Family events in Eau Claire, WI

Food Truck Friday features fresh, wood-smoked barbecue in a lively summer setting with music and a welcoming community vibe.

This statewide citizen science effort brings water lovers together to check Wisconsin’s streams, lakes, and wetlands for invasive plants and animals. At the Chippewa Rod & Gun Club Boat Landing, participants learn identification and monitoring skills, then apply them in the field while contributing observations that support data for Lake Wissota. The program is free and is open to ages 10 and up, with children accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is required and walk ins are not accepted. The event may be canceled if weather conditions are unsafe.

Bring the kids along for the Family Trolley Express, a kid-friendly trolley ride that’s a shorter version of the Signature Eau Claire Tour. Along the way you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds, plus each child gets a chance to ring a real trolley bell and take home a coloring page. The ride lasts about 40 to 45 minutes, and depending on the weather it may be set up as an enclosed trolley with sliding windows or an open-air trolley with brass railings and curtains in case of rain. Please note the minimum age is 2, and there are no seatbelts so child seats cannot be accommodated. For safety, no infants in carriers or on laps are allowed.

Wisconsin Bearded Brothers Inc hosts a Brat Fry at the Festival Foods Clairemont location to support the #Forward365 initiative. Enjoy brats and burgers while contributing to a cause that directs all proceeds to Wisconsin families.

A playful yoga and mindfulness session for caregivers and their little ones takes place at Habitual Yoga Space. Suggested for ages 3 to 7, each class lasts 45 minutes and is offered as a three-Saturday series every month. Expect partner poses, calming breath practices, cooperative games, and a short guided rest that nurture emotional regulation, confidence, body awareness, and secure attachment, all within an urban oasis for mindfulness. Every meeting explores a fresh theme and builds skills progressively while keeping things imaginative and fun. This is not a drop-off format, since grown-ups participate fully alongside their child. Look forward to laughter, grounding moments, meaningful connection, and simple tools to bring home. Attend a single session or choose all three during the summer. The cost is $25 per session for one adult and one child, with a $10 savings when booking the trio together. Additional children can be added for $10 each by sending a message.

This free garden tour is presented by the Lake Wissota Garden Club. It highlights a half-acre woodland featuring more than 225 species of Wisconsin native flowers, ferns, grasses, sedges, shrubs, and trees.

A cheerful painting party designed for kids and parents, led by an instructor who guides everyone step by step. No prior art experience is needed. Simply register, show up, and enjoy a relaxed creative session together. Admission is charged per painter. A parent may share one canvas with their child at no extra cost, may purchase a separate ticket to paint on their own canvas, or may attend without painting. Every child must be supervised by a parent for the duration of the event. Canvases are lightly pre-sketched, and a blank canvas can be requested by noting it in the Special Instructions during checkout. If friends or family book separately, include party size and names in the Special Instructions so seats can be grouped. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early to settle in and choose a drink. Painting begins right at the scheduled start time, and detailed catch-up is not available for arrivals more than 10 minutes late, so punctuality ensures the full experience. Advance reservation and payment are required to secure a seat. Adults can choose from wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages available on site. Outside alcohol is not allowed. Light snacks are offered for purchase, and bringing your own food or snacks is welcome. Purchases are final and nonrefundable. If plans change, class credit can be provided up to two days before the event. Same-day cancellations are not eligible for credit.

This welcoming event is free to attend and suitable for all ages. Participants receive Play! Prize Packs for taking part.

Spend time at Market on River with fresh coffee, bites from MOR vendors, and shopping with local pop-up vendors. Browse, sip, and discover something new as you explore the market.

Enjoy a relaxing yoga session on the patio suitable for a wide range of participants. Admission is $5, and children 12 and under can take part at no cost. Please bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. After the session, receive 10 percent off your meal by letting your server know you participated in the yoga.

Slab Factory partners with The Brewing Projekt for a family-friendly card show celebrating sports cards and Pokemon. Collectors can trade with one another, hunt for standout additions, open packs on site, and browse a range of vendors, all alongside a pint from the brewery. The atmosphere centers on community and welcomes enthusiasts of all ages, from seasoned collectors to those curious about the hobby.

Northwood Game Haven hosts a free, all-ages board game night at The Plus that is open to the public. A wide library of board and card games supports groups with many interests, whether the goal is a brief game or an extended session. Teachers are on hand for demos and guidance to help anyone start playing quickly. There are prize opportunities and promotional items connected to featured titles, and games can be ordered at competitive prices. Requests are welcomed for specific plays or events, drawing from a collection of more than 2,500 games. Themes and other special tie-ins may pop up as well.

Drop in and explore your creative side with Art Explorers, a summer DIY activity recommended for youth entering grades K-6. You’ll have access to basic art supplies, so all you need to bring is your imagination. No need to attend every event in the series.

