Homeschool & family fun around Milwaukee, WI

Not-so-scary Halloween at the zoo with a trick-or-treat trail, pumpkin enrichment for the animals, light shows, live entertainment and pumpkin-carving demos. Costumes are encouraged. Online tickets only. Boo admission is the only valid ticket on Saturdays.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 23, 2026; Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Fri Oct 23, 4:30–9 p.m.; Sat Oct 24, 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Time: Fri 4:30–9 p.m.; Sat 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Price: Adults $18; juniors (3–12) $16; 2 and under free; parking included
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Buy tickets online.

A free family Halloween event with trick-or-treating, games, arts and crafts, music, a costume contest and community resource tables. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Oct 29, 2026

• When: Thu Oct 29, 2026, 5–7:45 p.m.
• Time: 5–7:45 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The details come from a County Parks press release reprinted by a news site; the county's own events page could not be read.

Science and project-based programs for homeschoolers on the second Thursday of each month, September through May. Junior Elementary is ages 6–8 and Senior Elementary is ages 9–11. It is a drop-off program and a student profile is required each school year. The center is open 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 12, 2026; Thu, Dec 10, 2026

• When: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–noon (next: Nov 12, Dec 10, 2026)
• Time: 9:30 a.m.–noon
• Price: Full year $240 members / $345 non-members; fall only $80 / $115
• Ages: 6–11
• Booking: Register online after completing the student profile.

⚠️ Fall session registration is for September–November; the full-year option covers all sessions.

Homeschools can use the museum's school-group rate when they send in the state PI-1206 form, book and pay at least two weeks ahead, and have at least 10 students for an education program. Extra chaperones pay a set rate.

• When: School-day field trips through Dec 11, 2026 (no 2027 dates posted yet)
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: School-group rate about $8 per student; extra chaperones $12
• Ages: K–12
• Booking: Book through the museum's field-trip page; send your PI-1206 form.

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page lists rates for the fall season and no 2027 pricing yet. Confirm the rate when you book.

A qualifying Wisconsin homeschool group can book at Discovery World's school-group rate if it files a PI-1206. One adult chaperone per 10 students is free, and extra adults pay a set rate. Group rates need at least 10 paying people, a reservation and payment by the deadline. Optional education programs cost extra.

• When: By reservation (request form on the museum page)
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $9 per student; extra adults $11; optional programs $4.50–$7.00 per student
• Ages: K–12
• Booking: Submit the group visit request form.

Every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., museum admission is pay-what-you-wish. Kids 12 and under are always free. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and on Thanksgiving Day.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Oct 29, 2026; Thu, Nov 5, 2026; Thu, Nov 12, 2026; Thu, Nov 19, 2026; Thu, Dec 3, 2026; Thu, Dec 10, 2026; Thu, Dec 17, 2026

• When: Thursdays 4–8 p.m. (not Thanksgiving, Nov 26)
• Time: 4–8 p.m.
• Price: Pay-what-you-wish Thursdays 4–8 p.m.; kids 12 and under free; adults $27 otherwise
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The center lists free programs at its three Milwaukee branches, including family game nights and outdoor adventures. Branches: Riverside Park (1500 E. Park Pl), Washington Park (1859 N. 40th St) and Menomonee Valley (3700 W. Pierce St). Next: Family Game Night, Washington Park, Thursday Oct 29, 4–6 p.m.; Noche de Juegos, Menomonee Valley, Oct 29, 4:30–5:30 p.m. Both are drop-in.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Oct 29, 2026

• When: Oct 29 game nights; more on the calendar
• Time: 4–6 p.m. (Washington Park); 4:30–5:30 p.m. (Menomonee Valley)
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Other free programs are on the center's calendar.

