Welcome to the MKE With Kids Events Calendar — your go-to guide for family-friendly events in the Milwaukee area. From free storytimes and hands-on workshops to can’t-miss festivals and seasonal celebrations, we round up the best local happenings for kids and families all in one place.
Want to share an event? Submit it here for consideration.
China Lights Festival Returns to Boerner Botanical Gardens: A Family Favorite! Milwaukee is in for a treat again this fall! Last year, our family visited the incredible China Lights festival at Boerner Botanical Gardens, and we were blown away! The vibrant lanterns, intricate displays, and beautiful gardens lit up at night left us in awe. […]
Join us on World Dyslexia Day (October 8, 2025) at Sherman Phoenix for a free community screening of the acclaimed documentary Left Behind. Called “one of the best documentaries of this or any year” (Deadline) and praised by Anderson Cooper as “powerful, inspiring,” the film follows a group of mothers who fought to create the […]
Scarecrow Lane 📅 Now through October 31 | ⏰ Sunrise – 10:00 PM Say hello to the unique scarecrows along the Blue Trail at Retzer Nature Center! Scarecrow Lane is a self-guided hike on the west end of the Learning Center building. The scarecrows, decorated by local families and businesses, will be on display through […]
FALL STORY HIKE Step into fall at Retzer Nature Center’s Story Hike! Stroll the Orange Trail as you read Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrari, with illustrations by Diana Sudyka. This book celebrates the fabulous fungi all around us, brought to you by Retzer Nature Center and the Bridges Library System. Come hike, read, and enjoy […]
Strength comes from acknowledging the rich history and invaluable contributions of every member of our community. We invite you to celebrate our diversity and experience the vibrancy of Hispanic and Latino cultures at our FREE Community Night. We'll have activities for all ages to enjoy, as well as snacks and a gallery of student artwork […]
China Lights Festival Returns to Boerner Botanical Gardens: A Family Favorite! Milwaukee is in for a treat again this fall! Last year, our family visited the incredible China Lights festival at Boerner Botanical Gardens, and we were blown away! The vibrant lanterns, intricate displays, and beautiful gardens lit up at night left us in awe. […]
Scarecrow Lane 📅 Now through October 31 | ⏰ Sunrise – 10:00 PM Say hello to the unique scarecrows along the Blue Trail at Retzer Nature Center! Scarecrow Lane is a self-guided hike on the west end of the Learning Center building. The scarecrows, decorated by local families and businesses, will be on display through […]
FALL STORY HIKE Step into fall at Retzer Nature Center’s Story Hike! Stroll the Orange Trail as you read Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrari, with illustrations by Diana Sudyka. This book celebrates the fabulous fungi all around us, brought to you by Retzer Nature Center and the Bridges Library System. Come hike, read, and enjoy […]
Family Storytime Fridays from 10:00am - 10:30am Ages 5 & under. Older siblings welcome. Join us for stories, rhymes, and more! No Registration required. We will meet in the Hoppe Room in the lower level of the Library. Please note: Dates and times are subject to change, and occasionally events may be cancelled. Please check […]
Join us on a Friday morning no-school day for some cereal delights! We'll get crafty with cereal-themed creations and play some games. Please wear something that can get messy. We will use cereal and crafting supplies to create art; please let us know if you have any food allergies when you arrive. This program is […]
Join us at Infinite Gymnastics for Family Open Gym on Fridays from 10:30am-12pm Family Open Gym is designed for ages 1-6 with a parent (all ages are welcome on no school days!). RULES: Ages 6 & Under - Parents chaperone kids & remain within arm's reach. Parents are not allowed on the equipment. Ages 6+ […]
Halloween Village @ Baird Community Commons 📅 October 10-31 | ⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Take a stroll through Halloween Village, featuring a giant Great Pumpkin; interactive lighting displays with ghosts, Frankenstein, witches, and scarecrows; plus plenty of photo ops. Please note: Dates and times are subject to change, and occasionally events may be […]
Craft with Ms. Morgan: Ages 5-11 4:30- 6:30 Bring our your creativity with Ms. Morgan in her crafting Corning! From Bracelets, to art, pom pom creations and more let Ms. Morgan lead you through a craft or come up with your own creative creation! $25 To Register Click Belowhttps://forms.gle/8vaxSUDB2e92fxcy9 Please note: Dates and times […]
Come on up to downtown West Bend and dress in your Halloween best! Bring your treat bag and get ready to trick-or-treat at various businesses. There will also be FREE […]
Trick or Treat Trains Fridays: October 3, 10, 17, 24 Bring your kids or grandkids in costume and we’ll take a train from the Depot in East Troy to Byrnes Park […]
