15 Fun Family Friendly Things to Do in Milwaukee with Kids
Milwaukee’s name might mean “pleasant land” or “gathering place,” and it’s undoubtedly a fantastic destination for your upcoming family vacation.
This city offers a tonne of fascinating stuff, whether kid-friendly activities or entertainment for teenagers.
You can stroll around the rose garden at the lovely Boerner Botanical Gardens or visit Old World Wisconsin to step back in time.
This lakeside city is filled with amusing and unusual dining establishments along with interesting children’s activities.
You won’t get bored with all the entertaining activities Milwaukee has to offer kids.
Check out the list of fun family activities below!
- Mitchell Park Domes — Layton Boulevard
The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, also referred to as “The Domes” locally, is the oldest park in the area.
For anyone who loves plants, it is a must-see.
The numerous photo possibilities you’ll have while you’re here are something you’ll undoubtedly appreciate.
Why We Recommend This Activity
This conservatory’s three domes have each house with a different ecosystem, giving the impression that you are taking an afternoon trip to far-off lands.
You and your children will enjoy learning about the various cactus and succulent species at the Desert Dome.
Then, you’ll get a taste of life at the Tropical Dome.
You may always witness amazing flower exhibits because seasonal presentations are created year-round at the Floral Dome.
Recommended Ages
Everyone will appreciate the conservatory because it is a place that is great for families.
Additionally, it has some wheelchair accessibility.
- Milwaukee County Zoo — Blue Mound Road
In 1892, the Milwaukee County Zoo debuted with a small number of animal and avian exhibits.
Today, more than 2,000 species live in this 190-acre zoo.
It is regarded as one of the city’s most well-liked attractions.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Spending some time strolling through the zoo is among the top family activities in Milwaukee.
It’s a terrific spot to take your kids if they love animals.
The zoo is home to many interesting exhibits, like the Otter Home, Bear Garden, and Sea Lion Show.
You’ll also appreciate other things to do, though!
Take the Safari Train if you have a baby to view past the numerous animal exhibits.
Additionally, older children and teenagers will enjoy feeding young goats, cows, and even giraffes!
Recommended Ages
Everyone who loves animals will have fun spending the day at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
- Daniel M. Soref National Geographic Dome Theater & Planetarium — Wells Street
The Planetarium is currently the biggest and most cutting-edge planetarium in the state.
Digistar 6 technology is used, which allows 3D animations to be projected around the Dome Theater.
Let your kids and teens enjoy full immersion underneath breathtaking views of the night sky and other parts of the universe.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The six-story-tall screen at The Dome Theater, which also features wraparound digital surround sound, projected incredibly clear images of the Milky Way, other planets, and stars.
In this theatre, your young astrologists will undoubtedly enjoy seeing space.
Even moody teenagers would appreciate this event.
Additionally, the Dome Theater offers additional breathtaking performances that will leave you speechless.
Stay seated while traveling back in time to the dinosaurs’ age or the ocean’s bottom!
Recommended Ages
No matter their age, anybody is welcome at the Dome Theater and Planetarium.
However, it might be most appropriate for kids old enough to maintain their interest in the program.
- Safe House — Front Street
Safe House is among Milwaukee’s strangest and most fascinating places to take kids.
You and your children will be kept on your toes by this spy-themed eatery.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Due to its intriguing espionage concept, The Safe House is one of downtown Milwaukee’s most well-liked eateries.
Along with the fun spy-themed menu, you can conduct a secret operation while you wait for your meal.
Your entire family can explore the restaurant as agents-in-training while utilizing interactive devices to finish your mission.
Recommended Ages
Families are welcome at Safe House till 8 o’clock.
You’ll like the restaurant’s atmosphere when the bar opens if you’re with your legal-age teenagers.
Just don’t forget to bring your IDs!
- Veterans Park Lagoon — Lincoln Memorial Drive
Veterans Park in Lake Michigan is where you want to have some inexpensive family fun.
It is pet-friendly, close to East Town’s culinary and retail options, and includes a few amusing features.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Spend a few minutes in Veterans Park unwinding after your busy vacation itinerary.
You and your kids can relax, exercise, or fly a kite in the vast, open grassy parts of the park.
The paved Oak Leaf Trail is a great place for teens and tweens to get some exercise.
For more daring children, you may rent paddle boats, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards at the lagoon.
Recommended Ages
Veterans Park is a great place for people of all ages, so include it in your family’s weekend plans.
- Milwaukee Public Museum — Wells Street
Over 4 million different species now call the Milwaukee home, which initially opened its doors in 1882.
Little scholars and serious history aficionados will both appreciate exploring the interior exhibitions.
Why We Recommend This Activity
You will learn enough at the municipal museum’s permanent exhibitions, which are arranged across roughly three and a half floors.
The Arctic to the Pacific Islands is all continents you can visit.
Additionally, your children can go back through time and see ancient civilizations or even meet a life-sized T-Rex model.
Recommended Ages
Everyone is welcome to visit the Milwaukee Public Museum to learn more about its exhibits.
- Boerner Botanical Gardens — Hales Corners
The Boerner Botanical Gardens, 15 minutes from Milwaukee, are designed to resemble an English country estate.
A stroll through expertly organized plant collections is a great way to pass a leisurely day. Of course, you should also take lots of photos.
Why We Recommend This Activity
If you enjoy plants and flowers, the Boerner Botanical Gardens, which are close to Milwaukee, should be on your itinerary.
The relaxed and informal atmosphere of the guided walking tours makes it an excellent option for things to do in Milwaukee with toddlers.
Here, you can just take things slowly and enjoy the landscape.
