Kids' Birthday Party Guide to Greater Milwaukee
Planning a magical birthday party in the Milwaukee area?
This comprehensive guide covers Harry Potter-themed services, character entertainers, and science parties across Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington counties. The strongest options for wizard-themed entertainment are Mad Science Milwaukee's Wizard Party package and Fairytale Entertainment's Harry Potter character visits, while princess and superhero parties have robust local coverage from Fairytale Birthday Company, Wam Bam Entertainment, and several national providers serving the region.
Harry Potter and wizard-themed parties
Several strong options exist for creating wizard-themed experiences. Mad Science of Milwaukee offers the most authentic potion-making experience with their Wizard Party package, while character companies can provide Harry, Hermione, and generic wizard performers.
Mad Science of Milwaukee — Premier wizard experience
Located at 2855 S. 160th Street in New Berlin, Mad Science has served Milwaukee families for over 20 years with science-based entertainment that translates perfectly to Harry Potter themes.
Wizard Party Package: $379 (12 children included)
55-65 minute show with wizard-themed experiments
Make-and-take slime for each child
Dry ice "bubbling potion" demonstrations included
Lab coat for birthday child
Signed poster keepsake
Additional children: $10 each (25 max)
Potion-making add-ons perfect for Harry Potter themes:
Dry Ice Bubbling Potion upgrade: $59.95
UV Key Chains/Bracelets: $59.95
Electric Lab (static electricity): $49.95
Individual lab coats: $7.99 each
Goody bags with experiments: $7.99 each
Parties can be hosted at your location or at their New Berlin lab ($89 room rental, paper goods included). Book at least 4 weeks in advance with a $200 non-refundable deposit. Contact: 262-330-5029 or info@madsciencemilwaukee.com.
Fairytale Entertainment — Harry Potter character appearances
This Michigan-based company serves Milwaukee with actual Harry Potter look-alike performers including Harry, Hermione, and Ron characters who perform sorting ceremonies, magic duels, and themed games.
Pricing:
Perfect Party Package: $220 (1 hour)
Special Moments Package: $305 (90 minutes)
Travel surcharge: $20+ for Milwaukee area
Services include dramatic character entrance, house sorting activities, magic duels, balloon wands, themed games with prizes, and cake ceremony participation. Contact: (888) 510-0513 or fairytaleyourparty.com.
Additional wizard-friendly options
Characters For Party (national, serves Milwaukee) offers Harry Potter character visits with acceptance letter delivery, storytelling, and themed activities. Their network approach means availability varies—call (855) 705-2799 for quotes.
Great Scott Magic in Mukwonago provides magic shows easily adapted for wizard themes. With first-place awards in magic competitions and a "Best Party Entertainer" recognition from Nickelodeon, this local magician serves all of southeastern Wisconsin. Bronze, Silver, and Gold packages available at 262-364-6524.
Princess parties offer the widest local selection
Princess character entertainment represents the most developed category in southeastern Wisconsin, with multiple local and regional providers offering Elsa, Anna, Belle, Rapunzel, Moana, and other beloved characters.
The Princess Party Co. — Clear pricing, national quality
This established company (operating since 2002) serves Milwaukee with transparent package pricing and a 100% money-back guarantee.
Package Price Duration Key Features Enchanted Event $295 60 min Storytime, games, photos, birthday gift Grand Gala $395 90 min Adds princess makeover, coronation, charm school Additional princess +$99-129 — Multiple character appearances
Characters include Ice Queen (Elsa), Snow Princess (Anna), Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, Rapunzel, Tiana, Moana, and Encanto characters. Pricing applies within 35 miles of Milwaukee; travel fees may apply beyond. Book at (888) 590-1934 or princessparty.com/milwaukee.
Fairytale Birthday Company — Wisconsin's local favorite
Based in Franksville with 20+ years collective experience, this company stands out for performers with educational backgrounds and theatrical training, plus special accommodations for children with special needs.
Characters offered: Ice Queen, Beauty Princess, Tower Princess (Rapunzel), Island Princess (Moana), Spanish Rose Princess (Elena), plus heroes, pirates, and mermaids. Uniquely, they offer a swimming mermaid for pool parties—rare in southeastern Wisconsin.