What better way to end the week than by making friends with other animal enthusiasts and meeting animal guests? Kids Night Out is for kids in grades 1-6 and provides […]
China Lights Festival Returns to Boerner Botanical Gardens: A Family Favorite! Milwaukee is in for a treat again this fall! Last year, our family visited the incredible China Lights festival at Boerner Botanical Gardens, and we were blown away! The vibrant lanterns, intricate displays, and beautiful gardens lit up at night left us in awe. […]
BEWARE: Nine Below's Haunted Mini Golf is a PG-13 experience. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. OCTOBER 3 - NOVEMBER 1 🎃 WALK-INS ONLY🎃 FRI | 5PM – 11PM & SAT | 2PM – 11PM •Oct 23rd & 30th from 5PM - 11PM •Oct 26th from 12PM […]
Halloween Glen, Milwaukee Recreation’s family-friendly alternative to the usual haunted houses is returning for its 32nd year. The family-friendly event encourages youth to learn about nature in the outdoor setting of Hawthorn Glen, Milwaukee Recreation’s 23-acre nature center at 1130 N. 60th St. The program will run every 30 minutes from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 […]
One night, three events ... Glo Run/Walk - Ghoul Gala - Beer Garden 5:30pm Glo Run/Walk Registration Opens6:30pm Glo Run/Walk RACE Begins with Police & Fire Siren Start6:30-8:30pm Ghoul […]
Legends & Lore Select Friday & Saturdays 5:30pm – 9:30pm Oct 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 They say the veil between our world and the next is weakest in places where old spirits still linger. Embark on an eerie journey to Old World Wisconsin this October, where supernatural stories, haunted tours, bone-chilling performances and spectral sights await […]
Come and join us for a ride in the dark! Experience the railroad decorated for Halloween at our 19th Annual Pumpkin Train event. Family friendly ... nothing scary! Bring the […]
So much fun, it's scary! Put on your costume, gather your friends, and join us for a ghoulish good time. Enjoy family-friendly games, crafts, trick-or-treating, and more. $20/family, free for […]
Journey through magical fairy lands, Viking ships, mermaids, witches, and wizards inhabiting the wooded trails and glistening shores of Phantom Lake YMCA camp. The Hollows is an awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind experience of 3,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns that will pique your imagination and create magic. A portion of proceeds from the event provide financial support for our inclusion […]
An UNOFFICIAL Taylor Swift Album Release and Live Tribute concert from THE ANTI-HEROES 📅 Friday, October 10th 📍 WBC Park, Oconomowoc 🎟️ Tickets ONLY $13! TS Fans, this is your moment. ✨ Be among the first to experience Taylor Swift’s brand-new album “The Life of a Showgirl” at our Unofficial Listening Party—then keep the magic […]
Jack-O-Lantern Nights (Racine Zoo) October 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, 30-31, 2025 from 6:00pm – 10:00pmWebsite Stroll through the Zoo along a dedicated paved pathway and b immersed in dazzling lights and intricately designed jack-o-lanterns. Discover custom designs including cats, owls, scarecrows, and more Halloween-themed creations. To compliment the jack-o-lanterns, there will be enchanting light displays throughout the […]
Live organ accompaniment courtesy of the Dairyland Theatre Organ Society! In 15th-century Paris, the brother of the archdeacon plots with the gypsy king to foment a peasant revolt. Meanwhile, a […]
Scarecrow Lane 📅 Now through October 31 | ⏰ Sunrise – 10:00 PM Say hello to the unique scarecrows along the Blue Trail at Retzer Nature Center! Scarecrow Lane is a self-guided hike on the west end of the Learning Center building. The scarecrows, decorated by local families and businesses, will be on display through […]
FALL STORY HIKE Step into fall at Retzer Nature Center’s Story Hike! Stroll the Orange Trail as you read Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrari, with illustrations by Diana Sudyka. This book celebrates the fabulous fungi all around us, brought to you by Retzer Nature Center and the Bridges Library System. Come hike, read, and enjoy […]
Join us for the annual Spooky Sprint 5k/10k & Half Marathon! A fun, Halloween-themed event that is perfect for the whole family. The fun includes: Great Swag - designer shirt […]
Enjoy a wonderful day in the country! Tour the 25th historic buildings, see demonstrations of trades of old, farming exhibits, music throughout the village by members of Pickin' Up Speed […]
Join the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum on Saturday, October 11, for a fright-free Halloween celebration! Families can enjoy story times, live reptiles and animals with Tatiana’s Tiny Zoo, and hands-on […]
Betty BOO’s Spooktacular at Betty Brinn Children’s Museum October 11, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum Halloween Spooktacular is returning! Get ready for a not-so-scary […]
