Have you enjoyed our Spring yet? Here is a great list to celebrate the season!
1. Bird Watch
Pack up your binoculars and rain boots and head out to Mosquito Hill. Saturday Morning Bird Walks are all May from 7-10 am and its FREE.
2. Go Fishing
On April 30th, 350 Rainbow Trout were added to Memorial Park Pond. Additional pan and bass fish will also be added at the end of May through the Urban Fishing Program through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Fishers ages 16 and older need a Wisconsin Fishing License and an inland trout stamp to legally fish for trout and keep them. Fishing licenses can be purchased at Fleet Farm or find other locations here.
3. Map Your Walks and Walk Somewhere New
Check out the Map my Walk App. This free app uses your phone’s built-in GPS to track all your fitness activities including workout details, duration, distance, speed, elevation, calories burned and rout traveled on an interactive map (and it links to my fitness pal if you use that).
4. Learn Something New
Take a historical walk in Appleton’s 3rd Ward and complete a scavenger hunt. Download all the parts here.
5. Search for Bugs
Find bugs and play Insect Bingo! (Here is a great template from Heckrod).
6. Clean Up
Teach your kids to care for their mother earth. (Another great template from Heckrodt).
7. Visit High Cliff
Pick up a free Wisconsin Explorer booklet at most state parks or download them online. Inside you’ll find nature activities, scavenger hunts, games, hikes, and crafts to help you explore Wisconsin’s great outdoors together. There are three age levels available, 3-5, 6-8 and 9 and up. Kids who complete the requirements will earn collectable state symbol patches.
8. Scavenger Hunt at Heckrodt
Heckrodt Wetland Reserve in Menasha is a fun place in Spring (and Summer, Fall and Winter!) Check out their website for lots of different scavenger activities
9. Head to a Park
You won’t have to worry (as much) about little ones and going potty. As of May 1, most park public bathrooms are now open. Check out our list of parks on our website. (Help us update our guide! If you head to any parks missing pictures, email us yours at govalleykids@gmail.com)
10. Go For a Ride
Bay Beach Amusement Park opened for the season last weekend for the summer! With no admission fee, free parking and tickets still only 25 cents how can you go wrong?
11. Build a Bird House
Fox River Wood Shop is a family owned business downtown Appleton that often offers workshops to build birdhouses and picture frames. Or check out one of my favorite sites for plans, Ana White.
12. Sort your Books
If you are anything like our family, your books get out of control! Learn more about Little Free Library, find one around town, and maybe even start your own! Check out this one on Capital Drive in Appleton to start.
13. Dodge the Rain
Check out Play A Latte in De Pere on those rainy days, or any day really. A fun indoor playcenter for children 6 and under and enjoy a nice warm cup of coffee. Avoid the wait by signing the waiver before you get there. Find it here.
14. Hit the Batting Cages
Badger Sports Park in Appleton has great batting cages, go carts and mini golf to enjoy the nice Spring weather. Monday through Friday, batting cages are all you can hit for $5. Swing batter, Swing!
15. Check out a Garden
Its always pretty at the gardens! Check out Green Bay Botanical Garden or The Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh. Both have family programs as well.
16. Be Adventurous!
Brown County opened its newest attraction this week at the NEW Zoo. The Adventure Park is located adjacent to the zoo and features dual “racing” zip lines, an aerial adventure course and a three-sided climbing tower.
17. Play Laser Tag
Funset Boulevard just opened their new Laserforce Laser Tag and Arena. The height requirement is now reduced to 48 in.
18. Play with Baby Animals
Pony rides, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, kittens and more, oh my! We love visiting Mulberry Lane Petting Farm in Sherwood. Watch our facebook page and website for a family pass giveaway soon!
19. Ride a Bike
Take the 2014 Fox Valley Bike Challenge, part of the National Bike Challenge. Its free and fun for all ages. The challenge runs May 1 through September 20, 2014. Monthly prizes based on points earned, 20 points each day you ride at least 1 mile, plus 1 point per mile. Register here.
20. Release a Butterfly
Check out the Butterfly Festival, a fun family event Saturday, June 21 at the City Park, downtown Appleton. It is also a great fundraiser that benefits Parent Connection, an early learning and child abuse prevention program of Family Services. Register soon, butterflies sold out last year!
Before we know it Summer will be here, so get out and enjoy the Spring! What is your favorite thing to do celebrate Spring? Make sure to come back and share what you did from this Spring Challenge!
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