Guide to the best kid-friendly things to do in Wisconsin and fun places for kids in Wisconsin
As a quintessential midwestern state, there are plenty of things to do in Wisconsin with kids.
The most exciting part is the huge variety, including great cities, waterparks, food, and a fascinating agricultural history to learn about.
In fact, the main issue when you are planning to travel Wisconsin with kids is that there are almost too many options.
My list of things to do in Wisconsin with kids helps you figure out what to do with your family by introducing you to my favorite options.
Psssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Wisconsin? Have a look at my other posts:
- Fun Getaways for Spring Break in Wisconsin
- Best Lake Michigan Resorts for Families
- Wisconsin Road Trips You Should Do!
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Table of Contents
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Overview: Top 5 Things to Do in Wisconsin with Kids
- Wisconsin Dells Waterparks
- Catch a Milwaukee Bucks Game
- Cave Point Kayak Tour
- Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark
- Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin
1. Wisconsin Dells Waterparks
Wisconsin Dells, often named the “Waterpark Capital of the World,” is among the most iconic family attractions in Wisconsin.
Each year, this city grows with more of the latest waterslide technology coming to town.
Plenty of these waterparks also double up as family resorts in Wisconsin, so your kids can spend every waking hour of their vacation on the slides.
Waterparks in Wisconsin Dells can also be great indoor family things to do in Wisconsin if you aren’t visiting in the summer. Big waterparks like Chula Vista Resort have plenty of indoor slides.
You can also often find fun alternative indoor activities, like mini golf, if you want to take a break from the rides.
Book the best vacation rentals in Wisconsin Dells
2. Cady Cheese Factory
Some of the family fun in Wisconsin is a little more educational, helping your kids to discover more about Wisconsin. A great example is the Cady Cheese Factory.
This is one of the state’s biggest cheese makers, churning out 50,000 pounds of longhorn cheese.
You can watch the cheese being made through the factory’s viewing window, and you can book a tour.
After, you will get the chance to buy some of the cheese to bring home to your friends and family.
Book the best food tours around Wisconsin
3. Cave Point Kayak Tour
There are also lots of active things to do in Wisconsin with kids if your family has some energy that needs to be used up.
Cave Point is known for its beautiful teal waters and the limestone cliffs that jut out over them. The best vantage point to experience the lake is from the water itself.
A kayak tour is a great way to get out onto the water to get the full Cave Point experience.
Cave Point kayaking is also one of the great family things to do in Wisconsin, as your family can paddle down to Whitefish Dunes State Park.
This is a great spot for a mid-kayak picnic, with beaches and impressive dunes waiting to be explored.
4. Harley-Davidson Museum
Harley-Davidson is an infamous motorcycle brand that has captured the imagination of kids and adults alike for decades. It is an essential stop-off on your family vacations in Wisconsin.
At this museum, your whole family can learn about how this brand became a household name and how it sparked the creation of a new culture of motorcycle riders.
You can enjoy stories from the people who were part of this cult brand and enjoy looking at fantastically preserved motorcycles and memorabilia collected during the brand’s 100-year history.
Book the best tours in Milwaukee
5. Catch a Milwaukee Bucks Game
One of the unforgettable kid-friendly places in Wisconsin is the Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA basketball team with a capacity of 17,500.
Catching any game is among the best things to do in Wisconsin with kids. However, the Bucks Family Night is a must-go if you make it on time on the right night.
Every ticket, starting at just $35, comes with a choice of soda and a box of popcorn.
The family night is a fun environment where you can introduce your kids to one of America’s favorite games.
There is a family night on most months, so check the schedule on the Milwaukee Bucks website to time your trip.
Book a Bucks game in Milwaukee
6. Olbrich Botanical Gardens
The chaos of a Milwaukee Bucks game isn’t for everyone, but there are many fun things to do in Milwaukee with kids. Quieter families may enjoy calm things to do in Wisconsin with kids.
Budding botanists will love Olbrich Botanical Gardens. This site has 16 acres of outdoor display gardens alongside indoor and tropical gardens within giant conservatories.
The indoor gardens are unmissable, held within 50-foot-high pyramids with rare tropical plants and free-flying birds that will transport you straight into the rainforest.
The temperature inside can reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit, so be ready to take all your cold weather gear off. You can visit the outdoor gardens for free, although a donation is certainly appreciated.
Buy the ultimate Wisconsin road trip itinerary
7. Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin
There are plenty of fun family things to do in Wisconsin if your kids are science enthusiasts.
Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin is a leading example, known for helping children discover the latest exciting scientific discoveries and ignite a passion for exploration.
The museum has frequent design and science contests and events, so every visit is unique.
Plenty of these exhibits are maritime themed as this is one of the coastal kid-friendly things to do in Wisconsin.
Your kids can discover all the wildlife that can be found in the Great Lakes at the Reiman Aquarium.
New discoveries are always around the corner, regardless of the type of science your kids have a passion for. The interactive exhibits on space exploration are particularly popular.
Book the best tours in Milwaukee
8. Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark
There are plenty of outdoor activities in Wisconsin, but few will make you feel as close to natural history as Cave of the Mounds.
Located near Janesville and Platteville, this is an astonishingly beautiful natural limestone cave formed through thousands of years of water erosion.
If you are looking for educational and fun things to do in Wisconsin with kids, Cave of the Mounds has to be at the top of your list.
Guided walking tours are run on lighted walkways and led by expert guides, helping you discover everything there is to know about the caves.
All the best family weekend getaways in Wisconsin offer chances to take home souvenirs.
Your kids can either participate in a gemstone and fossil dig or go to the rock and fossil gift shop to find something cool to remember the trip by.
