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.
Weather: This event is weather-dependent. Event Description: Join us for a series of short hikes to stargaze in our forest! The thin, cold air is the best for seeing the stars dancing above- and photographing them! Most smartphone cameras can capture images of the cosmos when the settings are adjusted. Warm clothing/boots and flashlights are […]
Celebrate the first sunrise of 2025 with a guided hike through Havenwoods State Forest! Dress warmly for the weather, wear your boots in case of some mud and borrow some snowshoes at the nature center if there’s enough snow! Warm up by a campfire afterward! This event is weather-dependent. Group/Program Hosting: Havenwoods State Forest Event […]
Join a park ranger in celebrating the new year with a guided hike through Mauthe Lake Rec Area on the Tamarack Trail. The hike is a 2.2-mile loop. Enjoy the crisp winter air, quality time with the community and a cozy fire at the picnic shelter to finish. Meet at the beach parking lot, dress […]
Celebrate the first sunrise of 2025 with a guided hike through Havenwoods State Forest! Dress warmly for the weather, wear your boots in case of some mud and borrow some snowshoes at the nature center if there’s enough snow! Warm up by a campfire afterward! This event is weather-dependent. Group/Program Hosting: Havenwoods State Forest Event […]
First Day Hike at Kohler-Andrae State Park Thursday, January 1, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Begin your new year in the outdoors! Join naturalist Laurie Hylen for a hike along the shore of Lake Michigan. Meet at the Bathhouse and chart your course for an outdoor adventure. Bring some treats and celebrate the start […]
First Day Hike at Harrington Beach State Park Thursday, January 1, 2026, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Description: Start the new year with fresh air and beautiful views at Harrington Beach State Park’s annual First-Day Hike! Choose your own adventure or join the guided hike led by Amanda and the Harrington Beach Hikers Meetup Group. Warm […]
First Day Hike at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit Thursday, January 1, 2026, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Join us to start the new year on a high note! Wear plenty of layers and well-treaded boots, as there might be mud or ice on the trails. Choose one of the guided hike options: […]
WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR: A GUIDED WINTER NATURE WALK Saturday, January 3, 2026, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Begin the new year with a mindful walk through Havenwoods’ crisp winter landscape. Guided by a certified nature and forest therapist, this experience offers an opportunity for you to slow your pace, awaken your senses and notice the […]
Join the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Milwaukee County Parks and local fishing clubs for a free youth ice fishing clinic at select Milwaukee County Parks on Saturday, January 31 from 9 am to 2 pm. Ages: 15 and under What To Expect: Hands-on instruction for youth ages 15 and under. Ice fishing basics, […]
Ever wanted to see a turtle eat? Or see a snake up close? Come visit the animals as they eat their lunch. This program offers a chance to observe live reptiles during their regular feeding routines. Staff provide brief explanations about the animals’ diets and behaviors while the feeding takes place. The activity is appropriate […]
Enjoy an informal guided birding walk, spotting and identifying birds as we go. Mostly flat terrain with less than 1 mile of hiking. Dress for the weather and bring your binoculars or borrow a pair at the Nature Center. No prior experience in birding is necessary. New birders and families welcome! This guided bird walk […]
Ever wondered what it's like to be an animal living at Havenwoods? Join us for our creative storytelling program. Participants will start with a short storytelling of the children's book, Diary of a Worm, by Doreen Cronin; a book that humorously details the life of a worm through his diary entries. After, Participants will then […]
WELCOME SPRING SUNRISE HIKE at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit On this first day of spring, join us as we explore how nature welcomes this new season. We will be walking the two-mile Tamarack Trail around Mauthe Lake. Make sure to wear appropriate footwear as the trail may be snowy or wet. This […]
Help get the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit ready for summer! Grab a litter picker or help with a project such as trail maintenance or landscape improvement. Volunteers should wear work shoes or boots, long pants and work gloves. No experience is necessary to participate and all ages are welcome. All individuals 17 […]
Join staff and other volunteers to get ready for summer! Depending on the weather, projects may include trail, cordwalk, or campground maintenance, Nature Center setup, and other activities to prepare for the busy season ahead. Volunteers should wear work shoes/boots, long pants, and work gloves. Bring shovels and rakes if you have them. Individuals and […]
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit An early spring evening is the perfect time to search for those incredible sky dancers, woodcock and snipe. As the sky darkens, we will tune into those nighttime pond singers, the frogs. This night hike is best for those over six years old. A Wisconsin State Park System […]
Spring is a great time to get outdoors at night to hear frogs, see stars, and take in the woodland scents. Gather your friends and listen to the Springtime night sounds as you enjoy a self-guided walk on torch-lit trails. This uneven one-mile trail crosses lawn, wood-chipped, gravel and asphalt surfaces and may have roots, […]
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit Frogs, toads, and salamanders abound in the Kettle Moraine. Learn about their unique life cycles and the species that call this area home. You may even get to meet some live amphibians. This program is best for folks over 12 years old. This event will be held rain […]
Join us on Saturday, May 16 to develop your skills and build confidence in nature during the Explore the Outdoors Expo at Havenwoods State Forest. This event is open to the public and welcomes all visitors, regardless of outdoor recreation experience. Learn more about some of Wisconsin's most popular outdoor recreation activities in an open […]
Join us on Saturday, May 16 to develop your skills and build confidence in nature during the Explore the Outdoors Expo at Havenwoods State Forest. This event is open to the public and welcomes all visitors, regardless of outdoor recreation experience. Learn more about some of Wisconsin's most popular outdoor recreation activities in an open […]
Want to share an event? Submit it here for consideration.