Apple Valley Park

Apple Valley Park is in Beaver Dam.  It is a small neighborhood park in a subdivision on the edge of town.

It is not a very large park, but there is a covered picnic shelter and a nice playground.  There are swings, monkey bars, and slides.

 

We also enjoyed the rock climbing tunnel.

Their favorite part of the playground was a fake wall with a cut out that worked really well for playing drive-thru.

There were no bathrooms.

Apple Valley Park
Empire Drive ~ Beaver Dam, WI

Dodge County Historical Society

The Dodge County Historical Society has a museum in Beaver Dam.

Admittedly, we did not see the entire museum.  For some reason my kiddo got totally freaked out and would not go to most of it.

Both littles enjoyed the loft area, which has a model wigwam and teepee.  There is also a large collection of arrowheads found in the area.

 

Most of the museum was jam-packed full of antique items.  There was plenty of daylight, but most of the lights were turned off, so it was still a bit dark.

There is a mock one-room schoolhouse set up on the second floor.

It was a bummer that the kids couldn't touch anything.  I was hopeful when a sign mentioned something about playing in the schoolhouse, but there were signs all over once we got up there saying not to touch anything.

There were some easy opportunities I saw for them to make this museum a bit more interactive, but it is really just a very large collection of stuff.  Don't get me wrong, I found it pretty interesting!  It is a place worth stopping by once for an hour.

The curator was very friendly.

Dodge County Historical Society
105 Park Avenue ~ Beaver Dam, WI ~ (920) 887-1266

Tower Lanes

Tower Lanes in Beaver Dam is a fairly typical bowling alley, but they do have some pretty nice features for kids.

While Tower Lanes has your bumpers and kid-friendly balls, they also have these super cute bowling ramps.  It's basically a big plastic dragon slide for your bowling ball.  It greatly improved our experience instead of waiting in agony, hoping that s-l-o-w preschool ball was actually going to make it to the pins.

Tower Lanes also participates in the "Kids Bowl Free" program, allowing you some cheap family fun all summer long!

Tower Lanes
1660 North Spring Street ~ Beaver Dam, WI ~ (920) 887-8000
Admission: Varies - Generally $3.50-$3.75 per game, plus $2.75 shoe rental

Waterworks Park

Waterworks Park is in Beaver Dam.  My kiddo was pretty disappointed to discover there was not actually any water to play in...

 but she quickly recovered when she saw the awesome pirate ship playground.

Waterworks Park is an inclusive, handicapped-accessible park.  The playground is also entirely fenced in with only one opening, which makes it a bit more reassuring to give the kids some independence.

There is a picnic shelter with bathrooms.

Waterworks Park
858 Denning Ave ~ Beaver Dam, WI

Dodge County YMCA

The Dodge County YMCA has plenty to keep your family busy!  There are a couple of playgrounds, athletic facilities...and pools!  Our family has spent our time in the family adventure pool.

This is a great place for little ones.  It has a zero-depth entry with a kiddie slide and some water fountains and features.  There is a lazy river and a tube waterslide as well.


Be sure to check the schedules online because you can only play during designated "open swim" times.

YMCA of Dodge County
220 Corporate Drive ~ Beaver Dam, WI ~ 920-887-8811
Admission: lots of options!  Day passes start at $6/child, $12/adult, $20/family; memberships available