Best Wisconsin Dells Activities to do With Toddlers
I know how challenging it can be to manage a trip with toddlers, even something as simple as a grocery run can feel like an adventure. As a mom of a toddler, and a Wisconsin Dells local, I understand the unique needs of families with young children.
In this post, I’m sharing my insider knowledge and favorite activities tailored specifically for toddlers. From low-key attractions to engaging experiences, here are the best toddler-friendly activities in Wisconsin Dells to make your Wisconsin Dells vacation enjoyable and stress-free.
**While we’re on the subject of stress-free, did you know you can rent baby gear while traveling? Items like a crib, stroller, toy package and more can be delivered right to your door!
Activities to do With Toddlers in Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Deer Park
The Wisconsin Deer Park is a unique, family-friendly attraction located in Wisconsin Dells. This 40-acre petting zoo allows visitors to get up close and personal with over 100 deer. With white-tailed deer, fallow deer, Japanese sika deer, and a variety of farm animals, there’s something to captivate every member of the family, especially the little ones.
What You Can Do:
- Feed the Deer: Upon entering the park, you can purchase special feed to hand-feed the deer. This interactive experience is especially thrilling for toddlers, who love the gentle nuzzling of the deer as they eat right out of their hands.
- Pet and Interact: The deer are very accustomed to human interaction and are incredibly gentle, making them perfect for small children. Kids can pet the deer, which often roam freely throughout the park.
- Educational Opportunities: Informational plaques around the park provide fun facts about the different species of deer and other animals, offering a light educational aspect to the visit.
- Photo Opportunities: With deer wandering freely and often coming right up to visitors, there are countless opportunities to snap adorable photos of your toddlers with the animals.
Why It’s Great for Toddlers:
- Safe Interaction: The deer at the park are tame and used to human interaction, which ensures a safe environment for toddlers. The park is designed to be toddler-friendly with plenty of open space for little ones to explore.
- Gentle Animals: Unlike many petting zoos that may have more boisterous animals, the deer are calm and gentle, making them ideal companions for kids of all ages.
- Engaging Activity: Feeding and petting the deer is a hands-on activity that captivates toddlers, helping them to develop a love for animals and nature from a young age.
- Stroller-Friendly Paths: The park is equipped with wide, stroller-friendly paths, making it easy for parents to navigate with young children in tow.
- Shaded Areas: There are plenty of shaded areas throughout the park, which is great for keeping toddlers cool on warm days. Benches are also available for resting.
- Affordable Fun: The park offers reasonably priced admission and feed, making it a budget-friendly outing for the entire family
Timbavati Wildlife Park
Timbavati Wildlife Park is a great place for a fun and memorable family outing. This unique park is home to a diverse array of exotic and native animals and the park’s design ensures the whole family can enjoy close-up interactions with animals in a safe and welcoming environment.
What You Can Do:
- Petting Zoo: The petting zoo area allows toddlers to interact with goats, camels, birds, and other friendly animals. They can feed and pet these gentle creatures in a safe environment.
- Safari Train Ride: Take a relaxing miniature train ride, which tours around the park and provides great views of the animals and exhibits.
- Animal Encounters: Special encounters, such as feeding a giraffe, entering the kangaroo exhibit and petting the animals, or holding a parrot, give toddlers a memorable experience with animals they may have never seen before.
- Play Area: Designated playground equipped with slides and climbing structures allow toddlers to burn off energy in between animal visits.
- Concession Building: Grab a delicious snack or a refreshing drink during your visit (or pack your own) and enjoy it in the shaded picnic area.
Why It’s Great for Toddlers:
- Interactive Experiences: The hands-on nature of Timbavati Wildlife Park makes it especially engaging for toddlers, who love touching and feeding animals.
- Educational Fun: Interactive exhibits and informational talks provide an educational element, helping toddlers learn about different species in a fun way.
- Convenient Facilities: With plenty of shaded areas, benches, and stroller-friendly paths, the park is designed for families with younger children in mind.
- Safe Environment: The well-maintained enclosures and experienced staff ensure a safe and controlled environment for all interactions.
Country Bumpkin Farm Market
Country Bumpkin Farm Market is a great way for families to experience the rural outdoors. There are a variety of activities that are so much fun, especially for those with younger children, Nestled in the scenic countryside, this charming farm market provides a fun and educational outing where you can enjoy fresh produce, explore the farm, and engage in seasonal activities.
