Spring is a beautiful time of year in Milwaukee, with warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, and longer days.
It’s the perfect time to get out of the house with your kids and explore all that the city has to offer.
However, finding affordable activities that everyone will enjoy can be a challenge.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of 25 free things to do in spring around Milwaukee.
From free museums to natural playgrounds, easy hikes to streetcar rides, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Let’s dive in!
1. Ride The Hop
Ready for an adventure in downtown Milwaukee?
The Hop streetcar is a fun and safe option for exploring the city, and it’s an experience both you and your kids can enjoy.
(And it’s free to ride!)
With its colorful and spacious cars, accessible platforms, and convenient stops, The Hop is designed to accommodate riders of all ages and abilities.
In fact, along the route, you’ll find a variety of engaging and family-friendly destinations that are sure to keep everyone entertained.
From cupcakes at Cathedral Square Park to City Hall and the Milwaukee Public Market, you’re in for an adventure!
2. Walk Through Black Cat Alley
The Black Cat Alley is an outdoor art gallery located in a private alley on the East Side.
This unique street art destination was developed by a group of community members and artists back in 2015, and it now contains 21 murals by 24 artists from Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Columbus and even Berlin.
You can enter the Alley from Prospect Avenue near the Axe Bar (AXE MKE) or from Ivanhoe near Milwaukee’s only cat café (Sip ‘n Purr).
3. Hike Discovery Trail at Retzer Nature Center
Just a short 30-minute drive from Milwaukee is a beautiful nature center with a renovated nature space just for kids.
It’s one of our favorite easy hikes for kids around Milwaukee, and it’s free to park and walk around.
The new Discovery Trail includes a variety of “Exploration Stations” for outdoor education, sensory-based play experiences, and STEM activities for families and school groups.
Other additions include a gateway feature, a stone seat wall gathering space, nature exploration stations – including insect, wood, animal tracks, and a giant eagle’s nest – as well as a habitat free-play area, boulder scramble, and native plant observation areas.
4. Visit the Milwaukee Public Museum on Free Day
The Milwaukee Public Museum, located in downtown Milwaukee, is known for its life-size dioramas, walk-through villages, a live butterfly garden, and the Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater and Planetarium.
ALL visitors (excluding groups) receive FREE access to the permanent exhibits of MPM on the first Thursday of each month during Kohl’s Thank You Thursday.
Check out our Pro Tips and Must-See Exhibits.
5. Play in Wehr’s Nature Play Space
9701 W. College Ave., Franklin, WI 53132
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.
You’ll find a charming Nature Play Space nearby overlooking Mallard Lake with climbing rocks, a native plant garden, a giant log, sand, rocks and stones for digging, Carol’s Cabin log cabin, and a low-height plant maze.
6. Kohl’s Art Studio at the Milwaukee Art Museum
Did you know that kids 12 and under are always free at the Milwaukee Art Museum?
And the Kohl’s Art Studio is open Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kids and families can explore different art materials and techniques used to create the art works in the museum’s collection. Themes change monthly, so check their website for updated information.
Plus, from watching the wings open and close to checking out an Artpack, here are the 10 Best Things to do with Kids at the Art Museum >>
7. Take a Selfie with the Bronz Fonz
Just a .4 mile walk from City Hall is the famous Bronze Fonz statue, located on the famous Milwaukee River Walk.
This iconic statue of the Happy Days character, Arthur Fonzarelli, is a beloved landmark and a fun photo opportunity for kids and adults alike.
Located near the intersection of Wells and Water streets, the Bronze Fonz is easily accessible and makes for a great pit stop during a walk along the river.
Take a moment to admire the detailed sculpture and snap a photo with the “thumbs up” sign, just like the Fonz himself.
It’s a great way to pay homage to one of Milwaukee’s most famous TV characters and create a lasting memory with your family.
Plus, the Safehouse Spy Restaurant is right around the corner!
8. Visit Giannis
Of all the ways to experience a city, wandering the streets to discover its vibrant murals may just be the most colorful!
This city is home to some of the most stunning and creative murals around.
And what better way to explore them than with your kids in tow?
That’s why we’ve put together this Milwaukee Mural Tour, highlighting some of the best murals in the city that are sure to captivate the imaginations of both you and your little ones.
From the towering masterpieces of local legend Giannis Antetokounmpo to hidden gems you didn’t know were there, get ready to discover the beauty and creativity that make Milwaukee’s street art scene so special!
9. Ride the Hidden Slides at the Urban Ecology Center
The Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park (1500 E. Riverside Pl., Milwaukee, WI 53211) is an absolute gem amid its urban surroundings.
You can spend an entire day here with your children exploring the building and the surrounding park.
There are hidden slides, live animals, public feedings, nature games and activities, and more!
10. Go Airplane Spotting
Airplane Observation Area (1200 block of E. Layton Ave.)
Located on Layton Avenue, close to Mitchell International Airport, is an airplane observation area that’s perfect for a chill evening out with your family.
This gem is hidden in plain sight, and offers a front-row seat to the magic of aviation.
11. Visit Betty Brinn on Free Day
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is packed with innovative, hands-on learning experiences created especially for kids ages 10 and under.
