100 Fun Winter Break Ideas for Families in Milwaukee (2025)

Quick Picks for Winter Break

Looking for fast ideas? Here are some quick wins to make winter break fun:

• NEW! The Snowyard at Betty Brinn Children’s Museum — Sock skating, snow forts, and winter-themed maker activities.
• Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards (NYE) — Catch a New Year’s Eve game at Fiserv Forum.
• Afternoon Tea at The Pfister — A cozy, elegant winter outing with treats and skyline views.
• Hot Cocoa Along The Hop — Try a few stops from our Hot Cocoa on The Hop route.
• Hotel Staycation with an Indoor Pool — Easy, warm, and always a hit with kids.
• Day Trip: Sloomoo Institute (Chicago) — Colorful, sensory slime fun just 90 minutes away.
• Frosty Free Week at the Zoo — Free daytime admission Dec. 26–30.
• Harlem Globetrotters at Fiserv Forum — A family favorite for laughs and tricks.
• Family Fun Fest at the Domes– Meet dart frogs and taste tropical fruit.
• NYE at Noon Celebrations — Balloon drops and countdowns for early-to-bed kids.

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Winter Break Camps

Give your kids an unforgettable winter adventure at one of Milwaukee’s amazing winter break camps! Whether they love sports, art, animals, or science, there’s a camp for every interest:

• Explore nature and learn outdoor skills.
• Create masterpieces in art-focused camps.
• Discover science, animals, and more with hands-on activities.

👉 Check out our guide to Milwaukee Winter Break Camps for all the details and to find the perfect fit for your family!

Milwaukee Hotels With Indoor Pools

Thinking about a winter staycation? Whether you want skyline views, a walkable downtown location, or a resort-style waterpark just outside the city, there’s a spot that fits your family – indoor pool included!

👉 Explore our full guide to the Best Milwaukee Hotels With Indoor Pools for quick picks, comparisons, and the top stays for families.

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Special Events for Winter Break

Make winter break extra memorable with these exciting, family-friendly events happening around Milwaukee. From free festivities to unique celebrations, there’s something for everyone.

Frosty Free Week at Milwaukee County Zoo

Dec. 26-30, 2025 | 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Enjoy free daytime admission to the Milwaukee County Zoo! Winter is a magical time to see the animals in a quieter, more serene setting. Regular rates apply for concessions and the Wild Lights nighttime event.

Cool Fool Kite Festival (Free!)

Jan. 1, 2026 | Veterans Park, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Start the new year with kite-flying fun at this free festival along Milwaukee’s lakefront. Watch expert kite flyers, enjoy ice sculpting demonstrations, and warm up with free coffee and hot chocolate. Bring your own kite or buy one on-site!

Harlem Globetrotters at Fiserv Forum

Dec. 26, 2025 | 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters bring their jaw-dropping basketball tricks and family-friendly humor to Milwaukee. It’s an unforgettable event that kids (and adults!) will love.

Winter in the Tropics: A Family Fun Fest!

December 30, 2025
Escape the snow and enjoy a tropical getaway in the heart of the city! This event includes tropical crafts, dart frogs, games, fruit tastings, and more. Kids can explore the Tropical Dome with a scavenger hunt and take home special activity kits. 

Noon Year’s Eve at Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

Dec. 31, 2025 | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Celebrate the new year early with a special balloon drop, hands-on activities, and more. Perfect for little ones who can’t stay up until midnight!

First Day Hikes

Jan. 1, 2026 | Times vary by location
Start the new year with a refreshing hike at one of Wisconsin’s state parks or forests! Choose from guided or self-guided hikes, ranging from scenic prairies to snowy trails. Perfect for all ages! Check the Wisconsin DNR website for locations and details.

👉 See our Events Calendar for more ideas!

Local Attractions with Winter Break Fun

Milwaukee’s top attractions are pulling out all the stops this winter break, offering extended hours, special exhibits, and unique programming for families. Here’s what you can enjoy:

Discovery World

Explore Wisconsin’s largest aquarium, and hands-on exhibits like Exploration Station and Doodle Studio, and the Innovation Station with extended hours during winter break.
👉 Read our full Discovery World guide for tips, exhibits, and what to expect.

Milwaukee Public Museum

This winter break, families can explore the Milwaukee Public Museum’s exhibits and enjoy holiday decorations in the Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village. 2026 is the last year to enjoy the Milwaukee Public Museum before its official move to a new location.
👉 See our deep dive on the Milwaukee Public Museum for must-see exhibits and visiting tips.

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

Enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops, and a kid-friendly Noon Year’s Eve party. Plus, there’s a new exhibit, The Snowyard. This wintery wonderland features a mountainside sock skating rink, snowman stacking, snow fort building and seasonal Be A Maker activities like 3-D polar bear making and creating a unique snowflake with yarn.
👉 Visit our full Betty Brinn guide for details, hours, and insider tips.

The Domes

Check out the festive Holiday Show, the Domes at night, a family fun fest, and be sure to stop by the Education Center – included with admission!
👉 Read our complete guide to The Domes to get the most out of your visit.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Kids 12 and under are forever free! Drop by for Story Time in the Gallery or create masterpieces in the Kohl’s Art Studio.
👉 See our Milwaukee Art Museum guide for family tips and current exhibits.

Milwaukee County Parks Indoor Pools

Pulaski and Noyes indoor pools, the Sports Complex, and Wilson Ice Arena will have special hours over the next two weeks to offer more family options—check out the holiday hours table here before our Monday social media promotion!

