I'ts about an hour tour. Maybe 2 if he plays a lot. The graveyard is pretty cool.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are going down a dark path.

Indulging the whim of a five year old tells me that you will have spoiled kid.

He will be more excited about trips and gifts as he gets older if you do not treat him like an emperor.

Honestly. He can have (and will enjoy)
a normal (local) 5 year old’s party.

Is it painful being this sanctimonious? I mean for you. Obviously it is for the rest of us.

Think whatever you want.

But that approach to parenting will not end well. (And I care about kids)

Completely disagree. Taking a kid on a factory tour at age 5 could lead to a life long interest in science and manufacturing.

I agree that going to factory and industry-specific tours as a kid made me interested in manufacturing.

I will never forget the Dole factory in Hawaii with the regular water fountain that ran pineapple juice. And other experiences along the way.

I got a job after college that involved site visits to different kinds of factories. Also studied operations management of plants in MBA school.

I'm the PP who recommended visiting the Middlebury, VT Maple Landmark toy company tour. Nice small woodworking company. The owner's mom was working one of the processes when we passed through. (Printing/painting of items.) Very interesting.

I appreciate companies who let you do this. It is rare. In the past 20 years, besides what I do for work, I've been to the Ford Rouge plant, Maple Landmark, Bath Ironworks (submarine and shipbuilder), a Columbus, OH candymaker that makes chocolate buckeyes, and a large regional dairy down south.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you go book in advance. We tried to go in December on a day too rainy to ski, and it was booked.

Lots of kid friendly stuff to do in Vermont, although you didn't give his age. Better in summer or fall than spring, which is mud season in that part of VT. Or of course winter if you are skiers. it is very close to Stowe.

The kid’s age is literally the first thing in the thread title. Learn to read for comprehension!

Sorry - was focused on the OP, and not the title. Will you ever forgive me?

If you have the time and can afford it, I would do this in a heartbeat. It's such a wholesome family activity. The big issue is how far DC is from VT. But if the factory was in Baltimore, would you do it?

I would make a 4 day family weekend out of it and go visit VT.

If you want to do other things in or on the way toVT, such as Shelburne, it is a fine place to go. Factory tours are so few and far between now. Glad any still exist.

Stew Leonard is a fine stop if you go through CT. Or Mystic.

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s so cute that your 5 year old is talking about this nonstop.

Same. I’d take him there just because of that. This is what having extra money is for-so you can splurge on your kids dreams.

There’s a state park in Vermont that rivals most national parks. Hopefully someone else can remember the name but we really enjoyed it.

I would try to find out what he’s imagining. Hen my kids were that age and had fixed ideas like that, their expectations were extremely specific (like, does he think he’ll get to run the machines himself?). Otherwise you go to all this effort and it might be very disappointing or upsetting for him.

What a fun idea! Even if it isn't worth it for adults, little kids are often wowed by things adults don't find impressive. Who among us has not experienced a situation where you go on some awesome vacation and the kid's best memory from the trip was an ant hill they found or something silly like that.

I think it's also generally a lovely area so it won't be boring for you.

The tour is fine, but don't expect to make a day out of it. You'll be in and out in 90 minutes, tops, depending on how long you linger at the gift shop/ice cream stand afterward.

I ve been several times. It's gotten less like a factory tour and more like a big ad each time...but it would be fun for a 5 year old if it works in your travel plans. The tour is pretty short. You do get a free scoop. There are other activities and of course a gift shop. A flavor graveyard for retired ice creams too.

Anonymous wrote:If you go book in advance. We tried to go in December on a day too rainy to ski, and it was booked.

Lots of kid friendly stuff to do in Vermont, although you didn't give his age. Better in summer or fall than spring, which is mud season in that part of VT. Or of course winter if you are skiers. it is very close to Stowe.

The kid’s age is literally the first thing in the thread title. Learn to read for comprehension!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are going down a dark path.

Indulging the whim of a five year old tells me that you will have spoiled kid.

He will be more excited about trips and gifts as he gets older if you do not treat him like an emperor.

Honestly. He can have (and will enjoy)
a normal (local) 5 year old’s party.

Is it painful being this sanctimonious? I mean for you. Obviously it is for the rest of us.

Think whatever you want.

But that approach to parenting will not end well. (And I care about kids)

Completely disagree. Taking a kid on a factory tour at age 5 could lead to a life long interest in science and manufacturing.

If you decide to go, here are two fun suggestions:

https://www.maplelandmark.com/visit-us
https://www.echovermont.org/

I would go either during ski season (and put kid in ski school while parents go restaurant hopping and village shopping) or during summer when the weather is nicest.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are going down a dark path.

Indulging the whim of a five year old tells me that you will have spoiled kid.

He will be more excited about trips and gifts as he gets older if you do not treat him like an emperor.

Honestly. He can have (and will enjoy)
a normal (local) 5 year old’s party.

Is it painful being this sanctimonious? I mean for you. Obviously it is for the rest of us.

Think whatever you want.

But that approach to parenting will not end well. (And I care about kids)

I'd go to Turkey Hill in Lancaster instead - you can make your own ice cream flavor!