In Milwaukee, you just never know what the weather will do.
But even if it’s freezing cold, too hot, or raining buckets, the kids will still need to get their energy out.
These fun and exciting spots offer the perfect solution for parents and guardians looking to help their kids burn off energy and beat Milwaukee weather woes.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best indoor playgrounds in the area, so you can plan your next adventure and keep your little ones happy and active all year long.
We’ve curated this list after many years of indoor playground and play cafe visits, and collecting over a decade of reader feedback.
Best Milwaukee Indoor Playgrounds
Play Cafes
1. Little Sprouts Play Café
4606 N. Wilson Dr., Shorewood, WI 53211
1406 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, WI 53092
Little Sprouts Play Cafe has created casual, bright, and friendly spaces in Shorewood and Mequon that are perfect for a play date.
You can discover the play zones right along with your kids, keep an eye on them while you chat with a friend over Stone Creek coffee, or take advantage of the free wi-fi.
Ideal for kids ages 0-6, the thoughtful toys inside are meant to spark imaginative play.
2. Bug & Goose Play Café
Elm Grove & Delafield
Bug & Goose Play Café is a cozy indoor play space in Elm Grove and Delafield. It’s especially designed for kids from 6 months to 6 years old to learn through play. Plus, there’s coffee for the caregivers. It is also great spot to have a convenient and special birthday party or event.
New in 2022, they opened up another location in Delafield! Read more about the Delafield location.
3. The Little Village Play Cafe
6505 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213
6505 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213
The Little Village Play Cafe is now open in Wauwatosa, offering a one-stop shop for families with children 0-6 years old. There’s a cafe, a play area for kids, a retail area, and food from local vendors for sale.
Trampoline Parks
4. Sky Zone Greenfield
4940 S. 76th St., Greenfield, WI 53220
W229 N1420 Westwood Dr., Waukesha, WI 53186
skyzone.com
Test your skills on the Ninja Warrior Course, challenge your friends to Ultimate Dodgeball, climb the rock wall, and jump to your heart’s desire in the Freestyle Jump area. Plus, there’s a new soft play area for the little ones. They also provide birthday parties and group events – give them a call to book!
5. Rockin Jump
9009 N. Deerbrook Trail, Brown Deer, WI 53223
(414) 522-1945
browndeer.rockinjump.com
6. Urban Air Adventure Park
2440 E. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53186
(414) 216-9485
urbanair.com
Indoor Playgrounds
7. Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
929 E Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum inspires children to wonder and explore their world through play and innovative, hands-on learning experiences.
Families can have fun learning together in the Museum’s interactive exhibits, including Home Sweet Home, Let’s Play Railway, Home Town, Science CITY and Pocket Park for children age 4 and younger.
Special programs, workshops and family events are offered throughout the year to spark exploration among children.
New in 2022, Betty’s Beans and Books is the Museum’s new coffee shop proudly serving Stone Creek Coffee.
8. The Big Backyard
2857 S. 160th St., New Berlin, WI 53151
The Big Backyard in New Berlin brings the outdoors inside with huge play equipment, riding toys, balls, playhouses, infant toys, and more. This indoor playground is open year-round to run, climb, ride, slide, and have a blast. They also host parties and special events. The Big Backyard is most appropriate for children ages 0-8, but older children who come with their families are welcome, too.
9. Bounce Milwaukee
2801 S. 5th Court, Milwaukee, WI 53207
bouncemilwaukee.com
Bounce Milwaukee is Milwaukee’s premier place for parties and play. With inflatables, laser tag, a rock wall, climbing structure, ball pit, air hockey, vintage games, pinball, and much more, Bounce specializes in bringing families together through play. Plus, they offer a full-service restaurant.
(Parents, don’t miss the bar and massage chairs upstairs!)
10. We Rock the Spectrum
140 E. Rawson Ave., Suite #314, Oak Creek, WI 53154
werockthespectrummilwaukee.com
A place where children of all ability levels can play and grow together, We Rock the Spectrum ascribes to an inclusive philosophy. The equipment is uniquely designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders, but all children may benefit from it and learn a great deal just by playing with each other. The sensory-safe gym features therapy equipment, an arts and crafts area, trampolines, tunnels, crash mats and pillows, a zip line, a calming room, and more.
