spontaneous indoor outing. During scheduled open-gym times, kids can explore fabric, trapeze, trampoline, the foam pit, and more at their own pace in a self-led environment with coach supervision. Open gyms welcome first-timers as well as current students; advance registration is recommended when possible because space is limited.

The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department is another resource worth checking when the forecast turns gloomy. Programs at the Gibson-Aiken Center change throughout the year and can include open gym time, games, sports, and other activities for children. Check the current recreation schedule to see what’s happening that day.

Browse Books, Games, and Puzzles

Sometimes the best rainy-day activity is also the simplest: find a good book and settle in somewhere warm.

Brooks Memorial Library in downtown Brattleboro is an easy place to spend part of a rainy afternoon. Its Children’s Room offers books and resources for younger readers, while teens have their own Young Adult area. Storytimes, crafts, and other children’s programs throughout the year give families even more reasons to check the library calendar before visiting.

ByWay Books & More on Canal Street carries books for children and adults along with puzzles, games, and other discoveries that are fun to browse together. Everyone’s Books on Elliot Street is another longtime independent bookstore with plenty for young readers to explore.

And don’t forget the libraries beyond Brattleboro. Townshend Public Library, Putney Public Library, and Springfield Town Library, among others, regularly offer children’s programming and special events. Local libraries also frequently host visiting educators and organizations, making their event calendars a great place to look when you’re trying to make last-minute plans.

Make Something or Learn a New Skill

Not every indoor activity needs to be spontaneous. If a rainy day has you thinking ahead to the next one, Brattleboro’s arts and education community offers plenty of opportunities to try something new.

The River Gallery School offers art programs where children can explore drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and other forms of creative expression. Classes typically require registration, so this may be one to keep in mind for a future rainy day rather than a last-minute outing.

NECCA’s youth classes and private circus lessons are another option for families interested in diving deeper into circus arts. While these generally require more planning than an open gym, they give children an opportunity to develop their skills through ongoing instruction.

For additional classes, workshops, camps, and educational programs for children and teens, browse the Brattleboro Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Education members.

Catch a Movie or Find an Event

When all else fails, there’s always the movies—and seeing one at The Latchis Theatre is a distinctly Brattleboro experience. The historic Art Deco theater in the heart of downtown screens current films and hosts special programming throughout the year. Check what’s playing that day and make an afternoon of it with a meal or some downtown browsing before or after the show.

It’s also worth exploring our robust Community Calendar before making your plans. Many of the best indoor activities aren’t permanent attractions. On any given day you might find a children’s performance, craft workshop, storytime, movie, educational program, or other special event happening around the region.

Find Something to Do, Whatever the Weather

Whether your kids want to bowl, fly through the air, discover tiny treasures, browse for a new book, or explore an art museum, there are plenty of indoor activities in Brattleboro, VT and the surrounding area to rescue a rainy or snowy day.

Because hours, open gyms, exhibitions, movies, and special programs change throughout the year, check each organization’s website before you leave home. A few minutes of planning can turn a washed-out day into a new favorite family adventure.