Are you a Milwaukee parent in search of a solution to the never-ending quest to keep your kids entertained?
Look no further than the playgrounds around the city! adaptive playground equipment
I know the struggle of finding a fun and safe place for your kids to play, so I’ve compiled a list of the best playgrounds in the greater Milwaukee area.
From massive play structures to slides built into the side of a hill, these playgrounds are sure to cure your boredom blues and give your little ones the playtime they need.
So, grab some goldfish snacks and get ready to explore the playgrounds of Southeastern Wisconsin!
Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202
This entirely redeveloped Northwestern Mutual Community Park is located in the middle of the Summerfest grounds at Henry Maier Festival Park, and it offers inclusive and accessible play for children ages 2-12 years of age. Families will find all new enhanced age-appropriate playground equipment on a soft surface, interactive musical play pieces, and ramps allowing for wheelchair access.
Great Lakes Research Facility, 600 E. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204
The riverfront plaza includes a play structure for children, a water play area and water feature, and a canoe/kayak launch and dock. The play structure is designed to look like the shipping containers synonymous with ports around the world.
Franklin Woods Nature Park, 3723 W. Puetz Rd., Franklin, WI 53132
Kayla’s Playground looks like a whimsical dream from the moment you catch sight of it, and it doesn’t disappoint. From wide, fully-accessible ramps, two huge stainless steel slides, a rope climb, a robust area for young children, a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, and a wheelchair swing, this playground has something for everyone.
N87W16749 Garfield Dr, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Village Park in Menomonee Falls is an inclusive destination play area built in 2022 for kids of all ages and abilities. There’s also a splash pad designed with festive LED lighting, and new pickleball and tennis courts!
Read more about Village Park >>
Milwaukee Recreation is on a mission to revitalize 52 Milwaukee play spaces in its “Dream, Build, Play” playfield renovation project. Here are the department’s completed projects thus far :
Franklin Square Playfield (2021) – 2643 N. 13th St. Clovernook Playfield (2020) – 6594 N. Landers St. Southgate Playfield (2020) – 3350 S. 25th St. Ohio Playfield (2020) – 974 W. Holt Ave. Custer Playfield (2019) – 4001 W. Custer Ave. Columbia Playfield (2019) – 1345 W. Columbia St.
Upper Lake Park, 554 N. Lake St., Port Washington, WI 53074
Possibility Playground is located in Upper Lake Park in Port Washington, about a 40-minute drive from the city of Milwaukee. It offers a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and plenty of picnic space. This whimsical, universally-accessible, enclosed play area was the first of its kind in metro Milwaukee and was named one of the 10 best playgrounds in the country by USA Today.
W244 N6260 Weaver Dr., Susssex, WI 53089
Readers are raving about The Grove at Village Park in Sussex, about a 30-minute drive from the city of Milwaukee. The 14,000-square-foot Village Park in Sussex includes a zip line, tall towers, climbing structures, slides, and more. There’s also a 5,200-square-foot inclusive splash pad that features three different areas of play: active, family and toddler.
S14 W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI 53188
Just a short 30-minute drive from Milwaukee is a beautiful nature center with a renovated nature play space just for kids. The new Discovery Trail includes a variety of “Exploration Stations” for outdoor education, sensory-based play experiences, and STEM activities for families and school groups.
W264 S4500 River Rd., Waukesha, WI 53189
This award-winning natural playground is located in Waukesha’s Fox River Park between picnic areas 1 and 2. The standout feature is the 33-foot side-by-side slides built into the side of a hill. The playground won the 2019 Excellence Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
700 S. Main St., Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Imagination Station is located in Roosevelt Park in Oconomowoc, and it’s designed to be 100% accessible and safe for kids of nearly all ability levels. It is Waukesha County’s first fully inclusive playground. With rubberized surfacing, therapeutic swings, multi-sensory activity structures, and local landmark replicas, your kids will find a new treasure at every turn.
7500 S Ikea Way, Oak Creek, WI 53154
We’ve all been there, haven’t we?
Navigating the vast maze of IKEA, with a list that seems to grow by the aisle, all while our little ones grow more restless by the minute. Enter the enchantment of Småland at IKEA Oak Creek: a wondrous playland that takes a headache or two away from your shopping spree.
Dream Playground, located in Petzke Park at 31st Street and 14th Avenue, is Kenosha’s first fully accessible playground. It’s a one-of-a-kind 15,000-square-foot space for children of all abilities to play side-by-side. You’ll find a Liberty Swing, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, climbing walls, non-electrostatic slides, and more!