The Hop Streetcar Adventure

Explore Milwaukee aboard The Hop! Discover 10 Kid-Friendly Stops Along The Hop Streetcar Route, including museums, parks, and attractions for the whole family.
👉 Explore our 10 Kid-Friendly Stops Along The Hop for a fun, self-guided city adventure.

Outdoor Adventures

• Ice Skating: Glide into winter fun at top spots like Red Arrow Park, the new(ish) Brown Deer Ice Rink, or indoor options like the Pettit Center and Kern Center. For all the options, check out our full guide to Milwaukee’s best ice skating rinks.
• Sledding & Tubing: Find thrills at 25+ Milwaukee sledding hills or tube your way down the slopes at local tubing destinations.
• Winter Hiking: Bundle up and explore Wehr Nature Center, Lake Park, or Retzer Nature Center for stunning winter landscapes.
• Snowshoeing: Borrow snowshoes from the Urban Ecology Center and explore snowshoeing trails around Milwaukee.
• Skiing & Snowboarding: Hit the slopes at Alpine Valley or Sunburst Winter Sports Park.

Cozy Indoor Activities

• Indoor Playgrounds & Play Cafes: Burn off energy at local indoor play spaces that offer climbing, jumping, and more.
• Art & Pottery Studios: Get creative at local art studios like Cloud 9 Workshop, Glaze! Art & Ice Cream, or Soul Fire Art Studio.
• Indoor Water Parks: Escape to warm, splash-filled fun at nearby water parks like Country Springs or Blue Harbor.
• Bowling Alleys: Go old-school with a fun family outing to Koz’s Mini-Bowl.
• Libraries & Storytime: Cozy up with books, climb a lighthouse, and join free family activities at Milwaukee’s top libraries.

Family-Friendly Food & Treat Stops

• Hot Cocoa Heaven: Warm up with a cup of Milwaukee’s best hot chocolate—check out our list of the best hot cocoa in Milwaukee or our roundup of 5 Hot Cocoa Stops Along The Hop Streetcar Route for a sweet sip during your city adventure.
• Family-Friendly Restaurants: Enjoy a meal out with our guide to 50+ kid-approved restaurants in Milwaukee.
• Festive Restaurants: From cozy, heated huts to meet-and-greets with Santa, here are festive restaurants with a warm holiday atmosphere.
• Afternoon Tea at The Pfister: A special winter outing for families, The Pfister’s classic Afternoon Tea experience comes with beautiful views and elegant treats — perfect for a quiet break from the cold.

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Catch The Action

Winter break is the perfect time to cheer on Milwaukee’s top teams and experience the excitement of live sports! Whether your family loves basketball, hockey, or indoor soccer, there’s a game to suit every fan:

Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum
Catch the champs in action and enjoy the electrifying energy of an NBA game. Family Night packages often include tickets, popcorn, and drinks—making it an unforgettable outing for kids and parents alike.
👉 Read our guide to taking kids to a Bucks game for what to expect, family tips, and insider advice.

Milwaukee Wave at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
The Wave’s indoor soccer games are fast-paced and family-friendly, with plenty of opportunities for fan interaction. Kids will love the high-energy atmosphere and cheering on Milwaukee’s beloved soccer team!
👉 Check out our Milwaukee Wave guide for families to see what to expect and how to make the most of game day.

Milwaukee Admirals at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Take the family to see the Admirals, Milwaukee’s professional hockey team. With thrilling games and fun promotions like bobblehead giveaways and themed nights, a hockey game is an action-packed way to spend a winter evening.
👉 Explore our full guide to Milwaukee Admirals games with kids for tips, seating advice, and game-day expectations.

👉 Check Ticketmaster for upcoming dates & times.

Day Trips & Nearby Adventures

• Ah, Chicago!: Just a 90-minute drive away, Chicago offers unique museums that kids will love, like the Museum of Ice Cream, Sloomoo Institute, and Museum of Illusions. Plus, don’t miss free options like the Chicago Fed’s Money Museum. Here’s our full roundup of the best things to do in Chicago with kids.
• Easy Day Trips from Milwaukee: Explore nearby kid-friendly adventures within 1-2 hours of Milwaukee. Here’s our full roundup of 100 easy day trips from Milwaukee.
• Wisconsin Children’s Museums: Take a short drive to Wisconsin Children’s Museum like the Madison Children’s Museum or Building for Kids in Appleton.
• Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center: A short drive from Milwaukee is a big red barn that offers an agricultural adventure for kids!

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Holiday Magic

• Holiday Lights: Stroll through Milwaukee’s best light displays before they’re gone, like Candy Cane Lane, Wild Lights at the Zoo, or the dazzling Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights.
• Sleigh Rides: Enjoy a picturesque sleigh ride and feel like you’ve stepped into a snow globe.
• Jingle Bus Tours: Hop aboard for a narrated tour of Milwaukee’s sparkling holiday lights.
• Noon Year’s Eve Parties: Celebrate early with kid-friendly NYE celebrations.
• Holiday Shows: Experience the magic of live theater with these family-friendly performances.

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At-Home Fun

• Easy Science Experiments: Make slime, grow crystals, or create a volcano— These 100 easy science experiments are perfect for curious little scientists.
• 100 Boredom Busters: Banish boredom with our epic list of 100 fun boredom-busters for kids, including fort-building, card houses, and more.
• Cold Weather Science Experiments: Embrace the chill of the season with our roundup of cold weather science experiments!
• Movie Nights: Check out our 50 best family movies and cozy up for a fun night in.
• Baking Together: Whip up cookies, make popcorn balls, or try your hand at a hot cocoa bar.