Extension Connections

Extension Waukesha County is partnering with a variety of organizations to provide educational opportunities for youth at the 4-H Kids Zone during the Waukesha County Fair, July 16-20, 2025. The 4-H Kids Zone will have a steady flow of free activities each day from noon to 4 pm and 4-H Bingo at 6 pm.

For information about opportunities for youth in Waukesha County, contact James, Extension Youth & Family Educator at james.boling@wisc.edu.

Wednesday, July 16

12:00-2:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: Sand Art Necklaces
12:00-4:00 pm—Waukesha County Parks & Land Use: Recycling & Storm Water
                           Connect 4 Activity / Explore & Experience Furs, Snake Skins & Bones
12:30-2:30 pm—Extension Waukesha County Smart Bodies: Wellness Activities
  2:00-4:00 pm—Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium: As the World Turns Astronomy Craft
  2:00-4:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: My Family House Craft
  2:00-4:00 pm—Waukesha Public Library: Library Fun Activities / Resources
  6:00-9:00 pm—Waukesha County 4-H: Family Fun 4-H Bingo

Thursday, July 17

12:00-2:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: Potato Pinewood Derby Cars
12:00-2:00 pm—Hawthorne Elementary 4-H Club: Arts and Crafts
12:00-2:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: Catapult Bowling
  1:00-3:00 pm—Waukesha County Extension FoodWIse: Nutrition Activity
  2:00-4:00 pm—Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium: Planisphere Astronomy Craft 
  2:00-4:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: Pinecone Bird Feeder
  2:00-4:00 pm—West Vernon 4-H Club: Crafts and STEAM Activity
  6:00-8:00 pm—Waukesha County 4-H: Family Fun 4-H Bingo

Friday, July 18

12:00-2:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: Foam Faces & Scratch Art
12:00-2:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: Paper Bag Pet Parade
12:00-4:00 pm—HAWS of Waukesha: Kid Carnival Games
12:00-4:00 pm—Donna Lexa Art Center: Horse Themed Art
12:00-4:00 pm—Extension Milwaukee County 4-H: Legos and More
  2:00-4:00 pm—Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium: Planisphere Astronomy Craft  
  2:00-4:00 pm—STEAM with Jennifer: Paper Wheel Spinners
  6:00-9:00 pm—Waukesha County 4-H: Family Fun 4-H Bingo

Saturday, July 19

12:00-2:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: STEM Tower Challenge / Lego Build
12:00-2:00 pm—Jennifer Ruditys Countywide 4-H: Popsicle Stick Monsters
  2:00-4:00 pm—Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium: As the World Turns Astronomy Craft
  2:00-4:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: Straw Rockets / Foam Airplanes
  2:00-4:00 pm—Jennifer Ruditys Countywide 4-H: Popsicle Stick Airplanes
  6:00-9:00 pm—Waukesha County 4-H: Family Fun 4-H Bingo

Sunday, July 20

12:00-4:00 pm—Extension Waukesha County 4-H: Sensory Bottle Make & Take
12:00-4:00 pm—Tatiana’s Tiny Zoo: Unique Animal Encounters (outside Forum building)
12:00-4:00 pm—Waukesha County Green Team: Solar Power Education & Bracelets
  2:00-4:00 pm—Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium: As the World Turns Astronomy Craft

*ALL INTERACTIVE HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES ARE NO COST AND OPEN TO ALL FAIRGOERS*

The 4-H Kids Zone activities are made possible in part by generous donations from our sponsors. A special thank you to this year’s Gold and Silver sponsors for the Extension 4-H Kids Zone activities: Blain’s Farm & Fleet (Gold), Woodman’s Markets (Silver), and Kwik Trip (Bronze). 

Four 3rd-5th grade afterschool programs in Waukesha participated in FoodWIse’s Kids in the Kitchen program, a series of lessons that gives kids the opportunity to learn the basics of assembling healthy recipes. 

A total of 59 kids participated in a series of eight lessons. The groups prepared recipes including skillet pizza calzones, spring rolls with fresh veggies, black bean quesadillas, veggie pasta salad, and “fruit cones” (waffle cones filled with yogurt and fruit).

Kids learned about the benefits of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and enjoyed trying recipes they had never tried. The pre/post series survey showed that 48% of kids improved in food safety behaviors while preparing food (such as washing hands more frequently and preventing cross contamination) and 88% of youth improved in making healthier food choices.

For more formation about nutrition education, contact FoodWIse Administrator, Jill Herz at jill.herz@wisc.edu.

The fall Urban Forestry Workshop for green industry professionals will focus on invasive species plant identification and management. The day-long workshop will be held in six locations across the State, with Waukesha’s workshop on September 10. The Urban Forestry Workshop is offered in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. To be notified when registration opens, email lboyer@waukeshacounty.gov.

Community Development educators are finalizing details for this fall’s Plan Commission Workshop. These workshops can help bridge the knowledge-experience gap and increase confidence for commissioners with local decision-making. 

To be added to the email list and receive details for this fall’s Workshop, email Lisa at lboyer@waukeshacounty.gov.

Extension’s Health and Well-Being Educator Jillian Smith is leading two free Intro to StrongBodies strength training classes this summer at FIT in the Parks on July 16 and August 13. FIT in the Parks is a health and wellness initiative by the Village of Menomonee Falls and community partners. Register at https://bit.ly/FIT2025MF.

There are still openings in the summer StrongBodies classes held at St. Marks Church in Waukesha and Holy Cross Church in Menomonee Falls. Contact Jillian at jillian.smith@wisc.edu for details.

During Eating Smart & Being Active programs, parents learn ways to plan and shop for healthy, budget-friendly meals and stay active as a family. At each session, participants prepare a healthy recipe and practice physical activities that are simple to do at home. At the end of the series, participants take home a recipe book and cooking tools.

This series is available in English or Spanish and is offered in group settings at various community sites. To learn more about bringing this nutrition education program to your organization, reach out to Jill Herz at jill.herz@wisc.edu.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and
programming in compliance with state and federal law.

515 W Moreland Boulevard, AC G22 ⟡ Waukesha, WI 53188 ⟡ 262-548-7770

waukesha.extension.wisc.edu