Packages start at base pricing for 15 children with three tier options. Deposit of $50 required. Watch for their "Princess of the Month" promotions for discounts. Office hours: Mon-Fri (except Wed) 9:30am-4pm. Website: fairytalebirthdayco.com.
Princess My Party — Statewide Wisconsin coverage
With 200+ costumed characters and 11 years in business, this Wisconsin-based company travels statewide. Founded by Aimee Grissmeyer, a licensed music teacher with 18 years of teaching experience, the company emphasizes performer quality—all are CPR/First Aid certified with theatrical backgrounds.
Beyond birthdays, they serve sporting events, corporate functions, fairs, and school events. Contact: 920-325-6606 or princessmyparty@hotmail.com.
Phillips Celebrations/Kiddy's Kingdom
Serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, and Ozaukee counties with comprehensive coverage including North Shore communities (Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, Bayside, Glendale).
Pricing: $150-$200 per hour plus tax and travel
Services include picture opportunities, music and dancing, games, face painting, balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, and cake ceremony. Free party planning consultation included. Book at (844) 454-3397.
Superhero characters bring action to birthday celebrations
Spider-Man, Batman, and other superhero character visits are well-supported in southeastern Wisconsin through several established providers.
Wam Bam Entertainment — 45 years of local experience
Based in Salem, Wisconsin (Kenosha County), this company offers the most extensive character roster for the southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois region.
Superhero characters: Spider-Man, Batman, Red Power Ranger, Buzz Lightyear, Darth Vader
Other popular characters: Bluey, Baby Shark, Mickey & Minnie, Paw Patrol (Chase & Skye), Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario, Pikachu, Elmo, plus seasonal characters
Services include: Face painting (recognized among the best in WI/IL), balloon twisting, magician shows, bubble shows, and character appearances.
Major clients include the Milwaukee Brewers, S.C. Johnson, and UW-Milwaukee. 4.2/5 rating on Yelp. Contact: 262-344-5275 or wambamentertainment.com.
Fairytale Entertainment superhero packages
The same company offering Harry Potter characters provides an extensive superhero roster with 150+ total characters including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Captain America, Iron Man, and Black Panther.
Package pricing:
Package Duration Price Includes Meet and Greet 40 min $175 Photos, story time, one game Perfect Party 1 hour $195 Games, prizes, balloon twisting, birthday gift Special Moments 90 min $280 Superhero training, face painting, full entertainment
Add-ons include cotton candy machines, popcorn machines, and pull-string piñatas. Nearly 18,000 events completed since 2006. Contact: (888) 510-0513.
Greater Purpose Events — Character entertainment with meaning
Originally founded as "Real Hero Parties" in 2015, this company emphasizes helping children "discover their strength, value, and purpose" through character interactions.
Characters include: Captain America, Spider-Man, Harry Potter, and princesses
Customer reviews praise their performers: "Captain America did great! He was patient, funny and entertained us all!" and "Our party was AMAZING thanks to Harry Potter! He was more than we could ever have expected." Website: greaterpurposeevents.com.
Science parties deliver hands-on STEM excitement
For parents seeking educational entertainment, Milwaukee has exceptional science party options—including the original Club SciKidz style experience that specifically inspired this guide's research.
Club SciKidz Greater Milwaukee — The original STEM party concept
Opened in 2023 and managed by Tanzania Sewell (electrical engineer with 12+ years experience), this franchise brings the national Club SciKidz model—ranked in the Top 5% of STEM programs nationwide by STEM.org—to southeastern Wisconsin.
Base pricing: $329 for 12 children (+$15 per additional child, 25 max)
Themed party options:
Space Academy — Airburst rocketry, pocket rockets, balloon experiments
Radical Reactions — Dry ice experiments, silly putty making
Grossologist — Elephant toothpaste, atomic slime
Dinosaurs — Mentos geyser, dinosaur dig
Physics Factory — "Eggstraunaut" drop, neon bouncing balls
Walk the Plank — Color-changing milk, shark tooth necklaces, ocean wave tubes
Every party includes themed goody bags with take-home experiments for all guests, postcard invitations, a Club SciKidz t-shirt for the birthday child, plus a science gift. One-hour parties at your location or their New Berlin center.
