Highlights include Hop Bingo, a storytime on board the streetcar, and great prizes and activities courtesy of Children’s Wisconsin, Rooted MKE and Classy Girl Cupcakes
Milwaukee – The Hop, presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, announced the long-awaited return of the Family Hop program, slated for March 27 through April 8, 2023.
Back for the first time since 2019, Family Hop is a fun and free way for families to explore Milwaukee via the streetcar. Special kid-friendly activities will be offered thanks to the support of Children’s Wisconsin, Rooted MKE and Classy Girl Cupcakes.
The signature event of this year’s Family Hop will be “Stories on The Hop,” a children’s storytime right on board the streetcar.
The Hop has partnered with Rooted MKE, Milwaukee’s only BIPOC children’s bookstore, makerspace and academic support center, to host children on a stationary streetcar outside of The Hop’s maintenance facility.
The kids will hear a reading of “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña, participate in a discussion about the book’s themes, and engage in streetcar-themed craft projects before heading home with their very own copy of the book, thanks to the support of Children’s Wisconsin.
This unique event will take place from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, and while it’s free to attend, advance registration is required.
To register, visit https://rootedmke.as.me/storiesonthehop.
Also as part of this year’s Family Hop, the streetcar is bringing back Hop Bingo as an on-board game to play with children.
The Milwaukee-themed Bingo card will contain common sights to spot along the streetcar route and a designated area for a special sticker that the rider can receive from their streetcar operator.
Once a child spots enough sights for bingo and receives their sticker, they can bring their completed card to Classy Girl Cupcakes on N. Jefferson St. near the Cathedral Square streetcar platform to receive a free cupcake (valid Monday through Saturday during Classy Girl’s normal business hours for children ages 12 and under).
Bingo cards can be downloaded from www.thehopmke.com/family-hop or picked up at select locations throughout the city including all Milwaukee Public Library branches.
Visit www.thehopmke.com/family-hop for helpful tips and other family-friendly destinations along the route.
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place.
In 2019, she published “Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids”, a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids.
She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6’s ‘Real Milwaukee’, B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News.
Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