What You Can Do:
- Pick Your Own Produce: Depending on the season, you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries, or pumpkins directly from the fields.
- Explore the Farm: Visit the petting zoo to meet friendly farm animals, including goats, chickens, and rabbits.
- Play Area: Enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including a play area with slides, swings, and a sandbox.
Why It’s Great for Toddlers:
- Interactive Activities: Hands-on activities like picking produce and feeding animals engage young children and provide a tactile learning experience.
- Safe Environment: The farm is designed with young families in mind, offering safe, enclosed areas where toddlers can explore freely.
- Educational Fun: Toddlers can learn about farm life, animals, and where their food comes from in a fun and interactive way.
Duck Tour
The famous Wisconsin Dells Duck Tours offer a unique and exciting way to explore the area. These amphibious vehicles, known as “ducks,” were originally used during World War II and have been repurposed for sightseeing adventures. They travel on both land and water providing a great adventure for your family vacation.
What You Can Do:
- Tour the Dells: The tour takes you on trails through the woods, before splashing down into the Wisconsin River. The duck vehicle smoothly transitions from land to water, offering a thrilling experience. Once in the water, you’ll cruise along the river sightseeing famous rock formations and cliffs.
- Interactive Experience: The engaging tour guides share fun facts and pieces of history, keeping both kids and adults entertained.
- Exciting Ride: The transition from land to water is always a hit with toddlers, who love the excitement and novelty of the Duck Tours.
Why It’s Great for Toddlers:
- Unique Adventure: The combination of land and water travel makes the Duck Tours a thrilling and unique experience for young children.
- Engaging Guides: The enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides ensure the tour is fun and informative, even for the youngest passengers.
- Safe and Fun: The sturdy amphibious vehicles are designed for safety, ensuring a secure ride for toddlers and peace of mind for parents.
- Photo Opportunities: Capture the excitement and wonder on your toddler’s face as they experience the Duck Tours, creating lasting memories.
Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
The Tommy Bartlett Exploratory is a must-visit attraction in Wisconsin Dells, where science and technology come to life. This interactive science center features over 175 hands-on exhibits that entertain and educate visitors of all ages. From optical illusions and mind-bending puzzles to space exploration and robotics, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Exploratory is not just about observing; it’s about participating, making it an engaging experience for curious minds.
What You Can Do:
- Hands-On Learning: Over 175 interactive exhibits that allow children and adults to engage with science and technology.
- Family-Friendly: Exhibits and activities suitable for all ages, making it a great outing for the entire family.
- Educational Fun: Opportunities to learn about space, robotics, and optical illusions in an enjoyable way.
- Year-Round Attraction: Open year-round, providing a great indoor activity option.
Why It’s Great for Toddlers:
- Interactive Exhibits: Designed just for them, allowing toddlers to touch, play, and learn in a fun, safe environment.
- Colorful Displays: Captivating displays that keep young children entertained and stimulated.
- Exploration and Discovery: Encourages curiosity and hands-on learning in an engaging setting.
Tom Foolerys Adventure Park
Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park is an indoor amusement park with over 100,000 square feet of attractions. The park features a vast array of activities, including fun rides, climbing walls, and an expansive arcade filled with games for all ages. It’s the perfect place for toddlers to explore safely while older kids and adults enjoy more adventurous options.
What You Can Do:
- Diverse Attractions: A mix of thrilling rides, climbing walls, arcade games, and soft play areas for all ages.
- Indoor Fun: Perfect for any weather, offering a climate-controlled environment.
- Food and Drink: On-site dining options to keep everyone energized and hydrated.
Why It’s Great for Toddlers:
- Gentle Rides: Toddler-friendly rides (including a carousel and kiddie rollercoaster) that ensure a fun and safe experience.
- Ropes Course: Special course built for the little ones.
- Arcade Games: Numerous age-appropriate games perfect for the little ones.
Free Activities and Attractions for Young Kids
- Kilbourn Public Library
- Bowman Park
- Area Splash Pads
- Ochsner Park Zoo – This is one of our favorite things to do each week. The zoo is small and perfect for a leisurely, short walk with a toddler (or bring a stroller for convenience). You can see and even pet some adorable animals like goats, a donkey, and a llama. Plus, you’ll have the chance to watch playful black bears, swimming otters, and wolves, among others.
More Outdoor Parks in the Area:
- Max J Hill Park (Baraboo)
- Steinhorst Park (Baraboo)
- Webb Park (Reedsburg)
