Tastefully Childish Encourages Attendees To Explore The Museum Exhibits While Enjoying Childhood Food & Drink Favorites With A Mature Twist With Stations Hosted By Local Culinarians
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. Adults unleash their inner child to celebrate play at the 9th annual Tastefully Childish Fundraiser in support of Above & Beyond Children’s Museum on Friday, September 12. This unique fundraiser offers an evening of discovery for adults to explore the indoor and outdoor spaces of the children’s museum while indulging in an array of food and drink stations hosted by local chefs and beverage specialists. Each featured partner is charged with creating a childhood food or drink favorite with a mature culinary twist. New this year! The event will be hosted for an extra hour and offer late night bites.
Tastefully Childish ticket entry is $90 for members and $95 for non-members ages 21+ which includes food, beer and wine during the indoor and outdoor evening event from 6-10pm. Proceeds from the event support the museum’s mission.
“We’re thrilled to invite the community to rediscover the magic of play at this unique adults-only evening,” said Cate Tinker, executive director of Above & Beyond Children’s Museum. “This event perfectly captures our mission – fostering exploration, imagination, and joy through immersive play – while celebrating the incredible culinary talent right here in Sheboygan.”
This year’s vendors featuring savory bites are: Stefano’s Slo Foods, Johnsonville, The Black Pig, Nourish Farms, Whistling Straits, Uptown Slice, Lakeland University, Legend Larry’s, Lakeshore College, Umi Sushi, Andres Araujo, and more.
Sweet Treats will be featured from Baron’s Gelato, Mini and Me Desserts, and The Bakery of AspenOak.
Unique beverages – alcoholic and non-alcoholic – poured by 3 Sheeps Brewing, Biggby Coffee, Sip and Story, Lakeside Pepsi, Awakening, and J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines.
Culinary highlights for this year’s food-focused fundraiser include:
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Chicken Wings by Legend Larry’s
- Brat and Beer Cheese Soup as well as Chorizo Dip with Veggies and Chips by Johnsonville
- Mortadella Hot Dogs by Stefano’s Slo Food Market
- Pop Tarts by The Bakery at Aspen Oak
- Beyond Juicy Spritz by Kohler’s Awakening – featuring colorful, freshly pressed juices with playful prosecco bubbles
- 2025 Tastefully Childish signature gelato flavor by Baron’s Gelato Salted Caramel Apple Jacks Cereal Milk Gelato
Carrying forward a new museum tradition, Tastefully Childish marks the unveiling of a new museum exhibit space. This year as attendees travel from station to station, they will roam through beloved time-honored exhibits AND the new Share and Care Vet Clinic. Learners of all ages will step into the shoes of veterinarians and the world of animal care as they treat, comfort, and connect with a lovable crew of furry (and not-so-furry) friends – all while learning about empathy, responsibility, and animal wellness through hands-on, immersive play.
The space will be celebrated by all on Saturday, September 27 from 9am-Noon with a grand opening celebration featuring a meet and greet of the new lovable stuffed pets and special animal themed storytimes, hands-on activities, and plenty of tail wags, wing flutters, and happy hops. The Share and Care Vet Clinic is sponsored by Critter Care Animal Clinic, Cozmo Gentine, Healthy Paws Veterinary Clinic, Kettle Moraine Veterinary Clinic, Mike and Pam Langan, Links Paws LLC., Bill and Tricia Reiss, and Tom and Sherri Testwuide.
Special acknowledgement to the 2025 Tastefully Childish sponsors: Abacus Architects, Compu-tek Accounting, Curt Joa, Jos. Schmitt Construction, Just Kids Dental, Lake 98.1, Master’s Gallery, Sargento, Sartori Cheese, Watershed Hotel Group, and Wisconsin Bank and Trust.
This year’s fundraising goal is set at $65,000 and sponsorship packages are still available at various levels from $1,000 to $10,000 and any donation level is welcome as a tax-deductible gift. The proceeds from the event help fund the museum’s mission and support both programs and operations, including access programs for low-income families. Donors are encouraged to help host a delicious evening in support of the ever improving and evolving children’s museum adored by families in and around the community.
Unique live auction items include:
– private tour and chef experience at Christopher Farm and Gardens,
– chocolate making workshop with Stella’s Confectionery,
– custom mini-mural with local artist Lola Jakimszyk who recently painted the museum’s new interior bee mural.
As Above and Beyond Children’s Museum continues to pursue additional funding opportunities to expand its programming and community impact, the organization invites community members to get involved by visiting abkids.org, making a donation or volunteering to help create transformative play experiences for children and families throughout the Sheboygan area. The museum is accepting donations online at: https://www.abkids.org/donate
