100 Fun Winter Break Ideas for Families in Milwaukee (2024)

⛺Winter Break Camps

Give your kids an unforgettable winter adventure at one of Milwaukee’s amazing winter break camps! Whether they love sports, art, animals, or science, there’s a camp for every interest:

• Explore nature and learn outdoor skills.
• Create masterpieces in art-focused camps.
• Discover science, animals, and more with hands-on activities.

👉 Check out our guide to Milwaukee Winter Break Camps for all the details and to find the perfect fit for your family!

🎉 Special Events for Winter Break

Make winter break extra memorable with these exciting, family-friendly events happening around Milwaukee. From free festivities to unique celebrations, there’s something for everyone.

• 🦓 Frosty Free Week at Milwaukee County Zoo
  Dec. 26-30, 2024 | 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
  Enjoy free daytime admission to the Milwaukee County Zoo! Winter is a magical time to see the animals in a quieter, more serene setting. Regular rates apply for concessions and the Wild Lights nighttime event.
• 🪁 Cool Fool Kite Festival (Free!)
  Jan. 1, 2025 | Veterans Park, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  Start the new year with kite-flying fun at this free festival along Milwaukee’s lakefront. Watch expert kite flyers, enjoy ice sculpting demonstrations, and warm up with free coffee and hot chocolate. Bring your own kite or buy one on-site!
• 🏀 Harlem Globetrotters at Fiserv Forum
  Dec. 31, 2024 | 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM
  The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters bring their jaw-dropping basketball tricks and family-friendly humor to Milwaukee. It’s an unforgettable event that kids (and adults!) will love.
• 🌴 Winter in the Tropics: A Family Fun Fest!
  Dec. 27, 2024 | 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Mitchell Park Domes
  Escape the snow and enjoy a tropical getaway in the heart of the city! This event includes tropical crafts, games, fruit tastings, and more. Kids can explore the Tropical Dome with a scavenger hunt and take home special activity kits. 
• 🛷 Take it Outside Day – Snowshoes & Sleds
• Dec. 29, 2024 | Urban Ecology Center – Riverside Park, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Get outdoors this winter break with the UEC! Enjoy three activity stations, including: Snowshoe obstacle course, guided snowshoe hike, and sledding!
• 🎊 Noon Year’s Eve at Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
  Dec. 31, 2024 | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  Celebrate the new year early with a special balloon drop, hands-on activities, and more. Perfect for little ones who can’t stay up until midnight!
• 🕺 Kid Boogie Down Dance Party at Bavarian Bierhaus
  Dec. 31, 2024 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
  Get ready to groove! This family-friendly dance party includes music, glow sticks, bubbles, a photo booth, and a countdown to “midnight” for kids.
• 🥾 First Day Hikes
  Jan. 1, 2024 | Times vary by location
  Start the new year with a refreshing hike at one of Wisconsin’s state parks or forests! Choose from guided or self-guided hikes, ranging from scenic prairies to snowy trails. Perfect for all ages! Check the Wisconsin DNR website for locations and details.

👉 See our Events Calendar for more ideas!

🏛️ Local Attractions with Winter Break Fun

Milwaukee’s top attractions are pulling out all the stops this winter break, offering extended hours, special exhibits, and unique programming for families. Here’s what you can enjoy:

• Discovery World: Explore Wisconsin’s largest aquarium, the brand new Exploration Station and Doodle Studio, hands-on exhibits, and the Innovation Station with extended hours during winter break.
• Milwaukee Public Museum: This winter break, families can explore the Milwaukee Public Museum’s exhibits, enjoy holiday decorations in the Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village, learn about cold-weather animals and Ice Age giants from educators December 26–30, and catch the new giant-screen film Cities of the Future starting January 1.
• Betty Brinn Children’s Museum: Enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops, and a kid-friendly Noon Year’s Eve party.
• The Domes: Check out the festive Holiday Show, a family fun fest, and be sure to stop by the Education Center – included with admission!
• Milwaukee Art Museum: Kids 12 and under are forever free! Drop by for Story Time in the Gallery or create masterpieces in the Kohl’s Art Studio.
• Milwaukee County Parks Indoor Pools: Pulaski and Noyes indoor pools, the Sports Complex, and Wilson Ice Arena will have special hours over the next two weeks to offer more family options—check out the holiday hours table here before our Monday social media promotion!
• The Hop Streetcar Adventure: Explore Milwaukee aboard The Hop! Discover 10 Kid-Friendly Stops Along The Hop Streetcar Route, including museums, parks, and attractions for the whole family.

❄️Outdoor Adventures

• Ice Skating: Glide into winter fun at top spots like Red Arrow Park, the new Brown Deer Ice Rink, or indoor options like the Pettit Center and Kern Center. check out our full guide to Milwaukee’s best ice skating rinks.
• Sledding & Tubing: Find thrills at 25+ sledding hills or tube your way to laughter at local tubing destinations.
• Winter Hiking: Bundle up and explore Wehr Nature Center, Lake Park, or Retzer Nature Center for stunning winter landscapes.
• Snowshoeing: Borrow snowshoes from the Urban Ecology Center and explore snowshoeing trails around Milwaukee.

