14 Milwaukee Museums for Kids to Explore

Molly Weber:  Kenosha Public Museum has a variety of permanent exhibits with a focus on natural science and fine and decorative arts. Their exhibits include mammoths, world cultures, Native Americans, zoology, geology, fossils, and arts. Your children will see history come alive in the exhibits and have the opportunity to check out a life size replica of a mammoth!

The Dinosaur Discovery Museum is part of the Kenosha Public Museum, and displays casts of actual dinosaur fossil bones in the main gallery. It is the only museum to focus on the link between meat-eating dinosaurs and birds, one of the most complete known fossil records.

The Racine Zoo is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan, and cares for approximately 75 different species of animals. It is dedicated to promoting awareness of conservation issues through engaging, educational, and entertaining zoo experiences, and the easy walk makes it a great way to spend time outdoors with everyone in the family.

The North Point Lighthouse is an historic tower located between two ravines in lovely Lake Park. It’s one of the oldest structures in the area, offering a beautiful view from the top. There are 84 steps and a ladder to climb up to the lantern room at the top of the tower, and guests must be at least five years old and 38 inches tall to climb it.

Shila:  Overlooking Lake Michigan, the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum was designed and built in the style of an Italian Renaissance villa in 1923. The museum exhibits feature fine and decorative arts dating from the 15th through the 18th centuries, wrought-iron masterpieces by Cyril Colnik, the Renaissance Garden, and more.

The outside gardens offer families a scenic spot to pause & take in the beauty around them.

Lisa R:  The Milwaukee Art Museum offers plenty of ways to explore their world class art exhibits. The museum offers a number of family-friendly activities throughout the week, including open art projects, scavenger hunts, story times, sing-along play dates for children under five, and special tours and events. Artpacks filled with activities for all ages and attention spans can also be checked out from the Artpack desk.

Discovery World is a science and technology center located on Milwaukee's lakefront, with interactive exhibits & learning labs focusing on the Great Lakes, sound, physics, innovation, energy and machines. There is also the Kohl's Design It lab, where kids can see their idea come to life in 3D!

The Reiman Aquarium, which is part of the museum, features weird, wild, and colorful freshwater species from around the world, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the rivers of the Amazon Basin, African Rift Lakes, and right here in the Great Lakes. Kids will especially love the touch tank.

There is so much to love about the Betty Brinn Children's Museum as a go-to place for family fun. In addition to numerous learning and play spaces, the museum offers a fully outfitted "Maker Space" workshop with a wide array of classes and events. Traveling exhibits mean there is always something new to see.

Lisa R:  The permanent exhibits at the Jewish Museum include a wide array of artifacts, videos, and displays that teach kids and adults about important points in modern Jewish history and culture. The stories told in the museum generally focus on people and places connected to Milwaukee. Local kids, in particular, will love seeing how Jewish immigrants helped shape their city.

This 20-acre museum campus houses more than 450 motorcycles and artifacts. Families will enjoy the many kid-friendly activities, including the imagination station and Build-a-Bike interactive station. The Motor® Bar & Restaurant also serves up classic American fare.

Where else can you see dinosaurs, visit turn-of-the-century Milwaukee, and walk through a rain forest all in the same place? Little ones will love learning about the night sky with the various planetarium shows, and expertly designed exhibits & programs offer plenty of interactive sights and sounds and special surprises at every eye level.

Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, known by locals as "The Domes," is located at Mitchell Park in Milwaukee and operated by the Milwaukee County Park System. Each of the three domes - Desert, Floral, and Tropical - has a huge variety of plant life with a distinct climate in each. They also have an education center for children of all ages to learn about the natural world, and regular programming for families with young children.

Visit over 2,000 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles in specialized habitats spanning 200 wooded acres. Explore educational wildlife shows and fun attractions such as: Feed a Giraffe Experience, Seal & Sea Lion Show, Safari Train, Playground, Carousel & more! Swing by the Family Farm area of the Milwaukee County Zoo for an up close and interactive experience with native Wisconsin wildlife and farm animals.

Shila:  Above & Beyond Children’s Museum (ABCM) is a non-profit organization servicing children and families of Sheboygan County and its out of town visitors. Over 10,000 square feet of hands-on, interactive exhibits for all ages to enjoy. One of the most interesting exhibits is the giant Pin Screen. Kids can make a first impression over and over again on a five-foot tall Pin Screen containing more than 72,365 movable pins!