If you’re looking for ideas to keep your little ones entertained during the gorgeous summer months in Milwaukee, you’ve come to the right place.
From outdoor adventures to indoor activities, we’ve got 50 fantastic things to do that will make this summer unforgettable for your family.
So, grab your sunscreen, put on your favorite flip-flops, and let’s dive into the top summer activities in Milwaukee!
Free Family Fun Days at Northwest Mutual Community Park
Four Sunday Family Fun Days have been planned in 2024, taking place from 10:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. at the Northwestern Mutual Community Park, located inside Henry Maier Festival Park. The events offer attendees access to family-friendly programming, food & drink options, and interactive activities.
- June 9 – Summerfest
- July 7 – Family Health and Wellness
- August 4 – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
- September 22 – Performing Arts
Art Blaze on the Beach (Free!)
Joy Engine Presents: ArtBlaze: A series of free, family-friendly events designed to be a celebration of community, creativity, and connection.
Bradford and South Shore Beaches will be transformed into a haven of artistic wonder and musical delight, shining a light on our amazing parks and local artists. Families can participate in interactive art, engage with local artisans and vendors, make s’mores at the bonfires, or simply relax with friend and family.
Wednesday, July 10 at Bradford Beach
Wednesday, July 31 at South Shore Beach
Wednesday, August 7 at South Shore Beach
Wednesday, August 21 at Bradford Beach
Best Splash Pads
The Greater Milwaukee Area is home to dozens of Splash Pads where kids can cool off on a hot day. Discover our top picks and find one near you!
Free Summer Movies
Enjoy free family movies in Veterans Park on several Saturdays throughout the summer. The free films begin around dusk in the park, with popcorn on sale sold for just $1 along with other food and drink options.
Here are the dates and movies for 2024:
- Saturday, June 15 – “Trolls: Band Together”
- Saturday, July 6 – “Kung Fu Panda 4”
- Saturday, Aug. 17 – “Barbie”
- Saturday, Aug. 24 – “Wonka”
- Saturday, Aug. 31 – “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”
Go Strawberry Picking
In southeastern Wisconsin, beautiful strawberries and sugar snap peas are usually ready for picking by the middle of June. Cherries come next in early July, followed by raspberries and blackberries.
You and the kiddos can have a great time in the strawberry patches, picking your own berries, making some memories and taking photos of red-stained smiles. It’s a great experience for the whole family, and way better than buying them in the grocery store.
Rainbow Summer at the Marcus Center (Free!)
Mark your calendars for Rainbow Summer and Elysian Arcs, a mesmerizing outdoor art installation that’s set to light up the Marcus Performing Arts Center Outdoor Grounds from July 23rd to July 27th, 2024.
Presented by Marcus Performing Arts Center and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, this event promises five days of art, wonder, and fun for all ages.
Dinosaur Discovery at the Zoo
The Zoo’s 2024 summer exhibit runs through October 5th. Stomp back in time to meet some of the most formidable predators from the past!
It’s located outside behind the Small Mammals building, and a small fee is required.
Here are 5 can’t miss experiences at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Best Outdoor Water Parks
From Cool Waters and Schulz Aquatic Center in Milwaukee, to Hoyt Park in Wauwatosa, and all the way out to the distant ‘burbs, we rounded up the best outdoor water parks in the Greater Milwaukee Area.
Wehr Nature Center Waterfall
Have you seen all 5 waterfalls in Milwaukee County?
Nestled in beautiful Whitnall Park is Milwaukee County’s very own Wehr Nature Center. It’s the perfect destination for a family with young kids looking for easy hiking trails and accessible wildlife watching.
Kids Bowl Free
Did you know that 5 bowling alleys around Milwaukee offer 2 FREE games of bowling each day to kids during the Spring and Summer?
Step 1: Find a Participating Bowling Center In Your Community
(Participating this year: Brown Deer Lanes, Village Bowl in Menomonee Falls, Foxx View Lanes in Waukesha, Sussex Bowl, and Circle B Rec in Cedarburg)
Step 2: Register Your Kids
Step 3: Go Bowling for FREE All Spring & Summer!
Margie’s Children’s Garden
Margie’s Children’s Garden opened for the season at Boerner Botanical Gardens on May 1. It features an Alphabet Garden, a Numbers Garden, sound makers, playhouses, slides, a giant caterpillar and birds nest to play on, a “Flower Shop”, potting shed, a small stage and seating area, and more.