Book the best vacation rentals in Madison, WI
9. Northwoods Children’s Museum
Some of the best things to do in Wisconsin with kids are designed precisely with young people in mind. Northwoods Children’s Museum fits into this mold perfectly.
This museum is great for helping your kids get off their devices and enjoy interactive and hands-on exhibits.
Many of the kids activities Wisconsin offers leave little for the adults to do. However, one of the best aspects of Northwoods Children’s Museum is that they encourage adults to play as well.
It can be a great bonding experience and a chance to learn some amazing science together.
Book the best vacation rentals in Northern Wisconsin
10. Packers Hall of Fame
Learning about science isn’t every kid’s idea of fun things to do in Wisconsin with family. Luckily, Wisconsin is also a great state to indulge in sports passions.
Wisconsin is home to the NFL American Football team, Green Bay Packers.
To learn all about one of America’s biggest teams, book a stadium tour and stop off at the Packers Hall of Fame to discover the most iconic Packers players in history.
If you visit on the right day, you will also be able to catch a game. It’s one of the top things to do in Green Bay!
After their visit, make sure to stop by Packers Pro Shop to pick up some merchandise your kids will be eager to show their friends.
Book the best vacation rentals in Green Bay
11. Milwaukee Walking Tour
Milwaukee is the cultural hub of Wisconsin, filled to the brim with historic buildings, brewers, farmers markets, and fantastic views of Lake Michigan.
A walking tour is one of the best things to do in Wisconsin with kids to learn more about the city, especially if your children are older pre-teens or teens.
These tours are best in spring and summer as it will be warm enough to get full enjoyment out of the city.
There are scores of guides offering these tours in the city, so find one that fits what your kids will be entertained by and dive into this fantastic city.
Book the best tours in Milwaukee
12. Circus World
Circus World is an ideal stop-off for family-friendly vacations in Wisconsin, especially if your kids love a mind-bending and entertaining experience.
This was the original training site for the iconic circus duo The Ringling Brothers.
There are countless entertaining things to do in Wisconsin with kids under the big tops of Circus World.
You can enjoy live circus acts, displays, and a magic show and have the opportunity to learn circus skills yourself so you can put on your own circus production.
Book the best vacation rentals around Wisconsin Dells
13. Camp on the Apostle Islands
A select bunch of Americans once called the Apostle Islands home. Now, they are one of the leading Wisconsin attractions for kids in Lake Superior.
On these 21 unspoiled islands, there are plenty of places to camp, and your family can also enjoy hiking, sailing adventures, tours, and much more.
Exploring the outdoors is one of the best things to do in Apostle Islands and you’ll find some of the top hiking trails in Wisconsin.
If camping isn’t your idea of fun, you can find some of the best family cabins in Wisconsin in the nearby town of Bayfield, with plenty of shuttles running each day to help you explore these unique islands.
Book the best vacation cabins around the Apostle Islands
14. Visit Old World Wisconsin
The Midwest was shaped by immigrant farmers in the 19th Century. Old World Wisconsin is the best of the kids’ attractions in Wisconsin, where your family can learn all about this past.
What’s more, there are 600 acres of picturesque woodlands, prairie, and wetlands, giving your family plenty of picnic spots to sit down and enjoy some local produce.
The best kids activities in Wisconsin at Old World Wisconsin are the Laura Ingalls Wilder days.
These events host activities based on her books and include look-alike contests where your kids can dress up as their favorite characters.
Buy the ultimate Wisconsin road trip itinerary
15. Bike at Peninsula State Park
My list of things to do with kids in Wisconsin ends with one of the best ways to get active in the state.
This state park is located near Sturgeon Bay and offers excellent views of the lake. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Sturgeon Bay.
You can explore lots of the great forests on a bike in one of the best state parks in Wisconsin. Novice bikers will love Sunset Bike Route, which is 9.6 miles long and relatively flat.
If you want a slightly longer ride, you can divert to Nicolet Beach to add in a further four scenic miles. Meanwhile, more skilled bikers can explore 12 miles of off-road biking trails.
Book the best vacation rentals in Sturgeon Bay
As is clear from my list, there are countless Wisconsin attractions for kids.
There is a great diversity, featuring fun places for kids in Wisconsin whether they love exploring outdoors, learning, or attending a sports game.
Before you plan your trip, make sure to consult my list of things to do in Wisconsin with families and choose the options that fit the uniqueness of your family.
FAQs About Things to Do in Wisconsin with Kids
Is Wisconsin good for families?
Wisconsin is a great destination for families. There are many fun family-friendly activities and attractions across the whole state, including a variety of indoor and outdoor activities you can enjoy year-round.
What are the best things to do in Wisconsin with kids?
There are many fun things to do in Wisconsin for families, and it depends on what your family enjoys doing. However, a few of my favorite kid-friendly activities in Wisconsin are the Wisconsin Dells Waterparks, camping on the Apostle Islands, and the Northwoods Children’s Museum.
Where are the best places to go in Wisconsin with kids?
Almost anywhere you go in Wisconsin will have something fun and kid-friendly to do. However, some of the best options for a family-friendly vacation are Wisconsin Dells, Milwaukee, and the Apostle Islands.
Before You Go: Top Tips for your Trip
- You’ll snap tons of photos and I love to take my GoPro in order to shoot even in extreme situations.
- Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and hiking sandals when traveling to warm countries. Consider trying some of these eco-friendly vegan hiking boots.
- Sunscreen is key! I always take with me my eco-friendly sunscreen by Thinksport.
- I always carry a light rain jacket, just in case. Pack smart with these organic cotton clothing companies.
- Be environmentally friendly and get one of these awesome backpacks made from recycled materials.
- Get in the mindset with these amazing wilderness survival books.
- Travel insurance is essential! If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, travel is protected against all odds with HeyMondo.
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
