As winter melts away and early spring blossoms in Milwaukee, it’s time to celebrate a beloved local tradition: maple sugaring. Did you know it takes about 40 gallons of sap to produce just one gallon of pure, Grade A Wisconsin maple syrup? Across Southeastern Wisconsin, interactive and hands-on maple sugaring events are the perfect outing for kids and families alike.
At these events, you can tap a sugar maple tree, watch the fascinating syrup-making process up close, and even enjoy a sweet taste of fresh maple syrup on your pancake breakfast. Running from the end of February through early April, these events highlight the charm and community spirit of our region.
Here are some of the best Milwaukee maple sugaring events happening in 2025:
Richfield Historical Park Maple Syrup Family Day (Free!)
📅 March 25 | ⏰ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
📍 Richfield Nature/Historical Park
💲 Free Admission
Enjoy an old-fashioned maple sugaring experience at the Richfield Historical Society with tree tapping, syrup demonstrations, and historic pioneer activities. A pancake breakfast ($7 per person) will be available from 9-11 am, and visitors can purchase fresh maple syrup and maple cotton candy!
Riveredge Nature Center Maple Sugaring Events
Maple Sugarin’ Festival
📅 Saturday, March 15 | ⏰ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
📍 Riveredge Nature Center (4458 County Rd Y, Saukville, WI 53080)
💲 $5 per person | Children 2 & under: Free
📝 Pre-register by March 14 at 4:00 pm
This is the must-attend event of the season! Explore the maple forest at Riveredge Nature Center, try tree tapping, participate in a scavenger hunt, and enjoy delicious treats like pancakes and maple-rimmed beer. Kids can trade nature items for maple candies, make crafts, and learn about the history of syrup making. Enjoy live music from 1-3 pm and experience hands-on activities throughout the day.
🌳 Family Tapping
📅 February 15 | ⏰ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
📍 Riveredge Nature Center (4458 County Rd Y, Saukville, WI 53080)
💲 Members: $5 Adults, $3 Kids | Non-members: $10 Adults, $5 Kids
📝 Pre-register by February 14 at 12:00 pm
Help kick off the season by tapping maple trees in the sugarbush at Riveredge Nature Center! This hands-on experience is great for families looking to learn about the maple sugaring process from the very beginning.
🌳 Youth & Scout Maple Sugarin’ Day
📅 March 8 | ⏰ Multiple sessions: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
📍 Riveredge Nature Center (4458 County Rd Y, Saukville, WI 53080)
💲 Group pricing starts at $50 for 5-10 youth
📝 Pre-register by February 28 at 12:00 pm
Designed for scouts, 4H groups, and youth organizations, this hands-on program at Riveredge Nature Center teaches kids about the history and science of maple sugaring, complete with a pancake and pickle treat at the end!
Wehr Nature Center Maple Sugar Days
📅 March 8-9 | ⏰ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
📍 Wehr Nature Center
💲 $12 per person | $10 for Friends of Wehr members | Kids 2 & under: Free
📝 Pre-purchased tickets guarantee a space and lock in your hike time. Walk-in’s welcome.
Celebrate the 47th Annual Maple Sugar Days at Wehr Nature Center! Discover the indigenous origins of maple sugaring, see historic sugaring techniques, drill a spile, and taste maple syrup on pancakes. Maple-inspired treats will be for sale, along with DIY supplies and maple-themed goodies.
Schlitz Audubon Maple Sugaring Events
🌳 I Spy: Maple Trees and Me
📅 March 1 | ⏰ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
📍 Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Bayside, WI 53217)
A fun family hike where kids can match tree bark and learn about how trees produce sap.
🌳 Maple Sugar Time!
📅 March 22 | ⏰ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
📍 Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Bayside, WI 53217)
💲 $12 – $18 per person
Learn to identify maple trees, tap logs, and see how sap transforms into syrup through live demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Find more maple sugaring events on our Events Calendar. Plus, sweet treats are the theme of the season! After learning about maple syrup, don’t miss out on Milwaukee’s other iconic indulgence—check out our guide to Paczki Day in Milwaukee.
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- St. Patrick’s Day Events
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- April Fools Day Pranks for Kids
- Nature Centers Around Milwaukee
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.
