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From summer festivals to fall harvest celebrations, Milwaukee really pulls out the stops when it comes to throwing fun events for the whole family to enjoy the outdoors.

And that's great. But some kids aren't into crowded events with a lot of people. And sometimes you just want to be outside in a more laid-back environment. 


That's what Wehr Nature Center aims to provide for local families. While the nature center in Whitnall Park has its share of big events (eating pancakes during Maple Sugar Days and learning all about insects at Bug Day are particular favorites), the venue's educators also strive to help moms and dads to share nature with their kids.

Popping up to learn about nature

Events like Owl Prowl guided hikes and Halloween Haunts are there for families that like the big events, but just recently, Wehr started a series called Pop-Up Nature, which follow the same theme in a mom-and-dad guided manner.

At these events which happen at least once a month (more in the summer months), families can "pop in" during a two-hour window and learn about the program's theme from a naturalist and then explore on their own through a series of self-guided activities. 


"We know that people want things to do, but they don't necessarily want to come to huge events. So we do pop-up nature," Wehr Nature Center Director Debra McRae said. "You can just come if you can that day. We also will do them at different times of day and on different days of the week because we know families have different days when they're available to do things."

A playground created from nature

While the events and pop-up nature activities at Wehr are great because of the theme and naturalist availability, there's also plenty to do with your kids on any given morning or afternoon you're looking for some outdoor fun with your kids.

The center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week, and on non-event days admission is free (although there is a parking fee).

McRae said one of her favorite things to watch families do is enjoy the early childhood play space. Think of it as a playground, but instead of monkey bars, slides and swings, there are natural toys.

There are rocks and tree stumps for climbing and jumping, a sand box for digging, tree blocks for stacking and a log cabin playhouse for pretend play.

"Little kids from age 3 to about 6 or 7 really enjoy interacting in that space," McRae said. "There are a lot of families that come, and the adults sit on the benches while the kids just play."


On and off the beaten path

Kids both young and old love to explore, and that's an activity that's easy to do at Wehr Nature Center, whose 220 acres include well-groomed trails as well as ones which are kept a bit closer to nature.

"We have our main well-groomed trails and the boardwalk (around the lake) and some that are not as groomed but take you into different places," McRae said. "You can go on an adventure where you might not see anyone else."

If you stop in the building before your hike, the naturalists and educators will be happy to give you a map of the trails as well as their advice on which hikes to go on depending on how much of an adventure you want to have.

You'll also have the opportunity to check out a Ziggy Pack, backpacks that are filled with binoculars, field guides, activities to do along the trail and even a journal filled with accounts of other families' adventures.

RELATED: Hiking at Holy Hill: An autumn kidventure

Animal encounters

If your child loves nature, she likely loves animals, too. And Wehr has lots of animals.

"We have an animal room in the building," McRae said. "The animals are behind glass, but if someone's around, they'll be happy to show you around and let you in to see them."

There's also an indoor beehive and fish tank.

And once you go outside, there's evidence of animals everywhere. The deck overlooking Mallard Lake is perfect for observing birds, frogs and fish, and there's an active beaver den on one of the trails.

McRae also laughs that people always tell her they see deer on their hikes, and the deer are not afraid of the visitors.

"We're in a very urban setting and our wildlife doesn't necessary behave the way animals up north do," McRae said. "The instinct they would have to flee from people isn't reinforced because nothing happens to them here. Our deer are essentially tame (although you still shouldn't pet them). For the general public, the thrill of being able to see an animal is amazing."

For your own amazing adventure, check out for more information.

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