Open daily Wed–Sun 9am-4pm, PLUS extra hours: Thur til 8pm, Sat 8am-5pm • Closed Mon/Tue • See full schedule

Open daily Wed–Sun 9am-4pm, PLUS extra hours: Thur til 8pm, Sat 8am-5pm • Closed Mon/Tue • See full schedule

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Access for Everyone

Access for Everyone programs serve our community by taking down economic and social barriers so that all children and families can enjoy the brain-building, creative play that Madison Children’s Museum offers. These programs are made possible by the generous support of individuals, companies, and organizations who give to Madison Children’s Museum.

All Access for Everyone Programs

Free & Reduced Price Admissions & Membership Programs

Qualifying programs for Access Admission & Family Access Membership:

Foodshare / QuestSSIIEP/504
Childcare SubsidyW2MMSD Play & Learn
BadgerCare PlusSSDIBig Brothers/Big Sisters
Free/Reduced School LunchUnemploymentSAPAR
MedicaidSection 8YWCA
WICHead StartFoster Care
WHEAPBirth to 3 VA Disability Status


Planning to visit frequently? Consider getting an Access Membership instead, which includes admission for your family for a whole year. Family Access memberships are available for a minimum of $15, but we ask that families give as much as they are able. Families able to pay a little more will allow us to serve more in need.

Access Admission

Families who qualify can visit the museum for the discounted ticket rate of $1 per person.

This admission rate is available every day the museum is open to the general public.

To use this benefit, ask for the Access Admission rate at the admission desk of the museum when you check in. We do not require documentation for Access Admissions, but the staff member checking you in will ask you which program(s) you qualify for. See the list of qualifying programs above.

Access Admissions served over 13,000 people last year.

Access Memberships

Families who qualify can purchase a discounted membership to Madison Children’s Museum. You choose how much you can afford to pay, with a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $250.

Membership covers all members of a single household, and provides free admission for all named members, admission to member-only events at MCM, and other standard membership benefits.

We do not require documentation for Access Membership, but please list your qualifying program(s) on your registration form. See the list of qualifying programs.

Last year, over 3,400 families benefited from this program—and they visited more than 26,000 times!

First-Time Parent Membership

Families with a first child under 18 months old can register for a free membership to Madison Children’s Museum. The membership covers 2 adults and infant(s) until the child turns 18 months old.

The First-Time Parent Membership program helps new families and babies benefit from museum visits right from the start. Through exploration and play, these babies are learning, growing, and developing into healthy kids. This free membership has served over 3,400 families!

More information, including registration here.

Free Admission Events

Check our calendar for upcoming free admission events.


Other Access Programs

Access for School Kids

The Access for School Kids (ASK) program supports school field trips to Madison Children’s Museum. Discounted group rates are available for schools and other educational groups, based on the number of children enrolled in free- or reduced-lunch programs. Last year, ASK helped more than 6,400 kids explore the museum together at reduced rates!

School Age Parent Program (SAPAR)

In collaboration with Madison Metro School District, SAPAR provides tools teenage mothers need to become self-sufficient, independent members of the community—all while learning how to parent and play.

Teen Workforce

In partnership with Common Wealth Development, Madison Children’s Museum’s Teen Workforce program is a youth employment initiative dedicated to supporting underserved youth during their first job.  Teen Workforce participants receive valuable and transferrable employment skills through a summer of support and training by MCM staff and local partners.  By giving Teen Workforce participants a supportive and equitable first-time job, they gain the skills and expertise they need to enter the workforce confidently, while also helping them set a higher standard for what to expect out of an inclusive workplace. To participate in our summer Teen Workforce program, connect with the Common Wealth Development program at your school or through their website

Support for the 2023 Teen Workforce program is provided by The Cap Times Kids Fund.  

This project was supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0135 awarded to Madison Children’s Museum via the Wisconsin Department of Administration by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.


Access for Everyone Sponsors

Access for Everyone programs are made possible by the generous support of individual, institutional, and corporate donors. Help us continue to offer and expand Access programs with a donation today.

Major Sponsors

Nimick Forbesway Foundation

Additional Sponsors

This project was supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0135 awarded to Madison Children’s Museum via the Wisconsin Department of Administration by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

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