11. The Spot Family Play Studio
1752 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton, WI 53024
thespotgrafton.com
12. A Kid at Heart Playland
W188N10707 Maple Rd, Germantown, WI 53022
akidatheartplayland.com
13. The Children’s Play Gallery
126 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc, WI 53066
(262) 354-0819
thechildrensplaygallery.com
14. Just 4 Fun
890 Badger Circle, Grafton, WI 53024
(262) 375-4507
just4funplayland.com
15. Kids in Motion
14135 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin, WI 53151
(262) 649-3144
kidsinmotionwi.com
16. Lotza Fun Room
S81 W19079 Apollo Dr., Muskego, WI 53150
(262) 971-9973
lotzafunroom.com
17. Monkey Joe’s
2040 W. Bluemound Rd., Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 549-3866
monkeyjoes.com
18. Tosa Block Party
10600 W. Bluemound Rd., Wauwatosa, WI 53226
(414) 554-5346
tosablockparty.com
19. New Berlin Activity and Recreation Center
15321 W National Ave
Website
This new facility opened in June of 2022. The indoor playground is available for use with a small drop-in fee. There is equipment is geared for toddlers up to 12 or 13 years old, including a traverse wall for climbing.
20. Nugget Nation MKE (Now open!)
12501 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005
Website
Open year round, Nugget Nation MKE is geared for children 10 years old or younger with an imaginative environment to play and explore.
The indoor activity center includes a 650-square-foot Nugget Playground for kids age 10 and under, Nuggie Town village play space for kids age 7 and under, Tiny Nugget Terrace semi-private play place for kids age 23 months to crawlers, Nugget Square fine motor play area, and more.
21. Taxi & Tide
4016 S Packard Ave, St Francis, WI 53235
Taxi & Tide offers two play areas filled with high quality toys that will encourage open-ended play for children up to age 10, and are an event space for birthday parties, toddler workshops, art classes, and more. One of the play areas are designed to have an East Coast meets West Coast vibe.
Gymnastics and Tumbling Centers
Find an open gym at one of these locations:
22. Flips4All Gymnastics
4630 N. Estabrook Ln., Glendale, WI 53212
(414) 687-5862
Webite
23. Infinite Gymnastics
8989 N. 55th St. Brown Deer, WI 53223
(414) 371-9520
infinitegymnastics.com
24. LaFleur’s Gymnastic Academy
W189 N10991 Kleinmann Dr. Germantown, WI 53022
(262) 255-9700
lafleursgym.com
25. Milwaukee Turners Gymnastics
1034 North Vel Phillips Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 272-1733
milwaukeeturners.org
26. M&M Gymnastics
16760 W Victor Rd, New Berlin, WI 53151
mmgymnastics.com
27. Swiss Turners
2214 S. 116th St., West Allis, WI 53227
(414) 321-4340
swissturnersgymnastics.com
28. Wildcard Gymnastics
13040 W. Lisbon Rd., Suite 300, Brookfield, WI 53005
(262) 923-7418
wildcard-gymnastics.com
29. YMCA Gymnastics Center
6140 W. Executive Dr., Mequon, WI 53092
(414) 354-9622
ymcamke.org
Laser Tag
30. Bounce Milwaukee
2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 312-4357
Visit Website
31. CMP Tactical Lazer Tag
4905 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 483-2222
Visit Website
32. Incredi-Roll Skate & Family Fun Center
10928 W. Oklahoma Ave., West Allis, WI 53227
(414) 545-8445
Visit Website
Free Indoor Play Ideas:
33. Barnes & Noble
With locations in Glendale, Wauwatosa & Brookfield, Barnes & Noble kids’ areas offer train tables, reading areas and more!
barnesandnoble.com
34. Southridge Mall Kids’ Play Area
5300 S. 76th St., Greendale, WI 53129
Find out more
mkewithkids
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place. In 2019, she published "Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids", a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids. She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6's 'Real Milwaukee', B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News. Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
