Every week, Milwaukee With Kids answers a simple question for families across the area: What are we going to do this weekend? From indoor activities to outdoor adventures, we’ve got you covered. For the full weekend list, make sure to visit the Milwaukee With Kids website.
Featured events
Milwaukee Irish Fest
Henry Maier Festival Park
Aug. 13-16
A hundred thousand welcomes are waiting for you at one of the biggest celebrations of Irish music and culture in the world. The four-day festival boasts 18 stages of nonstop music, dance and entertainment for the whole family, including sporting demonstrations, parades, Irish cuisine and more.
Wisconsin State Fair
West Allis
Through Aug. 16
It’s the final weekend and your last few chances to check out acres of family-friendly fun, from the famous pig races and giant slide to just about every conceivable food on a stick. There’s also livestock, games, rides and nearly every facet of Wisconsin culture celebrated all in one place. Make sure to check out the Milwaukee With Kids special guide to attending the Wisconsin State Fair.
Get schooled
True Skool Summer Park Jam
Marcus Performing Arts Center | Peck Pavilion
Aug. 14-15
Get ready for the ultimate celebration of creativity, community and culture. Taking place steps from the Milwaukee River, this two-day immersive experience bridges the gap between creative entrepreneurship and world-class entertainment with live performances, food trucks, a car show, a local vendor market, a children’s area, a live graffiti battle and non-stop dancing at the Open DJ Tent.
Back to School Fest
The Landing at Hoyt Park
Aug. 16
We hope to see you at this FREE event we’re hosting at The Landing at Hoyt Park (11 AM-2 PM)! Browse classes and activities while enjoying kid-friendly entertainment from Kid Boogie Down, face painting, interactive games and activities, and more!
Kids Night Out
Mad Science of Milwaukee | New Berlin
Aug. 14 | 6-9 p.m.
Kids can spend a few hours at the 2Inspire Center and get creative in the STEM Studio, inspired in the MakerSpace and inventive in the Build-It Lab. Or, if they’d rather just sit back and relax, they can enjoy a G-rated movie. The night includes two slices of cheese pizza and a juice box, and kids are encouraged to bring a water bottle they can refill as needed.
Homers and H2O
We Are Water Festival
McKinley Beach
Aug. 16 | 5-7 p.m.
Celebrate the joy, beauty and power of water at this annual community gathering. Meet local artists, make a sturgeon puppet, try your hand at printmaking, build sand castles, identify fossils, enjoy complimentary snacks (including Purple Door Ice Cream while supplies last) and learn simple ways to help care for our rivers, lakes and neighborhoods. Everyone will join together in a parade with the Milwaukee Hittaz drum line, then go onto the beach for a community parachute float to close the evening.
Milwaukee Milkmen Alter-Ego Night
Ballpark Commons | Franklin
Aug. 15 | 6 p.m.
For one night only, the Milwaukee Milkmen become the Franklin Benjamins as Franklin Field transforms into a celebration of Benjamin Franklin and everyone's favorite face on the hundred-dollar bill. Expect specialty jerseys, themed entertainment, unique in-game experiences and plenty of surprises throughout the evening.
Animal instincts
Honey Bee Day
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
Aug. 15 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Find out what all the buzz is about with hands-on activities the whole family will love. Meet a real beekeeper and her bees, join SHARP Literacy for a special A Busy Bee story time, build a bee with clay, create a flower for the community pollinator garden and explore the incredible world of pollinators through play. All Honey Bee Day activities are included with general admission.
Lulu & Rocky Family Walking Tour
Downtown Milwaukee
Aug. 16 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Inspired by the book Lulu & Rocky in Milwaukee, kids and families will discover local history and architecture through interactive activities, storytelling and playful moments like blowing bubbles and meeting Gertie the Duck. Hosted by Historic Milwaukee, the program is geared toward children ages 6–10.