Kicked off in 2004 by Metroparent Magazine, southeastern Wisconsin's family resource, KIDSfest is two days of fun, entertainment, learning and hands-on activities. With four great stages and lots of special areas, plus 100+ exhibitors and vendors, Metroparent's KIDSfest / Baby Expo is a celebration of Wisconsin's best for families.Now with Baby Expo, even brand new parents can get the information, services, and products that beginning families really need--plus activities that will keep babies happy and toddlers tuned in.

Check out our KIDSfest Program!

NEW IN 2011!

FREE FAMILY PHOTOS! North Shore Bank Fun Family Photo Booth: Capture your family fun at KIDSfest & Baby Expo in a FREE photo from North Shore Bank. Plus learn safety tips for protecting your child's identity - and meet Seymour Savings throughout the weekend.

TASTE YUMMY FOOD! Tasting Safari: Children can sample more than 25 crunchy, juicy, slurpy, salty, nutty and rich nutritious foods in the new Vibrant Child Tasting Safari at KIDSfest! Each child receives a Passport to Health which is stamped with every item they try. They record if they like a food (or not so much), then Mom & Dad know what healthy, yummy new foods their children want - and will eat! Sponsored by Nature's Garden Health & Wellness Center.

KIDS & ROBOTS! Time Warner Cable STEM Zone - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math - Does your child love to build and invent? They'll love seeing the robot creations and meeting the student inventors of FIRST Team 1675 - the robotics students of Rufus King & Bradley Tech high schools, just off winning FIRST’s highest regional award at the 2011 Midwest Regional in Chicago. They'll be joined by the team from Marquette University & Divine Savior Holy Angels high schools and the Waukesha STEM Academy, as well as the scientists of Discovery World. 

SPORTS TEAMS & ACTIVITIES! Time Warner Cable SportsZone: Meet Bernie Brewer 11-12:30 and 1:15-2 on Saturday. Then Milwaukee Brewers Famous Racing Sausages at 1:15 Sunday. Plus Wave players all day, both days. Enjoy Green Bay Packers inflatable, Milwaukee Wave PowerKick, MU Golden Eagles and UWM Panthers activities, plus 4 Seasons

FUN SAFETY HOUSE - Kohl's Cares: The Great Safety Adventure in partnership with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin: Children explore the nearly 1,000-square-foot animated home with the help of trained "Safety Rangers" for hands-on safety tips. With the help of Freddie Flashlight (Rover's best friend), animated videos and special effects, Safety Ranger tour guides challenge the students to identify hidden dangers in Rover's house, teaching them all how to be safer in their own homes.

BUY BIKE HELMETS - Wheel & Sprocket Bike Helmet Safety Zone: Bike-riding season is just around the corner - make sure it's a safe ride ahead for your child. Here, children are fitted accurately with new bike helmets, which are available for sale for a reasonable cost. Kids with helmets may also learn safe riding tips on a bike safety obstacle course.

LEARN SAFE INSTALLATION - Car Seat Safety Zone: The great majority of car seats are incorrectly installed. Parents of babies and toddlers will thank the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department and Mike Juneau's Arrow Hyundai when they learn proper installation techniques for some of today's most popular car seats. Learn from the pros in this important area in Baby Expo.

PINT-SIZED SAFETY HOUSE - Returning favorites to KIDSfest & Baby Expo include the Fire Safety House, right near the Main Stage - where a mini-house just the right size for pint-sized people teaches how to be safe at home. Visit American Family Insurance right next door for a fun craft.

Tickets: Adults $3; Children (3-17), $2. Age 2 and under are FREE.   BEST DEAL: Get your Family Pass at any North Shore Bank location for just $5 - must purchase by Friday, April 15! Good for up to 2 adults and 4 children. Please note that there is a cost associated with some KIDSfest activities, including Adventure Rock climbing walls (proceeds go to Children's Miracle Network), FUN Services bounce houses and Obstacle Course (proceeds go to Children's Miracle Network), the Circus Train Ride and Pony Rides.

Thank you for enjoying and supporting Metroparent's KIDSfest & Baby Expo 2011. A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS FROM KIDSFEST & BABY EXPO GOES TO CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK AND HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS: HELPING KIDS FIGHT CANCER.

Photography by John-Paul Greco

Stages:

• Main Stage
• Kids Stage
• World Music Stage
• Animals & Nature Stage 

Pavilions:

• SportsZone
• Arts & Entertainment
• Learning Lab

Special Areas:

• ANIMALS - Animal Corner: Animals & Nature Stage, The Family Farm mini-zoo, & Pony Rides
• CRAFTS - Betty Brinn Children's Museum activities with Smokey the Bear and Woodsy the Owl; Milwaukee Public Library super hero masks
• ART PROJECTS - Milwaukee Art Museum with Kohl's Art Generation - and at exhibitor booths throughout the event
• BIKES - Wheel & Sprocket bike helmet fitting & sales in the Bike Safety Area
• RIDE - Circus Train Ride
• STORYTIME - Storybook Friends Book Nook
• LEARN - Easter Seals Understanding Differences Special Needs Area
• ENJOY - KIDSfest Parade both days at 1 pm
• Obstacle Course
• Bounce Houses
• Rock Walls