# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Milwaukee: the parent guide > Milwaukee packs a lot onto its lakefront: a children’s museum, a science center with an aquarium tunnel and an art museum where kids get in free, with a big county zoo out west. - Last checked: 2026-10-18 - 19 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site - Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/guide/ - This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/index.md - Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/visiting/index.md - City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/llms.txt ## Kid-friendly restaurants ### Kopp’s Frozen Custard (Greenfield, Brookfield and Glendale) - A Milwaukee custard stand with big burgers and a rotating flavor of the day. The walk-up counter suits impatient kids. - Price level: $ - Menu prices: burgers ~$6.25–$10 - Hours: Sun–Thu 10:30am–10pm; Fri–Sat 10:30am–11pm - Good for: Impatient kids. The walk-up counter is fast and burgers run about $6.25–$10. - Skip if: you need indoor seating in winter; check your location. - Price source: https://kopps.com/menu/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://kopps.com/ ### Lakefront Brewery (Riverwest / Brewers Hill) - A big, loud beer hall where kids fit right in, best known for its Friday fish fry. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Mon 11am–9pm; Tue–Thu 3–9pm; Fri–Sat 11am–9pm; Sun 11am–5pm - Good for: A loud beer hall where kids fit right in, especially for Friday fish fry. - Skip if: you want lunch Tuesday to Thursday. It opens at 3pm. - Website: https://lakefrontbrewery.com/ ### Comet Cafe (Lower East Side) - A casual neighborhood diner with comfort food and an easygoing brunch crowd. - Price level: $$ - Good for: An easygoing brunch on the Lower East Side. - Skip if: you’re going at weekend brunch peak with a hungry toddler and no patience for a wait. - Website: https://www.thecometcafe.com/ ### Solly’s Grille (4629 N. Port Washington Rd.) - A family-run butter burger counter open since 1936, with fresh sirloin and real Wisconsin butter. - Price level: $ - Good for: A classic butter burger at a counter open since 1936. - Skip if: you want a kids’ menu we could confirm. - Website: https://sollysbutterburgers.com/ ## Indoor play and rainy days ### Betty Brinn Children’s Museum (Downtown lakefront) - Hands-on exhibits made for kids 10 and under, with plenty for crawlers and toddlers. - Price level: $ - Tickets: Everyone $14; Under 1 free. Online price; $15 at the museum. Busy-day pricing may apply - Good for: Crawlers and toddlers, with a nursing nook; under 1 is free and online is $1 cheaper. - Skip if: your kids are over 10. - Price source: https://bbcmkids.org/tickets/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://bbcmkids.org/ ### Discovery World (Downtown lakefront) - A science and technology museum with an aquarium tunnel and hands-on labs. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids 3–17 $20; adults $24; 2 and under free. Busy-day pricing may apply - Hours: Wed–Sun 9am–4pm this time of year - Good for: The aquarium tunnel; 2 and under are free. - Skip if: it’s Monday or Tuesday. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday this time of year. - Price source: https://discoveryworld.ticketapp.org/portal/product/2 (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://discoveryworld.org/ ### Sky Zone Milwaukee (Milwaukee area) - Trampoline courts and foam pits. Check the site for toddler-time sessions. - Price level: $$ - Good for: Toddler-time sessions on a cold day. - Skip if: you can’t make a toddler session. - Website: https://www.skyzone.com/milwaukee/ ### Milwaukee Public Library, Central Library (Westown) - The grand downtown library, with a big children’s area and free story times most weeks. - Price level: Free - Good for: A free, warm story time downtown. - Skip if: you need to burn off energy; save that for Lake Park. - Website: https://www.mpl.org/ ## Parks and outdoor play ### Lake Park (East Side) - Olmsted-designed bluffs, ravine trails and a lighthouse above Lake Michigan. - Price level: Free - Good for: A free stroller walk along the bluff with lake views. - Skip if: it’s windy and cold on the bluff. - Website: https://lakeparkfriends.org/ ### Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (Bayside) - 185 acres of trails and Lake Michigan shoreline, plus live raptors. - Price level: $ - Tickets: kids 3–12 $8; adults $12; 2 and under free - Hours: Trails open daily 8:30am–5pm - Good for: A nature morning with live raptors; 2 and under are free. - Skip if: you need a stroller everywhere; stick to the easier trails. - Price source: https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/visit/plan-your-visit/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/ ### Boerner Botanical Gardens (Hales Corners) - Formal gardens in Whitnall Park, with paved paths that work well for strollers. - Price level: $ - Tickets: kids 3–12 $6.50; adults 18–59 $10; Ages 0–2 free. Milwaukee County residents pay $9 per adult - Good for: Smooth stroller paths through flowers; ages 0–2 are free. - Skip if: you want somewhere to climb and run. - Price source: https://boernerbotanicalgardens.org/location-admission-hours/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://boernerbotanicalgardens.org/ ### Swan’s Pumpkin Farm (fall) (Franksville) - Free to walk in, with small-kid rides on a wristband. Open daily in the fall season. - Price level: $ - Tickets (last season): Adventure wristband $15. Fall 2026 · Free to get in - Good for: Free entry in fall, with small-kid rides on a $15 wristband. - Skip if: it’s outside the fall season. - Price source: https://thepumpkinfarm.com/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://thepumpkinfarm.com/ ## Museums, zoos and big outings ### Milwaukee County Zoo (West side) - A big zoo with a train, seasonal events and animals from around the world. - Price level: $$ - Good for: A full morning, with indoor animal buildings for chilly days. - Skip if: you can’t give it a full morning; it’s big. - Website: https://milwaukeezoo.org/ ### Milwaukee Public Museum (Westown) - Natural history and the famous Streets of Old Milwaukee. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids 4–13 $19; adults 18–64 $25; 3 and under free. Teens 14–17 $24 - Good for: The Streets of Old Milwaukee on a rainy afternoon; 3 and under are free. - Skip if: your toddler is scared of dim, crowded exhibits. - Price source: https://www.mpm.edu/plan-visit/ticket-prices (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.mpm.edu/ ### Milwaukee Art Museum (Lakefront) - Watch the building’s wings open and close, then explore the Kohl’s Art Studio. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: adults $27; Kids 12 and under free - Good for: Watching the wings move and the Kohl’s Art Studio; kids 12 and under are free. - Skip if: you want hands-on play beyond the studio. - Price source: https://mam.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://mam.org/ ### Harley-Davidson Museum (Menomonee Valley) - Kids can sit on real motorcycles in the hands-on area. - Price level: $$ - Good for: Kids who want to sit on a real motorcycle. - Skip if: your kid is scared of loud engines and big machines. - Website: https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/experiences/museum.html ## Staycations and overnight trips ### The Pfister Hotel (Downtown) - A historic downtown hotel with a pool, within walking distance of the lakefront museums. - Price level: $$$ - Good for: A downtown pool and a walk to the lakefront museums. - Skip if: you’d rather stay out by the zoo on the west side. - Website: https://www.thepfisterhotel.com/ ### Kalahari Resorts Wisconsin Dells (Wisconsin Dells (about 2 hours)) - An indoor water park resort for a weekend away, with toddler pools. - Price level: $$$ - Good for: An indoor water-park weekend with toddler pools. - Skip if: it’s a one-night trip. It’s about 2 hours away. - Website: https://www.kalahariresorts.com/wisconsin/ ### Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells (Wisconsin Dells (about 2 hours)) - An indoor water park lodge with a splash area for little ones. - Price level: $$$ - Good for: A splash area for little ones about 2 hours away. - Skip if: you want a calm night; water-park lodges are loud. - Website: https://www.greatwolf.com/wisconsin-dells ## Free things to do - Milwaukee Public Library, Central Library - Lake Park ## Best for under 3s - **Betty Brinn Children’s Museum**: Plenty for crawlers and toddlers, plus a nursing nook. - **Discovery World**: The aquarium tunnel holds toddlers’ attention. - **Milwaukee Public Library, Central Library**: Story times built for little ones. ## With a baby or a 1-year-old ### Baby and lap-sit storytimes - **Baby Story Time** (Milwaukee Public Library): Fridays at 10:30am · Bay View Branch. Birth to 18 months. Share simple stories, playful songs, and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months with a caregiver. https://mpl.libnet.info/events - **Baby Story Time** (Milwaukee Public Library): Thursdays at 11am · Central Library. Birth to 18 months. Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver. https://mpl.libnet.info/events - **Baby Story Time** (Milwaukee Public Library): Thursdays at 10am · East Branch. Birth to 18 months. Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months with a caregiver. https://mpl.libnet.info/events - **Baby & Toddler Storytime & Playgroup** (Waukesha Public Library): Fridays at 10am · Waukesha Public Library. Infants, toddlers, and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, music, fingerplays, and other activities that help foster a love of reading. https://waukesha.librarycalendar.com/events/upcoming - **Baby Time (ages 0-12 mo.)** (Wauwatosa Public Library): Fridays at 9:30am · Wauwatosa Public Library. Birth to 12 months. Baby Time is an interactive 20-minute program for babies (0 - 12 months) with an adult. https://wauwatosa.librarycalendar.com/events/month ### Babies get in free - **Betty Brinn Children’s Museum**: Under 1 free. https://bbcmkids.org/tickets/ - **Discovery World**: 2 and under free. https://discoveryworld.ticketapp.org/portal/product/2 - **Schlitz Audubon Nature Center**: 2 and under free. https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/visit/plan-your-visit/ - **Milwaukee Public Museum**: 3 and under free. https://www.mpm.edu/plan-visit/ticket-prices - **Milwaukee Art Museum**: Kids 12 and under free. https://mam.org/visit/ ### Changing tables and nursing rooms - **Betty Brinn Children’s Museum**: Diapers go in the restrooms. There’s