Family events in Bloomington, IN

This gathering features alumni soccer and volleyball with friendly competition, camaraderie, and plenty of fun. It offers a chance for alumni to reconnect with familiar faces, revisit memories, and step back onto the field or court. Friends and family are welcome to attend to participate or cheer from the sidelines. The first 15 alumni will receive a free T-shirt.

A Bloomington gem and mineral show fills an entire weekend with opportunities to explore and discover. Admission is $5 for adults, and children under 12 are free. Tickets are valid for the whole weekend. Food will be available at the event. A silent auction benefiting BHSN Girls Soccer will take place during the show.

Registration is $100, and all proceeds benefit Cougar Bullpen and BHSN Baseball. Every dollar raised goes directly to Cougar Bullpen and BHSN Baseball through participant registrations.

The Lake Monroe Water Fund’s annual Beach Bash is a family-friendly evening by the lake with live music, lawn games, and a silent auction, plus giveaways. There will also be local food trucks and a relaxed beachy atmosphere, all in support of clean water and conservation. The event runs from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

MCHA brings a walk-in, low cost mobile vaccine clinic for dogs and cats to The Dog House. No appointment is needed, and the veterinary team of volunteers and staff welcomes the public. Services include legally required rabies vaccines for pets 12 weeks and older, microchipping, nail trims, anal gland expression, and prevention for fleas, ticks, and heartworm. These clinics are designed for healthy animals only and are not a replacement for a routine wellness exam with your primary veterinarian. Pricing includes rabies vaccination at $25, or $15 with subsidy, and a 3-year rabies option at $30, or $20 with subsidy, with proof of a prior rabies certificate. For dogs, DAPP is $22 or $18 with subsidy, Bordetella is $22 or $18 with subsidy, and Leptospirosis is $35 or $25 with subsidy. For cats, FVRCP is $22 or $18 with subsidy, and Feline Leukemia is $35 or $25 with subsidy. Wellness services include microchips at $18 or $15 with subsidy, nail trims at $18 or $12 with subsidy, nail trims for aggressive animals at $25 or $15 with subsidy, anal gland expression at $18 or $15 with subsidy, and a heartworm exam and test at $45 or $15 with subsidy. A heartworm test and exam are required before purchasing prevention. Interceptor chew is $13.50 or $10 with subsidy and protects against heartworm, hookworm, and roundworm. Advantage Multi topical is $22.50 or $18 with subsidy and protects against heartworm, fleas, hookworm, and roundworm. Credelio Quattro chew for pets up to 100 pounds is $45 or $36 with subsidy and covers heartworm, fleas, ticks, hookworm, and roundworm. Simparica Trio chew for pets 88 pounds and over is $41 or $31 with subsidy and covers heartworm, fleas, ticks, hookworm, and roundworm. Flea and tick options include Provecta Advanced for dogs at $15.00 or $11.50 with subsidy plus tax, and EffiPro for cats at $10.00 or $8.00 with subsidy plus tax. All cats must arrive in a secure carrier, and all dogs must be on a leash. Pets showing signs of illness or displaying aggression may not be eligible for vaccination. Curbside or in-vehicle service is not available. If you need an accommodation, call or text 812-333-6242, or email reception@monroehumane.org during regular clinic hours to discuss in advance. Subsidized pricing is available with proof of financial hardship or participation in a government assistance program.

Celebrate National S'mores Day at Lower Cascades Park with family friendly fun and build-your-own s'mores. Enjoy themed games and activities, and registered participants may stop by anytime during the program to play and make treats. Bringing a picnic dinner to enjoy at the Sycamore Shelter is welcome. Pre-registration is required. The fee is $7 for in-city participants and $8 for non-city. For ages 5 and older with an adult.

Spend time in the teen room on the first floor enjoying retro video games in a relaxed setting. The focus is on hanging out and playing classic titles, and snacks will be provided.

Animal enthusiasts can explore exotic wildlife through creative crafts, lively games, and other interactive activities. This edition focuses on creatures that live beneath the water’s surface. It is part of the Community Zoo by You series, and those who attend multiple sessions can earn honorary Zookeeper status. The participation fee is $3 per person for each event, and advance registration is not required. Meet at the Bosque in Switchyard Park, just east of the Switchyard Park Pavilion. Sponsored by Bloomington Montessori School.

Explore the Kids Garden with Georgia at a free, come-and-go workshop designed for children of every age. Young participants can get hands-on and engage their senses while discovering garden life, from pests and helpful pollinators to seeds, roots, and new shoots, plus other features that give the garden its delicious appeal. Registration is not required.

Open play at Flatwoods Park welcomes anyone interested. Homeschooling families are welcome, and participants can invite other homeschooling families as well. This gathering takes place on the second Wednesday of every month.

Children of all ages can take part in a free, hands-on drop-in cooking workshop. Participants build kitchen confidence by preparing a recipe from beginning to end and sharing what they make. No registration is needed. Parents or guardians are expected to remain on site for the duration of the program.

Family Night Out is a monthly block party in downtown Bloomington that turns Kirkwood Avenue by the Monroe County Public Library into a shared dining and gathering spot. Long tables line the street so families and friends can sit together while enjoying takeout from nearby restaurants offering event specials. The block features food trucks, artists, local vendors, and community booths, and roaming musicians bring live music to the scene. The Front Porch Trailer sets out casual lawn games and creates extra space to relax and play. It blends the feel of a community meal, a street festival, and a neighborhood hangout. Additional information about carryout specials, the entertainment lineup, community and activity booths, and artist booths will be announced.

Teens can experiment with music creation on a computer in the teen room during this makerspace-style lab. Snacks are provided.

A weekly cruise-in takes place at Hardee's in Bloomington, IN. This recurring meetup brings the community together at a familiar local restaurant.