When the weather turns, there is plenty to do in Milwaukee in Winter with Kids! From indoor experiences and energy busters to outdoor activities that embrace our below freezing temperatures, this guide has you covered.

Milwaukee in Winter with Kids

Indoor: Shows & Sporting Events

Family Shows at Fiserv Forum

The Fiserv Forum is Milwaukee’s premium recreation arena and home to the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team.

The forum is multi-purpose, hosting everything from sporting events, to headliner concerts, to Disney on Ice, to Monster Jam making it a thrilling place to be in Milwaukee in Winter with kids.

Check their event calendar to find the best option for your family. Note that bags and purses are NOT allowed. Strict exceptions are diaper bags and bags for medically necessary items.

Milwaukee Wave Game (Indoor Soccer)

Wave games are wonderfully geared toward kids. I was wowed by how the players interacted so warmly and authentically with the kids. If there was a slight break in the game play you’ll see the players shooting the kids smiles and waves.

They have themed events too. We had a blast at Superhero and Princess Night.

Milwaukee Bucks Game

If you’re heading to a Bucks game, make sure to sign up for Bango’s Kid’s Club.

Don’t miss the Kids Zone, “Kohl’s Court,” located on the Main Concourse on the northeast corner of the arena.

Children under 2 are free if they’re sitting on a lap.

Milwaukee Admirals Hockey

The Milwaukee Admirals play at the Panther Arena and there’s not a bad seat in the house.

The Admirals Interactive Zone is a fun play area for kids behind section 208.

Indoor: Kid Friendly Museums

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is just the place to let curiosity be the guide. It’s ideal for kids up to age 10. There are many pretend play stations (the grocery store being the most beloved), a Be a Maker space with organized projects of the day, and a special area just for kids 5 and under.

If you’ve been before 2020, it’s worth another visit as many spaces have been redesigned with new exploration opportunities.

Visitors can bring food and beverages to enjoy away from exhibit areas.

Admission: $12 Ages 1+, free for babies under one. They offer free admission through ACM membership reciprocity.

Every 3rd Thursday of the month is free, tickets can be reserved 2 weeks in advance.

Discovery World

Discovery World is both a science museum as well as an aquarium primarily featuring fish native to the Great Lakes. My kids carefully tiptoe over the plexiglass flooring as they pass over the fish below. They love to stand in front of the floor to ceiling tank arguing about which is the biggest. On several occasions we’ve caught the scuba divers in there cleaning which only added to my kids’ amusement.

The science exhibits are especially hands on, including interactive automation demonstrations, the Design It! Lab, energy exercises, and simple machines. My kids love exploring the Schooner model as well.

Admission: $22 adults, $18 ages 3-17, free for 2 and under. They offer free admission through ASTC membership reciprocity (excluding other Milwaukee based ASTC memberships)

Milwaukee Public Museum (Especially the Butterfly Room)

The Milwaukee Public Museum is preparing for relocation and exhibit overhaul in 2026 so be sure to check out its current building while you still can!

Do you like scavenger hunts? A fun hunt loved by locals is to track down the two buttons that trigger rattlesnakes tails to shake. There is one on the 2nd floor and one on the 3rd. These photos should get you close!

A favorite attraction inside the museum is the Butterfly Room. If you’re patient and move slowly, there’s a good chance a butterfly will land on you. Don’t miss the butterflies emerging from their chrysalis just inside the door, it’s easy to walk right past!

The streets of Old Milwaukee showcase nationalities of the original immigrants to settle in Milwaukee. The people are modeled around ACTUAL residents of Milwaukee in the 1800s.

When you arrive, ask about the IMAX showtimes of the day. My 2 year old can only take about 10 minutes of it, but older kids may really enjoy being immersed in the action.

Admission: $22 ages 14+, $18 ages 4-13, free for 3 and under. They offer free admission through ASTC membership reciprocity (excluding other Milwaukee based ASTC memberships)

The Harley Davidson Museum

If you have a kid who loves vehicles, take them to the Harley Davidson Museum!

Our sons marveled at all the bikes on display, loved pressing all the buttons in the engine room, designed their own motorcycle, climbed onto four different Harleys, played an Evel Knievel video game, and read some motorcycle books in the kids corner.

