Upcoming Events

Check out a list of our upcoming events below!

Father’s Day at the BFK

Sunday, June 15: 9:00am – 4:00pm

Join us on Father’s Day for an event celebrating fathers and father-figures!

In addition to FREE admission for dads, we have themed activities all day. Show your love and appreciation for dad by making handprint art and Father’s Day cards in The Studio, work together on mini challenges in The Lab, and participate in a photo scavenger hunt around the museum. Take home your artwork and family photos as keepsakes of the memories made with dad. 

Purchase Advanced General Admission Tickets

Dino Day

Saturday, June 21: 9:00am – 4:00pm

Dig into the past for a prehistoric adventure on Dino Day!

Join us on June 21 for dino-themed activities and a dino scavenger hunt around the museum. Create artwork with footprint stamps, dig dinos from kinetic sand, and dissolve dino eggs to reveal the dinosaurs inside. Then in Food to Grow, embark on a prehistoric culinary adventure by learning about the dietary habits of dinosaurs, from the fierce appetite of a T-Rex to the gentle grazing of a Brontosaurus. This event is free with the paid price of general admission or a BFK membership.

Purchase Advanced General Admission Tickets

BFK Children’s Parade

Wednesday, July 23: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

You’re invited to participate in the 16th Annual BFK Children’s Parade, presented by ThedaCare! During the parade, kids and their grown-ups stroll through downtown Appleton in themed costumes and non-motorized floats.  

The parade kicks off in Houdini Plaza at 6pm. After the parade, join us in City Park for the after-party. Enjoy free activities, entertainment, food trucks, and an award ceremony!

Learn More and Register Here

BFK Children’s Parade

Building for Grown-Ups:
Lights, Camera, Hollywood

Saturday, August 9: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

You’ve made the Building for Grown-ups: Lights, Camera, Hollywood guest list! Dress up like a movie star or movie character, gather your fellow A-listers, and walk down the red carpet on Saturday, August 9 for an adult-only night full of Hollywood-themed activities, sponsored by TDS.

Compete in a hidden Oscars scavenger hunt, make VIP badges in The Studio, and challenge your cinephile status with movie trivia. Grab a bucket of popcorn and a drink from the cash bar, provided by Stone Arch, and enjoy a film in the Mielke Family Theater. Plus, capture a video of your entourage at the 360 Glam Cam and participate in a raffle for the opportunity to win exciting prizes!

If you pre-register, the cost is $20 per person. Cost at the door is $30 per person. This event is for ages 21+ and a physical ID will be required at check-in.

Register Here

Building for Grown-ups

Activities & Events Calendar

For a more comprehensive list of what’s going on daily at the BFK, check out the below calendar. Here you can find details about all of our upcoming events, available programs, and activities in The Lab, The Studio, and Food to Grow! Click on an event or activity to find more information and applicable registration details.

Activities & Events in June 2025

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
May 26, 2025
May 27, 2025(1 event)


May 27, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays or Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
May 28, 2025
May 29, 2025(1 event)


May 29, 2025

Come play with other first-time parents and their new babies at the BFK! Welcome Baby Play Groups are informal opportunities to play and socialize with other new families in our Babies & Toddlers Around the World exhibit. These play groups occur every Thursday at 10am at the Building for Kids. This is a free opportunity for parents and their babies under 18 months.

Learn more and register here!

May 30, 2025
May 31, 2025(1 event)


May 31, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
June 1, 2025
June 2, 2025
June 3, 2025(1 event)


June 3, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays or Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
June 4, 2025
June 5, 2025(1 event)


June 5, 2025

Come play with other first-time parents and their new babies at the BFK! Welcome Baby Play Groups are informal opportunities to play and socialize with other new families in our Babies & Toddlers Around the World exhibit. These play groups occur every Thursday at 10am at the Building for Kids. This is a free opportunity for parents and their babies under 18 months.

Learn more and register here!

June 6, 2025(1 event)


June 6, 2025

The Jr. Explorers Meet-Up Groups are designed for caregivers and kids who have participated in Building for Kids’ Junior Explorers Program or caregivers and their kids who are interested in learning more about the program. Come enjoy songs, stories, activities, and community! These meet-up groups occur every Friday at 10am and are free with the paid price of general admission or a BFK membership.

Learn more and register here!

