About Us

Five photos of the Tinkering Turtle store, showing colorful graphics inside and outside the store as well as all the Vermont Teddy Bear stuffies, toys, games, art supplies.

The Tinkering Turtle represents the coming together of two joyful Vermont institutions, ECHO and Vermont Teddy Bear. Our day jobs are science and nature museum and Teddy Bear and Stuffed Animal maker. We both love well–crafted, imaginative toys and spreading curiosity and care in our community. All proceeds from the Tinkering Turtle support science and lake education in Vermont.

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is Vermont's science and nature museum on the Burlington waterfront. Discover over 100 interactive family experiences, 70 live species, seasonal changing exhibits, and the Northfield Savings Bank Theater showing 3D science and nature films daily.

We also have a Museum Store at 1 College Street that carries a wide variety of educational toys, kits, and name brand toys such as DJECO, Eeboo, Melissa and Doug, and Green Toys both onsite at the Museum and online. All purchases support our educational mission — to inspire and engage families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain.

Learn more about ECHO here.