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Museums

🎨 Museums for Kids in Milwaukee, WI

8 children's museums, science centers, and interactive exhibits rated and reviewed by families.

Activities & Venues in Milwaukee

South Shore Cyclery bicycle store in Cudahy, WI🧗 Adventure
Photo: Wolken Gutierrez
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

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Milwaukee Art Museum art museum in Milwaukee, WI🎨 Museum
Photo: Julia DeBari
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

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Milwaukee Public Museum tourist attraction in Milwaukee, WI🎨 Museum
Photo: Flavio Rovertoni

Milwaukee Public Museum is a hands-on natural history adventure that captivates kids with life-sized dinosaurs, a recreated rainforest complete with live butterflies, and the incredible Streets of Old Milwaukee,a walk-through 1900s village with actual storefronts and cobblestone streets. With highly interactive exhibits spanning world cultures, a two-story European village, and immersive habitats from around the globe, this museum keeps children engaged and learning without even realizing it.

🕑 3-4 hours for a thorough visit, or 2 hours if focusing on just the highlights

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Old World Wisconsin history museum in Milwaukee, WI🎨 Museum
Photo: Old World Wisconsin
4.7(1,167)$$

Old World Wisconsin brings history to life across 600 acres of Wisconsin countryside, featuring 60+ authentically restored historic buildings from the 1800s. Kids can experience hands-on pioneer life by riding high-wheel tricycles, playing with period toys, watching blacksmiths at work, and interacting with costumed interpreters who demonstrate butter-churning, candle-making, and traditional crafts throughout 10 distinct heritage areas.

🕑 4-6 hours for a full experience

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Cedarburg Cultural Center cultural center in Cedarburg, WI🎨 Museum
Photo: Cedarburg Cultural Center
4.7(111)$18 mi · Cedarburg

The Cedarburg Cultural Center is a welcoming community arts hub where kids can unleash their creativity through hands-on workshops, engaging art classes, and rotating family-friendly exhibits. With its blend of visual arts, live performances, and interactive programming year-round, this cultural gem offers children meaningful exposure to the arts in a relaxed, approachable setting that encourages participation and exploration.

🕑 1-2 hours for exhibit viewing; 1.5-3 hours if attending a workshop or class

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Discovery World aquarium in Milwaukee, WI🔬 Science Center
Photo: Discovery World
4.6(4,559)$$

Discovery World offers an incredible blend of hands-on science exhibits, marine life encounters, and technology learning experiences right on Milwaukee's beautiful lakefront. With everything from robotics labs and virtual reality stations to a Great Lakes aquarium and historic sailing ship, this interactive museum keeps kids actively engaged rather than just observing.

🕑 3-4 hours

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Betty Brinn Children's Museum museum in Milwaukee, WI🎨 Museum
Photo: Sum Lau

Betty Brinn Children's Museum is Milwaukee's premier interactive play space designed exclusively for young children. With thoughtfully crafted hands-on exhibits that encourage learning through play, kids can explore everything from a kid-sized city to creative art stations. The museum's focus on early childhood development makes it an ideal destination for families with little ones looking for engaging indoor activities.

🕑 2-3 hours

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Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum gift shop in Waukesha, WI🎨 Museum
Photo: Dan Jaeger

The Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum brings local history to life through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities designed with young learners in mind. Kids can explore vintage artifacts, participate in engaging educational programs, and discover what life was like in Waukesha's past through touchable displays that make history tangible and fun.

🕑 1-2 hours

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