What are the best things to do with kids in Milwaukee, WI?

Some of the top-rated family activities in Milwaukee, WI include Shorewood Recreation & Community Services, Whitefish Bay Recreational Department, Franklin Fire Station # 1, Fox River Park Boardwalk, Paramount Plaza. We have 171 curated activities with ratings, age recommendations, and parent tips.

What are free things to do with kids in Milwaukee, WI?

There are 95 free things to do with kids in Milwaukee, WI, including Malone Park, Lakeshore State Park, Northwestern Mutual Community Park, McKinley Beach, Northwestern Mutual, and more.

What are indoor activities for kids in Milwaukee, WI?

Milwaukee, WI offers a variety of indoor activities for kids including museums, indoor play areas, and entertainment centers. Browse our full guide for details.

Family Activities Guide

Things To Do With Kids in Milwaukee, WI

Discover 171 family-friendly activities, venues, and restaurants in Milwaukee.

115 upcoming events →

Explore Neighborhoods

Brookfield(12)Brown Deer(7)Cedarburg(11)Cudahy(8)Franklin(9)Grafton(11)Greendale(12)Greenfield(6)Menomonee Falls(11)Mequon(11)New Berlin(8)Oak Creek(9)Pewaukee(10)Shorewood(10)Waukesha(11)Wauwatosa(8)West Allis(5)Whitefish Bay(6)

171 of 171

South Shore Cyclery bicycle store in Cudahy, WI

🧗 Adventure

Photo: Wolken Gutierrez

South Shore Cyclery

★4.9(369)$6 mi · Cudahy

South Shore Cyclery is your gateway to family biking adventures in the Milwaukee area! This highly-rated local bike shop specializes in family rentals including tandem bikes, trail-a-bikes, and kid-sized bicycles, making it the perfect launchpad for exploring the scenic Oak Leaf Trail. The knowledgeable staff helps fit everyone properly and provides trail maps and route suggestions tailored to your family's skill level.

🕑 Plan 30 minutes at the shop for fitting and setup, then 1.5-3 hours for your family bike ride depending on your chosen route and pace

🛍️ Shopping

Photo: Amanda Battaglia

Cedar Creek Settlement Shops

★4.9(156)$19 mi · Cedarburg

Cedar Creek Settlement Shops offers a unique blend of history and shopping that surprisingly engages kids with its scenic creek-side setting and charming stone mill buildings dating back to the 1800s. Children love exploring the winding pathways between buildings, watching the creek flow below, and discovering quirky treasures in the eclectic mix of specialty shops and galleries.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours

🛝 Playground

Photo: Nugget Nation MKE

Nugget Nation MKE

★4.9(88)$

Nugget Nation MKE is a 4.8-acre natural play paradise that brings outdoor adventure indoors, featuring unique attractions like log climbers, hillside slides, a climbing wall, and creative balancing playscapes. With its impressive 4.9-star rating from parents, this indoor playground offers a safe, imaginative environment where kids can explore, climb, and play year-round regardless of Milwaukee's weather.

🕑 2-3 hours per session

🎨 Museum

Photo: Julia DeBari

Milwaukee Art Museum

★4.8(8,435)$$

The Milwaukee Art Museum is an architectural wonder that captivates kids before they even step inside, thanks to its iconic white "wings" that open and close daily. Inside, families discover engaging art activities, hands-on studio programs, and a collection that spans centuries,all presented in ways that make art accessible and exciting for young visitors.

🕑 2-3 hours

🌳 Park

Photo: Joshua John

Atwater Park

★4.8(2,312)Free4 mi · Shorewood

Atwater Park is a stunning Lake Michigan beach destination that offers everything families need for a perfect summer day. With lifeguards on duty, a playground for non-swimmers, and plenty of sandy shoreline for building castles, it's a local favorite that combines beach fun with park amenities. The spectacular lake views and gentle waves make it ideal for introducing young children to beach adventures.

🕑 3-4 hours

Kayla's Playground playground in Franklin, WI

🌳 Park

Photo: Nate Weiss

Kayla's Playground

★4.8(1,214)Free11 mi · Franklin

Kayla's Playground is a beloved Franklin destination that consistently wows families with its expansive play areas and versatile recreation options. With an impressive 4.8-star rating from over 1,200 reviews, this spacious park delivers everything from impressive playground structures that keep kids entertained for hours to wide-open green spaces perfect for impromptu soccer games or kite flying.

🕑 2-3 hours

🛝 Playground

Photo: megan dumas

Malone Park

★4.8(944)Free

Malone Park is a standout Milwaukee-area playground that thoughtfully caters to all ages and abilities. With its imaginative treehouse structures, nautical-themed tugboat play area, and an inclusive accessible merry-go-round, this expansive park keeps kids entertained for hours while parents appreciate the separate zones that let toddlers play safely away from bigger kids.

🕑 2-3 hours

🌳 Park

Photo: Jim Dressner

Lakeshore State Park

★4.8(705)Free

Lakeshore State Park is a hidden gem offering families an urban oasis right on Milwaukee's lakefront. This 22-acre island park delivers stunning skyline views alongside kid-friendly walking trails, fishing opportunities, and plenty of green space for picnics and play,all just steps from downtown attractions.

🕑 1.5-3 hours

🎭 Theater

Photo: Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts

Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts

★4.8(678)$$13 mi · Brookfield

The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts is a premier family entertainment destination in Brookfield, offering captivating children's theater productions, interactive concerts, and engaging arts education programs in a beautiful, professionally-equipped venue. With an impressive 4.8-star rating, this performing arts center creates magical experiences that introduce young audiences to theater, music, and the arts in age-appropriate, entertaining ways.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours including pre-show arrival time and intermission

🌳 Park

Photo: matthew bauer

Lake Vista Park

★4.8(505)Free12 mi · Cudahy

Lake Vista Park is a beautiful lakeside gem where families can enjoy stunning Lake Michigan views while kids run free on open green spaces and explore gentle walking paths. The peaceful atmosphere makes it perfect for everything from toddler nature walks to family picnics, with the added bonus of direct lake access for skipping stones and watching boats pass by.

🕑 1-2 hours

Urban Ecology Center - Riverside Park community center in Milwaukee, WI

🌿 Nature

Photo: Mel Grabriela

Urban Ecology Center - Riverside Park

★4.8(441)$

The Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park transforms nature education into hands-on adventure for Milwaukee families. With its stellar 4.8-star rating, this community-focused environmental education center offers free programs, hiking trails along the Milwaukee River, and the chance to borrow equipment like binoculars, fishing poles, and snowshoes to explore the surrounding 15-acre park.

🕑 2-4 hours

🌳 Park

Photo: Jared Wold

Hubbard Park

★4.8(388)Free3 mi · Shorewood

Hubbard Park is Shorewood's crown jewel for family fun, offering something for everyone from toddlers to teens. With its large, well-maintained playground, expansive green spaces perfect for picnics and play, and summer concert series that creates magical evenings under the stars, this beloved community park has earned its impressive 4.8-star rating for good reason.

🕑 2-4 hours