Upcoming Events

Check out a list of our upcoming events below!

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

Walk-up Meal Workshop: Taco Night

Thursday, July 24: 4:00pm – 6:00pm

The Building for Kids and Sustainable Kitchens are hosting Taco Night on Thursday, July 24. Walk through a build-your-own taco and taco recipe workshop. Then, enjoy your tacos and play in the museum!  

In honor of Children’s Week, this event is free and open to all families. No pre-registration is required.

Learn More About Children’s Week

Walk-up Meal Workshop: Taco Night with Sustainable Kitchens

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.

Week of Jul 21st

  • Food Spoilage

    Category: The Lab Food Spoilage

    Times Vary
    July 21, 2025

    This week in The Lab, learn about food spoilage, including the different things you can do to create less food waste and various techniques to prevent your favorite foods from spoiling!

    Medieval Masterpieces

    Category: The Studio Medieval Masterpieces


    July 21, 2025

    This week in The Studio, come make Medieval Masterpieces!

  • Food Spoilage

    Category: The Lab Food Spoilage

    Times Vary
    July 22, 2025

    This week in The Lab, learn about food spoilage, including the different things you can do to create less food waste and various techniques to prevent your favorite foods from spoiling!

    Medieval Masterpieces

    Category: The Studio Medieval Masterpieces


    July 22, 2025

    This week in The Studio, come make Medieval Masterpieces!

    Early Explorers

    Category: Programs Early Explorers


    July 22, 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.
  • Food Spoilage

    Category: The Lab Food Spoilage

    Times Vary
    July 23, 2025

    This week in The Lab, learn about food spoilage, including the different things you can do to create less food waste and various techniques to prevent your favorite foods from spoiling!

    Medieval Masterpieces

    Category: The Studio Medieval Masterpieces


    July 23, 2025

    This week in The Studio, come make Medieval Masterpieces!

    2025 BFK Children’s Parade

    Category: Special Event 2025 BFK Children’s Parade


    July 23, 2025

    You’re invited to be a part of 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. Families are encouraged to brainstorm their theme together. Common themes include superheroes, sports teams, or repurposed Halloween costumes and often feature hand-made floats.

    The parade kick-offs 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! We’d love to see you at this summer tradition to celebrate the kids in our community!

    Sign your family up or form a group from your school, daycare, work, business, or any other organization.

    This is a free event, but registration is required.

    Individuals and families: Register Here
    Large groups: Register Here

  • Food Spoilage

    Category: The Lab Food Spoilage

    Times Vary
    July 24, 2025

    This week in The Lab, learn about food spoilage, including the different things you can do to create less food waste and various techniques to prevent your favorite foods from spoiling!

    Medieval Masterpieces

    Category: The Studio Medieval Masterpieces


    July 24, 2025

    This week in The Studio, come make Medieval Masterpieces!

    Welcome Baby Playgroup

    Category: Programs Welcome Baby Playgroup


    July 24, 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!

    Walk-up Meal Workshop: Taco Night with Sustainable Kitchens

    Category: Special Event Walk-up Meal Workshop: Taco Night with Sustainable Kitchens


    July 24, 2025

    The Building for Kids and Sustainable Kitchens are hosting Taco Night on Thursday, July 24. Walk through a build-your-own taco and taco recipe workshop. Then, enjoy your tacos and play in the museum!

    Learn More About Children's Week

  • Food Spoilage

    Category: The Lab Food Spoilage

    Times Vary
    July 25, 2025

    This week in The Lab, learn about food spoilage, including the different things you can do to create less food waste and various techniques to prevent your favorite foods from spoiling!

    Medieval Masterpieces

    Category: The Studio Medieval Masterpieces


    July 25, 2025

    This week in The Studio, come make Medieval Masterpieces!

    Jr. Explorers Meet-up Group

    Category: Programs Jr. Explorers Meet-up Group


    July 25, 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!

  • Food Spoilage

    Category: The Lab Food Spoilage

    Times Vary
    July 26, 2025

    This week in The Lab, learn about food spoilage, including the different things you can do to create less food waste and various techniques to prevent your favorite foods from spoiling!

    Medieval Masterpieces

    Category: The Studio Medieval Masterpieces


    July 26, 2025

    This week in The Studio, come make Medieval Masterpieces!

    Early Explorers

    Category: Programs Early Explorers


    July 26, 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.
  • Food Spoilage

    Category: The Lab Food Spoilage

    Times Vary
    July 27, 2025

    This week in The Lab, learn about food spoilage, including the different things you can do to create less food waste and various techniques to prevent your favorite foods from spoiling!

    Medieval Masterpieces

    Category: The Studio Medieval Masterpieces


    July 27, 2025

    This week in The Studio, come make Medieval Masterpieces!

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