Central Library runs Story Time and Play Group on Tuesdays (ages 3 and under), Thursday Story Time (young children and caregivers) and ABC Academy on Saturdays (ages 3 and up) in the Children's Room.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 3, 2026; Thu, Nov 5, 2026; Tue, Nov 10, 2026; Thu, Nov 12, 2026; Tue, Nov 17, 2026; Thu, Nov 19, 2026; Sat, Nov 21, 2026; Tue, Nov 24, 2026

• When: Tue Nov 3, 10, 17, 24 at 10:30–11:15 a.m.; Thu story time Nov 5, 12, 19 at 10:30–11 a.m.; ABC Academy Sat Nov 21, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
• Time: 10:30–11:15 a.m. (varies by program)
• Price: Free
• Ages: Ages 0–5 (ABC Academy 3 and up)
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Other branches run their own story times; see the library calendar.

All visitors except groups get free access to the museum's permanent exhibits on select Thursdays. Children must come with an adult. Reservations open 7 days ahead and are strongly recommended because walk-up tickets are not guaranteed. Children 0–3 must be included in your ticket count.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 5, 2026; Thu, Dec 3, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 5 and Thu Dec 3, 2026, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Price: Free (permanent exhibits)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Reserve free tickets on the museum page.

Free zoo admission for all guests. Parking and attraction fees still apply. No advance ticket is required, but buying online can save time. The zoo is open weekdays 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and weekends 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. from Nov 1.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 7, 2026; Sat, Dec 5, 2026

• When: Sat Nov 7 and Sat Dec 5, 2026, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Time: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Price: Free admission (parking and attractions extra)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The zoo's FAQ lists both dates, but only the Nov 7 event page was read. Confirm Dec 5 and the parking cost before you go.

Free admission on the third Thursday of the month for all guests in groups of fewer than 10. Capacity is limited, tickets are first come first served and guests are not admitted after 6:30 p.m. Group visits are not scheduled on these days. Families on SNAP or foster care can also use the Museums for All rate of $5 per person.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 19, 2026; Thu, Dec 17, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 19 and Thu Dec 17, 2026, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Time: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Best for ages 0–10
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The museum page does not state an age range; it is a children's museum.

A living plant museum with desert, tropical and floral show domes, open year round except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Free parking. Ages 0–2 are free. Storytime runs Wednesdays 10–10:30 a.m. Admission is payable at the door only.

• When: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat, Sun and holidays 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. weekends
• Price: Juniors (3–12) $6.50; adults $9 (county residents) or $10; ages 0–2 free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Last admission is an hour before closing. The floral dome closes between shows.

The Desert Dome is decorated with ofrendas made by local students, with a mariachi band, a Día de los Muertos dancer, local food and art vendors, educational programming and hands-on art.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026

• When: Fri Oct 30, 2026, 6–9 p.m.
• Time: 6–9 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The page does not say whether regular Domes admission applies to the evening.

A season of downtown holiday displays. The Kickoff Extravaganza on Thursday, Nov 19 has live music and dance (pre-show 5:30 p.m., main show 6:30 p.m.), a Santa and Mrs. Claus arrival, fireworks, and a free Jingle Bus tour afterward.

• When: Nov 19, 2026–Jan 1, 2027; kickoff Thu Nov 19 at 6:30 p.m.
• Time: Evenings; kickoff 5:30–6:30 p.m. Nov 19
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The zoo after dark with hundreds of thousands of lights and animal-themed displays. Gates close at 8:15 p.m. Tickets include parking. Open Nov 20–28 and Dec 3–31, except closed Nov 23–26, Nov 29–30, Dec 1–2, Dec 7–8, Dec 14–15 and Dec 24–25.

• When: Nov 20–Dec 31, 2026 (see closed dates), 5:30–9 p.m.
• Time: 5:30–9 p.m.
• Price: Early bird through Nov 8: $15 adult, $15 child (3–12); 2 and under free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Prices after Nov 8 are not on the page.

The annual winter Holiday Show fills the Show Dome. Regular hours apply: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat–Sun and holidays 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; Christmas Eve hours are shorter.

• When: Nov 21, 2026–Jan 3, 2027
• Time: 9 a.m.–4 or 5 p.m.
• Price: Juniors (3–12) $6.50; adults $9 (county residents) or $10; ages 0–2 free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The Domes Alliance page still says the show theme is to be announced.