Kenosha Dinosaur Museum

The free dinosaur museum is a great spot to explore and hang out with the kids. You might even catch their paleontologists hard at work through the window of the kids play area!

Airplanes and Aerospace at EAA

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is a phenomenal aviation museum in Oshkosh, WI.

Each July, they host AirVenture. With over 600,000 people and 10,000 airplanes flocking to this event each July, it’s been dubbed “The World’s Business Airport (for one week anyway.)

Kids will find themselves entranced by the hands-on exhibits in the Junior Aviator’s Clubhouse, where they can learn about aviation in a fun, engaging environment.

But the real draw is the aircraft themselves. From warbirds to home builts to aerobatics, there are countless planes to marvel at.

If you have membership with an ASTC Museum (like Milwaukee Public Museum) you can visit for FREE!

Indoor: Unique Experiences

Field Workshop Creative Space (Greenfield)

Do your kids like to tinker, craft, or design? Drop into Field Workshop for an hour or two of creative expression. For $12 per hour, kids have free reign to use the craft supplies and equipment in the Tinker Lab. You take home everything you create.

For a unique family experience, consider pre-booking their Glow in the Dark Splatter Room (Milwaukee’s only). Splatter paint items of your choosing!

Lucky Bob’s Raceway (Slot Cars)

While we are talking about Greenfield, this I have two more gems in the area. Lucky Bob’s and Big Putts (described next).

Lucky Bob’s Raceway is a blast for kids and adults alike! My 2 year old is obsessed with ‘vrooming’ cars around my house, so when we knew this would be right up his alley. Simple, competitive, and unique fun for the whole family.

Cost: Rent a slot car for 15 Min. $5.00 | 30 Min. $10.00 | 60 Min. $15.00. The smaller cars are even cheaper, $3 per 15 minutes.

Indoor Golf Experiences

Driving Ranges

Luxe Golf Bays in Franklin is an all weather, gamified driving range. Check them out on Mondays for half off!

Another unique golf experience to catch when it returns to Milwaukee is Upper Deck golf which brings their golf bays to American Family Field once a year.

Mini Golf

Winters are hard for golf lovers like my husband and boys. Big Putts Mini Golf has an ultra creative indoor mini-golf course in Greenfield including plinko, under trucks, over your head, and down slides. They offer an arcade too and the owners could not be more hospitable!

Kids 12-15 are allowed until 6pm at Nine Below, where players design their own Mini Golf Holes to play a truly unique round and unleash their imagination. Ages 16-17 are allowed after 6pm as well if accompanied by an adult.

Arcades

The Garcade

The Garcade, in Menomonee Falls, offers unlimited game play all day for $15 (ages 12 and under) with paid adult at $20.

They have over 150 new and classic arcade games and over 30 pinball games!

UpDown Arcade

UpDown Arcade Bar is an exciting venue that combines nostalgic arcade games with a wide selection of craft beers. But it’s not just for the 21+ crowd! Every first Sunday of the month, UpDown opens its doors to families. From 10am to 2pm, kids and parents alike can enjoy the retro charm of over 60 vintage arcade games, Skee-Ball, and more.

The bar also serves pizza slices, non-alcoholic, and alcoholic beverage.

Bayview Printing Workshop

This one is for the bigger kids. Ages 12+.

Bayview Printing Co. is an innovative design studio and historic letterpress print shop that offers a unique selection of workshops and events. Among their offerings is the popular “Drink & Ink” event, a hands-on workshop that allows participants to indulge in creativity while enjoying their favorite beverage.

For just $35 per person, attendees are granted access to wood type, antique presses, ink, paper, and Bayview’s letterpress expertise for a 2-3 hour session. Suitable for anyone aged 12 and up, these workshops are a fantastic opportunity for aspiring artists, craft enthusiasts, or anyone interested in vintage letterpress printing techniques..

The “Drink & Ink” nights are a testament to Bayview’s commitment to keeping the art of letterpress printing alive and accessible to all.

Mitchell Park Domes

The best place to go in Milwaukee in winter with kids to fight the winter blues. Shed those jackets when you walk in the door and escape to the tropic jungle or swap out a rainy Milwaukee day for a dry desert!

