Family events in La Crosse, WI

Rising Athletes is teaming up with St. Clare Health Mission and the Rotary Mobile Clinic to provide no cost sports physicals for middle and high school students enrolled in the School District of La Crosse. The event will be held at La Crosse Logan High School.

Celebrate the close of the growing season at the final Learn2Grow kids workshop focused on seed saving. Children will discover why saving seeds matters and how it supports garden growth from one year to the next. The workshop explains how seeds are collected, preserved, and prepared for next season’s garden, and participants can take home seeds to plant and start a garden at home. It also explores the life cycle of garden plants, linking this season’s harvest to future growth. The session takes place in the kids garden at the Kane Street Community Garden, providing a space to reflect on what has grown and get ready for the next season.

The Harp Twins and the Volfgang Twins return to Irishfest La Crosse with free performances for all festival attendees. Show times will be announced. After each performance they will meet fans for photos, sign autographs, and offer CDs and other merchandise. This family friendly appearance takes place in Wisconsin at Irishfest La Crosse.

An Open Barn welcomes the public to the farm. Visitors can meet the animals, walk through the garden, and enjoy food and beverages from local vendors. Canvasback Coffee and Taco Town will be on site serving.

A relaxed weekly walk for moms begins at Groovy Grounds Bistro and offers an easy way to get out of the house, move a little, and connect with other moms. Children are welcome in strollers, on bikes or scooters, or walking alongside. The walk is self-guided and set at your own pace, creating a welcoming, low pressure experience. After the walk, participants can stay for coffee, breakfast, or conversation at the bistro. No sign up is required.

The 9th Annual Holmen Summer Splash is an all-ages logrolling tournament that welcomes brand-new logrollers along with experienced competitors. Registration and admission are free, with pre-registration required. The novice divisions compete in the morning, and the advanced divisions compete in the evening, with warm-ups beginning at 9:00 AM. After the pool events, participants are invited to dinner and awards outside of the pool area.

This narrated trolley tour explores La Crosse’s most significant homes and the stories connected to them. The experience includes two stops where participants step off the trolley. At Hixon House, there is a guided look at the ground floor followed by coffee and morning pastries in the Visitors Center, access to restrooms, and time to wander the gardens. At Castle La Crosse, a guided stop offers another perspective on local architecture. These two properties are not accessible. The rest of the journey takes place on the trolley while traveling through the downtown area, highlighting notable and unusually interesting residences. Tickets are $60 per person and the tour is for ages 13 and older.

Ages 5 and up are invited to a martial arts tournament at the Houser YMCA that matches participants with others of comparable age and rank. The environment is welcoming for those entering their first competition as well as seasoned students, and proceeds support the YMCA Annual Campaign. Competitors can take part in forms, weapons forms, sparring, a judo game, and board breaking. New for this edition, group forms are available for teams of 2 to 8, and group weapons forms are open to teams of 2 to 4, with routines lasting 2 to 3 minutes. The day begins with a meeting for black belts, followed by lineup and the national anthem, then competition gets underway. A parent or legal guardian must complete a waiver for every student participant. Students who spar must wear the required protective equipment, including foot and hand pads, headgear with a face shield, a mouthguard, and a cup for males. Chest protectors are required by the YMCA, with a limited number available for use. Concessions and lunch will be on-site. For questions, contact Grace Vangyija, Arts & Humanities Director, at 608-519-5514 or gvangyija@laxymca.org.

Three Rivers Performace Baseball is launching a 9U team for the fall season, with plans to add more teams in the future. Tryouts take place at Glen Fox Baseball Field and are intended to build a highly competitive roster of young men from the Coulee region. If you cannot attend the scheduled session, the organizers may offer alternate dates and times upon request. Catchers should bring their own gear.

Harp Twins and Volfgang Twins take the stage at Irishfest La Crosse in Wisconsin with performances that are free for festival attendees. After each set, they will meet fans for photos and autographs, and CDs along with other merchandise will be available. Expect a welcoming, family friendly experience.

A relaxed walk for local moms starts at Groovy Sips, offering a chance to enjoy fresh air and friendly conversation with others. Participants can pick up a favorite drink before heading out. Children are welcome in strollers, on bikes or scooters, or on foot. The route is informal so everyone can move at a comfortable pace, and there is time afterward to linger over coffee or refreshing drinks and catch up with friends.

Enjoy an evening at La Crosse Distilling Co. that benefits GROW and its work connecting youth to healthy food and nature. Alongside the regular food and beverage offerings, the gathering includes raffles, activities for children, and tours of the distillery. All proceeds support GROW and its mission. Cash or Venmo is needed for the make and take stations featuring a Fairy Garden and a Pollinator Watering Spot, as well as for raffle entries.

Join open trap shooting every Tuesday, welcoming both beginners and experienced shooters. The event runs weekly from March 31 through October 6, so bring the family and enjoy the fun together.

Build confidence with a self defense class that welcomes participants of every age and ability. Each session focuses on two to three straightforward techniques to help you respond in an emergency. A signed waiver is required on your first visit. If you missed the earlier informational meeting, you can still take part, and newcomers are welcome.

Set out from Groovy Grounds Bistro for a relaxed, self-paced and self-guided walk created for moms. Bring kiddos in strollers, on bikes or scooters, or have them walk alongside. The atmosphere is welcoming and pressure free, and no sign up is needed. Afterward, participants can stay for coffee, breakfast, and conversation.

After school at La Crescent Public Library, Chapter Club offers a relaxed, quiet read-aloud time led by longtime volunteer Mr. Petersilie, who has shared stories with this group for more than three decades. Children in grades K through 6 help choose the book by voting, and each meeting starts with a brief recap to bring everyone up to speed. A snack is served at the midpoint, provided by Mr. Petersilie. Kids are welcome to simply listen or work on homework, coloring, or crafts with supplies available from the library. New participants can start at any session, and everyone is welcome.

Part of the Skate Into Whimsy Summer at High Roller Skating Centers in La Crosse and Eau Claire, Hot Wheels & Deals features an all ages skate session for $7 per person, which covers admission, roller 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 choice of 16 oz soda, lemonade, slushie, or bottled water. Share photos using #SkateIntoWhimsy on Facebook or Instagram and tag the organizers for a chance to win free admission passes or even a free skate party, with winners announced weekly throughout the summer.

Celebrate the grand opening of PICS, a new selfie and photography studio in La Crosse located inside Valley View Mall. Explore immersive photo installations and content creation spaces, see how the venue can host parties and private events, and spend time making memorable photos with friends and family. Opening day perks include $15 admission, complimentary cupcakes while supplies last, the Pop Off Dirty Soda Bar while available, entries into giveaways throughout the event, and full access to every area of the studio. It is a convenient chance to refresh a profile picture, preview birthday party ideas, or enjoy a creative outing with a group. Walk-ins are welcome.

This library makerspace offers hands-on creativity with STEAM-focused activities suitable for all ages. Explore arts and crafts, build with blocks and LEGO bricks, try marble mazes, tinker with gears, and investigate kits that demonstrate electricity and magnetism. Everyone is welcome.