Hello January!
Lake Country Family Fun Has the Things to do in January in Lake Country!
January in Wisconsin doesn’t have to mean hibernation. After the holiday rush winds down, this quieter winter month is actually a great time to explore family-friendly things to do in January across Lake Country and Waukesha County. From cozy indoor activities and winter festivals to outdoor adventures that help kids burn energy, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season.
Whether you’re embracing the hygge vibes at home or looking for a reason to get out of the house, this guide rounds up 16 fun, local things to do in January 2026, including budget-friendly options, seasonal events, and winter activities the whole family can enjoy. If winter feels long, these ideas will help January fly by.
Please thank our January Guide Sponsor:
You’re invited to University Lake School’s Lower & Middle School Open House on Thursday, January 22 from 4-6 p.m. Current and prospective families are invited to learn more about ULS’ Little Lakers (2-3 Years), Preprimary (JK3, JK4, SK), Lower School (Grades 1-4), and Middle School (Grades 5-8) programs.
University Lake School is a selective independent college-preparatory PK-12 school located on 180 acres in the Lake Country area of Wisconsin. Learn more: https://www.universitylake.
Winter has really showed up yet in Southeastern Wisconsin, but we will not let that stop us from having fun even if it is freezing! Try these tips so you can enjoy the most of the winter outdoor fun with your families.
- Invest in some winter wear and gear. Mom, Dad, we’re talking to you. I’m betting your kids have some snow pants and winter boots, but you need them, too! We find most of our winter gear at Sherpers (use our discount code), Fleet Farm, or online. Find our Amazon picks in our storefront for our favorite winter brands. #affiliate Lake Country Family Fun is an affiliate of Amazon and by tapping the link and making a purchase, we may receive a very small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting our small business.
- Have a place to dry off the winter gear when you return inside and warm up with some hot chocolate.
- Know before you go if you need any specialized gear. Many places have rentals available if you are going ice skating or snowshoeing, but doublecheck before you leave the house. Plus the library of things has snow shoes and ice skates, depending on the library. And consider investing in your own ice skates or snowshoes.
Check out these fun winter events and things to do in and around Waukesha County and Lake Country to fight the winter blues, and if you are looking for more, see our popular LCFF events calendar for a full listing of events for the month.
Looking for things to do in January with kids in Lake Country or Waukesha County? This guide highlights 16 family-friendly January activities, including winter festivals, sledding hills, indoor play spaces, library programs, and budget-friendly local events. Whether you’re embracing the Wisconsin winter outdoors or staying warm inside, these January ideas help families stay active, connected, and entertained all month long.
16 ideas for January Fun
1. Get in a better fitness routine. This is the most common resolution out there. If it’s one of yours, make a plan. Will you work out at home? In the morning or evening? Will you join a gym or fitness class. At Lake Country Family Fun, our team uses Burn Boot Camp, 8th State Hot Yoga + Fitness, the YMCA, and Peloton at home to keep our health and fitness routines on track. You can view all of the Waukesha County Fitness options in this awesome fitness guide.
2. Take a hike or cross country ski! Head to literally any Waukesha County Park or trail system to get out and take a brisk winter hike or cross country ski. We love Nashotah Park and just bought our 2026 pass! You can celebrate the first day of 2026 with a First Day Hike. More details on local hikes and other first day hike options.
3. Enjoy a FREE day at the Milwaukee County Zoo on January 3rd this year, check out the Milwaukee County Zoo for free! ($15 Parking fees still apply) Don’t be scared to check it out in the winter. We honestly prefer the zoo in the winter, believe it or not, it’s true! Bundle up and explore new and favorite animals with your family. Less crowds.
4.Take the Kids Sledding, find 22 public sledding hills in Waukesha County with this handy winter sledding guide, complete with a map. If it’s going to snow, we might as well have fun with it, right?!
5. See stars. Check out a planetarium show at the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha. It’s a great way to encourage learning on the weekend, while staying warm from the cold. Plus, it’s inside Retzer Nature Center. No twisting my arm to go there! My kiddos enjoy the show so much and always ask to go back and see another one!
6. Take a class. Lake Country Family Fun is a big fan of Lake Country Playhouse in Hartland. If you are too, be sure to check out their WINTER CLASSES, which kick off on January 19. Their classes are filling up, so sign up now if you are interested in the performing arts. For a list of other lessons and classes in the area, see our guide broken out by category (swimming, martial arts, dance etc…).
7. Go Ice Skating. Head out of Lake Country and skate outside at Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee. Or stay within Waukesha County and find 15 outdoor ice rinks to skate on, like the one at Nixon Park in Hartland. And if the weather isn’t cooperative, the Mullett Ice Center in Hartland always has perfect ice indoors!