My 2 and 4 year olds move pretty quickly through the two ecosystem domes and prefer to spend most of their time in the show dome or at the Education Center (limited hours).

The show dome has rotating exhibits and our family’s favorite is the Train show. You can almost always count on finding Thomas or one of his friends riding the rails.

Admission: Ages 13+ $9, Ages 3-12 $6, 2 and under free.

Mini Bowling

Thirsty Duck in Sussex offers a kid friendly Mini Bowl experience. Short lanes, mini balls, and manually setup pins make this experience truly unique and rewarding for little hands.

Plus, the pub fare menu is full of items that will make the kids happy.

Public Libraries

Libraries are magic. The Milwaukee area has several that cater so well to kids! Look up a nearby library’s calendar of events for their children’s’ programming. Here are a couple libraries to be sure to check out:

The 125 year old building that serves as the Milwaukee Public Library headquarters is a joy to explore in its entirety, but the Betty Brinn Children’s Room is a unique gem. The beauty of the spacious Renaissance room adorned with colorful kid centric displays makes the area feel welcoming and special. Kids deserve fancy too! Check their calendar for special programming.

The Waukesha Public Library and Menomonee Falls Public Library have wonderful maker spaces, kids areas, and Menomonee Falls even has a coffee shop!

Play Cafés

Great for Ages 6 and Under

For the rare chance to sip a coffee while your toddler is thoroughly absorbed in activities, check out a Play Café!

What a genius concept! Play cafes are a safe space for little ones to explore new activities, interact with other children, and practice sharing and taking turns. Meanwhile, parents caffeinate with coffee or espresso beverages sold onsite.

Here are our top play cafes in the Milwaukee area:

• Little Sprouts (Mequon or Shorewood)
• Bug and Goose (Elm Grove or Delafield)
• Little Village Play Café (Wauwatosa)
• Heart Cafe (Brookfield
• Taxi and Tide (St. Francis)

These are play spaces typically set up with structures, pretend play, and reading rooms for optimal ages of 6 and under. They serve coffee, light snacks, and beverages. Don’t forget to bring socks for adults and kids!

The play spaces at Taxi and Tide are especially modern and fun and while the others mentioned above don’t hold my 6 year old’s interest any longer, this one does!

The play areas are super vibrant and modern, themed around NYC (Taxi) and California (Tide) in two separated play rooms. Kids can work at a coffee shop, a restaurant, drive mopeds through a car wash, serve food at a cat cafe, and more! There’s even a crafting area where you can get creative and have a snack. Carry in snacks are allowed – no nuts.

Indoor Playgrounds

(Great for Ages 2+)

Put a dent in their endless energy or celebrate a birthday at one of the area’s indoor Playgrounds. The snack counter has a large variety of kid approved fare for fair prices.

Don’t forget to bring socks for adults and kids! We like to use our SkyZone socks for added grip.

Some of the Milwaukee area’s favorite indoor playgrounds for gross motor play are:

• Nugget Nation (Brookfield)
• Kid at Heart Playland (Germantown)
• We Rock the Spectrum (multiple locations)
• Milwaukee Yard’s Playroom (Oak Creek) – Only open Friday evenings
• Kids in Motion (New Berlin)
• Big Backyard (New Berlin)
• Kids Empire – Glendale or Brookfield

Winterfest Lake Geneva

Each year, Lake Geneva hosts the national snow sculpting competition and its incredible to see!

Winterfest 2025 will take place January 29-February 2. The sculptors must complete their work by February 1.

Kid Friendly Cooking Classes

Chef Pam’s Kitchen in Waukesha and Batter & Mac in Menomonee Falls both offer cooking classes tailored to kids. Check out their schedules to find the best class for your child’s age group:

• Chef Pam’s Schedule
• Batter & Mac Schedule

Springs Water Park at the Ingleside Hotel

Much closer than the mega water parks of Wisconsin Dells, the Ingleside Hotel has a large indoor water park about 25 minutes from downtown Milwaukee.

The space has three large waterslides, a basketball area, lazy river, lily pads, and hot tub for ages 6+.

