When I started this blog one of my goals was to share information on events and activities that families can participate in -- especially those that are inexpensive.

This past weekend my husband and I took our 2-year-old daughter to the Downtown Family Fair, which was held in CenterPoint MarketPlace in Stevens Point. Several organizations and businesses teamed up to make this event possible -- including the Stevens Point Area YMCA and the Central Wisconsin Children's Museum.

I've been trying to find time to take my daughter to see the Let's Play Railway! exhibit at the Children's Museum and Saturday seemed like the perfect time. The exhibit is a giant-sized BRIO train engine, cattle wagon and caboose, and each piece includes a variety of interactive activities for children to play with.

Emma loved the train, especially the whistles and other train sounds, and even found the books interesting (although she didn't want to read them; she wanted to push them around in a little red wheelbarrow).

We spent quite a bit of time playing on the train and then she ventured across the hall to the other side of the museum to check out the grocery store and the other exhibits.

The Downtown Family Fair also had a room set up with slides and cars and tunnels, which she found to be quite entertaining. She also got to check out (and touch) some creepy crawlies (snakes, a turtle and a frog) and saw a snapping turtle in all its glory. I'm fairly certain she'd have taken them all home if we would have let her.

If you missed Saturday's Family Fair, don't fret. The Let's Play Railway! will be at the Children's Museum until May 11. For museum costs and hours, go to the Web site www.cwchildrensmuseum.org.

There also is going to be a Children's Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 19 at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. The event will include information booths, hands-on children's activities, inflatable rides, live entertainment and the part my daughter is most looking forward to -- the chance to check out a police car, a fire truck and a school bus. And the best part -- it's all free.

So if you know of a family-friendly activity that's coming up or a venue in central Wisconsin that you think other families would enjoy, please let me know so I can spread the word. I know I'm always looking for things to do with my family and I'm sure many readers are too. You can e-mail me at jamie.jung@cwnews.net or call 715-345-2256.