Join us at BlackBear Children's Boutique for Magical Mornings, our FREE storytelling and craft series! We'll be reading a book and doing a matching craft & coloring activity to follow. […]
Harvest Fest Trains Saturdays and Sundays September 6th through October 26th Combine the fun of a ride on a historic electric train with fall activities such as the Elegant Farmer’s Autumn Harvest Fest. The first train leaves the East Troy Depot at 10am The first train leaves The Elegant Farmer about 11am The last train leaves the East […]
Autumn Harvest Fest at The Elegant Farmer Now through Oct. 27, 2025 (Saturdays and Sundays only) 1545 Main St., Mukwonago, WI 53149 Admission: FREE (fees apply for activities, apples and pumpkins) elegantfarmer.com Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or starting a new one this fall, The Elegant Farmer offers an old-fashioned, on-farm experience. Please note: Dates […]
Experience One Of The Best Pumpkin Patches In Wisconsin! Start your family traditions and come explore Happy Jacks Pumpkin Land at Basse’s for our ever improving Pumpkin Festival in Colgate, Wisconsin. Only 25 minutes north west of Milwaukee. Enjoy our pumpkin patch to pick-your-own perfect pumpkin, challenge yourself in our 8 acre corn maze, and […]
Fall Into Grafton is a FREE family event held at Paramount Plaza between Bridge and Beech Street in downtown Grafton. Fall Into Grafton features children's activities, mini golf, the annual […]
Halloween Village @ Baird Community Commons 📅 October 10-31 | ⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Take a stroll through Halloween Village, featuring a giant Great Pumpkin; interactive lighting displays with ghosts, Frankenstein, witches, and scarecrows; plus plenty of photo ops. Please note: Dates and times are subject to change, and occasionally events may be […]
Family Fun Day at Slingshot Bar! Bring the whole family for a day filled with fun in the sun at Bars & Recreation’s Slingshot Bar! Saturday, October 11th 11:00 AM […]
Join us for a beautiful day on the banks of the Milwaukee River. Enjoy the fall colors, salmon running up river, migrating birds, great food, music, and tons of fun […]
The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting Harvest the Arts Festival on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Downtown Hartford! This day promises something for everyone—whether […]
Date: Saturday, October 11, 11am-4pm 📍 Location: Riverwalk Commons – Across from the Milwaukee Public Market We’re celebrating 20 years of the Milwaukee Public Market at this year’s Harvest Festival! […]
We’re celebrating 20 years of the Milwaukee Public Market at this year’s Harvest Festival! 🎃 We have an event packed with free activities and entertainment, perfect for the whole family: […]
BEWARE: Nine Below's Haunted Mini Golf is a PG-13 experience. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. OCTOBER 3 - NOVEMBER 1 🎃 WALK-INS ONLY🎃 FRI | 5PM – 11PM & SAT | 2PM – 11PM •Oct 23rd & 30th from 5PM - 11PM •Oct 26th from 12PM […]
R.L. STINE’S GOOSEBUMPS: PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM October 11 - November 2 Adapted for the stage with: Book & Lyrics by John Maclay Music & Lyrics by Danny Abosch Orchestrations & Arrangements by Danny Abosch Horror fans Brooke and Zeke are thrilled to be starring in a mysterious show called The Phantom, and not the […]
Join us at Infinite Gymnastics for All Ages Open Gym on Saturdays from 4-5:30pm. RULES: Ages 6 & Under - Parents chaperone kids & remain within arm's reach. Parents are not allowed on the equipment. Ages 6+ Drop Off - Parents sign kids in and then leave. Yellow Trampolines: Only ONE person is allowed to jump at […]
Halloween Glen, Milwaukee Recreation’s family-friendly alternative to the usual haunted houses is returning for its 32nd year. The family-friendly event encourages youth to learn about nature in the outdoor setting of Hawthorn Glen, Milwaukee Recreation’s 23-acre nature center at 1130 N. 60th St. The program will run every 30 minutes from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 […]
Happily Haunted Gardens (Bookworm Gardens) October 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 2025 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM Experience the magic of not-so-spooky family fun at Bookworm Gardens during Happily Haunted Gardens! Stroll through the Gardens, glowing with over 100,000 twinkling lights and enchanting structures,storytime, I-Spy, bonfire, Pumpkin Walk, and enjoy seasonal delights […]
China Lights Festival Returns to Boerner Botanical Gardens: A Family Favorite! Milwaukee is in for a treat again this fall! Last year, our family visited the incredible China Lights festival at Boerner Botanical Gardens, and we were blown away! The vibrant lanterns, intricate displays, and beautiful gardens lit up at night left us in awe. […]
Want to share an event? Submit it here for consideration.