Best Nature Centers for Kids Around Milwaukee

Take advantage of the many educational & recreational opportunities throughout the year to connect with nature at River Bend. Enjoy hands-on nature classes, watch presentations about the many facets of our environment, & attend seasonal special events. Whatever the season, River Bend is a wonderful place for a day of adventure, and River Bend has equipment to get you enjoying our natural habitat including: cross country ski and snowshoe rentals, canoes, & kayaks.

Shila:  The Pringle Nature Center is located within Bristol Woods County Park. This beautiful park contains upland forest, wetlands, oak savanna remnants, and prairie areas to explore. Within the woods are 4 miles of trails that are used for bird and wildlife observation, nature education walks and hiking.

The Urban Ecology Center wants to help get people outside! The three branches provide outdoor science education and nature-based programs and events for kids and families, and lend out nature-based sports equipment like skis, bikes, canoes, garden tools & more.

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is Milwaukee’s comprehensive nature center, located just north of the city along Lake Michigan. They offer miles of trails that take visitors through forests, wetlands, restored prairies, ravines, bluffs and shoreline. The Green Tree Accessible Trail is right by the observation tower, and is a short quarter mile loop perfect for families with little ones. Educational programs include a nature preschool, summer camps and a raptor program where kids can meet the center's resident hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons.

Shila:  Havenwoods State Forest is on the north side of Milwaukee with parks, trails, campsites, fishing & more. In the Environmental Awareness Center, families can check out exhibits, drop-in activities, and a collection of live reptiles and amphibians. Exploring tools like species lists, geocaching adventure booklets and binoculars are available for use at Havenwoods.

Explore 10 miles of trails with prairies, woods, ponds and Milwaukee River shoreline. A host of special programs invite families to take part in naturalist hikes, tubing, tree climbing and more!

Shila:  Kettle Moraine State Forest is full of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting & more. Throughout the year, forest naturalists present a wide array of fun-filled educational programs about the frozen history of Wisconsin & the gifts of the glacier at the Ice Age Visitor Center, Mauthe Lake Recreation Area, and Long Lake Recreation Area. There are programs for all interests & age levels, including story times, crafts, and animal, plant & insect exploration.