Don’t miss the first ever Mornings at Margie’s event, including a Concert in the Garden by Fox & Branch, interactive kids activities, and more!
Free Family Flicks at Bayshore
The Family Flicks movie series at Bayshore runs Wednesday evenings in the summer, with a new family movie each week. This year, they’ll have pre-movie entertainment, as well!
Check our Events Calendar for other outdoor movies in Veterans Park downtown and communities like Elm Grove, Greenfield, and more.
Climb the North Point Lighthouse Tower
Built in 1855, the North Point light station can be found in Lake Park and is one of the oldest standing structures in Milwaukee. You can climb the 74-foot lighthouse tower for 360-degree views of Lake Park, Lake Michigan and downtown Milwaukee, or tour the Queen Anne-style museum to view maritime artifacts and exhibits.
Snap a Selfie at the Eiffel Tower
Bastille Days is one of the nation’s largest French-themed celebrations. Held in Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square Park, visitors can enjoy live music, an international marketplace, French and Cajun cuisine, and roaming busker entertainment.
Kids will love the miniature Eiffel Tower at the center of the festival.
See the Blue Angels at the Milwaukee Air & Water Show
The Milwaukee Air & Water Show is back in 2024, coming to the Lake Michigan shoreline July 27th and 28th. The Blue Angels will headline the event.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival will take place June 22nd and 23rd, and visitors will find unique shopping in charming downtown Cedarburg, strawberry treats of all kinds, children’s activities in Cedar Creek Park, live music, demonstrations, and more.
Slide down the Giant Slide at the Wisconsin State Fair
The Giant Slide at the Wisconsin State Fair is a must-stop for kids. It only lasts a few moments, but the memories last a lifetime.
Our other top picks at the State Fair are the Discovery Barnyard, Saz’s Pig Races, and a high-energy Kidzbop concert!
Visit Leprechaun Village at Irish Fest
Irish Fest has it all: Irish music, dance, sporting demonstrations, family activities, Irish cuisine and more.
Search for gold in the tiny Leprechaun Village, complete with a bank vault, pub, performance stage, workshop, and other tiny structures. You can even join a special “Leprechaun Kids Club” for fun prizes.
See our full 2024 Milwaukee Festival Guide >>
Cheer on the Brewers
Cheer on the Milwaukee Brewers and the racing sausages at American Family Field! We’ve got 10 tips for your next Brewers Game, to help make your next trip to the stadium the best ever.
Don’t miss your chance to run the bases at the end of the game, or get an autograph from a player on the team!
Chill on the Hill in Humboldt Park
Chill on the Hill is a weekly free summer concert event in Bay View’s beautiful Humboldt Park, with live local music, food trucks, and fun for the whole family. The event happens Tuesday evenings in the summer.
Run the bases at a Lakeshore Chinooks game
For Milwaukee area families who are looking for affordable and quality family fun, a Lakeshore Chinooks game fits the bill. The Lakeshore Chinooks Baseball Club are a summer collegiate baseball team, and their games are packed with good old-fashioned family fun. Kids can get player autographs, meet the mascot, play in the Kids Zone, run the bases, and more!
Go to a Drive-In Movie
The Milky Way Drive-in in Franklin is a great place to catch a family movie. You can also check our Events Calendar for free outdoor movies in parks all over town.
Glendale’s Root Beer Bash
Root Beer Bash will be taking place Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 at Bayshore Town Center. It’s free to attend! Families can enjoy a Root Beer Float Giveaway, a Kids Dance Party, Balloon Artist, Face Painting, a Petting Zoo, a Tie-Dye tent, food trucks, and more.
Try a new flavor at Pete’s Pops.
Pete’s Pops and their rainbow umbrella brightens up Milwaukee all summer long. You can try flavors like Blue Moon, Fudgesicle, Strawberry Lemonade, Key Lime Pie, Horchata, and more.
Catch them at their permanent locations in Milwaukee, Bay View, and West Allis, or follow them on social media to keep up with their pop-up locations.
Cool off at Sussex Village Park
Our readers rave about The Grove at Village Park in Sussex, about a 30-minute drive from the city of Milwaukee. The 14,000-square-foot inclusive playground includes tall towers, climbing structures, slides, and opportunities for communal play.
There’s also a 5,200-square-foot inclusive splash pad that features three different areas of play: active, family and toddler. The family area contains a 20-foot-tall dumping feature, water arches, team sprays, and spiraling water feature.
