Free and low-cost family activities in Wisconsin

39 entries for Wisconsin (2 programs and places, 37 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in Wisconsin

Wisconsin state parks and forests: vehicle admission passes

Low costOutdoorsWisconsin

Wisconsin requires a vehicle admission pass on motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas. Rates (effective Aug. 19, 2025): Wisconsin-plated vehicle $13 daily or $28 for 12 months; Wisconsin residents age 65+ $3 daily or $13 for 12 months; out-of-state plates $16 daily or $50 for 12 months. A reduced-rate 12-month pass is available for additional vehicles at the same household address. Waivers include Conservation Patrons, eligible veterans, schools, colleges and nonprofit organizations, and Free Fun Weekend.

Who it's for: Everyone

How: Buy online, at a park, or at DNR service centers. Pay before entering to avoid a $5 fee.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Wisconsin Free Fun Weekend (first weekend in June)

Free days / free for someOutdoorsWisconsin

For the first weekend every June, Wisconsin DNR waives state park admission stickers (all 50 state parks and 15 state forests), fishing licenses and state trail passes. The 2026 dates were June 6-7. Fishing regulations still apply.

Who it's for: Everyone

How: No sticker or license needed that weekend. Check the DNR Free Fun Weekend page for next year's dates.

The 2026 dates have passed; the DNR says it recurs the first weekend every June.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in Wisconsin (37)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

Above & Beyond Children’s Museum Sheboygan, WI
Atlas Science Center Appleton, WI
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum Milwaukee, WI
Bookworm Gardens Sheboygan, WI
The Building for Kids Children’s Museum Appleton, WI
Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum Stevens Point, WI
Charles Allis Art Museum Milwaukee, WI
Children’s Museum of Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac Fond du Lac, WI
The Children’s Museum of Green Bay Green Bay, WI
Children’s Museum of La Crosse La Crosse, WI
Chippewa Valley Museum Eau Claire, WI
Door County Maritime Museum – Death’s Door Maritime Museum Ellison Bay, WI
Door County Maritime Museum – Sturgeon Bay Museum Sturgeon Bay, WI
Ephraim Historical Foundation Ephraim, WI
Explore Children’s Museum of Sun Prairie Sun Prairie, WI
Food + Farm Exploration Center Plover, WI
Green Bay Botanical Garden Green Bay, WI
Hearthstone Historic House Museum Appleton, WI
History Museum at the Castle Appleton, WI
Huey’s Hideaway Children’s Museum Medford, WI
Jewish Museum Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
Madison Children’s Museum Madison, WI
Manitowoc County Historical Society Manitowoc, WI
Milwaukee County Historical Society Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Public Museum Milwaukee, WI
The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums Platteville, WI
Mulva Cultural Center De Pere, WI
National Railroad Museum Green Bay, WI
Northwoods Children’s Museum Eagle River, WI
Olbrich Botanical Gardens Madison, WI
Pioneer Village Museum Cameron, WI
Rotary Botanical Gardens Janesville, WI
Trout Museum of Art Appleton, WI
Walworth County Historical Society Elkhorn, WI
Wausau Children’s Museum Wausau, WI
Wisconsin Maritime Museum Manitowoc, WI

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.

Who it's for: EBT cardholders

How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.

Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.

Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders

How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.

Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.

Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader

How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.

Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)

How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.

Example pages only; your library's list will differ.

Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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