Family events in West Lafayette, IN

Rev up your ride for a community fundraiser at Old Buffalo's Outpost Bar & Grill in support of Combat Cookies. Participants can display their vehicles and enjoy a relaxed day focused on a good cause. Entry is $15, and top participants will receive awards and commemorative dash plaques. Registration takes place on site only, there is no preregistration, and any request for payment ahead of time is a scam.

McCaw Park hosts an annual picnic for the Deaf and ASL community. Hamburgers and hot dogs are provided, along with plates, plasticware, and napkins. Attendees are encouraged to use the sign-up page to indicate any side dishes, desserts, or other items they plan to bring. Please RSVP to Heather or Mandy, or reply to the invite, so the right amount of meat can be prepared. The gathering will proceed regardless of weather.

Spend the day at The Farm and Prophetstown State Park for a family-friendly celebration of camping. Discover how camping has changed across the decades through engaging activities and learning opportunities. Highlights include camper meat bundle sales, lively rounds of Barn Bingo, and toe-tapping square dancing, welcoming both long-time campers and those just getting started.

Paint your own Highland Calf~ in this all-ages painting session at Painting with a Twist. You’ll work on a 16x20 canvas, with guided instruction from the studio’s artist Jenny. The class runs from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, and seating is limited. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on site, and outside beverages are not allowed.

This back to school event supports foster, adoptive, and kinship families from Greater Lafayette, IN. Children who attend receive a new pair of shoes and two school outfits to help them begin the year with confidence. To make sure the right sizes are ready, please complete a separate registration for each child.

Celebrating its 11th year, this Field Day brings a fresh setting at the Wea Recreation Center on Lafayette’s south side, offering a full day of friendly competition, energetic live music, and community spirit. Teams of four can square off in favorites like cornhole, dodgeball, ladder ball, Kan Jam, Spike Ball, and a slip n slide version of flip cup, with more activities in the mix. The music lineup features Thorr-Axe, MAELSTROM BLVCK, Graygarden, Safety Off, Strands of Serenity, and Cicada, spanning heavy and melodic sounds, punk energy, catchy tunes, straight-ahead metal, and experimental psychedelic rock. The event welcomes all ages and is family friendly. Admission is $15, with free entry for children under 10. Sponsorship support helps keep costs low for attendees and ensures solid pay for the musicians.

Howl Night at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Indiana features opportunities to see ambassador wolves, foxes, bison, and an eastern box turtle in the park’s welcome area. A presentation explores how wolves communicate, and attendees can try a few howls with the wolves. Tickets are available in person or online, and advance purchase is recommended.

Explore a reptile and exotic pet expo in Lafayette featuring snakes, lizards, frogs, birds, small mammals, invertebrates and amphibians, along with supplies and feeders. Spread across about 20,000 square feet, it offers a wide selection and access to animal experts who can answer questions and help visitors considering a new pet.

The Annual Community Party at the Park is a free community celebration at the Tippecanoe County Amphitheater where everyone is welcome. Expect complimentary burgers, chicken, tacos, sno cones, bounce houses and live music, with plenty of extras at no cost. Hosted by Calvary Church, Second Baptist Church and Casa de Luz, this gathering emphasizes a safe and friendly atmosphere. For safety, the activities area will remain closed until opening, and the entrance will be roped off, so early arrivals may need to wait. To avoid distracting the horses on site, attendees are asked not to bring dogs. Accommodation passes are available at the information booth for guests ages 16 and under with special needs, and organizers can be contacted in advance at 765-463-2622 to reserve a pass or ask questions.

Visit the Tippecanoe County Public Library Wyandotte Branch for Lapsit Storytime designed for little ones younger than two. This gentle session focuses on age-appropriate stories for the earliest listeners.

Lafayette Urban Ministry runs the LUM Protein Food Pantry in downtown Lafayette, emphasizing protein-rich foods, fresh produce, and paper essentials. Adults who live in Tippecanoe County and can present proof of residency may choose from selections that commonly include canned and frozen meats and fish, beans and lentils in dry or canned form, peanut butter, fruits and vegetables, toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, facial tissues, baby food, diapers, wipes, and feminine hygiene products, with availability varying. High carbohydrate items and snack foods are minimized. Volunteers are needed to support pantry operations.

Set in Munger Park, this relaxed park day brings together the West Lafayette community for play, conversation, and a casual picnic. It offers a welcoming spot to ask questions about homeschooling and about transitioning to Classical Conversations. Families with children ranging from babies to 11th graders are included, creating an inclusive setting for parents and students to connect.

At Celery Bog Nature Area, Dr. Marc Milne, a biology professor at the University of Indianapolis, introduces participants to the spiders of Indiana. The program begins with an overview, then continues on the trails where he demonstrates how to collect and identify some of the most common species found in central Indiana. Attendance is limited to 25 people and registration is required. A Facebook response does not secure a reservation. To register or ask questions, call 765-567-2993 or email mcutler@tippecanoe.in.gov. The material is aimed at adults, though school-aged children may take part if their attention span and interest are a good fit. For more information, contact Tippecanoe County Naturalist Mary Cutler at 765-567-2993.

Operated by Lafayette Urban Ministry in downtown Lafayette, the LUM Protein Food Pantry centers on nutritious essentials for local households. Visitors can choose from options such as frozen or canned meats and fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and lentils, and peanut butter, along with everyday necessities like diapers and paper goods. The pantry often carries baby food and wipes, as well as feminine care products. The focus is on proteins and produce, so high carbohydrate items and snack foods are limited. Service is available to Tippecanoe County residents who are at least 18 years old, and proof of residency is required.

A friendly storytime welcomes children ages six and under along with their caregivers. No registration is required. For more information, call (765) 447-4774.