Summer Reading
Milwaukee Public Libraries offer free programming throughout the summer for families, and you can visit local children’s bookstores like Rainbow Booksellers on Vliet St. and Rooted MKE, a BIPOC Children’s Bookstore offering creative play sessions.
Sip craft soda at a Beer Garden
By definition, a biergarten is simply an open-air space where beer and food are served. But in reality, beer gardens are so much more than that. They’re a good time for the whole family!
Many have popped up over the years around Milwaukee, and they are definitely family-friendly. Most feature concessions, often in the form of a food truck or two. They also offer soft drinks for younger, non-beer-drinking patrons.
Here are the 5 Best Beer Gardens for Kids & Families.
26. Visit the farmer’s market.
There are dozens of local farmer’s markets around southeastern Wisconsin. Our favorites include the farmer’s market at South Shore Park, Thiensville Village Park, and Wauwatosa.
Here are the 5 Best Farmer’s Market’s For Kids Around Milwaukee.
Take a Day Trip to Port Washington
Just a 30 minute drive from downtown Milwaukee and perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, Port Washington is the ultimate day trip destination for families. From the majestic Possibility Playground to the old-fashioned Frankie’s ice cream, there is plenty for families to do all summer long.
Visit a Sunflower Farm
There’s just something about sunflowers that makes us smile. Kids and adults alike are enchanted by their sheer size and beauty. Sunflowers can grow 5-10 feet tall, and they provide the perfect photo op. Plus, most farms will let you cut a few stems to take home and use to decorate your front porch.
Here are 9 sunflower farms to check out this summer.
Watch the Milwaukee Milkmen play baseball.
The Milwaukee Milkmen are a pro baseball team in Franklin. You can park for free at Franklin Field and get affordable tickets online or in person. Hang out with their mascot, Bo Vine, and enjoy family entertainment including stunts, games, and promotions.
Lapham Peak Observation Tower
A must-visit state park is Lapham Peak State Park. You’ll find kid-friendly trails all over, and you’re sure to stumble upon a lovely surprise such as a prairie restoration or a butterfly garden.
Start your trip at the Hausmann Nature Center, where you’ll find a children’s interactive area, great views of the forest, and nature exhibits.
From there, it’s a relatively easy hike to the 45-foot observation tower that sits atop the highest point in Waukesha County (1,233 feet above sea level). You’ll see lake country for miles.
Lake Michigan Beach Day
From Doctor’s Park to Bender Park, we’ve got all of the beaches in Milwaukee County in one place for you. New this year, McKinley Park has re-opened!
Walk the labyrinth in Wauwatosa
The labyrinth at Hartung Park in Tosa is a fun adventure for the whole family. It’s just a short walk from the playground, behind the hill, surrounded by wildflowers. Younger kids will love running the paths, and older kids and adults can walk the whole thing.
Visit Art of Joy in Cedarburg
Looking for a unique and joyful experience for your family in the Milwaukee area? Look no further than Art of Joy, a vibrant social house and mercantile located in the heart of Cedarburg’s historic district.
With a fun outdoor area, a kid’s area upstairs, upscale cocktails, a full zero-proof menu, cheerful and unexpected decor, and a fun kiddo menu, Art of Joy is a place where both adults and kids can relax and have a good time.
Ride the East Troy Railroad
Riding the old-fashioned electric rail cars on the East Troy Railroad is like taking a giant step back in time with your kids.
It’s charming and warm, and it’s fun to imagine what life would have been like as a family in the 1920’s. The trains currently operate Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Summer Kids Dream Family Film Series
Marcus Theaters presents the Kids Dream Family Film Series June 13 thru August 5. Click here to redeem free vouchers courtesy of American Family Insurance.
Visit a Petting Zoo
There are several zoos and petting farms around Southeastern Wisconsin that the whole family will love. Here are some local places where you can get up close with live animals.
Visit the Giannis Mural
Find the giant mural of local legend Giannis Antetokounmpo. You’ll find it on Wisconsin Avenue on the east-facing wall of the 600 East building. It’s three stories high and shows Antetokounmpo’s back in a Milwaukee Bucks jersey with his hands on his hips.
Ride a swan boat at Veterans Park.
You’ve probably seen the iconic swan boats driving or walking past Veterans Park. You can rent them through Wheel Fun Rentals.
Each swan boat seats up to five people. You can even go at night on an illuminated LED swan boat. They are located on the northeast end of Veterans Park, near plenty of parking, as well as restrooms.
