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hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 45 old family farm boasts hayrides, a humongous jumping pillow, a pet- ting farm, a playground, picnic areas and the world's only edible mini-golf course, which uses real fruits, vege- tables, herbs and livestock. World's Largest Kaleidoscope Mt. Tremper emersonresort.com/worlds-largest- kaleidoscope 845-688-2828 The Guin- ness-stamped World's Largest Kaleidoscope is housed in an old ani- mal-feed silo at the Emerson Country Stores. The Kalei- doscope is 56' tall and 38' in diameter with brightly col- ored patterns and pop-culture images reflecting on to the ceiling. Visitors can lie on the carpeted floor or lean against a wall and look up to watch any 10-minute show, which run throughout the day. Attached to the Kaleidoscope is a barn-turned-mall called Emerson Place, home to the world's smallest kaleidoscope that is only an inch long. Town of Woodstock Ulster County woodstockguide.com/activities 845-679-2113 Your kids don't have to be Jimi Hendrix aficionados to enjoy the 1960s-themed shops, displays, and art that line the streets of Wood- stock. Whether you join the Sunday By BRITTANY L. MORGAN T ired of carting your family from one amusement park to another? For a unique place to take the kids this summer, check out these interesting spots you can drive to in a few hours from almost anywhere in the Hudson Valley. Hudson Valley Seed Library Gardiner seedlibrary.org 845-255-1255 Just like a regular library, the Hudson Valley Seed Library loans things out which must then be returned - but instead of books or DVDs, they lend seeds for planting. Wondering how to return what's been planted? At the end of the season, simply collect seeds from your own crop and return them to the library to re- place what was borrowed. For those who are new to seed swapping, the library offers classes on how to dry out and save the seeds from your crops. Kelder's Farm Kerhonkson keldersfarm.com 845.626.7137 Visitors can't miss Gnome Chomsky, the world's second-largest garden gnome (standing a whopping 13'6" tall) who wel- comes folks as they arrive. The 200-year- Quirky family day trips community drum circle at the Village Green, hike the trails of Overlook Mountain, visit the nearby Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, stroll through the Mower's Flea Market, or grab a raspberry shake at Sunfrost Farm, the possibilities are endless. The Bannerman Castle Hudson River bannermancastle.org 845-834-4200 On a Hudson River island just north of Cold Spring sits the ruins of an old Scottish castle. Built in 1901, the Bannerman Castle was used to store the muni- tions and black powder businessman Francis Bannerman VI acquired after the Spanish-American War. In 1969, part of the castle was destroyed by fire, but tours covering the island's role in U.S. history are conducted regularly and depart from the Bea- con waterfront. Catch a sunset boat tour (through October 30) of the art project "Con- stellation," which is installed on the island. Brittany L. Morgan is the Web Editor and Executive Assistant at Hudson Valley Parent and lives in Fishkill. Gnome Chomsky World's Largest Kaleido- scope The Bannerman Castle