Recommended Ages
Children of all ages can enjoy the Boerner Botanical Gardens.
- Lake Country Rotary Splash Pad — Nixon Park
The Lake Country Rotary Splash Pad is the best location in Milwaukee to locate free, family-friendly activities.
It’s the ideal method to stay cool today!
Why We Recommend This Activity
This splash pad is in Nixon Park in Hartland, which is only 30 minutes by car from Milwaukee.
Your children will adore playing in its exciting architecture, which is packed with refreshing water jets.
Remember to pack sunscreen since the splash pad is in full sunlight!
If the adults choose not to get wet, what then?
By the shelters, you can always find some shade.
Recommended Ages
The splash pads are open to everyone. However, watch your younger children since damp concrete might become slick.
- Milwaukee Art Museum — Art Museum Drive
Do you need to renew your creative energy? Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum, one of the world’s largest museums.
One of the best things to do in Milwaukee with kids is to participate in the activities here.
Why We Recommend This Activity
You can tell your family is in for a treat just by gazing at the spotless and unusual white building.
More than 25,000 works, from 18th-century French art to Bauhaus, are kept at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
You’ll remain interested in their varied selection of paintings for sure.
The museum also provides a variety of art-related activities that your budding artists and the whole family will surely enjoy.
Recommended Ages
School-aged kids will love the Milwaukee Art Museum’s art programs the most.
The gallery’s numerous art exhibits can be appreciated by everyone—children, teenagers, and adults.
- Betty Brinn Children’s Museum — Wisconsin Avenue
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is a fantastic setting for experiential education.
Since they first launched in 1995, children have found their novel approach to teaching via play to be a favorite pastime.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is filled with fascinating displays that let your children conduct their experiments and put themselves in realistic situations.
Kids can sign up for Home Town, where they are urged to role-play as neighborhood members.
They can work in the grocery store, open their bank accounts, and even fix a tire in the service department.
Word Headquarters (a literacy game through pretend play) and Science CITY are two different intriguing displays (simple experiments and activities).
Recommended Ages
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is kid-friendly and ideal for kids ages 3 and up. However, minors are allowed only when accompanied by an adult.
A youngster must be present with every adult.
- Old World Wisconsin — Eagle, WI
Do you long to step back in time to 19th-century Wisconsin?
You can now go to Old World Wisconsin, an outdoor museum that recreates daily life for settlers 200 years ago.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Old World Wisconsin contains more than 480 acres of land and hills with more than 60 buildings that depict life for pioneers in the 19th century.
The immersive experience of driving through the 1880s crossroads and touring historic farmsteads and towns will be quite enjoyable for you and your family.
Being in Old World Wisconsin is like being transported back in time because the staff members dress authentically in 19th-century attire and do their daily activities similarly.
Recommended Ages
All are welcome to participate in the walking excursions.
Kids aged 5 and above would benefit most from the activities in Old World Wisconsin.
- Discovery World — Harbor Drive
Discovery World will undoubtedly be a terrific stop for young scientists and engineers with all its interactive exhibits.
This is an excellent place to go when it’s pouring.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Technology and freshwater sciences are the two areas of emphasis at Discovery World.
They feature 8 fantastic learning pants with games and activities for young children.
Your little tribe will love exploring the Aquarium and seeing the stunning creatures from other seas.
They will enjoy meeting robots at Automation Everywhere and working on the Dream Machine.
Here, you and your kids will have a blast spending the day engaging in anything from mental games to physical learning.
Recommended Ages
Visitors of all ages are welcome at Discovery World. However, children ages 5 and up are the target audience for the activities.
- Lynden Sculpture Garden — Brown Deer Road
You will fall head over heels for Lynden Sculpture Garden if you are an art-loving family looking for something more special than the gallery walls of a museum.
It’s a great addition to your list of family-friendly activities in Milwaukee.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Over 40 acres of well-maintained park, lake, and woodland make up the garden.
You can currently view a collection of more than 50 enormous sculptures there.
You’ll enjoy shooting pictures with the artwork of painters like Henry Moor, Barbara Hepworth, and others that are dispersed throughout the park.
Your young children will also enjoy playing in the grassy park.
But make sure you put on the right shoes.
There are no paved trails in Lynden Garden.
Recommended Ages
The entire family will enjoy and find interest in the Lynden Sculpture Garden.
- Milwaukee Public Market — Water Street
Visit the quirky, distinctive downtown attraction, Milwaukee Public Market, to experience local life.
The whole family may take advantage of the many shopping options and freshly prepared dishes here.
Why We Recommend This Activity
This open-air market is teeming with independent vendors who offer wonderful family-friendly cuisine and artisan and ethnic goods.
Along with shopping, the market provides various cooking lessons by regional chefs and cookbook authors.
In this way, you can practice your culinary abilities!
Recommended Ages
The Milwaukee Public Market offers fun activities for the whole family. Certain classes can better suit older kids, teenagers, and adults.
- Bradford Beach — Lincoln Memorial Drive
Don’t forget to include Bradford Beach on your list of family-friendly activities in Milwaukee.
This renowned beach offers a variety of enjoyable activities for the whole family.
Why We Recommend This Activity
A day at Bradford Beach is ideal if you want to laze around on the sand and control your spending more.
If you pack your supplies and meals, you can travel without spending any money.
However, you can also benefit from the area’s various advantages.
Teenagers and young adults will likely use the beach volleyball courts.
Crossfit and yoga courses are also available and held on the beach.
Or why not sit in the tiki bar and sip a pina colada as you relax?
There are a lot of things you can do while your kids swim in cool waters.
Recommended Ages
Family vacationers will love Bradford Beach, which is open to the public.