Greek Fest
Be entertained by traditional Greek music and dancing, along with a Greek Market full of imported goods and artifacts. Taste fresh, authentic Greek food including gyros, Greek chicken (also available via drive-thru), lamb, saganaki (fried cheese), souvlaki (skewers), baklava (sweet dessert made with phyllo dough) and loukoumades (fried dough).
Games and rides for children of all ages are available. Admission is free, but you’ll have to pay $10 for parking.
Watch the Dachshund Derby at German Fest.
The sounds of carousel organs and the smell of German cuisine – sausage, sauerkraut, and schnitzel – float through the festival grounds, bringing German culture to life. Families head here each year for the Dachshund Derby and costume contest, the Glockenspiel clock that comes to life every few hours, traditional “tracht” clothing, German dance performances, a Children’s Activity Area with German crafts and language games, plus mascots, parades and more.
Ozaukee County Fair
Held each year in Cedarburg, the Ozaukee County Fair is one of the last free county fairs in Wisconsin. You’ll find games, rides, animals, fair food, truck pulls, demonstrations, and live music. (Admission fees apply for the Truck & Tractor Pull and Demolition Derby.)
MOWA Art & Chalk Fest
This free outdoor fine arts and crafts festival features artist booths as well as chalk artists, art activities for all ages, live entertainment and music, food trucks, a beer garden, and more.
Located on the museum’s four-acre campus, this event features artists from the Wisconsin arts community. Experience live art demonstrations from artists who specialize in glass blowing, pottery and ceramics, plein air painting, and, of course, chalk art.
Watch artists demo their craft right before your eyes, or walk away with a henna tattoo, caricature drawing, tintype portrait, or flower crown. Perhaps encounter a live poetry reading. Kids will flock to the balloon artist and kids activity area.
Watch the fireworks (but not at the lakefront!)
The lakefront fireworks are canceled, but here are more dazzling Fourth of July events for families.
Grohmann Rooftop Garden
Located on the Grohmann Museum on the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) campus, this rooftop garden features a dozen large, bronze statues of men at work – toiling in the field and foundry, heaving hammers or pinching molten metal with hot tongs. Each sculpture is about 9 feet tall and weighs a thousand pounds. From their perch along the roofline, they have a commanding view of the city that was built on the hard work they depict.
The Grohmann Museum is home to the world’s most comprehensive art collection dedicated to the evolution of human work. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12.
Visit the polka dotted cows at Lynden Sculpture Garden.
Admission is free at this garden that has wide open spaces for running around, magical trees the kids can hide inside of, frogs and turtles all over the place, and colorful sculptures. Don’t miss the bright polka dotted cows by the pond. Please remind your kids not to climb on the sculptures. Note: There are no paths. Bring suitable footwear. Donations encouraged.
Learn more about this beautiful garden >>
Visit Bookworm Gardens
Trust us when we say this one is worth the drive! Bookworm Gardens is an absolute must-visit, whimsical botanic garden based completely on children’s literature.
The seven-acre garden offers the young and young-at-heart the opportunity for unstructured play in a beautiful and secure environment.
Visit Milwaukee Recreation’s free summer playgrounds
Milwaukee Recreation’s free Summer Playgrounds will open on June 21 and feature enrichment activities, play opportunities, free meals, and much more.
The sites will feature visits from the Wacky Wheels Skate Van, the Video Game Van and partnerships with Artists Working in Education (AWE), the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee Public Library.
Wading pools and splash pads will also be open to the public. All playground sites are supervised by playleaders and offer a safe place for youth to go during the day to enjoy fun and exciting activities.
For details about the playground program visit mkerec.net/playgrounds.
Hike Mystery Lake
Mystery Lake at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is a turtle and frog haven! It’s the perfect hike for little legs from the nature center. Bring a bucket and a net if you want to catch some critters.
See Milwaukee by boat.
One of the best parts about living in Milwaukee is enjoying the natural beauty of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River.
And when the weather gets warm, what better way is there to enjoy them than on a boat?
If you don’t own a boat yourself, there are still ample options to get out on the open water with these local boat rental and tour companies.
You’ll get a unique perspective of the city, and see the Historic Third Ward, the Milwaukee Riverwalk, the Hoan Bridge, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World and the city skyline like never before.
Track down the Wonder Wagon.
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum recently unveiled the Wonder Wagon, a mobile museum that brings hands-on activities and collaborative projects into the community.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
