Sometimes we need to get out of the house and have fun, even when the weather isn’t exactly cooperating! Living in Wisconsin means the weather might not always allow you to be outdoors. Thankfully, we in the greater Milwaukee Area have some fantastic indoor playgrounds and awesome attractions for kids that you can still visit when the weather is bad.

Little Sprouts Cafe

Little Sprouts is a shoe-free (socks required), indoor play cafe in Shorewood, WI. The play cafe is ideal for children up to 6 years old – with toys and structures meant to inspire your child’s imagination. They strive to provide young kids with a space to socialize, engage, and feel safe. Young kids will love the imagination inspired play. Parents will love the free Stone Creek coffee and free WI-FI. They are a food safe environment – meaning they don’t allow any outside food.

Bayshore Town Center

Soft play area for toddlers in the food court. Enter near Old Navy or through the Lydell garage.

5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale

World of Wow at the Jewish Community Center

Enjoy some nosh from Cafe B Data while the kids play.

6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay

Southridge Mall

Toddler play area located in center court, close to the JCPenney entrance.

5300 S. 76th St., Greendale

Bayview Community Center

Offers six different playgroups for parents and their children up to 6 years old.

1320 E. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee

Gigi’s Playhouse

GiGi’s Playhouse is a one-of-a-kind achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. GiGi’s Playhouse offers more than 30 therapeutic and educational programs that advance literacy, math skills, motor skills and more; all of which are free of charge.

8685 N. Port Washington Road, Fox Point

The Children’s Play Gallery

The staff here believes that play is the true work of a child, and the gallery works to provide updated experiences year round.

126 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc

These indoor playgrounds are great for getting out energy and many of them are just as entertaining for teens as they are for younger kids. Trampoline parks, bounce house centers, arcades and games — basically Kid Utopia!

Rockin’ Jump Brown Deer

Jump around, play dodgeball, and more! Check out the Rockin’ Tots program just for toddlers!

9009 N Deerbrook Trail, Brown Deer

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park

Climb, jump, and shoot buckets at this fun indoor arena.

W229N1420 Westwood Dr., Waukesha

Bounce Milwaukee

Kids will enjoy laser tag, rock climbing, inflatables, and the adrenaline zone. Parents will have fun too.

2801 S 5th Ct., Milwaukee

Monkey Joe’s

Even the littlest kids are sure to have fun here. In addition to the slides, jumps, obstacle courses, and inflatables for bigger kids, there is a toddler area.

2040 W. Bluemound Rd., Waukesha

Just because it’s crummy outside doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little aquatic fun at one of these indoor playgrounds! Swimming is fantastic exercise and the winter is the PERFECT time to get your kids in swimming lessons so they are ready to hit the beach safely come summer!

Goldfish Swim – Brookfield

Elite Sports

YMCA of Greater Waukesha County

Five locations all over the area with programming for individuals and families. So many options to choose from and a fantastic kid care program for members. Plus, birthday parties and seasonal sports leagues too!

Locations in Waukesha, Wauwatosa, Greenfield, Mukwonago, and Menomonee Falls

YMCA Metro Milwaukee Northside-Family Aquatic Center

All ages will enjoy the huge indoor water park. Littles will enjoy the separate kiddie pool.

1350 W. North Ave., Milwaukee

YMCA Metro Milwaukee RiteHite

Free childcare for members, an indoor pool, and a lap pool.

9250 N. Green Bay Rd., Brown Deer

Kettle Moraine YMCA

Indoor water park appropriate for all ages.

1111 Y Dr., West Bend

The Springs Water Park at Ingleside Hotel

So many people head south to enjoy the water, but this local gem is perfect for a staycation! With a lazy river, activity pool, arcade, indoor/outdoor hot tub, and slides, this place is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

2810 Golf Rd., Pewaukee

Blue Harbor Resort

An easy to get to vacation place with a full indoor water park.

725 Blue Harbor Dr., Sheboygan

That’s right, we can totally bring the fun inside. These indoor playgrounds are ah-MAZ-ing!! Make sure you dig out the good socks without the toe-holes, pack some snacks, and get ready to play the day away.

Just 4 Fun

Great for indoor play!! 6000 sq ft of Wisconsin’s “backyard”! Includes a playset, space to run, a “driveway” basketball court, and patio furniture for moms!

890 Badger Cir., Grafton

The Big Backyard

Indoor playground with monthly specials.

2857 S. 160th St., New Berlin

Kids in Motion

Also great for birthdays!

14135 W Greenfield Ave., New Berlin

Elite Sports Clubs

Come play! Hang out with friends! Meet new friends! Have fun! Get active! Join us for endless hours of fun and activities at our multi-use activities campus! The QUAD includes countless games and activities to keep you and your family entertained and provides a cool place for people to hang out that is healthy, safe, and supervised. Kids will get exercise while having fun and adults can become kids again. Best of all, open play at the QUAD is included with a family membership.

Throw on a pair of skates and enjoy a fun workout the whole family can enjoy at these indoor playgrounds! Even if you’re a little unsteady, it’s sure to be a great time for you and your kids. Plus, roller rinks bring back that nostalgia for parents that might lead to impromptu limbo competitions and dance breaks!

The Pettit

In addition to skating lessons and open skate times, the indoor track is a great place for moms to get a workout in. Only $4/adult and strollers are allowed (check before going to make sure the track is not too full for a stroller).