600 N. Cushing Park Rd., Delafield, WI 53018
Fort Cushing Playground in Delafield is a jewel among playgrounds, where the magic of play meets the beauty of nature. The play area looks like a fortress or a secret kingdom for kids, and it’s set in Cushing Memorial Park on the banks of the picturesque Bark River.
7300 W. Chestnut St., Wauwatosa, WI 53213 Website
This nature-themed playground is located in Wauwatosa’s Hart Park, just a 15-minute drive from the city of Milwaukee. This beautiful, 52-acre park is set along the Menomonee River and hosts many local events throughout the year.
Parts of the play structure look like they are carved from real trees that kids can climb on. There are also ramps to allow for accessibility.
A splash pad right next to the playground gives kids a great way to cool off on a hot summer day, so don’t forget to bring water shoes and towels.
A small picnic shelter provides shade, restrooms and a place to enjoy a snack or picnic lunch.
For train lovers, a favorite feature of the park is a train track that runs right alongside it, safely separated from the playground by a fence. There’s a good chance you’ll see a train pass by while you’re there!
In addition to the playground, there’s a skate park, public track, soccer field, curling, a nature area with plenty of walking paths and open space, picnic areas, colorful public art, a concert stage, and a Senior Center.
Public restrooms and public parking are available. It’s open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
4001 E. Lakeside Ave., Oak Creek, WI 53154 Website
This playground is located in Lake Vista Park, right long the shores of Lake Michigan. It offers new playground equipment for all ages – including a zipline! – plus a new picnic pavilion with restrooms, plenty of walking paths, and a peaceful setting on an open-air bluff.
There are swings, a small rock climbing area, slides, and more.
The land of this park has a long history of industrial activity, and it had to undergo extensive environmental remediation efforts in order to be developed as a community park.
Now it’s a place for the community to come together and connect.
8200 W. County Line Rd., Mequon, WI 53097 Website
This natural playspace at Mequon Nature Preserve is located behind the PieperPower Education Center, and all are welcome to play.
You can enter the play space through the custom wooden door structure, and your kids will find log balance beams, a 16-foot dragon toy, a turtle made from stones, log steps, a hammock station (you’ll need to bring your own), human-sized birds nests, a lost climbing beam, plenty of shaded areas, and rocks to climb and sit on.
Plus, a local Eagle Scout made two sensory boards to demonstrate the different textures that can be found in nature.
All of the materials in the play area are natural and locally sourced, including pressure-treated lumber, green and white ash logs and European Alder harvested from MNP land restoration projects, ironwood logs from MNP wood lots, Lannon Stone from Halquist Stone in Sussex, and granite boulders from northern Wisconsin.
Mequon Nature Preserve is also home to a square mile of natural wetlands, prairie, and emerging forest.
To climb the observation tower, park in the parking lot on Swan Rd. and follow the trail around Pat’s Pond.
For good wildlife watching, park near the Pieper Power Education Center, and find the Observation Platform along the Streich Family Wetlands.
16400 W. Stigler Parkway, New Berlin, WI 53151
An 85-acre park with tons of amenities, Malone Park is home to an all-inclusive playground that’s accessible to children of all abilities. Its whimsical and colorful design was a truly collaborative effort; even the students at New Berlin schools got to submit their ideas for consideration. It was built during a Community Build Day by hundreds of volunteers.
The playground has plenty of room for kids of all ages to run around and explore to their heart’s content. You’ll find an accessible merry-go-round, all-access swings, monkey bars at varying heights, interactive learning stations (even a Braille alphabet board!), plus tons of nooks and crannies to discover.
The park is also home to New Berlin’s bicentennial gazebo, which hosts summer concerts, movies in the park, and festivals. There’s hiking trails, baseball diamonds, a soccer field, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, lighted tennis courts, and a large picnic shelter with restrooms.
2200 W. Bender Rd., Glendale, WI 53209 Website
Glendale’s newest family park features a playground, community room, family restrooms, snack bar, amphitheater, War Memorial, and baseball fields.
The accessible playground is the largest in the North Shore area and accommodates children of all abilities.
You can purchase ice cream treats, hot dogs, and snacks, or enjoy an award-winning Sprecher root beer or craft beer at the Sprecher Brewing Outdoor Oasis, open throughout the summer. It’s adjacent to the David Hobbs Honda for the People Community Room.
See the Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin War Memorial illuminated at night, showcasing heroes from all branches.
Music concerts bring generations together at the Johnson Controls Community Amphitheatre.
Visitors can now take the Oak Leaf Trail to the park via the new Boardwalk Trailhead, located at the west-end of Bender Road.