They also have a large kiddie pool and play structure with smaller slides and a toddler friendly water slide.

When you arrive, request a lock for a locker ($10 refundable down payment) and towel vouchers.

Day passes often sell out, so reserve in advance online! Food items are sold at a discount if pre-purchased online as well.

Once kids are done in the water, they may enjoy the arcade on the 2nd floor.

Admission: Day passes range from $25 (weekday) to $40 (weekend) per person. Depending on the size of your family, it may be more cost effective to just book a hotel room with the waterpark included.

Indoor: Gyms

Adventure Rock Climbing

You’ll no doubt be amazed at what your kids can do when up against a rock wall! There are several Adventure Rock Climbing locations in the Milwaukee area. I recommend choosing any of them except Walker’s Point which only has bouldering. Young kids especially will prefer the automatic belay climbs more.

If it is your first visit, staff will guide you through a brief orientation tour to cover safety policies and direct you to age appropriate sections.

Rental equipment is available for a small fee.

Sky Zone or Urban Air Trampoline Parks

If you have young kids, our favorite SkyZone offering is available all winter long and is called Little Leapers. On Sunday mornings at the Waukesha location, only kids 6 and under are allowed to jump from 9am-11am.

Little Leapers get discounted play at the Brown Deer location from Monday – Friday until noon.

Their socks are required to jump. (You can reuse time and time again.)

First and Bowl

While we haven’t yet brought our young kids, 1st and Bowl in Wauwatosa would be fantastic for kids 8+ to get a unique spin on their favorite sports.

Reservations are highly recommended to snag a lane of football bowling (throw a football to knock down ten bowling pins before your opponents), basketball connect4, cornhole, or nerf wars. Must be 10+ to play football bowling.

Gymnastics Open Gym

Several Gymnastics studios in the area offer really affordable open gym time slots! Check out one of these great energy busting spaces:

• Stingray All-Stars – Sussex
  (They have separate timeslots for Ages 0-5 for $5 and ages 6-18 for $10)
• LaFleur’s Gymnastics – Germantown
• Wildcard Gymnastics – Brookfield
• Salto Gymnastics – Two Waukesha Locations

Ninja Course: Legacy Gym MKE

Legacy Gym offers ninja courses during their kids’ open gym at both their Menomonee Falls and Wauwatosa locations. Check their online schedule for “kids ninja open gym.”

Indoor: Kid Friendly Tours

Sprecher Brewing Company (Awesome Root Beer)

If you’re looking for a brewery tour you can do with the whole family, check out Sprecher Brewing. Kids can sip one of their many in house soda offerings while learning about the brewing process.

Milwaukee Fire Museum (Free!)

Have a Fire Truck fanatic in your crew? See if your schedule jives with the museum’s limited open hours.

This is a wonderful free museum, but unfortunately only open from April – December, on the 1st Sunday of the month, 1 – 3 p.m.

Clock Shadow Creamery Tour

Wisconsin and cheese go hand in hand. Don’t leave the state without seeing how it is made and devouring plenty of the product.

Clock Shadow Creamery makes some of our favorite cheese curds too! Buy a fresh batch, they’re best served at room temperature and should squeak when you bite into them. They typically make curds on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Fill out their online form to arrange a tour.

Tour cost: $3 adults, $2 Ages 12 and under

Indoor: Fun Places to Eat

Festive Favorite: Igloo Dining

The Igloo experiences hosted by The Tap Yard at Menomonee Park or Fox Brook Park are the most affordable ones you can find in the area. Last year, they charged $50 to reserve an igloo, but that fee was simply credited toward your food and beverage.

They open up for the winter 2024-25 season on November 29th!

Eat and Play at the 3rd Street Market Hall

The former Grand Avenue Mall has been converted to a food hall featuring diverse and eclectic food and beverage stalls. There’s plenty to satisfy your cravings or sweet tooth too! Kids’ toys are setup in an enclosed areas surrounded by tables where parents can keep an eye on their kids while enjoying their meal.

Older kids will enjoy video games, cornhole, shuffleboard courts and the selfie museum. All of these entertainment options are completely free. For an additional cost, you can check out the golf simulators at Swing Suite.