500 S. 84th St., Milwaukee

Ozaukee Ice Center

Check website for public skate times. This is a laid-back and fun place to hit the ice!

5505 W. Pioneer Rd., Mequon

Skateland Waukesha

Be sure to check the website for Public Skating Hours and fun themed events!

1931 E Main St, Waukesha

Incredi-Roll

In addition to skating, this spot on Hwy 100 and Oklahoma also features an Arcade, Laser Tag, and a Bounce House.

10928 W Oklahoma Ave, West Allis

Bowling is an absolute classic when it comes to indoor family fun! Get ready to enjoy active fun laying down strikes, picking up spares, and learning about good old-fashioned friendly competition at our favorite bowling alleys around the Milwaukee area. 

I don’t know why this is, but at these indoor playgrounds, my kids will be completely entranced by a story during story time in a way that they never are when I read to them. If your kids are older, libraries and bookstores become even more magical as they learn to explore the shelves for hidden treasures. Plus, is there anything better than enjoying a warm beverage while sitting in a comfy chair with a book while the snow (or rain) falls outside?

Whitefish Bay Library

Kids programs (toddler-5th grade) and a separate kids’ room help foster a love of reading.

5420 N. Marlborough Dr., Whitefish Bay

Milwaukee Public Libraries

With a myriad of locations all over the city, you’ll be able to find a story time, play time, or other activity any day of the week. We love the kids’ room at the central library, plus there is train table, climbable lighthouse, Lego table, and a puppet theater!

Various locations all over the city.

North Shore Library

This is our library. We love the easy-to-get-to location and the separate kids’ room with trains and games.

6800 N. Port Washington Rd., Glendale

Barnes and Noble

Search “events” for free story times.

The Waxwing

Check their facebook page to stay up-to-date on story time offerings.

1800 E. North Ave., Milwaukee

Some days, you just need some entertainment other than the cartoon you’ve seen a hundred times. An indoor playground with a darkened room, snacks, and Dream Loungers don’t hurt either.

Marcus Theatres

On Tuesdays, take advantage of the $5 tickets and free popcorn for rewards members.

Fox Bay Cinema

Dinner and a movie are easily combined here. Eat while you watch!

334 E. Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay

First Stage

Develop a love of theater in kids as young as three!

325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee

Sunset Playhouse

Offering performances for kids and adults alike!

800 Elm Grove Rd, Elm Grove

Milwaukee’s many museums are both fun AND educational. You can feel awesome about yourself for bringing your kids to one of these indoor playgrounds!

Milwaukee Public Museum

Free on the first Thursday of every month. We love the dinosaurs, butterfly wing, and streets of old Milwaukee. Toddlers love the Sesame Street planetarium show on Saturday mornings. For a calmer time, start on the third floor and work your way down.

800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

The kids can have fun while developing problem-solving skills, school-readiness, and physical coordination. Tickets available through the website, along with membership options. I especially like coming here because the attached garage helps us to avoid the weather altogether. Bring in your parking ticket to be validated.

929 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee

Above and Beyond Children’s Museum

Hosts several events including weekly Toddler Tuesday and karaoke. Membership options available.

902 N. 8th St., Sheboygan

Milwaukee Art Museum

Free on the first Thursday of every month. Check out the Kohl’s Art Generation Studio.

700 .N Art Museum Dr., Milwaukee

Discovery World

My high school students (back when I taught) would always come back from their field trips here totally jazzed about learning.

500 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee

Harley-Davidson Museum

Harley makes sure that even the littlest members of the family will enjoy the ride.

400 W. Canal St., Milwaukee

Milwaukee Art Museum

The Milwaukee Art Museum offers a variety of engaging programs and resources for families with kids. Families can paint, sculpt, draw, or sketch in the Kohl’s Art Generation Studio any day the Museum is open. Also, visit the ArtPack Station to check out sketching materials, costumes, and puppets to use in the galleries. On Saturdays, bring your little ones to Story Time in the Galleries, where you can hear a story and sketch in front of works of art. Plus, enjoy art-making, performances, family tours, visiting artists, and more throughout the Museum at Kohl’s Art Generation Family Sundays, hosted five times a year.

If we didn’t go outside at all when it was cold out, we’d be stuck in the house from November to March. These options totally work for a winter (or a somewhat crummy day) outing without letting you get too exposed to the elements. (Dress appropriately for the weather, of course!)

The Domes

My son loves the fish in the tropical dome and the trains in the show dome. I love walking through the desert dome and pretending I’m in Arizona.

524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee

Milwaukee County Zoo

Download their app for mapped out route that will keep you inside for as much of your day as possible. 2018 Free Days: 1/7, 2/4, 3/4.

10001 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

When the weather’s too cold for a hike, you can still take advantage of the facility’s fascinating indoor educational programs, such as Word with a Bird. Little ones will also enjoy visiting with and learning about the resident turtles and other small animals housed in the lobby.

1111 E., Brown Deer Rd., Bayside

Urban Ecology Center

Three locations, but our team favorite is the Riverside location. They have live animals in display and lots to explore in their building and informational displays about the environment. They also have plenty of open space that gets tons of sun: perfect for sitting and reading, or playing with games or puzzles (which they have on hand).

Riverside Park, Washington Park, Menomonee Valley