Presented by Eau Claire County 4-H, this hands-on event at Eau Claire Sport Warehouse invites participants to explore the art, history, and culture of quilting while creating take-home projects. Activities include quilt square make-and-take projects, mini barn quilt painting, and needlework and embroidery, with guidance suited to both beginners and experienced crafters. Open to all ages, it offers a welcoming space to learn about quilting’s rich traditions and to experience how creativity and storytelling connect generations.

Enjoy open play for the Pokémon and Gundam trading card games. Everyone is welcome, from first-timers to seasoned players. If you are curious or still learning, instruction is available. Connect with fellow fans in a relaxed, friendly setting.

This youth-focused session builds confidence outdoors by teaching how to spot local plants, notice signs of wildlife, and strengthen basic nature awareness. Hands-on activities foster care for the environment and include challenges suited to their age group, keeping learning active and enjoyable. Expect guided exploration with plant identification and practical outdoor skills. A guest presentation by mushroom foraging expert Tavis Lynch is included. Camp Phillips is noted for this program, and an additional enhanced fee for Camp Phillips may be required. The format is flexible, so participants may drop in for part of the evening or stay for the full program.

The Confluence Big Band returns to The Plus with a wide-ranging program that moves from classic 1940s swing to modern arrangements. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. The event proceeds rain or shine. When conditions allow, the music is presented outdoors on the patio.

Enjoy live music with The Confluence Big Band, featuring everything from 1940s swing to modern arrangements. The band will be back at The Plus for a free, all-ages show, rain or shine. During the summer, they’ll be outdoors on the patio when weather allows.

This interactive summer camp at Hy-Vee Grocery Store in Eau Claire introduces sixth through eighth graders to kitchen skills and entry-level entrepreneurship. Culinary professionals from the local Hy-Vee lead hands-on cooking, while lessons from JA cover the foundations of business planning with a food truck focus.

She Builds Wisconsin returns to the Chippewa Valley with its second annual camp, supported by the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin and Market & Johnson. This free, three day experience welcomes girls in grades 6 through 8 to explore construction, architecture, and engineering through interactive projects and field trips, guided by professionals from the industry. Participants build practical skills, increase confidence, and discover a range of future career possibilities.

A Sandbox Social playdate with the MOMS Club Eau Claire Area features open-ended sand play and a friendly setting to meet others. Pricing is $10 per child and $8 per sibling, with parents attending free. Advance registration is available, and walk-ins are welcome. Guests may bring their own snacks and beverages that are nut and peanut free. The MOMS Club, Moms Offering Moms Support, is an international nonprofit for women, and this local chapter focuses on support through friendship. For more information, email momsclubeauclairearea@gmail.com, and find the group on Instagram or Facebook. More Sandbox Socials are planned.

Led by Bob Gough and Greg Kocken, this newly developed walking tour of Lakeview Cemetery explores notable memorials and the stories of the people connected to them. The route covers level ground and lasts about 90 minutes, keeping a comfortable pace for most visitors. Along the way, hear about reported evening encounters with ghosts and other spectral figures that lend a touch of mystery to the grounds. Registration is available through the online calendar, and a rain date is planned.

Most of our lives are spent indoors, so this program focuses on practical choices that reduce indoor exposures linked to asthma, lung disease, heart disease, and cancer. It addresses common sources of risk, including smoke from wildfires, mold, cooking emissions, and radon. The session begins with interactive activities, continues with a review of data on indoor air hazards, and concludes with clear takeaways to help protect households and families. The program is led by Dr. Crispin Hayes Pierce, a professor of environmental public health at UW-Eau Claire, a published researcher and Fulbright Scholar whose work examines exposures such as frac sand dust, wildfire smoke, and COVID aerosols. Participants are asked to register through the library’s website.

Big Papa BBQ serves barbecue smoked over wood at Tuesday Night Blues in Owen Park, bringing together music and freshly made food for a relaxed summer evening. They are at Blues in the Park most Tuesdays.

Enjoy a friendly community market featuring a mix of local vendors and makers from Seymour. All are welcome.

Part of the Skate Into Whimsy Summer, this skate special at High Roller Skating Centers in La Crosse and Eau Claire offers $7 admission for all ages that covers entry, your choice of skates or rollerblades, and playground access for children ages 3 to 10. A $4 lunch combo is available with a slice of pizza and a drink, with options that include a 16 oz soda, lemonade, a slushie, or bottled water. Share photos on Facebook or Instagram with the Skate Into Whimsy hashtag for a chance to win free entries or even a free skate party, with winners announced each week throughout the summer.

Catch the Ski Sprites waterski show at River Jams with views right from the Chippewa River shoreline. The grill will be fired up with favorites, and the Tiki Bar will be open with drink specials. It is set to be a fun filled evening by the river.