Milwaukee has cracked the code on family entertainment that captivates toddlers and teenagers alike, with plenty of options for any budget.

First Stage

Professional children’s theater productions featuring performances of beloved stories and new works. Shows are specifically designed for young audiences with age-appropriate themes and run times. Check their seasonal schedule for current productions and recommended age ranges.
 

Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure

A three-hour smartphone-guided city tour that turns sightseeing into an interactive adventure. Solve clues, complete challenges and discover hidden gems while competing with your team. Great for families, date nights or friend groups. Explore at your own pace and take breaks as needed.  
 

WhirlyBall

WhirlyBall is a friendly bumper car competition combining elements of lacrosse, basketball and bumper cars. They also have bowling, laser tag and arcade games, making it a perfect place for groups, parties and family fun. Reservations are recommended, especially for WhirlyBall.
 

Old Guard Games 

A premier tabletop gaming destination on the east edge of UW-Milwaukee's campus featuring board games, miniatures, card games and hobby supplies. Victorian library-inspired décor creates an immersive atmosphere. Expansive gaming space accommodates multiple simultaneous games, fostering an inclusive community. Browse products, paint miniatures or join a game. 
 

Milwaukee Food & City Tours

These three-hour walking food tours are led by knowledgeable guides through local neighborhoods. Sample dishes from five to seven local restaurants while learning about the city’s history, architecture and culture. Comfortable walking shoes recommended. 
 

Bust-n-Stuff

Wisconsin’s longest-running rage room, established in 2018. Here, you can safely smash and break items for stress relief and fun. Gear up and smash down objects for a therapeutic, entertaining experience. Group discounts are available for 10-plus people. Perfect for parties, team building, or just letting loose. 

Little Village Play Cafe

Timed play sessions (30, 60, 90 minutes) in a clean, supervised indoor play environment. Features age-appropriate toys, climbing structures and imaginative play areas. Parents can relax with coffee while children explore. Perfect for rainy days or cold Wisconsin winters.
 

Sculpture Milwaukee

An outdoor contemporary sculpture exhibition along Wisconsin Avenue featuring 20-plus large-scale installations. The annual exhibition runs from early summer through the following spring. A self-guided experience with an optional mobile app that gives you artist information. It's art appreciation, exploration and fresh air all in one. FREE 

Milwaukee Public Market

An indoor food market with local vendors offering fresh produce, artisan goods, prepared foods and specialty items. Sample diverse cuisines for lunch or a snack, or pick up unique Wisconsin products in a casual atmosphere with communal seating. Great for flexible dining when everyone wants something different. 
 

Mitchell Park Domes

Three distinct climate-controlled domes showcase different ecosystems: the Tropical Dome with lush rainforest plants, the Desert Dome featuring cacti and arid-climate flora, and the Show Dome with rotating seasonal displays. A unique botanical experience regardless of weather. Plan for one to two hours to explore all three/
 

National Bobblehead Hall of Fame

Over 10,000 bobbleheads are on display, featuring sports figures, historical personalities, pop culture icons and more. This quirky museum offers a fun, lighthearted experience with plenty of photo opportunities. Browse the gift shop for unique collectible bobbleheads. A typical visit is 45 to 90 minutes.

Playful Learning

For parents chasing that elusive goal of education so engaging that kids forget they’re learning, Milwaukee is the place for you. Forget worksheets and fluorescent lights. Here, science labs overlook Lake Michigan, art studios reveal skylines, and history lessons involve actual dinosaurs.

At Discovery World, your kid might announce a future in marine biology about 20 minutes after meeting the resident stingrays and exploring The Challenge, a 19th-century schooner.  This hands-on museum features immersive Great Lakes exhibits, a doodle studio, tech and automation exhibits, and so much more, all inviting kids to step into the role of junior scientists.

The Milwaukee Public Museum puts “don’t-touch” museums to shame. Children can walk through a butterfly exhibit, marvel at re-created European villages or stargaze at the planetarium. The dinosaur exhibit alone justifies the trip, but it’s the Streets of Old Milwaukee that makes history click.

For families craving fresh air with their facts, Wehr Nature Center and Schlitz Audubon Nature Center take hiking to another level. Trail guides prompt kids to identify animal tracks, spot migrating warblers and understand why wetlands matter, without a single eye roll. The Urban Ecology Center offers river kayaking and garden programs that teach sustainability through dirt-under-fingernails experiences.

The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum targets the toddler-to-10 set with deceptively clever exhibits. Kids “work” at a miniature Sendik’s grocery store, learning economics while scanning produce. Art springs to life at Kohl’s Art Studio in the Milwaukee Art Museum. Docents connect gallery masterpieces to hands-on projects, stoking creative inspiration.

Finally, aviation enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Mitchell Gallery of Flight at the airport. The artwork and models celebrate vintage aircraft and groundbreaking pilots in a way that satisfies dreamers and future engineers.

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