This new designated Kids Layout Section in the Kids’ Zone of Trainfest will feature layouts built by kids ages 5-14. Varying levels of skill and detail are encouraged.

Young modelers can bring their trains and set it up creating an imaginative display with their toys and items made from household items. (Cereal boxes can make great buildings and water bottles cut in half make nice watering troughs for animals!)

Older kids will apply their STEAM learnings by creating a model railroad module that links to other modules.

All participants will set-up their display on the Friday before Trainfest.

Then on Saturday and Sunday of Trainfest, all participants will have the opportunity to interact with the public while they run their trains. It’ll be fun!

All participants – and their parent/guardian – must be present during all of Trainfest show hours.

There is no fee to participate.

The WISE Youth Group meets most Saturdays throughout the year between 1-4pm at the Waukesha Gandy Dancers Club House in downtown Waukesha.

All ages are welcome. (Children need to be accompanied by parent/guardian).

Expert modelers at all meets. Come to ask questions on starting a project.

Plus varying demonstrations and hands-on clinics are held. Topics include: Benchwork, Scenery, Model Building, and Electronics.

Membership in the WISE Youth Group is not required. Event is free.

Created for the Trainfest Junior Engineer program for Jr. Engineers who have achieved Stage 2, the “Operate a Home Layout” program is open to registered Trainfest Builders.

The home layouts are expansive, incredibly detailed, and provide inspiration at every curve.

Operate a Home Layout gives children and their parent/guardian the chance to operate trains with the railroad owner. Layouts are in metro Milwaukee area. Operating sessions are two to four hours and are held on either a Saturday or Sunday. It’s free to participate. Email us for more info.

Officially, it’s the grouping of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math academic disciplines to enable children to apply classroom knowledge successfully through analysis and problem solving.

At Trainfest, STEAM is more than just having fun with trains. It’s about taking what’s learned in the classroom and applying it to model building.

Model Railroading offers a unique opportunity to put all the academic disciplines to work in an integrated project. Electronics to power a train. Math and Engineering to design a layout. Science and Art to build models. Plus it’s just fun!

To learn more about a STEAM education, visit Educate Closet and The U.S. Department of Education.

Visit STEM FORWARD for a list of greater Milwaukee STEM activities, camps, and resources for educators.

You will receive an exhibitor packet with specific details on move in times and other information.

Attend a Trainfest Builders’ Clinic or a WISE Youth Group Meet … or both! Then get to work on the layout. Parents can help their child on the display — unless the layout or module is being completed as part of a school or club project that have rules otherwise.