Families can have fun learning together in the museum’s interactive exhibits, including Home Sweet Home, Let’s Play Railway, the Be-A-Maker Space and Pocket Park (for children age 4 and younger).
The museum offers a free day for all on Community Access Days, which take place on the third Thursday of every month. (Advanced registration required; some restrictions apply.)
12. Play at Kayla’s Playground
3667-3723 W. Puetz Rd, Franklin, WI 53132
Kayla’s Playground looks like a whimsical dream from the moment you catch sight of it, and it doesn’t disappoint.
You’ll find wide, fully-accessible ramps, a ground-level merry-go-round that wheelchairs can fit on, a special needs swings, two huge stainless steels slides (facing north to keep them cool), a rope climb, a wiggly balance beam, two-height monkey bars, a climbing wall and much more.
13. Climb the Lighthouse at Central Library
Central Library is the crown jewel of Milwaukee’s public library system. Built in the 1890’s, it’s a stunning example of neo-renaissance architecture.
The Betty Brinn Children’s Room at Central Library gives kids their very own separate area to explore. There’s a lighthouse to climb, plenty of cozy reading alcoves, dozen of computers, and special children’s book collections grouped together.
14. Walk the Labyrinth in Hartung Park
Just a short drive from downtown Milwaukee, Hartung Park is a treasure trove of outdoor activities, including a stunning stone labyrinth.
You’ll also find scenic trails a children’s playground, outdoor fitness equipment, and more.
15. Tour the Milwaukee Fire Museum
Located in an old fire station on W. Oklahoma Avenue, the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) Museum and Historical Society holds an Open House from 12 – 3 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month (April – December).
16. Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club
The Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club offers a blend of history, interactivity, and railroad charm that captures the hearts of visitors young and old.
The club’s main feature is its extensive display of toy trains, representing various periods and styles.
The facility prides itself on being a hands-on experience that sparks curiosity and learning, and visitors are encouraged to engage with interactive buttons that activate over a dozen miniature scenes.
17. Hike to the Conservancy for Healing
For a stunning retreat into a peaceful oasis, look no further than The Conservancy for Healing and Heritage in Franklin, WI.
Just a 20 minute drive from Milwaukee, it’s a sanctuary built for those seeking solace and recovery, and families looking for a beautiful, peaceful day together.
18. Read a Book by the Fireplace at Mitchell Library
The Mitchell Street Branch Library started as the iconic Hills Department Store and has transitioned through time to become the largest branch of the Milwaukee Public Libraries following a major renovation in 2017.
Curl up by the fireplace and read a book, or dive into the high-tech maker space, complete with a 3D printer, mixing booth, and recording studio, a vast children’s collection with puppets, and more!
19. Play at Northwestern Mutual Community Park
The beloved Northwestern Mutual Community Park is now open for the 2024 season. The Park will be open to the public daily from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. in April & May.
It’s Wisconsin’s premiere accessible playground, located at Henry Maier Festival Park in downtown Milwaukee, WI.
20. Imagination Station
Located in the heart of Roosevelt Park in Oconomowoc, Imagination Station is Waukesha County’s first fully inclusive playground, designed to ignite the imaginations of children of all abilities.
It goes beyond the typical slide-and-swing setup. This playground is a vibrant, welcoming space where every child, regardless of ability, can dive into play without barriers.
21. Find Your State at Enderis Playfield
2938 N 72nd St
Crafted in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, Enderis Playfield is a historic recreational space in the Enderis Park neighborhood with a playground, sprawling colorful map, a whimsical Magic Grove sculpture, green spaces, and more.
22. Picnic & Play at Possibility Playground
Upper Lake Park, Port Washington
When you’re looking for a playground that is a cut above the rest, check out Possibility Playground in charming Port Washington, WI.
This gem is one of our 25 must-visit playgrounds around Milwaukee.
This whimsical, universally-accessible play area is located in Upper Lake Park overlooking Lake Michigan.
23. Dig For Fossils at the Dinsosaur Discovery Museum in Kenosha
5608 10th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
Just a few blocks from Lake Michigan in downtown Kenosha, and about a 45 minute drive from downtown Milwaukee, you’ll find the free Dinosaur Discovery Museum. The museum is small, but it’s worth a stop on a day trip to Kenosha or if you happen to be in the area.
24. Big Truck Day in Red Arrow Park
Big Truck Day is expected to return to Red Arrow Park this year in May. Date is still TBD!
This free event features over a dozen big rigs from the Department of Public Works, Milwaukee Fire Department, and Milwaukee Police Department and offers children a unique opportunity to explore the various trucks and meet the people who operate them.
25. Kite Festival
This May 25th and 26th, Veterans Park is the place to be for The Gift of Wings IKEA Family Kite Festival.
For its 37th year, family-friendly event is bringing the joy, the color, and the excitement of kites to Milwaukee’s lakefront.
The sky at noon will be speckled with over 600 kites taking flight in what’s known as the GRAND LAUNCH, with a canvas of colors, shapes, and sizes all dancing in the sky.
Milwaukee has a lot to offer in the spring, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to enjoy it all.
From free museums to natural playgrounds, hikes to streetcar rides, there are plenty of budget-friendly options for families with young kids to explore.
We hope this list of 25 free things to do in spring around Milwaukee will inspire you to get out and enjoy the season with your family.
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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.
