1. Discovery World 

500 N. HARBOR DR. | 414-765-9966

This might be the most intensely cool museum we’ve ever seen. You can lay on a bed of nails, dance with a robot dinosaur, race mini go-karts and stare down piranhas. The exhibits are weird in a good way and will have you coming back for lots of return visits. 

2. Milwaukee Art Museum

700 N. ART MUSEUM DR. | 414-224-3200 

On many Sundays, MAM has family events where kids get to make art of their own. With the help of the museum staff, you’ll sculpt, paint or craft something awesome. Plus, it’s in one of the most Insta-worthy buildings in Milwaukee, and admission is free for all kids 12 and under. 

3. Betty Brinn Children’s Museum 

929 E. WISCONSIN AVE. | 414-390-5437

Milwaukee kids have loved Betty Brinn for decades. At the Be a Maker space, you can build your own toys. And you can play on the museum’s kid-size railroad, or experiment at its Science City exhibit. If you have a little sibling under 4, they’ll love Pocket Park, a mini playground designed just for them. 

4. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum 

170 S. FIRST ST.; 800-414-1482

Milwaukee is home to the largest collection of bobbleheads anywhere on earth, all on display in this one museum. You’ll find bobbleheads of just about everyone here – from Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to SpongeBob SquarePants. 

Your Milwaukee Public Museum Checklist

The Milwaukee Public Museum (800 W. Wells St..; 414-278-2728) is moving to a new building in a couple of years, so be sure to enjoy all the cool stuff the current location has while it’s still around. Here are four must-dos for your next visit. 

Find the Secret Snake Buttons  

There are two secret buttons hidden in the museum – when you press them, you’ll get a fun surprise. If you want to find them by yourself, skip ahead to the next item and get searching. But if you’d like some help, here you go. One is on the first floor in the “Exploring Life on Earth” Montana Badlands exhibit underneath the description panel. The other is on the second floor in the “A Tribute to Survival” exhibit, where a Native American is hunting some buffalo. It’s lodged between two rocks in front of him. 

Hold a Butterfly   

You’ll for sure want to get a picture in the museum’s butterfly room. Inside the heated space, the air is full of the pretty fluttering creatures. Stand very still, and in just a few seconds one might land on you. 

Say Hello to “Granny”

The Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit shows a little version of what Milwaukee looked like over 100 years ago. Walk around the cobblestone streets and find “Granny,” our favorite character from the exhibit. You’ll spot the little old lady in a rocking chair on a porch – she even has a Twitter account @MPMgranny, which you should definitely follow. 

Stargaze at the Planetarium   

Sitting in the MPM Planetarium is like entering a giant spaceship. You sit under a big curved screen, and when the show starts, it lights up like the night sky. See if you can spot all the constellations.