Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Milwaukee, WI

Even if you are new to Milwaukee, you must know that Festival Season is in full swing. Here are some of the most Family Friendly Festivals that you just don't want to miss:

7/3/09 Fireworks Kite Festival: This event will feature Giant Kites of Yves LaForest. US Bank Fireworks will begin at 9:25 p.m. and this is a free event. http://www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/about/community_relations/fest.cfm
 
7/8 - 11 Great Circus Parade Festival: Live performances, food vendors, a petting zoo, animal rides, circus wagon displays, a kiddy circus train ride plus much more.  Admission is free but some performances cost extra. http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/Parade/EventOverview.aspx

7/10 - 12 South Shore Frolics Free family event. Don't miss the Idol Karaoke competition on Saturday. Fun games and a parade for children of all ages. bayviewcompass.com/archives/1014

7/11 - 13 Greek Fest Free event including fun family rides, Greek dancing and delicious foods. The kids won't want to miss the ring tossing and games. www.annunciationwi.com/greek_fest.php

7/12 Great Circus Parade Kids will love the high wheel bikes, antique firefighting equipment, antique automobiles, horses, circus wagons, exotic animals, clowns and performers on the streets of downtown Milwaukee. Free. http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/Parade/EventOverview.aspx

7/9 - 12 Bastille Days Enjoy impromptu street performers, roaming minstrels, chalk artists, a graffiti wall, pooch parade plus much more. Free. www.easttown.com/categories/4-bastilledays
 
7/16 - 19 Festa Italiana Free admission to everyone July 17 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Able the Dancing Chihuahua will be at the Children's Stage each day from 2 - 3 p.m, a face painter will be there from 1 - 8 p.m., the Italian Children's Dance Group will be performing Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 5 - 6 p.m. www.festaitaliana.com/

7/23 - 26 German Fest The Pretzel Park (children’s area) will have a supervised arts and crafts tent, T-shirt stamping and German Language tent. On Sunday at 3 p.m. there will be a Children’s Fairy Tale parade featuring “Rapunzel.” Children under 12 get in free with an adult www.germanfest.com/