ULTIMATE MADISON, WI SUMMER BUCKET LIST | 100+ THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS (2026)

It’s the best time of the year! And we have you covered. With so many things to do for families this summer around Madison– you will always have something to do! Many are free; some have a fee — but all are fun.

Thank you to Hilldale for partnering with us and making the production of this guide possible for Madison families!

At Hilldale, little moments spark big memories. Our stroller-friendly sidewalks and kid-approved eateries make family time and dinner time easy and fun, while our family-focused events are guaranteed to put smiles on every face. For parents, we’ve got sunny patios and fun-to-shop stores, plus plenty of spots to fuel up for a family outing. The whole family’s welcome at Hilldale.

Don’t miss these family-friendly events this summer!

Farmers Market – Yummy, sweet treats, hand-picked flowers, and the freshest everything! Straight from the farm to you. Buying local doesn’t get any closer to home. Be here every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 AM – 1 PM through October for some of the best produce and products in Madison.

608 Day (June 8, all day) – Celebrate what’s great in the (608) with a day of discounts and deals, live music, and local flavor. From flamingo cameos to community fundraisers, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the place we call home. Free to attend.

Make Music Madison (June 21, all day) – A free, citywide day of music happening June 21. Make time to meander through Hilldale to take in the tunes and appreciate local talent all day long. Free to attend.

Hilldale Kids Club (Various dates & locations, check website for events) – These kid-focused experiences for little-fun-lovers take place at various stores and restaurants throughout the center. Pre-registration is required. 

Tiny Diners (July 8, August 12, 5 – 7 PM in The Plaza) – Enjoy an easy and entertaining meal al fresco in the Plaza. Grab some take out and let the kids draw, dance and play while you enjoy a carefree, kid-friendly “fine” dining experience. Pre-registration is required. $5/child. All proceeds benefit Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.

Sidewalk Sale (July 18, all day) – Stroll in the sunshine and discover great deals and discounts from the very best of Hilldale. Free to attend.

Giant Yard Games – From chess to mini-golf, we have larger-than-life fun waiting for you all summer long at Hilldale.

Kid-Friendly Dining Options – Finding a meal everyone will love doesn’t have to be tricky! Hilldale’s dining lineup is packed with kid-approved plates (and plenty of grownup treats, too).

1. Sign up for Loop the Lake on June 20! A family bike ride around Lake Monona supporting Clean Lakes Alliance
2. Go to a Madison Night Mares game – Madison’s new professional softball team!
3. Take in some outdoor music in Madison!
4. Check out the Summer Kids Dream Family Film Series.
5. Go to a Summer Festival.
6. Volunteer at the Extended Hands Pantry.
7. Camp or explore at a Wisconsin State Park!
8. Go chasing some WI waterfalls – there are 6 within an hour of Madison.
9. Take a trip to Door County.
10. Head to Land of Natura near the Dells.
11. Check out a Food Truck (there are LOTS)!
12. Check out Old World Wisconsin!
13. Visit Sauk City Riverfront Park.
14. Visit the Olbrich Biergarten – you can also order pizza while you are there and eat outside with beautiful views!
15. Head to the Henry Vilas Zoo… one of the only free zoos in the US and one of the best in our opinion!
16. Pack a picnic, lay a blanket out, and drink some wine at a local winery.
17. Head to Fireman’s Park in Verona!
18. Take the Merrimac Ferry and head to Parfrey’s Glen.
19. Check out the Wisconsin Historical Museum.
20. Check out Ripley Beach in Cambridge.
21. Spend a day at Indian Lake County Park.
22. Play a round of mini-golf and/or hit the batting cages at Vitense Golfland.
23. Head to a Friday Fish Fry!
24. Hit up the Olbrich Botanical Gardens or make the trip to the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville.
25. Head to a petting zoo!
26. Check out Blooms & Butterflies at Schuster’s Farm (in August)!
27. Head to Bay Beach near Green Bay.
28. Swim in one of the local public pools.
29. Visit a local beach!
30. Pick your own strawberries at a U-Pick berry farm!
31. Attend Concerts on the Square!
32. Head to the New Zoo Adventure Park in Green Bay.
33. Check out Fox River Park in Waukesha.
34. Cows on the Concourse – enjoy the live music, tasty food, fun games, and real, live cows as you peruse the Dane County Farmers Market!
35. Madison Jazz Fest – starting June 19!
36. Visit a Dream Park.
37. Head to Wisconsin Brewing Company — bring your dinner and listen to live music!
38. Indulge in some Babcock Dairy ice cream, brat or a beer (they also have sangria!) at the Memorial Union Terrace. 
39. UW Arboretum: So many different ways for your children to explore and learn about nature. Plus, another great picture opportunity for the budding photographers.
40. Take the kids on a tour of Sassy Cow Creamery!
41. Plan a day trip to Cave of the Mounds.
42. Another great day trip: Sandy Beach (Lake Mills)
43. Bike Riding – Madison offers trails galore. Load up the bikes (and the kids) and ride bikes while seeing the sites.
44. Take the family to a Drive-In movie.
45. Go see some animals at Haven’s Petting Farm and Eugster’s Farm
46. Go for a hike at Picnic Point… don’t forget to a pack yourself a picnic lunch!
47. Paddle Boat or Canoe on Lake Wingra or go sailing on Lake Mendota.
48. Visit as many parks as you can – here are 15 of our favorites: check one off your list each week!
49. Walk around the Farmers Market – Madison has an abundance of awesome markets – including at least one each day of the week!
50. Grab a drink in the beer garden at Capital Brewery.
51. Spend the day at Little Amerricka Amusement Park!
52. Have a water balloon fight in the backyard!
53. Rent a boat — from Madison Boats.
54. Swim in a lake or pool – or check out a splash pad in the Madison area!
55. Start a Lemonade Stand.
56. Check out Governor Dodge State Park.
57. Get some ice cream on State Street – Calliope & The Chocolate Shoppe are Madison musts!
58. Head to Milwaukee for a Brewers game (only an hours drive!)
59. Go to Story Time at the library or sign up for a Summer Reading Program.
60. Tie Dye a t-shirt.
61. Potato Donuts and fresh fruit from the Farmers Market – grab a blanket and enjoy on the capitol lawn (bring bubbles!)
62. Go on a Kids Camping Scavenger Hunt! (free printable here)
63. Visit the DreamBank.
64. Do a puzzle on the patio.
65. Tour a Fire Station!
66. Camp out in the backyard!
67. Fly a kite at Wingra Park (or at your neighborhood park)
68. Head to see some 4th of July Fireworks as they light up the sky!
69. Take the family out to the ballgame at a Madison Mallards minor league game!
70. Make your own Popsicles
71. Grill out with some of these yummy recipes!
72. Head to a Madison Forward soccer game.
73. Take lunch to Devils Lake State Park!
74. Attend National Night Out at a local park on August 4th!

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And here is all of our summer content conveniently in one spot – we update regularly!

Looking for a summer camp? We are proud to have the most-read and most comprehensive lists of summer camps in the area. Something for everyone – all ages and all interests.