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US Venture Appleton Children’s Week is back. Here’s the lineup:

VaselineJuly 16, 2024

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US Venture Appleton Children’s Week is back. Here’s the lineup:

APPLETON — Next week it’s all about the kids.

From July 21-27, the Appleton area will be hosting a variety of free and low-cost events, all geared toward the city’s youngest residents.

During US Venture Children’s Week, you can participate in a color run, a block party, carnival games, free karate lessons, book reading and swimming, discounted admission to the Building for Kids Children’s Museum and much more.

Families can choose which events they want to attend, they don’t have to attend every event to enjoy the fun.

A full schedule of activities can be found at appletonchildrensweek.com/events, but here’s what you need to know before you go:

When does the children’s week fun start?

Children’s Week kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, at Memorial Park, 1620 E. Witzke Blvd.

The kick-off will consist of a colour run (registration for this is already full) and other family-friendly entertainment in the park.

Free swimming is also on the agenda at Erb and Mead pools for kids 17 and under during open swim times. Erb Pool is located at 1800 N. Morrison St., and Mead Pool is located at 1430 E. John St.

Which other events during Children’s Week are free?

Some parts of the week require an entrance fee, but there are also several activities that are free for families.

On Monday, for example, kids can get free books at St. Vincent de Paul, 1924 W. College Ave. They can also take a karate class at The Academy Martial Arts Leadership, 220 W. Northland Ave., spend time in the batting cages at Play it Again Sports, 611 W. Northland Ave., and play mini-golf at Badger Sports Park, 3600 E. Evergreen Drive, all for free.

Later in the week there is even a free children’s parade through downtown Appleton.

Where is this children’s parade?

The annual Building for Kids Children’s Parade is a fixture of Children’s Week festivities. This year, it begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Houdini Plaza, at the corner of Appleton Street and West College Avenue.

Families are encouraged to come in costume or even create a non-motorized float.

There will be an after party at City Park, 500 E. Franklin St., as well as an awards ceremony. All of this fun is free, except for the food trucks at the after party.

When is the neighborhood party?

The Rock the Block family event, held at the Appleton YMCA, is scheduled for Tuesday. It will take place at 218 E. Lawrence St.

There will be crafts, face painting, music, outdoor activities, raffles, family games and more. The event is free to attend and registration is not required, but food can be purchased to support LiveStrong.

Is there also something educational going on?

Building for Kids, 100 W. College Ave., offers paid admission Tuesday through Saturday, with music-themed activities.

STEM education is also available at the Atlas Science Center, 425 W. Water St., for $3 per child Wednesday through Saturday. Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, 1305 Plank Road in Menasha, offers a free session on pollinators on Saturday, and kids get in free with adult admission to the History Museum at the Castle, 330 E. College Ave., Monday through Friday.

What else shouldn’t you miss?

The Parks & Recreation Department’s annual playground fair seems to fit that description.

It’s the department’s biggest event of the year and takes place over two days at Pierce Park, 1035 W. Prospect Ave. It features carnival games, bounce houses, food and entertainment and runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Is there anything special for children with disabilities?

On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, children 12 and under with disabilities or sensory processing issues can use the sensory gym and multi-sensory environment for free at The Sensory Club in Neenah. The Sensory Club is located at 976 American Drive Suite 8 in Neenah.

There is also a section of the Playground Fair specifically for children with disabilities and their families, which runs from 12:30 to 14:00 on Friday.

Madison Lammert writes about child care and early childhood education in Wisconsin as a Report for America corps member at The Appleton Post-Crescent. To contact her, email [email protected] or call 920-993-7108. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America by visiting postcrescent.com/RFA