Wisconsin Indoor Activities for the Whole Family
Fun doesn’t stop in Wisconsin during the winter season. Why rush for the snow pants and boots when there’s plenty of fun to be had indoors? Check out these kid-friendly destinations for your next weekend out with the family.
Northeast Region
The Northwoods is the perfect place for indoor family fun. Spend a day with your children at the Northwoods Children’s Museum in Eagle River. Take your time exploring and playing in each of the 23 interactive exhibits within the museum.
Another great indoor destination and Wisconsin must-see is the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Prepare to complete the bucket list of any tried and true Cheesehead with the Hall of Fame’s collection of exclusive Packer memorabilia and archives.
Northwest Region
Take the entire family on a tour of Northwest Wisconsin on the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad Excursion in Trego. There’s fun for the whole family on this scenic train ride along the Namekagon River. Train rides last anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours.
Get a taste of Wisconsin in the Northwest is the Cady Cheese Factory in Wilson. See modern cheese making at its finest while fulfilling your cheese craving. This is Wisconsin, after all. The factory makes and sells over 50,000 pounds of cheese per production day, so there’ll be no shortage of cheese here.
East Central Region
Explore the stars and planets at the Barlow Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley in Menasha. Enticing shows packed with 3-D excitement on a 48-foot projection dome theater provide the opportunity to not only learn but also have loads of fun. The Planetarium has Children’s Star Shows, Family Laser Shows and more.
If you’re looking for something more hands-on, check out the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. The John Michael Kohler Arts Center features educational exhibits, some family art classes and kid-style cooking classes. Let your child’s inner artist emerge at this arts center.
Central Region
Go back in time at the UW-Stevens Point Museum of Natural History. Your family will have loads of fun as they learn about the world around them. From the African Savanna exhibit to the Rocks and Minerals exhibit, there’s endless knowledge, and fun, to be gained at this museum.
If you’re passing through Wausau, stop by the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. The museum’s Art Park is an interactive family gallery where you and your children can create hands-on art, have fun with costumes and puppets and take part in nature-based activities. There are also different art programs for children of all ages.
South Central Region
A must-see in Madison is the Wisconsin State Capitol. Spend time exploring the intricate paintings covering the rotunda inside. If you happen to be in town for the holidays, you don’t want to miss the Wisconsin State Capitol Holiday Tree, decorated by about 700 feet of gold garland, 2,400 multicolored lights and 1,400 handmade ornaments donated by Wisconsin citizens.
Once you’re done at the Capitol, check out a performance by the Children’s Theater of Madison. With shows spanning from popular classics to musicals and dramas, there’s sure to be entertainment for all ages. CTM mainly performs in the intimate 350-seat Playhouse at The Overture Center.
Southwest Region
If you’re looking to burn off some energy, check out the Children’s Museum of La Crosse. This hands-on museum offers three floors of interactive exhibits for children ages 1 to 12. With a climbing wall, multipurpose theater, dino maze, treehouse and more, there’s endless fun for kids and parents alike.
Change up the pace and splash into fun at Bear Foot Bay located inside Country Inn & Suites in Prairie du Chien. This family-friendly waterpark features a body slide, waterfall spa, activity pool with water basketball, children’s pool with water geysers and kid’s slide.
Southeast Region
Fun and learning go hand-in-hand at Discovery World in downtown Milwaukee. Spend the day exploring the 120,000 square foot science and technology center. Experience interactive exhibits like the Reiman Aquarium and DIY projects in the Kohl’s Design It! Lab.
Further south, make sure to visit the Dinosaur Discovery Museum in Kenosha. Kids will learn about what dinosaurs looked like, what they ate and how they behaved. Between life-scale replicas of dinosaurs and a paleontology lab, museum-goers are sure to be dinosaur experts in no time.
Regardless of what region you’re in, Wisconsin is jam-packed with fun indoor activities for the entire family! Find more things to do together in our directory.