June 7, 2025(1 event)


June 7, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
June 8, 2025
June 9, 2025
June 10, 2025(1 event)


June 10, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays or Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
June 11, 2025
June 12, 2025(1 event)


June 12, 2025

Come play with other first-time parents and their new babies at the BFK! Welcome Baby Play Groups are informal opportunities to play and socialize with other new families in our Babies & Toddlers Around the World exhibit. These play groups occur every Thursday at 10am at the Building for Kids. This is a free opportunity for parents and their babies under 18 months.

Learn more and register here!

June 13, 2025(1 event)


June 13, 2025

The Jr. Explorers Meet-Up Groups are designed for caregivers and kids who have participated in Building for Kids’ Junior Explorers Program or caregivers and their kids who are interested in learning more about the program. Come enjoy songs, stories, activities, and community! These meet-up groups occur every Friday at 10am and are free with the paid price of general admission or a BFK membership.

Learn more and register here!

June 14, 2025(2 events)


June 14, 2025

Are you a first-time parent? Or a soon-to-be first-time parent? Attend a Welcome Baby Connecting Event and receive a free BFK membership! Connecting Events occur the second Saturday of every month in-person at the Building for Kids. During these free events, an expert from one of our partner organizations will lead a conversation focused on babies and parenting.

Learn more and register here!


June 14, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
June 15, 2025(1 event)


June 15, 2025

Sensory Superstars consists of a lower-sensory environment at the museum – lower lighting, no music, and certain exhibits will be turned off. This program may also include guests, resources, and sensory-friendly activities. Sensory Superstars occurs the third Sunday of every month from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and is free to families in the Autism community.

Learn more here!

June 16, 2025
June 17, 2025(1 event)


June 17, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays or Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
June 18, 2025
June 19, 2025(1 event)


June 19, 2025

Come play with other first-time parents and their new babies at the BFK! Welcome Baby Play Groups are informal opportunities to play and socialize with other new families in our Babies & Toddlers Around the World exhibit. These play groups occur every Thursday at 10am at the Building for Kids. This is a free opportunity for parents and their babies under 18 months.

Learn more and register here!

June 20, 2025(1 event)


June 20, 2025

The Jr. Explorers Meet-Up Groups are designed for caregivers and kids who have participated in Building for Kids’ Junior Explorers Program or caregivers and their kids who are interested in learning more about the program. Come enjoy songs, stories, activities, and community! These meet-up groups occur every Friday at 10am and are free with the paid price of general admission or a BFK membership.

Learn more and register here!

June 21, 2025(1 event)


June 21, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
June 22, 2025
June 23, 2025
June 24, 2025(1 event)


June 24, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays or Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
June 25, 2025
June 26, 2025(1 event)


June 26, 2025

Come play with other first-time parents and their new babies at the BFK! Welcome Baby Play Groups are informal opportunities to play and socialize with other new families in our Babies & Toddlers Around the World exhibit. These play groups occur every Thursday at 10am at the Building for Kids. This is a free opportunity for parents and their babies under 18 months.

Learn more and register here!

June 27, 2025(1 event)


June 27, 2025

The Jr. Explorers Meet-Up Groups are designed for caregivers and kids who have participated in Building for Kids’ Junior Explorers Program or caregivers and their kids who are interested in learning more about the program. Come enjoy songs, stories, activities, and community! These meet-up groups occur every Friday at 10am and are free with the paid price of general admission or a BFK membership.

Learn more and register here!

June 28, 2025(1 event)


June 28, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
June 29, 2025
June 30, 2025
July 1, 2025(1 event)


July 1, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays or Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
July 2, 2025
July 3, 2025(1 event)


July 3, 2025

Come play with other first-time parents and their new babies at the BFK! Welcome Baby Play Groups are informal opportunities to play and socialize with other new families in our Babies & Toddlers Around the World exhibit. These play groups occur every Thursday at 10am at the Building for Kids. This is a free opportunity for parents and their babies under 18 months.

Learn more and register here!

July 4, 2025(1 event)


July 4, 2025

The Jr. Explorers Meet-Up Groups are designed for caregivers and kids who have participated in Building for Kids’ Junior Explorers Program or caregivers and their kids who are interested in learning more about the program. Come enjoy songs, stories, activities, and community! These meet-up groups occur every Friday at 10am and are free with the paid price of general admission or a BFK membership.

Learn more and register here!

July 5, 2025(1 event)


July 5, 2025

Do you have an 18 - 36 month old? Join us at the BFK for Early Explorers on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10am! During Early Explorers, a museum educator facilitates activities that are aimed to strengthen the relationship between children and grown-ups, develop motor skills, and connect socially. This program is free with the paid price of general admission.
July 6, 2025
 

 

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