also a Nursing Nook in the Pocket Park exhibit with a nursing chair and changing table. - **Milwaukee County Zoo**: There are three Mamava lactation suites around the grounds and a universal changing station just outside the main gift shop. ### Stroller notes - **Milwaukee Art Museum**: Strollers are welcome in the galleries. Wagons have to go to the coatroom. - **Milwaukee Public Museum**: Bring your own stroller, but expect waits for the elevators. Rentals are also available. ## Library storytimes - **Milwaukee Public Library**: Weekly at 10 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session. Free baby, toddler and preschool story times at Central Library and branches around the city. Suburban libraries in Milwaukee County run their own. https://www.mpl.org/ - **Waukesha Public Library**: Weekly at the Waukesha Public Library; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby & Toddler Storytime & Playgroup (Fridays 10am) and Wiggles & Giggles Storytime (Tuesdays 10am). https://waukesha.librarycalendar.com/events/upcoming - **Wauwatosa Public Library**: Weekly at the Wauwatosa Public Library; Tuesday–Friday. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Time (ages 0-12 mo.) (Fridays 9:30am) and Rhyme Time (ages 0-2) (Tuesdays 9:30am). https://wauwatosa.librarycalendar.com/events/month ## Happening this week - **Boo at the Zoo at the Milwaukee County Zoo** (Fri 4:30–9pm; Sat 9:30am–9pm) at Milwaukee County Zoo. $18 adults, $16 juniors (3–12), 2 and under free. https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/#e-boo_at_the_zoo_daytime_saturday - **Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee at Baird Community Commons** (Sat 11am–2pm) at Baird Community Commons. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/#e-jack_o_lantern_jubilee_at_baird_communit - **Halloween in the Streets at the Milwaukee Public Museum** (10am–5pm) at Milwaukee Public Museum. Included with admission: $25 adults, $19 ages 4–13, 3 and under free. https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/#e-halloween_in_the_streets_at_the_milwauke - **Swan’s Pumpkin Farm** (Daily 10am–6pm) at Swan’s Pumpkin Farm. Free entry; $15 adventure wristband; 9-acre corn maze $7; weekend pony rides $8. https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/#e-swan_s_pumpkin_farm - **Play Date with Art: Wonderful Wearables at the Milwaukee Art Museum** (Fri 10am–12pm) at Milwaukee Art Museum. Included with admission ($27 adults); kids 12 and under always free. https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/#e-play_date_with_art_wonderful_wearables_a Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/index.md ## Holiday pages - [Santa in Milwaukee: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/santa/index.md) - [Christmas lights in Milwaukee for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/christmas-lights/index.md) ## About this list - Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city. - How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com). - Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list. - How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote. ## FAQ ### Is the Milwaukee Art Museum good for toddlers? Yes, for a short visit. Kids 12 and under get in free, the Kohl’s Art Studio is hands-on and strollers are allowed in the galleries. ### What can we do in Milwaukee with a toddler when it rains? Betty Brinn, Discovery World, the Art Museum and the Public Museum are all indoors, and most of them are within a few blocks of each other. ### What’s free for little kids in Milwaukee? Lake Park, library story times and the Art Museum for kids 12 and under. The Zoo also has free-admission days in November and late December (you still pay for parking). ### What’s good for babies and kids under 3 in Milwaukee? Betty Brinn Children’s Museum: Plenty for crawlers and toddlers, plus a nursing nook. Discovery World: The aquarium tunnel holds toddlers’ attention. Milwaukee Public Library, Central Library is also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (2 and under free), Milwaukee Public Museum (3 and under free) and Milwaukee Art Museum (Kids 12 and under free). See [best for under 3s](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/guide/#under3). ### Where are the free storytimes in Milwaukee? Milwaukee Public Library: Weekly at 10 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session. Waukesha Public Library: Weekly at the Waukesha Public Library; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Wauwatosa Public Library: Weekly at the Wauwatosa Public Library; Tuesday–Friday. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See [library storytimes](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [Milwaukee weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/). ### How do you choose the places in the Milwaukee guide? Every one of the 19 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 8 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/). ### How much is the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum for a toddler, and who gets in free? Under 1 free; everyone: $14 (online price; $15 at the museum. Busy-day pricing may apply). We checked this on [its official site](https://bbcmkids.org/tickets/) on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.