Add-ons: Awesome Dry Ice ($60), Mentos Explosion ($15), Extreme Elephant Toothpaste ($5/child), Cotton Candy ($60). Contact: 262-344-1295 or greatermilwaukee.clubscikidz.com.
Mad Science comparison for science parties
Mad Science and Club SciKidz share the same New Berlin location (2Inspire Center, 2855 S. 160th Street) but offer distinct experiences:
Feature Mad Science Club SciKidz Base price $299 (Basic) $329 Premium option $529 (Einstein) Base + add-ons Duration 50-90 min 60 min Ages 5-12 4-14 Unique strength Wizard/potion themes Themed packages with goody bags 20+ year track record Yes New (2023)
Museum-based science parties
Milwaukee Public Museum — $300 ($250 for members) includes 2-hour party room, museum admission for all guests, craft activity, decorations, and a planetarium program. Perfect for dinosaur-obsessed kids with access to world-famous fossil exhibits. Maximum 25 guests. Saturdays and Sundays 1-3pm. Contact: 414-278-2728.
Betty Brinn Children's Museum — $350 for 1-20 guests, $450 for 21-40 guests (members save 10%). Designed for younger children with hands-on exhibits focused on math, science, and creative problem-solving. The "Be A Maker" makerspace offers STEM exploration. Book 2 weeks to 90 days ahead at 414-390-5437.
Discovery World — Milwaukee's 120,000 sq ft science center on the lakefront offers party packages with access to the Reiman Aquarium, flight simulators, and hands-on STEM exhibits. Members receive discounts. Contact: reservations@discoveryworld.org or 414-765-9966.
Booking strategies and practical tips for parents
When to book and what to expect
Timeline recommendations:
Standard booking: 4-6 weeks in advance
Peak season (May-August): 8+ weeks recommended
Holiday weekends: Book as early as possible
Marketplace platforms (GigSalad, The Bash): Average booking 40 days before event
Typical deposit requirements:
Mad Science: $200 non-refundable
Fairytale Birthday Company: $50 non-refundable
Princess Party Co.: Varies by package
Most providers: $50-200 range
Price comparison at a glance
Service Type Budget Option Mid-Range Premium Harry Potter/Wizard Mad Science Basic $299 Fairytale Perfect $220 + travel Mad Science Wizard $379 Princess GigSalad ~$100-150 Princess Party Co. $295 Grand Gala $395 Superhero Milwaukee's Best $50+ Fairytale $195 Wam Bam custom Science Mad Science Basic $299 Club SciKidz $329 Einstein $529
Questions to ask before booking
What's included? Clarify activities, costume quality, party duration, and any materials/supplies
Travel fees? Most charge extra outside core Milwaukee area—get exact quotes for your zip code
Cancellation policy? Most deposits are non-refundable but may be transferable
Maximum capacity? Typically 15-25 children; over 25 often requires calling directly
What do you provide vs. them? Some need tables, water access, electricity; museum venues may restrict outside food
Performer background checks? GigSalad and The Bash offer background check verification options
Platform booking vs. direct booking
GigSalad (gigsalad.com) — 4.9 average rating across 5,500+ reviews for Milwaukee area entertainers. Offers Worry-Free Guarantee and background check requests. Average superhero quote response: 1.2 days.
The Bash (thebash.com) — 100% money-back guarantee, average Wisconsin princess party cost around $175, quote responses within ~28 hours.
Direct booking advantages: Often lower prices (no platform fees), direct communication with performers, more flexibility on customization.
Geographic coverage summary
Full coverage across all providers:
Milwaukee (including North Shore: Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, Bayside, Glendale, Mequon)
Waukesha County
Good coverage with possible travel fees:
Ozaukee County
Washington County
Racine and Kenosha counties (especially from Wam Bam Entertainment)
Key hub location: The 2Inspire Center at 2855 S. 160th Street in New Berlin houses both Mad Science and Club SciKidz, making it a convenient central location for on-site science parties serving all of southeastern Wisconsin.
Whether you're creating a Hogwarts experience with bubbling potions, hosting a royal princess coronation, saving the day with superheroes, or conducting experiments with a real scientist, southeastern Wisconsin offers quality options across every budget level. Start with the provider that best matches your theme priority, confirm availability early, and prepare for a birthday celebration your child will remember.
This comprehensive guide covers character entertainers, and science parties across Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington counties.