U.S. Venture Appleton Children's Week: 7 things to know before you go

APPLETON — Next week is all about the children.

July 21-27 will bring a plethora of low-cost and free events across the Appleton area — all of which center on the city's youngest citizens.

U.S. Venture Children’s Week will include a color run, block party, carnival games, free karate classes, books and swimming, reduced admission to the Building for Kids Children’s Museum, and more.

Families can pick and choose what events to attend; they don’t need to show up to every event to participate in the fun.

A full calendar of activities is available at appletonchildrensweek.com/events, but here’s what to know before you go:

When does the Children's Week fun start?

The Children’s Week kick-off event is set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Memorial Park, 1620 E. Witzke Blvd.

The kick-off includes a color run (though registration for the run portion is already full) and other family-friendly entertainment in the park.

Free swimming is also on the docket 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 at 1430 E. John St.

What other Children's Week events are free?

While some portions of the week have an admission cost, several activities are provided to families free of charge.

For example, on Monday, kids can receive 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 mini golf at Badger Sports park, 3600 E. Evergreen Drive, all for free.

Later in the week, there’s 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 staple of Children’s Week festivities. This year, it will commence at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in Houdini Plaza, located at the corner of Appleton Street and West College Avenue.

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

There will be an after-party in City Park, 500 E. Franklin St., and also an awards ceremony. All this fun is free, except the food trucks at the after-party.

When is the block party?

The Rock the Block family event, held at the Appleton YMCA, is scheduled for Tuesday. It's located at 218 E. Lawrence St.

It will feature crafts, face painting, music, outdoor activities, raffles, games for the whole family and more. The event is free to attend, and no registration is required, but food can be purchased to benefit LiveStrong.

Is there anything educational going on?

Building for Kids,100 W. College Ave., will offer pay-what-you-can admission Tuesday through Saturday, with activities themed around music.

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

What else is can't miss?

The annual Parks & Recreation Department Playground Fair seems to fit that description.

It’s the largest event of the year for the department and takes place over two days in Pierce Park, 1035 W. Prospect Ave. It offers carnival games, inflatables, food and entertainment, and runs from 2 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

Is there anything specifically for children with disabilities?

On Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon, children 12 and younger who have disabilities or sensory processing challenges can enjoy free access to the sensory gym and multi-sensory environment at The Sensory Club in Neenah. The Sensory Club is located at 976 American Drive Suite 8 in Neenah.

There is also a portion of the Playground Fair dedicated for children with disabilities and their families. This runs from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Friday.

Madison Lammert covers child care and early education across Wisconsin as a Report for America corps member based at The Appleton Post-Crescent. To contact her, email mlammert@gannett.com or call 920-993-7108. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to Report for America by visiting postcrescent.com/RFA