701 W. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI Website
Revamped in 2019, the playground at Frame Park offers an inclusive and accessible play place in a serene nature setting.
There is an abundance of slides, climbing apparatuses (including fake tall trees to scale) and interactive elements that encourage imaginative play, like a large boat that seats six and rocks back and forth to simulate waves. There’s also adult fitness equipment on site.
Those with curious toddlers will appreciate the fence around the Fox River side of the playground.
When you and the kiddos are up for exploring, try a bike ride or a hike along river, or visit the formal garden nearby.
From Memorial Day Weekend through mid-October, you can rent a variety of specialty bikes, paddle boats, character floats, canoes and kayaks from High Roller Fun Rentals (children under 5 ride free with a paid adult).
Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch; it’s easy to spend most of the day here!
N97W6375 Lexington St., Cedarburg, WI 53012
This all-inclusive, accessible playground was built in 2019, replacing old play equipment that was deemed to be unsafe the year before. Led by a group of local moms, the community came together to raise funds and build a unique, safe and welcoming playground.
There are play areas for all ages, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, an orbit swing, sensory touchpoints, and plenty of slides, all surrounded by a pour-in-place rubber surface.
Centennial Park, 1370 17th Ave., Grafton, WI 53024
Slides, swings, accessibility and a huge, rainbow butterfly shade structure are just a few of the things you’ll find at this colorful all-inclusive playground.
The construction of All My Friends Playground was spearheaded by the founder of the non-profit organization Living Life With Autism (now All My Friends, Inc.).
The mother of a girl who had been diagnosed with autism as a 4-year-old sought to create a place where her daughter could socialize and recreate with kids of all abilities.
Designed by kids and built by the community, this 20,000-square-foot fenced-in playground is located in the Caledonia – Mount Pleasant Memorial Park in Franksville.
It features multi-level wood construction, slides, swings, and built-in benches. Imagination reigns supreme in fort-like towers connected by bridges and tunnels. There’s also a separate play area for tots.
4930 W. Loomis Rd., Greenfield, WI 53220
Our readers highly recommend the 2,000-square-foot playground on the grounds of Blum Coffee Garden in Greenfield.
It’s entirely fenced in, so you can recharge with a great cup of coffee and browse plants while your kids get their wiggles out!
Read more about Blum Coffee Garden >>
520 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Playgrounds are few and far between in downtown Milwaukee. But one of its only playgrounds, located in Cathedral Square Park in the heart of downtown, recently received a renovation.
Now, families will find a relatively new play structure for kids ages 2-5 with climbing opportunities, stepping stones, a slide, a tunnel, and a bridge. There are two climbing structures for older kids (ages 5-12).
The swing set has two toddler swings and two swings for older kids, and there are four new benches for parents and guardians to rest on or for snack breaks.
Parents (and kids who fall off the monkey bars) will appreciate the cushy rubber safety surfacing. There is also a musical component to the playground, with a xylophone and drums that kids will love to explore.
Surrounded by the sights and sounds of downtown, this playground in Cathedral Square Park is a lovely destination for a play date or morning outing.
Plus, it’s one of the stops on The Hop, Milwaukee’s streetcar. You can spend the morning hopping on and off the stops along the way, including the Milwaukee Public Market and Burns Commons.
111 N. Jefferson St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Recognizing a growing need for a play space for young children, the Historic Third Ward Association developed Gas Light Park at the corner of Jefferson and Erie Streets in 2021. The multi-activity playground is located in the center of a grass-covered 9,466-square-foot lot owned by We Energies‘ Wisconsin Gas LLC affiliate. There are mature trees around the park’s perimeter.
The park also includes a United Way Born Learning Trail, which provides fun and educational interactive activities for young children and their caregivers. The trail is part of a United Way nationwide effort.
The name of the park is a nod to Milwaukee Gas Light Co., a We Energies predecessor which once had a large gas plant at the south end of the neighborhood.
500 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Created in 2006 by nature artist, Ned Kahn, Wind Leaves is a series of soaring aluminum columns that rotate with the wind.
Located right outside Discovery World, the Leaves are covered with thousands of stainless steel disks that swirl and ripple with the wind, creating a kaleidoscope of reflections from the lake, the sky, and the city.
The Wind Leaves are surrounded by musical benches that can be played like xylophones and a musical sculpture that you can play by dropping pebbles into it.
After you’re done exploring there, you can check out the nearby fountains and take a stroll through Lake Shore State Park.
Check out “101 Best Things to do in Milwaukee With Kids“.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
ninja course Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.