🏠 Cozy Indoor Activities

• Indoor Playgrounds & Play Cafes: Burn off energy at local indoor play spaces that offer climbing, jumping, and more.
• Art & Pottery Studios: Get creative at local art studios like Cloud 9 Workshop, Glaze! Art & Ice Cream, or Soul Fire Art Studio.
• Indoor Water Parks: Escape to warm, splash-filled fun at nearby water parks like Country Springs or Blue Harbor.
• Bowling Alleys: Go old-school with a fun family outing to Koz’s Mini-Bowl.
• Libraries & Storytime: Cozy up with books, climb a lighthouse, and join free family activities at Milwaukee’s top libraries.

✨Explore What’s New in Town

Discover fresh destinations and activities to make your winter break extra special:

• Biggby Cafe at Red Arrow Park – Sip on warm beverages while enjoying the cozy atmosphere by the Slice of Ice Rink.
• Brown Deer Ice Rink – Skate in a picturesque outdoor setting perfect for family outings.
• Joyosity – Unleash creativity with DIY projects and interactive workshops for all ages in Brookfield.
• Wonderland Books – Dive into a magical world of stories and unique finds at this new local favorite in Shorewood.
• Epilogue Books – Enjoy a charming bookshop experience in Menomonee Falls.

🏀Catch The Action

Winter break is the perfect time to cheer on Milwaukee’s top teams and experience the excitement of live sports! Whether your family loves basketball, hockey, or indoor soccer, there’s a game to suit every fan:

• 🏀 Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum
  Catch the champs in action and enjoy the electrifying energy of an NBA game. Family Night packages often include tickets, popcorn, and drinks—making it an unforgettable outing for kids and parents alike.
• ⚽ Milwaukee Wave at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
  The Wave’s indoor soccer games are fast-paced and family-friendly, with plenty of opportunities for fan interaction. Kids will love the high-energy atmosphere and cheering on Milwaukee’s beloved soccer team!
• 🏒 Milwaukee Admirals at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
  Take the family to see the Admirals, Milwaukee’s professional hockey team. With thrilling games and fun promotions like bobblehead giveaways and themed nights, a hockey game is an action-packed way to spend a winter evening.

Check Ticketmaster for upcoming dates & times.

✨ Holiday Magic

• Holiday Lights: Stroll through Milwaukee’s best light displays before they’re gone, like Candy Cane Lane, Wild Lights at the Zoo, or the dazzling Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights.
• Sleigh Rides: Enjoy a picturesque sleigh ride and feel like you’ve stepped into a snow globe.
• Jingle Bus Tours: Hop aboard for a narrated tour of Milwaukee’s sparkling holiday lights.
• Noon Year’s Eve Parties: Celebrate early with kid-friendly NYE celebrations.
• Holiday Shows: Experience the magic of live theater with these family-friendly performances.

🍴 Foodie Fun

• Hot Cocoa Heaven: Warm up with a cup of Milwaukee’s best hot chocolate—check out our list of 15 must-visit spots or our roundup of 5 Hot Cocoa Stops Along The Hop Streetcar Route for a sweet sip during your city adventure.
• Family-Friendly Restaurants: Enjoy a meal out with our guide to 25+ kid-approved restaurants in Milwaukee.
• Festive Restaurants: From cozy, heated huts to meet-and-greets with Santa, here are festive restaurants with a warm holiday atmosphere.

🌲 Day Trips & Nearby Adventures

• Skiing & Snowboarding: Hit the slopes at Alpine Valley or Sunburst Winter Sports Park.
• Wisconsin Children’s Museums: Take a short drive to Wisconsin Children’s Museum like the Madison Children’s Museum or Building for Kids in Appleton.
• Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center: A short drive from Milwaukee is a big red barn that offers an agricultural adventure for kids!
• Ah, Chicago!: Just a 90-minute drive away, Chicago offers quirky museums that kids will love, like the Museum of Ice Cream, Sloomoo Institute, and Museum of Illusions. Plus, don’t miss free options like the Chicago Fed’s Money Museum.

🌟 At-Home Fun

• Easy Science Experiments: Make slime, grow crystals, or create a volcano— These 100 easy science experiments are perfect for curious little scientists.
• 100 Boredom Busters: Banish boredom with our epic list of 100 fun boredom-busters for kids, including fort-building, card houses, and more.
• Cold Weather Science Experiments: Embrace the chill of the season with our roundup of cold weather science experiments!
• Movie Nights: Check out our 50 best family movies and cozy up for a fun night in.
• Baking Together: Whip up cookies, make popcorn balls, or try your hand at a hot cocoa bar.