Summer Activities for Families in Milwaukee | Top Things to Do This Summer

Make the most of summer in Milwaukee with family-friendly events and activities, including outdoor festivals, splash pads & water parks, beach days, and unique local experiences.

Discover the best places to visit, things to do, and events to attend for an unforgettable summer with your kids.

Kite Festival Milwaukee Wisconsin lakefront Veterans Park

Apr

The Family Kite Festival Returns to Milwaukee’s Lakefront

April 3, 2025Calie HerbstSummer Fun

For nearly four decades, Milwaukee’s lakefront has been the setting for one of the most vibrant and high-flying weekends of the year. Now in its 38th year, the Gift of Wings Family Kite Festival, presented by IKEA, returns to Veterans Parkon Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, 2025. Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. each day, with events running through 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 5:00...

Franksville Craft Beer Garden Racine County Wisconsin

Mar

5 Best Beer Gardens For Kids & Families Around Milwaukee (2025)

March 28, 2025Calie HerbstSummer Fun

Believe it or not, beer gardens can be super family-friendly.Sure, a biergarten is technically just an open-air spot to enjoy beer and food—but in practice, it’s so much more than that. Originally popular in Bavaria and Germany, beer gardens are all about community, good food, and soaking up the outdoors. And in Milwaukee, they’ve taken on a...

Jan

5 Steps To Choosing A Summer Camp (Without The Overwhelm)

January 15, 2025Calie HerbstParenting Tips & Resources, Summer Fun

Every year, in the middle of winter, it happens—someone asks about our summer plans. And just like that, I find myself spiraling into the summer camp registration vortex. With three kids (ages 4 to 8) and different interests, it feels like trying to solve a puzzle with no edge pieces. But after years of navigating camp...

Aug

Red Bull Wakeboarding Competition Comes to Milwaukee’s Lakefront (Free!)

August 20, 2024Calie HerbstFamily Fun Hub, Summer Fun

Milwaukee is about to make a splash with the U.S. debut of Red Bull Wake The City, an exciting and innovative wakeboarding competition coming to Lakeshore State Park on August 31, 2024. This event, which had a successful start in Milan, Italy, brings a unique doubles format to wakeboarding, where 36 of the world’s top riders...

Aug

The Ultimate Back-to-School Checklist for Parents (2024)

August 13, 2024Calie HerbstSummer Fun

As summer winds down, it’s time to start thinking about the back-to-school essentials. We’ve put together a quick checklist to help you get everything in order before the first bell rings! 1. Clothing and Shoes Fit Check: Kids grow so fast! Go through their clothes to see what still fits and what needs replacing. Uniforms:...

Aug

‘Hoancoming’ Lights Up Milwaukee: MKE With Kids Stage at Pere Marquette Park

August 9, 2024Calie HerbstFamily Fun Hub, Summer Fun

An exciting day of family fun, live music, and vibrant community activities is coming to Pere Marquette Park as Hoancoming, Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast Party, returns on August 17, 2024. This annual fundraising celebration for Light The Hoan promises a day filled with festivities both on land and water. MKE with Kids Stage @ Pere Marquette...

Aug

Hop Summer Nights Returns With Free Popsicles & Live Music

August 9, 2024Calie HerbstFamily Fun Hub, Summer Fun

The Hop, presented by Potawatomi Casino Hotel, announced today that the popular Hop Summer Nights promotion will be returning to the streetcar for a fourth season this August. Hop Summer Nights are back aboard The Hop. From 4-6 p.m. on both Sunday, Aug. 18, and Sunday, Aug. 25, riders will be able to cool down...

Aug

BAYSHORE Back To School Fun Fest: A Day of Free Family Activities

August 7, 2024Calie HerbstSummer Fun

BAYSHORE is gearing up for the school year with its annual Back to School Fun Fest, presented by St. Francis Children’s Center. This free, family-friendly event promises an afternoon filled with engaging activities and entertainment for kids of all ages. Event Details: Date: Saturday, September 7 Time: 12:00 – 5:00 PM Location: The Yard at BAYSHORE Activities and...

Jul

10 Best Things to do With Kids at Irish Fest (2024)

July 27, 2024Calie HerbstSummer Fun

Milwaukee is the city of festivals in the summer. But it’s not always easy to know what to expect at each festival. And with kids in tow, it’s even more difficult to know if there will be enough to keep them entertained. To help, we rounded up 10 things your kids will love to do...

Jul

Wisconsin State Fair: Top 10 Things To Do With Kids (2024)

July 11, 2024Calie HerbstSummer Fun

Milwaukee With Kids is a proud partner of Wisconsin State Fair. The smell of corn on the cob (and manure!) is in the air, and so is a sense of pride for all things Wisconsin. The Wisconsin State Fair is back this year, and it’s a celebration of agriculture, local delicacies, and yes, food-on-a-stick. Check...

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