If you’re anything like us, you’ve been feeling cooped up all winter long. The walls of our home have started to close in, and we’re itching to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
But with young kids in tow, finding hikes that will be appropriate for them can be a challenge.
Luckily, Milwaukee has lots of options for families looking for kid-friendly hikes.
In fact, we have a whole list of kid-friendly hikes near Milwaukee!
One of our favorite spots is Wehr Nature Center in Franklin, Wisconsin.
This hidden gem of a park offers plenty of opportunities to explore and learn about nature, all while staying safe and having fun.
It’s set along the glittering shores of Mallard Lake, and offers family-friendly hikes for kids of all ages.
In fact, one of their hiking trails is actually named Family Friendly Trail!
Here’s the lowdown on Wehr Nature Center:
Parking:
You’ll find ample parking in their lot near the nature center. ($5/car)
Admission:
There is no admission fee!
Nature Center:
The nature center is located near the parking lot. You’ll find a large fish tank (the staff let my kids feed them!), nature games and puzzles, hands-on sensory tables, and a gift shop. It was a nice place for the kids to play before and after our hike.
Nature Play Space:
You’ll definitely want to spend some time in the Nature Play Space right behind the nature center.
The area is made of natural materials for kids to explore, such as tree trunk stepping stones, hollow logs to crawl through, and a little log cabin to explore.
It overlooks beautiful Mallard Lake:
Nature hikes:
After the kids play for awhile, it’s time to take a hike. (Or, if you have really little ones, walk for ten feet, use the bathroom, walk another ten feet, and repeat!)
The Family Friendly Trail is perfect for little legs. Clocking in at just half a mile, it consists of a soft wood chip path and plenty of benches to rest.
If you’re looking at Mallard Lake, you’ll take a right to catch Family Friendly Trail.
For older kids, there is a 1.5 mile hike called the Lake Loop, and it will take you past a beautiful waterfall into the Root River.
If you’re looking at Mallard Lake, you’ll hang a left to catch the Lake Loop.
Either way, expect to see lots of wildlife, beautiful views of the lake, and get some good exercise!
Have you ever been to Wehr Nature Center? What did you do and see? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@mkewithkids.com.
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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.
