As a former camp counselor, I appreciate the need to pace kids through focused activities and wild free time. Coming up with a bag of tricks that satisfies kids isn’t easy, especially if your vacation rental is in a new-to-you Northwoods location. Hopefully, our summer goal list will get your mind thrumming with fresh ideas. (And for adults, read the food activities list!)

Marvel at Water Skiing Tricks

Established in the 1950s, the Min-Aqua Bats ski show continues to be a central attraction in town several nights a week all summer long. You might want popcorn. You might eye the merch. You might get wet.  We always find the joy and mastery of the skiers to be contagious.

Meet Our Ojibwe Neighbors

A few years ago, we became enchanted by the Ojibwe exhibition in Madeline Island Museum. I loved the pictographs. Closer, in Lac du Flambeau, we’re aiming to spend a weekday at the Ojibwe museum. Based on our family flow right now, a Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl Pow Wow might be possible this summer.

Laugh at Snowshoe Baseball

What else is there to say but that? The absurdity of this sport is so fun and the pie is worth arriving early for.

Get On/In/Near the Water

Whether you like to swim, paddle, fish, sail or ski, there’s a pleasure for everyone on a Northwoods lake. We’re partial to the clean, deep water of Lake Tomahawk. Further away, we’re curious to try a paddle down the Flambeau River, and we’ll need someone who can rent us canoes and/or shuttle us with ours.

Travel to Dinner by Boat

Motoring over to a lakeside restaurants on the interconnected Lake Tomahawk-Lake Minocqua-Lake Kawaguesaga chain is a Northwoods pleasure. Our local is Lakeside. We might try for the new Oakfire downtown this summer.

Eat Ice Cream

We have never been sad to bike or drive over to Briqs. With super-sized portions, kids never feel cheated. I can get a “mini” and feel satiated.

Race Each Other!

We never tire of these go-cart tracks at Holiday Acres. We’ve never opted for horseback riding but you can do that too.

What’s On Your Cabin Wish List?

If you’re game, love to hear your Wisconsin Northwoods favorites on Instagram!