Family Friendly Festivals and Events Around Milwaukee

Shila:  River Bend Nature Center will once again host the spring time tradition of Sugarin’ Off pancake breakfasts to celebrate the maple sugar harvest. Pancakes with 100% Wisconsin maple syrup, sausage, orange juice, coffee, tea, or milk are on the menu. Following your breakfast, hike through the woods to observe and learn the process of maple sap collection and syrup production. Volunteers will tap 70 maple trees on the nature center grounds and collect sap to make the syrup.

Cost: $8 for adults, and $5 for kids (3-10)

Shila:  The Sugar Maple and history of maple sugaring is an important part of Wisconsin’s heritage. Participants will experience through hands-on activities the arts and traditions of tapping a maple tree. The visit provides a history of Native American traditions and techniques for capturing, collecting and cooking of maple syrup. Keep in mind that this is a 2 hour outdoor program, so dress for the weather! Registration required.

Cost: $10 for kids and $5 for kids

Shila:  It's time for maple syrup! Join in for one of three hikes in Petrifying Springs County Park. Meet at Pavilion #6.

Cost: free, donations accepted

Lisa R:  Witness the downtown of South Milwaukee come alive every week with an eclectic mix of vendors, live entertainment, and special events that keep local businesses open a bit later than usual. Kids groups often perform.

Shila:  Established in 2004, the Bay View Bash is a community festival of food, art, music, crafts, books, and community organizations. The Bash features 30+ acts, bands, and entertainers throughout the day on their five stages, including a children's area.

Shila:  In parks throughout the city, families and friends gather for picnics, games, bicycle and doll buggy parades and talent contests. At night the sky is filled with fireworks bursting all over town. Each park has a unique schedule so you can pick the one that is right for your family!

Lisa R:  If you've been meaning to take your little one to some of the museums in Milwaukee, but weren't sure if they'd last long enough to justify the sticker price, then Milwaukee Museum Mile Day is for you! For one day, get free admission to the Charles Allis Art Museum, Jewish Milwaukee Museum, Museum of Wisconsin Art at Saint John's On The Lake, and Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum. The North Point Lighthouse is free for kids & $5 for adults. In addition to special exhibits, each museum will have a special children's activity and raffles.

This annual event will feature food vendors cooking authentic Puero Rican dishes and fried foods. Music and dancing will also take place at this fun family event in Humboldt Park!

Shila:  The Milwaukee Air & Water Show is a free event for the general public to attend. There are many free areas along the Milwaukee lakefront, from North to South, to take in the air and water show. The best free viewing location is located at Bradford Beach. The air show also has reserved seating available for purchase.

Molly Weber:  This event will be full of over forty vendor booths hosted by a variety of local "Makers" of beautiful things for you to peruse and purchase. On top of that, there will be a handful of kid friendly activities available to partake in including face painting, henna art, cafe, and kids make and take art project! Learn about local entrepreneurs in your area, gain some inspiration for gift ideas, and get some shopping done for yourself while partaking in some kid friendly fun!

Cost: $5 admission for adults and free admission for kids

Sponsored by various radio stations, Gift of Wings, and the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois, this annual kite festival is fun for the whole family. Kids can fly their own kites, as well as see the mesmerizing kites from performers including Chicago Fire, The Windjammers, & more.

An all ages, free event

The Annual Frank Mots International Kite Festival is a local favorite. Kite experts from around the world come to show off their amazing kites and skills, wowing festival-goers year after year. Kites are available for sale from Gift of Wings located in Veterans Park, along with festival-type food. See the daily schedule of events & performances online, including the Candy Drop, Parade of Kites, & the Fast Track Grand launch of 600+ kites.

This free event will be held in Kennedy Park on Kenosha's beautiful lakefront. There you can make & fly kites, watch professional sport flying performances, participate in a Candy Drop and the Kids Mad Dash of 100 kites.

Shila:  Featuring the Giant Kites of Yves LaForest. This is a fun fly and all are welcome to participate. The goal is to fill the sky with as many kites as possible. There will be a huge area set aside of Veterans Park just for kitefliers. So fly a kite and get the best seats in the house for the night's fireworks show on the lakefront.

Shila:  This is a free event, with plenty of free parking. They will have hot chocolate, coffee, and snacks, compliments of Gift of Wings, while they last. The Giant kites of Yves Laforest will also be flying high over Milwaukee's Lakefront. This is a "Fun Fly" so bring your kite or pick up a kite at Gift of Wings at the park. Ice carving lessons will also be available. Dress very warm!

Cost: free