A Kid's Guide to Fun in Door County

Break out the putters and scorecards for a themed foray into mini-golf with the kids! Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf in Sister Bay transports you to buccaneer life, playing through a world full of sunken ships and skeletons hoarding buried treasure. Red Putter Mini Golf in Ephraim is a classic, adorable 18-hole minigolf course, while Evergreen Miniature Golf in Fish Creek offers a nature-themed course with visitors winding their way through towering pines, whimsical gardens, and curious creatures that transform into a magical glow-in-the-dark experience at night. Salty Seagull in Sturgeon Bay is a newer mini-golf spot, but no less fun; 18 holes take you by water, a tiny volcano, and a lighthouse.

Kids become farmers-in-training when they spend time at nearby pastures. At The Farm, just north of Sturgeon Bay, you can walk around petting and feeding the animal residents — even the babies, who get bottle-fed. Little ones feeding little ones, how cute is that? At Plum Loco Animal Farm, a sanctuary in Egg Harbor for a variety of farm animals, visitors are given carrots and grain for the horses, goats, sheep, and donkeys. Afterward, kids can explore Play-Farm Village, a pint-sized space that includes a farmhouse, barn, vet, diner, stable, gas station, and general store. Learn about adult-sized farming at Washington Island Farm Museum, where pioneer buildings show what it was like to be a farmer in Door County at the turn of the 20th century.

Vacationing with your fur kid? At Door County Dog Store in Sturgeon Bay, you can purchase your pooch some toys and scratch-made dog treats, then head out to the deck for a puppy pool party in the on-site pool. Support shelter adoptions by shopping at Egg Harbor’s Just Paws, where 10% of Puppie Love clothing sales go directly to no-kill shelters. If your pooch needs to stretch its legs, Door County has four dog parks, too.

Door County has some great two-in-one options: a fun time and a souvenir you find or make yourself. Let your kids be rock hounds at Door County Rock & Gem in Ephraim, where they can sift through rough rock to find hidden gemstones at the on-site sluicing and mining station. Hands On Art Studio in Fish Creek offers drop-in art workshops where you can learn to make mosaics, pottery, fused glass, paintings, and more. Drop into the maker space at Egg Harbor Library’s Kress Pavilion for monthly craft activities and a range of equipment for use, including die-cut and sewing machines, paints, glass, and stamps.

Embrace edutainment by taking the family to one of Door County’s interactive museums, which encourage a sense of play and teach your little ones something about the area, too. Explore the lighthouse tower and tour a tugboat while learning all about the area’s maritime roots at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay. Play firefighter inside the restored 1920s fire truck at the Door County Museum and Archives, also in Sturgeon Bay, and see if you can check off everything on their scavenger hunt list. At Heritage Village at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay, step back into the late 1800s in a fully recreated rural town. Or, stop by the Ephraim Historical Foundation for a sweet bite of old-time candy at the original general store. You can even experience a lesson in the one-room schoolhouse dating back to 1880.

All play and no food leads to grumpy children! Parents with train-loving tots should check out P C Junction in Baileys Harbor: all the food at the kid-sized bar is delivered by train. The goats on the roof (late May through October) are the main attraction at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik in Sister Bay, but the pancakes and hot chocolate are top-notch, too. Sonny’s Pizzeria of Door County in Sturgeon Bay features an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet bonanza and yard games. For a true Door County experience, take the family to a traditional fish boil at a handful of restaurants around the county, most notably White Gull Inn Restaurant and Old Post Office Restaurant. The event comes with a flash of fire, a cheering crowd, and a delicious, home-cooked meal at the end. Your little crew not in the fishy mood? You’ll usually find a children’s menu at these kid-friendly dining places as well, with chicken tenders and hot dogs.