Kids
Find a local youth club for hands-on projects, learning and community activities.
NDSU Extension lists Burleigh County clubs and helps families find a suitable group. Interests include creative projects, animals, service and other hands-on learning.
When: Club meetings and project schedules vary; enrollment follows the 4-H program year.
Where: Public club meeting places around Burleigh County; arrange details through Extension.
Who: Youth from kindergarten through grade 12, ages 5–18, with age-appropriate options.
Contact Extension for a club match. The Extension office is not assumed to be the location of every meeting.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Explore Mandan-area 4-H clubs with projects and youth-development activities.
Morton County Extension publishes a club directory and an information-request route for new families. Staff can help identify a group with suitable interests and meeting arrangements.
When: Schedules vary by club and project; ask about current enrollment and meeting dates.
Where: Mandan and other Morton County public meeting places; confirm the chosen club’s venue.
Who: Youth from kindergarten through grade 12, ages 5–18.
Only public meeting information is used. No private club-member addresses are published.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Sing with a Bismarck–Mandan youth choir through its placement and audition process.
The organization offers choirs for school-age singers from public, private and home schools. The current audition page invites grades 3–12 and explains how to request a time.
When: School-year choir rehearsals and performances; request current audition and placement information.
Where: Assigned Bismarck–Mandan rehearsal and performance venues.
Who: School-age singers; grade and placement rules depend on the program.
Do not use an old public audition date. Request a current appointment; younger-child classes are separate.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Develop ensemble skills with a local orchestra program for young musicians.
The youth orchestra is the symphony’s education program for emerging orchestral players. Families should ask about instrument needs, readiness and the current rehearsal arrangements.
When: Seasonal rehearsals and performances; contact the youth-orchestra program for entry requirements.
Where: Bismarck–Mandan rehearsal venues announced by the program.
Who: Young orchestral musicians meeting the program’s current requirements.
The professional orchestra’s audition dates are not youth-orchestra registration dates.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Find a local Girl Scout troop for activities, outdoor experiences and leadership.
Dakota Horizons helps families find a troop or another participation option. Activities vary by grade level and troop, with local support through the Bismarck service center.
When: Troop meeting days and activities vary; use the council’s join process to find a match.
Where: Bismarck-area public troop venues; confirm the location with the troop.
Who: Girls at the appropriate Girl Scout grade level.
Membership and troop availability vary. The council service center is not every troop’s meeting place.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Find a local pack or troop through the Northern Lights Council’s district directory.
The Frontier Trails district page lists local units and meeting information. Families can compare a pack or troop with their child’s age and interests before joining.
When: Each unit has its own meetings, outings and seasonal activities.
Where: Bismarck–Mandan public unit meeting places; confirm with the selected unit.
Who: Youth eligible for the chosen Scouting program.
Use a unit’s current contact to confirm meetings. This listing does not publish personal leader contacts or private addresses.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Start with Learn To Skate or ask about a local skating club’s progression programs.
The club teaches basic skating skills through a structured Learn To Skate program. Progression, membership and ice registration are managed through its published signup system.
When: Session-based classes; check the club’s current schedule and registration.
Where: Bismarck ice facilities assigned in the session schedule.
Who: Children and beginners; the club also lists adult learning options.
Confirm membership, skate equipment and the assigned rink before attending.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Join age- and skill-based recreation gymnastics in a local nonprofit program.
The academy offers recreational classes and progression toward other gymnastics programs. Families can use its parent portal or contact the office for the appropriate level.
When: Session-based classes; registration and class times are published by the academy.
Where: Capital Racquet & Fitness Center, 3200 N 10th Street, Bismarck.
Who: Children in the academy’s age- and skill-appropriate classes.
Advance registration is required. Ask about appropriate placement and available scholarship information.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Explore youth theater through Dakota Stage’s education program.
Shade Tree Players offers young performers a way to learn and take part in theater productions. Program ages, rehearsals and entry arrangements depend on the production.
When: Seasonal education and summer productions; ask about the next enrollment cycle.
Where: Dakota Stage and other production venues announced by the program.
Who: Children and teens meeting the selected production’s age requirements.
The 2026 summer season has ended. Check new program announcements rather than relying on old show dates.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Try a youth sport with an emphasis on teamwork and skill development.
The Missouri Valley Family YMCA offers youth sports for different age groups. Use its current registration to choose a sport and confirm the practices and game venue.
When: Seasonal programs for preschool through high school; dates vary by sport.
Where: YMCA and program-assigned Bismarck-area facilities.
Who: Pre-K through grade 12, depending on the sport.
Membership, fees and registration rules differ by program. The YMCA reports temporary entrance and parking changes during fall 2026 construction.
Checked 2026-10-19. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Learn and play chess with other school-age children and teens.
The library offers a facilitated weekly chess group with no registration required. Participants can stay for the session or come and go.
When: Thursdays, 6:30–8pm, on the current calendar; holiday exceptions apply.
Where: Children’s Library Story Room, Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library.
Who: School-age children and teens.
Children under 10 need an adult or companion aged 12 or older. Confirm the next dated session rather than relying on a holiday week.
Checked 2026-10-20. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Build alongside other young LEGO enthusiasts at a monthly library club.
The library supplies bricks and minifigures for shared building. Use the current calendar to confirm the next meeting.
When: Last Thursday, 3:30–4:30pm, on the published calendar; confirm holiday exceptions.
Where: Children’s Library Story Room, Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library.
Who: Children 10 and older; ages 5–9 with a caregiver aged 12 or older.
Leave personal LEGO collections at home. The source lists a recurring series; follow the next dated calendar entry.
Checked 2026-10-20. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
Kids
Explore coding and robotics with other students in grades 3–8.
Gateway to Science offers free, registered coding clubs for elementary and middle-school students. Sessions use block coding, Python and robot challenges according to the age group.
When: Grades 3–5 meet selected Thursdays, 4–5:15pm; grades 6–8 meet selected Mondays, 3:45–5pm. Follow the registered session dates.
Where: Grades 3–5 at Gateway to Science, 1600 Canary Avenue; grades 6–8 in Teen HQ at Bismarck Public Library.
Who: Students in grades 3–5 or 6–8, enrolled in the matching session.
Free participation requires registration and space is limited. The two age groups meet at different venues; do not assume a drop-in session.
Checked 2026-10-20. Source. Schedules change, so double-check before you go.