8. Go to the Movies. We love going to the theatres in the winter time. And we enjoy Value Tuesdays at Marcus and Movie Tavern. Playing on the big screen this winter is a new Lord of the Rings and MORE! You can also still rent out an entire theatre for your group at Marcus. OR if you live near the western part of Waukesha County, the Towne Cinema in downtown Watertown is a gem. $4.50 every ticket. Every day.
9. Head to the 8th annual DELAFREEZE on January 10, 2026! If it has to be January, you best enjoy it, and Downtown Delafield is the place to be! We had so much fun at at the first annual and last year’s DELAFREEZE, watching ice sculptures come to life and giving our hand at curling! This year the event will be even bigger. There are Selfie Stands along with interactive carvings in Clocktower Square. Find out more about the 2025 event.
10. Stride in the snow on shoes. Have you gone snowshoe-ing? We have! In fact, we created a snowshoeing guide to the area so you can start this wintry fun hobby with your family! Many places offer rentals, including the library FOR FREE through their “library of things”. Retzer has a ton of sizes. Or you can buy some at Sherpers or online through our Amazon storefront. #affiliate Lake Country Family Fun is an affiliate of Amazon and by tapping the link and making a purchase, we may receive a very small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting our small business.
11. Go Fishing. Check out the Free Fishing Weekend from the DNR. Fish locally or take a road trip. A winter road trip sounds like good family fun 🙂 We did last year a few times in January and February. There will be a fishing clinic at the Waukesha Janboree this year on January 24.
12. Don’t miss the Waukesha Janboree: January 16-25, 2026. It has everything from Fireworks to Tike hikes and everything in between. This is a fun winter community event for the whole family! Most of the events occur at Lowell Park, but you can find fun throughout Waukesha!
13. Refresh and renew yourself at the New Light: Inner Renewal Pilates – Lake Country at the Valerie in Oconomowoc on January 25, 2026. This heart-centered wellness experience blends movement, sound healing, community, and curated makers: lineup that normally costs over $150+, but early bird tickets are only $50 (+tax).
14. Attend New Berlin’s amazing WinterFest on January 10th with the family. Its the 7th annual and there is fun for everyone. Find all the details so you don’t miss out. There are some changes for this year! Some things require pre-registration.
15. Enjoy a Winter Farmers Market. Just because it’s freezing out, doesn’t mean we can’t have fresh food. Find local vendors and artisans and pick up some yummy soup and winter veggies to fill your bellies with goodness. Check out markets at these locations:
- Waukesha at Martha Merrell’s Bookstore
- Waukesha at Chef Pam’s Kitchen
- NEW: Brewfinity in Pewaukee
16. Take the whole family to ChiliFest in Oconomowoc. Oconomowoc throws the best community events. If you haven’t checked one out yet, don’t miss Chilifest, which is held on the last Saturday of January.
DID YOU KNOW ABOUT JANUARY:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day is always the third Monday in January. It’s a federal holiday, so all banks and post offices will be closed as well as other entities as applicable. You can learn more and give back locally with our Martin Luther King Jr. Day Guide. If nothing else, honor his work and legacy through conversations with your family at home.
- Did you know most Preschool Open Houses take place in January and February around here? Find them in our Preschool Open House Guide.
- January is National Blood Donation month – get out and give blood! You could save a life. We have 5 local blood drives through that link for you to donate.
- Lake Country Family Fun operates a Networking Group called, “Lake Country Currents“. It’s open to women entrepreneurs and creatives and on Saturday, January 3rd the event title is “The Home Page Blueprint: How to Turn Browsers Into Buyers”. Don’t miss it! Plus, it’s at the Corners of Brookfield; one of our favorite venues.
- Museum Days are from January 22 through February 1, 2026. Get discounted rates and access to special events/exhibits during this time.
- Lake Geneva Winterfest starts in January this year!! January 28 to February 1, 2026.
Have you found more things to do in January? Let us know below!
Enjoy this winter wonderland with your family!
Tap the image for the newest places we've played, like Kids' Empire!
FAQ 1
What are the best things to do in January with kids in Wisconsin?
January is a great time for sledding, winter festivals, indoor play spaces, library programs, nature centers, and seasonal family events across Wisconsin, especially in Lake Country and Waukesha County.
FAQ 2
Are there free or cheap things to do in January for families?
Yes! Many local libraries, parks, and community centers offer free or low-cost January activities, including story times, craft events, sledding hills, and winter-themed programs.
FAQ 3
Is January a good time to explore outdoor activities in Wisconsin?
Absolutely. January offers ideal conditions for sledding, snowshoeing, winter walks, and nature exploration when families dress appropriately and follow winter safety guidelines.
FAQ 4
What indoor activities are best during cold January weather?
Indoor play spaces, children’s museums, trampoline parks, movie theaters, and library events are popular January options when temperatures drop.
FAQ 5
What should families do if there’s no snow in January?
If snow is limited, families can enjoy indoor attractions, winter hiking, wildlife centers, craft workshops, and community events that don’t rely on snow conditions.
