Winter in Milwaukee doesn’t have to mean staying inside — our city is full of fun, family-friendly things to do all season long. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, indoor activities, or free ways to keep kids busy, this guide gathers 100+ of the best winter activities for families in Milwaukee. From sledding hills and ice skating rinks to cozy museums and creative play spaces, you’ll find ideas for every age, interest, and weather forecast. Let’s make this winter a good one.
💡Looking for year-round ideas, too? Explore our guide to the Best Things to Do in Milwaukee With Kids for fun in every season.
Quick Picks: Best Winter Activities in Milwaukee (2026)
A fast list of can’t-miss winter fun for families — for when you need an idea right now:
- Go sledding at Milwaukee’s top hills
Kid-approved runs with easy parking and big thrills. - Glide at Red Arrow Park or Brown Deer’s new rink
Outdoor skating with great views and cozy hot cocoa nearby. - Try glow tubing at Crystal Ridge
A winter favorite with colorful lights and fast lanes. - Warm up at Milwaukee’s best indoor playgrounds
Great for toddlers and big kids when it’s too cold outside. - Visit a museum with special winter programming
Hands-on activities and seasonal exhibits for every age. - Taste the city’s best hot cocoa
Sweet stops around Milwaukee for a cozy winter treat. - Indoor Winter Ideas for Toddlers
Indoor Playgrounds, kid-friendly museums, and more. - Explore a winter hike or candlelight trail
Beautiful, family-friendly hikes even on colder days. - Hit the slopes for skiing or snowboarding
Perfect for older kids who love action. - Plan a winter day trip
Easy drives with big seasonal experiences. - Enjoy a winter date night for parents
Cozy domes, skating, hot drinks, and more.
Winter Break
100 Fun Winter Break Ideas for Families in Milwaukee
A huge list of simple, screen-free ways to make the most of the week off.
100 Fun Winter Break Ideas for Families in Milwaukee
Winter Break Camps in Milwaukee: A Parent’s Guide
A roundup of local camps offering hands-on fun, learning, and full-day coverage for families.
Winter Break Camps in Milwaukee
Outdoor Winter Adventures
Sledding & Tubing
Milwaukee has plenty of hills and tubing runs that are perfect for burning off winter energy.
5 Best Sledding Hills in Milwaukee
3 Best Snow Tubing Hills Near Milwaukee
Glow Tubing at Crystal Ridge Guide
Ice Skating
From downtown rinks to neighborhood spots, skating is one of Milwaukee’s most classic winter activities.
10 Best Places to Ice Skate Around Milwaukee
Slice of Ice at Red Arrow Park Guide
Skiing & Snowboarding
For older kids and families who love downhill action, several ski areas are an easy drive from Milwaukee.
5 Best Places for Skiing & Snowboarding Around Milwaukee
Winter Hiking
Bundle up and explore quiet trails, frozen landscapes, and family-friendly paths around the region.
10 Gorgeous Winter Hikes Around Milwaukee
5 Candlelight Hikes Around Milwaukee
6 Best Places to Go Snowshoeing Near Milwaukee
Frozen Waterfalls
When conditions allow, you can see incredible ice formations on nearby trails — a memorable winter outing for families.
Where to See Frozen Waterfalls & Ice Formations Near Milwaukee
Tips for Getting Kids Outside in Cold Weather
Getting kids outdoors in winter can feel challenging, but a few simple strategies can make it fun and manageable for everyone.
Tips for Getting Kids Outside in Winter
Indoor Winter Fun
Indoor Playgrounds & Play Cafes
When it’s too cold for the park, Milwaukee’s indoor play spaces offer climbing, jumping, and imaginative play for all ages.
Milwaukee Indoor Playgrounds & Play Cafes Guide
Water Parks & Indoor Pools
Warm up with a splash at nearby indoor water parks and community pools that operate all winter long.
Milwaukee Indoor Water Parks
Milwaukee Hotels With Indoor Pools
Milwaukee County Parks Indoor Pools (Pulaski, Noyes, Wilson, Sports Complex)
Museums & Learning Spaces
Stay warm while exploring Milwaukee’s top museums, hands-on exhibits, and seasonal programming.
