KidVenture, the wildly successful EAA AirVenture program for children, is seeing its last days at Pioneer Field. On the first day of AirVenture 2026, EAA dignitaries broke ground for a new building complex to house KidVenture in future years. Named Discovery Park, the new complex will be twice the size of the current KidVenture footprint, fully enclosed and air conditioned, to the joy of KidVenture volunteers. Discovery Park will be located near the EAA Blue Barn, home to local chapter projects and displays.
The advantage of an enclosed space and air conditioning is offset, however, because current KidVenture outdoor activities such as Boeing’s rocket launch and Control Line model flying will no longer be possible. Boeing, a major sponsor of KidVenture, is already working to replace the popular rocket build and launch activity. Others are working on the possibility of an indoor small drone flight area.
KidVenture Chair Matt Miedwig, from Poplar Grove, Illinois, and Co-Chair Tina Scott, from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, both volunteers, have been running the program for the past five years. They built the program to the point that last year over 20,000 kids and family members participated in KidVenture. They point out that the new complex will allow for the program to grow even further while freeing Pioneer Field to return to its vintage aviation roots.
Matt offers that the mission of KidVenture is to “generate a spark in the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.” The goal is to show kids the varied aspects of aviation so that they can see the potential in aviation careers and avocations. At KidVenture, children acquire hands-on experiences related to pilots, mechanics, engineers and aircraft controllers. Very young children can color airplanes; older children can learn how to rivet, solder, build electronic generators and radios, and even carve wooden propellers. Several corporate sponsors provide the materials and volunteers for the kid projects. The U.S. Air Force also provides information and a virtual reality experience for kids.
Construction on Discovery Park is expected to commence shortly after EAA recovers from AirVenture 2026 and is scheduled to open for AirVenture 2027.
