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Local Holiday Gift Guide!
Inside: Experience nature, Wisconsin-made foods, dance classes and more

The North Shore's best family-friendly gifts are hiding in plain sight right in your own neighborhoods. From nature memberships that inspire year-round exploration to locally-owned toy stores where staff still wrap presents by hand, our North Shore guide showcases local businesses, experiences, and treasures. Supporting these local businesses means your gift dollars strengthen the community while creating experiences families will remember long after the wrapping paper is recycled. Read on for some of our top picks!
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The gift of sound

The Shorewood School of Rock 2026 music camp schedule is LIVE - featuring favorite themes from Metal to The 90s and Pop Punk. Get a discount of 25% on all summer camps with code ROCKCAMP25 online or mention North Shore Family Adventures in person!
Local Wisconsin-made foods
Outpost Co-op, with four locations including Shorewood and Mequon, is a community hub for high-quality, local, and organic products. Shoppers can find everything from organic produce and ethically sourced meats to prepared foods, baked goods, and supplements. The store is committed to sustainability and supporting local farmers and artisans—values that make every purchase feel meaningful. And when it comes to gift-giving, few things beat a thoughtfully curated pick from a great grocery store. Outpost makes it easy: from Wisconsin-made cheeses and small-batch teas to gourmet pantry items you won’t find everywhere, their shelves are filled with ready-made surprises that feel personal, delicious, and useful. The perfect gift: an Outpost Gift Card or a hand-picked basket of local, Wisconsin-made gourmet foods.
Experience Nature

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center stands as the crown jewel of North Shore outdoor experiences. This 185-acre preserve along Lake Michigan offers families unlimited year-round access through annual memberships starting at just $80 for an entire family. Members enjoy free admission to 6 miles of hiking trails, a 60-foot observation tower with stunning lake views, and the nationally-recognized raptor education program featuring 16 birds of prey including eagles, hawks, and owls. The "Raptor Encounter" weekend programs let children meet these magnificent creatures up close for free with membership or admission. Membership includes reciprocal admission to 140+ partner nature centers across North America, making this gift extend far beyond Wisconsin. Summer camps, Nature School programs, and winter activities like snowshoeing transform this membership into something families use weekly. The shops at Schlitz Audubon sell unique gifts and local artwork, and proceeds support the Center’s mission. The perfect gift: Annual family membership ($80)
Fresh Coast Dance classes and gear

Fresh Coast Dance in Whitefish Bay provides professional instruction in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical and musical theater for ages 2.5 through adults. The second-floor studio in downtown Whitefish Bay hosts seasonal recitals at Dominican High School and offers advanced company team opportunities for dedicated dancers. Classes make thoughtful gifts for aspiring dancers while building discipline, confidence and artistic expression. The perfect gift: Customized Fresh Coast Dance gear
Nicolet Rec Classes
The Nicolet Recreation Department offers 171 Winter/Spring programs and activities at 24 different locations across the community for toddlers, youth, teens, adults, and senior adults! This edition includes 30 new programs including Youth Nature Classes and Yoga Fitness Classes. Browse the bulletin online. Online registration for 2026 Winter/Spring programs begins Monday, Dec. 8th. You can also fax, mail, walk-in, or use our drop box to register beginning Dec. 22nd.
See you out there,
North Shore Family Adventures
P.S. Forward this guide to anyone still asking, “Where should we shop for the Holidays?”

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