Best Milwaukee Museums For Kids
Discovery World
Milwaukee Public Museum Highlights
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
Mitchell Park Domes: Train Show & Winter Exhibits
Milwaukee’s Free Museum Days
Art & Creativity
Indoor art studios offer pottery, painting, and craft activities the whole family can enjoy.
Milwaukee Art & Pottery Studios for Kids (Glaze, Soul Fire, Cloud 9, etc.)
Libraries & Story Times
Warm, cozy, and free — Milwaukee’s libraries offer story hours, hands-on activities, and kid-friendly play spaces.
Best Milwaukee Libraries for Families
See Upcoming Story Times in Our Events Calendar
Indoor Games & Activities
Fun indoor outings for kids of all ages, perfect for cold-weather days.
Milwaukee Planetariums
Koz’s Mini Bowl
Must-Visit Arcades
Roller Skating Rinks
Glow-in-the-Dark Activities for Kids in Milwaukee
Bay View Printing Company
UWM Bowling at the Rec Center
Train Lovers Guide to Milwaukee & Beyond
Winter Events & Festivals
Milwaukee’s winter calendar is packed with festivals, celebrations, and seasonal events for families. These guides highlight the biggest happenings throughout the season.
- Top 10 Milwaukee Winter Festivals & Ice Sculptures
- Museum Days in Milwaukee
- Kite Festival at Veterans Park
- 5 Engaging MLK Day Events for Kids
- Black History Month in Milwaukee: Events & Museum Highlights
- Valentine’s Day Events for Kids & Families
- Train Show at The Domes
Winter Date Nights for Parents
Winter can be a great time to get out together — cozy domes, festive outings, and winter-themed experiences make for memorable nights.
- 10 Winter Date Night Ideas Around Milwaukee
- Heated Domes at Café Benelux and Café Hollander
- Candlelight Concerts in Milwaukee
Cozy Food & Treats
Warm drinks and sweet stops are a staple of winter fun. These guides highlight the best places to warm up around the city.
- Where to Find the Best Hot Cocoa in Milwaukee This Winter
- 5 Hot Cocoa Stops Along The Hop Streetcar Route
- Coming Soon: Best Winter Restaurants With Fireplaces in Milwaukee
Winter Day Trips
Easy drives from Milwaukee can turn a cold winter day into a memorable family adventure. These guides offer ideas for nearby attractions, special exhibits, and seasonal experiences.
- Best Winter Day Trips From Milwaukee
- Family-Friendly Chicago Attractions (Museum of Ice Cream, Sloomoo, Museum of Illusions, etc.)
Winter Animals & Zoos
Winter is a great time to visit the zoo — cold-climate animals like polar bears, red pandas, and snow leopards are often more active in cooler temperatures, and many exhibits remain open year-round.
Nature Centers in Winter
Bundle up and enjoy nature trails, indoor exhibits, and outdoor play spaces that stay open throughout the season.
Winter Sports to Watch
Milwaukee’s winter sports teams offer fun, high-energy outings for families looking for indoor excitement.
- Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum: Top tips for your next Bucks game with kids
- Milwaukee Admirals: What to expect at an Admirals game
- Milwaukee Wave: What families should know
At-Home Winter Fun
When you need simple indoor ideas, these guides offer hands-on activities, science experiments, and cozy ways to spend time together at home.
- 100 Easy Science Experiments for Kids
- Cold Weather Science Experiments
- 100 Boredom Busters for Kids
- Family Movie Night Ideas
Plan Ahead for February
As winter continues, February brings family-friendly celebrations and meaningful community events.
Making the Most of Winter in Milwaukee
Winter in Milwaukee brings its own kind of magic, from sledding and skating to indoor adventures, cozy treats, and seasonal events all across the city. Whether you’re planning a weekend outing, filling winter break, or looking for simple at-home ideas, we hope this guide helps your family find new favorites all season long.
For even more inspiration throughout the year, explore our Best Things to Do in Milwaukee With Kids – a go-to list of top attractions and experiences in every season.
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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.
