Things to Do in Leicester

At The Pottery Paintin' Place, ceramic renderings of Darth Vader and Princess Leia join mugs, plates, and piggy banks atop a series of shelves. Visiting artists pluck one of these achromatic items from its waiting place before coating it in a colorful design and handing it off to a staff member, who fires it in the on-site kiln. Each piece of art emerges from the kiln able to withstand ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and most apocalypses.

The shop's master potter, Brian Murphy, further encourages artistic expression with pottery-throwing courses, during which participants design their own ceramic creations. The newly expanded party area holds up to 24 painters, who can partake in refreshments brought from home during one- to two-hour celebrations. On-site summer camps and after-school programs cater to the younger crowd with tie-dyeing, glass-fusing, beading, and homework-torching.

Mal-sun Marletto has dedicated decades to the sport of fencing. A passion of hers since the age of 10, Mal-Sun has not only competed in five countries, but she's also a World Cup competitor and Connecticut Women’s Champion in foil, épée, and saber. At Farmington Valley Fencing Academy, where she is both owner and head coach, Mal-sun draws on her vast experience and US Fencing Coaches Association–certification to instruct students of all ages and skill levels. She designed a variety of programs and membership packages that include instruction in foil, saber, and épée, and include additional perks such as discounts on equipment and gear.

On 31 acres of tree-rimmed paddock, the trainers at Chase Farms work to mold horses into show champions and students into confident riders. Owner and trainer Colleen Fitzpatrick and her team personally tend to each of the horses, keeping the noble beasts healthy and happy with run-in sheds, large stalls, and customized tack rooms. During riding lessons, they teach students how to properly tack and groom steeds before focusing on achieving the individual’s riding goals. Riding programs accommodate students of all abilities, helping them work toward accomplishments such as competing in national shows or properly communicating with horses instead of just occasionally commenting on their status updates.

In 1903, Orrin E. Smith sculpted a nine-hole course at Windsor Lake called North Adams Gentleman's Club, challenging golfers to take on its rolling terrain and bask in the peaceful effect of its verdant expanse. Though the name of the course has changed, the Berkshire Hills terrain remains a picturesque setting for players of all skill levels to enjoy golf as a relaxing pastime. A large lake forms the centerpiece of the course, forcing players to evade its watery reaches on holes four, seven, and nine, or risk donating their balls to the course historian holding court in his underwater lair.

Course at a Glance:

• Nine-hole, par 36 course
• Total length of 2,899 yards from back tees
• Course rating of 67 from the back tees
• Course slope of 119 from the back tees
• Two sets of tees per hole
• Designed by Orrin E. Smith

When Malcolm and Mandy Sim welcomed two children into the world, the veterans of both the animation and theme-park industries visited numerous indoor play centers in Los Angeles, hoping to find the one that best suited their kids. Nothing quite clicked, however, which inspired the parents to call upon their entertainment backgrounds and develop their own indoor facility. Since relocating to the Boston area, the Sims have opened Jam Time, where youngsters ages 3 months to 6 years can surmount climbing structures, leap about in a bounce house, or shop in a pretend grocery market before whipping up faux soufflés in the playhouse kitchen. Classroom sessions further engage tykes with art projects, science classes, and princess-etiquette lessons, where young ladies learn to detect whether evil witches have booby-trapped their science projects. Soft play toys engage visiting toddlers and infants, while adults surf free WiFi, sip gourmet coffee, or enjoy a treat from the organic snack bar.

Sneaking up the ridge, the players prepare to storm the multilevel Castle Anthrax, a wooden fortress where defenders lurk in its 20,000-square-foot interior and ready their counterattack. The castle is one of seven outdoor playing fields at AG Paintball, which has been featured on WMUR's "New Hampshire Chronicle." Amid forest terrain, participants duck into huts, snipe opponents from behind paint-splattered barrels, and trick the guard sphinxes into unveiling one of the multiple entrances to the Octagon. Updated annually with new fields, the facility hosts both novice and experienced players and matches those of equal experience and skill for games in varying styles of play. After their bouts, guests can restock supplies in the pro shop, commission repairs from the onsite gunsmith, or grill some burgers in the covered patio area, where those 21 and older can also enjoy BYOB privileges once all gear is returned.