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Each month, we round up the latest and greatest additions to the Milwaukee area that are perfect for families with kids. From exciting park reopenings to fun infrastructure updates, here’s what’s new around town this month.
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What’s New Around Milwaukee
New Family-Friendly Game Room at Camp Bar Tosa
Camp Bar Tosa, 6600 W. North Ave. in East Tosa, has opened a brand-new family-friendly game room inside its former Birch event space. The newly expanded area features two pool tables, shuffleboard, dart boards, Skeeball, pinball, Big Buck Hunter, and additional arcade games, including options geared toward younger guests. This is the first phase of a larger expansion plan that will also include expanded food offerings and updates to the outdoor garden space with picnic tables and fire pits.
Playground at American Family Field
New family-friendly upgrades are coming to American Family Field for the 2026 season. The Brewers have announced a complete reimagining of the right-field playground, now called The Glove Playground, featuring refreshed interactive games like Bring the Heat, Batter Up!, and Strike Zone, along with new activities including Race to First, a Skee-Ball–style Sausage Race, and Rob a Home Run. The updated space also includes a redesigned Bernie’s Jr. Slide for younger kids, improved accessibility, new seating near kid-friendly concessions, and new photo spots such as Racing Sausages figures, a Brewers dugout backdrop, and an oversized glove.
Also announced is a new field-level sensory room near the Potawatomi Gate, created in partnership with KultureCity, offering families a quieter place to take a break during games.
Looking ahead to June 2026, a new UW Credit Union Plaza will open just beyond the outfield, featuring a beer garden, live entertainment stage, mini golf, and a family play area in a free, open-access space connected to parking via a pedestrian bridge.
Rhino Care Center at the Milwaukee County Zoo
The Milwaukee County Zoo is opening a brand-new indoor animal habitat just in time for winter. The Ladish Co. Foundation Rhino Care Center opens to the public on Tuesday, December 9, giving families a warm, year-round place to see rhinos and hippos up close.
The new 61,000-square-foot space includes indoor viewing areas for Eastern black rhinos Zuri and Kianga and the Robert Dohmen Hippo Indoor Haven, where guests can see hippo Happy at eye level in a pool. Surrounding outdoor yards also house zebras and red river hogs. The habitat was designed with animal comfort in mind, using soft flooring, natural rock features, and flexible spaces that support animal care and conservation efforts.
For families, the biggest takeaway is simple: this adds a major new indoor attraction at the zoo, making winter visits more engaging and giving kids a closer look at some incredible animals while learning about conservation.
Can-D Shop at 3rd Street Market Hall
Can-D Shop is a new chocolate and candy store now open at 3rd Street Market Hall. The shop focuses on high-quality sweets, novelty candies, and chocolate sourced exclusively from Wisconsin. Shoppers can expect a mix of classic treats and fun, unique finds. Online ordering is listed as coming soon.
New in Brookfield: Claw Frenzy, a claw machine–only arcade
Claw Frenzy recently opened in Brookfield, offering a unique arcade experience focused entirely on claw machines. The space features more than two dozen machines stocked with plush toys and novelty prizes, from animals to character-themed items. Each attempt costs about $1, and players use a simple joystick-and-button setup. The machines are similar in difficulty to traditional claw games, making wins a fun challenge. This new spot may appeal to families with older kids, teens, and anyone who enjoys the classic thrill of claw machines.
True Echo VR at 3rd Street Market Hall
True Echo VR is a new group virtual reality experience located inside 3rd Street Market Hall. The venue focuses on multiplayer VR games designed for shared play, making it a potential option for team-building activities, birthday parties, friend gatherings, and group outings. Experiences are designed for teens and adults, with players participating together in immersive, interactive environments. Bookings are available for private events and group sessions.
North Shore Library
The new North Shore Library is now open at 711 Grace St in Bayside. The Kids’ Section includes Families a Magna Tile wall, dress up area, and familiar favorites like the train table, play kitchen and shopping carts.
Neon Mini in Hartland
Neon Mini, a new children’s boutique, is now open in Hartland. The shop offers clothing, gifts, and accessories for girls, tweens, teens, and boys, with sizing ranging from approximately 4–10 for younger kids and 7–16 for older kids and teens. Shoppers will find a mix of everyday wear, seasonal items, accessories, toys, and small gifts. Neon Mini is located at 303 Cottonwood Ave. in downtown Hartland.
A Bold New Chapter for the Martin Luther King Branch Library
The Martin Luther King Branch has been a community cornerstone since 1971, and now it’s opening a brand-new 17,400-square-foot building—the greenest library in Southeast Wisconsin. Part of a mixed-use development with 42 new apartments, the $11 million project features a makerspace, study rooms, community meeting space, and an updated collection, all powered by sustainable energy systems.
👉See all 10 of the best libraries for kids in Metro Milwaukee.
Slingshot Bar – West Allis (Family-Friendly During the Day)
Yes, it’s real, and yes, it’s the only slingshot bar experience in the world. Kids & teens can try it during the day! Slingshot Bar is a first-of-its-kind concept where guests shoot real slingshots at a dynamic open range. While the vibe turns 21+ at night, daytime hours are designed for families, birthday parties, and adventurous groups looking for something totally different. Expect safety training, all equipment included, and plenty of target-hitting fun.
📍 6325 West National Avenue, West Allis
Find more info in our post about the best things to do with teens around Milwaukee.
Coming Soon & Redevelopments
New Deer District Farmer’s Market Launching This Summer
Deer District will host a new farmer’s market every Sunday from June 7 through Oct. 25, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market, managed by Lauryn Wynter Company and supported by Deer District BID 53, will feature more than 100 vendors each week.
Shoppers can expect farmers and food producers offering fresh and organic meats, eggs, fruits, cheeses, and vegetables, along with bakery items, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. The market will also include free live music, seating areas, ready-to-eat foods, a weekly “Taste It Tent” with samples, and a kids’ area with games and activities. Deer District tenants will be open during market hours for brunch or lunch.
The market will be closed on July 19, Aug. 16, and Aug. 23 due to previously scheduled events. SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Senior Nutritional Vouchers will be accepted.
Little Diggers
Little Diggers is bringing its signature indoor sandbox to Milwaukee. The space will feature 1,200 square feet of clean, soft sand designed for kids 7 and under to dig, build, and imagine. Plus, hundreds of construction-themed toys and plenty of room for constructive play. Parents will enjoy comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a front-row view of all the fun. Sign up for email updates to stay updated!
Stella’s Playground
Milwaukee’s first universally accessible and inclusive playground is coming to Reservoir Park. Inspired by Stella, a courageous nine-year-old girl, the project aims to raise $2 million to break ground by summer 2026. This special playground will be a place where all kids can play together.
👉 Learn more and support Stella’s Playground
Browning Playfield Redevelopment
Milwaukee Recreation broke ground on a brand-new community center and playfield on the northwest side (76th & Silver Spring). Families can look forward to an indoor pool, basketball courts, a splash pad, playground, pickleball courts, and more. Completion is expected in early 2027.
👉 Check out our roundup of the best Milwaukee playgrounds.
New Indoor Playgrounds Coming Soon
Several indoor adventure parks are opening across the area: Lava Island, Fun City Adventure Park, and Astroland Oak Creek. Perfect for burning off energy once the weather turns chilly.
👉 Browse more indoor playgrounds around Milwaukee
Check back here each month for more updates on new spots, upcoming openings, and fun changes around Milwaukee for families. Got a tip? Let us know!
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