This is the ideal place to spend time in Milwaukee in Winter with Kids to grab a bite after taking the kids to the Public Museum, Discovery World, Red Arrow Park, or Betty Brinn.

Organ Piper Pizza

One of the Milwaukee Area’s most family friendly dining spots is Organ Piper Pizza. Order a pizza, play in the arcade, and hop on the dance floor while the organist navigates 500+ controls on the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. Kids will be in awe of the animated décor and for just 25 cents they can ride the carousel!

The musician takes requests and naturally has mastered many Disney favorites from Little Mermaid, to Frozen, to Encanto (even Star Wars!).

Fish Fry with a Side of Polka

We call that a twofer!

Naming a brewery my preferred kid friendly Fish Fry atmosphere is counter-intuitive, but you have got to take your kids for Friday Night Polka and a fry at Lakefront Brewery! Make sure to share an order of their Wisconsin Cheese Curds!

Milwaukee Public Market

We love the atmosphere at the Milwaukee Public Market. Make your adventure extra special by riding the free Hop MKE streetcar to the market.

Festive Favorite: Tinsel Taproom

The Barrel Yard at American Family Field gets a makeover each December to become the Tinsel Tapyard where you can book a private gathering for your family and friends. Some games are available for kids or you can bring your own!

Indoor: Fun Shopping with Kids

Winkie’s Toys & Variety

Want to find a special gift for a child in your life? Winkie’s in Whitefish Bay has it all. They have so many things you’ve never thought of too! It’s a great spot to shop small and find a truly unique gift.

Fischberger’s Variety

This place is the absolute best for gift shopping! They have loads of quirky and nostalgic toys and games to choose from.

Aquatics Unlimited

If I need a calming spot to just walk around while sparking curiosity with my littles, we head to this spot! The staff is super knowledgeable and kind with the kiddos. I’m grateful they talked my son out of a pet axolotl by explaining how boring they are IRL!

Rainbow Booksellers

Near Tralee Irish Imports you’ll find Milwaukee’s beloved Children’s Bookstore, Rainbow Booksellers. You have to plan ahead or get lucky to catch them open though, as they are only open Wednesday evenings and Saturdays.

Festive Favorite: Santa’s Wonderland at Cabelas

Our kids love Cabela’s. They like to look at all the animals on display and admire the fish tank. At Christmastime, it’s our go to spot for a free photo with Santa and a craft at Santa’s Wonderland.

Outdoor Things to do – Milwaukee in Winter with Kids

Ice Skate in Red Arrow Park or at the Pettit National Ice Center

Ice Skating at Red Arrow’s Outdoor Rink is a right of passage for any Milwaukeean’s first winter here. Kids can get an assist from the gliding penguins.

Skating is free if you bring your own skates.

Be sure to warm up with a hot coffee or chocolate.

Snow Tube

About 40 minutes from Milwaukee, you’ll find the self proclaimed “world’s largest tubing hill” at Sunburst. Book online in advance for a two hour slot that costs $20-25.

There’s another tubing hill in Franklin, which is smaller but closer to Milwaukee.

Ski at Little Switzerland

If you love skiing or snowboarding or would like to take a lesson, check out Little Switzerland! Just 35 minutes from Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Zoo

Open 365 days per year, who says the zoo is a warm weather outing?

Even the carousel is open on moderately cool winter days! Our go to Winter areas are the indoor buildings like: Fish & Reptile (our favorite), Small Mammal, Big Cats, Giraffe, and Elephant.

Snowshoe at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is a beautiful place to explore year round. In the winter, they load out snowshoes for both adults and kids. They recommend at least 4 inches of snow for the best experience.

As a member, you can use the snowshoes for free.

Retzer Nature Center

A beloved Waukesha County Park, Retzer, has excellent winter trails, but also a beautiful indoor education center and planetarium.

Festive Favorite: Christmas Lights

Grab some hot chocolate and gaze upon spectacular holiday light displays like Country Christmas in Pewaukee, Candy Cane Lane in West Allis, or the Lightmare Before Christmas in Germantown.

There you have it, 50+ incredible ways to enjoy in Milwaukee in Winter with kids.