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Calendar of Events
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3 events,
Music with Junebug (Afternoon)
Music with Junebug (Afternoon)
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in our Celebrations room, and is free with general museum […]
Live from the Wonderground: Son del Atlantico
Live from the Wonderground: Son del Atlantico
Every first Friday this summer, enjoy free concerts at MCM featuring an eclectic mix of Madison bands. Adults get to dance and chat, kids climb and play, and caregivers enjoy low-stress social time in an outdoor play space like no other! Tonight's featured performer is Son del Atlantico, an Afro-Colombian Fusion band that plays the […]
2 events,
May Member Morning
May Member Morning
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum for a great addition to your Farmers Market family outing. There's no better way to play before the museum gets busy! Not a member yet? Become one today! Membership starts immediately, so you can visit for free on Member Morning or any other time the museum is open. Learn […]
Exploration Station: Bean Planting
Exploration Station: Bean Planting
Start your own mini-garden by planting beans to take home, and decorate your own one-of-a-kind plant pot! This event is free with the price of general admission.
2 events,
Exploration Station: Think Like a Flower
Exploration Station: Think Like a Flower
Why do bees visit flowers? Do they like some flowers better than others? Come learn about pollination, mutualism, and co-evolution between flowers and bees, and discover how this special relationship shaped our world! Sculpt your own flowers based on real examples from the Rooftop Ramble gardens. Molded replicas of these flowers will be used to observe bee behavior […]
Let’s Make! with Lexie
Let’s Make! with Lexie
Explore new materials and creative techniques through facilitated art activities and bring home hand-made treasures. Projects vary each week and may include sculpture, painting, comics, printmaking, and more! This event is free with general museum admission.
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Early Explorers Playgroup
Early Explorers Playgroup
Social time for babies and their grown-ups! This playgroup is thoughtfully designed for our earliest visitors. We will provide a space for infants and toddlers (2 years and under) and their caregivers to explore and play together, and engage in activities that support various aspects of child development. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity […]
Music Time with Tim: Tune Your Ears!
Music Time with Tim: Tune Your Ears!
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim in the Celebrations room each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. Today we'll practice listening to music for fun and learning! This event is free with general museum admission.
Playdough Party with Junko
Playdough Party with Junko
Join Junko each Wednesday to create your own scented playdough that's a squishy, smush-able sensory delight. This event is free with general museum admission.
6 events,
Tales with Teresa
Tales with Teresa
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Messy Art with Laurie: Scraper Painting
Messy Art with Laurie: Scraper Painting
Join Laurie and our Art Studio staff for a weekly drop-in art experience designed for MCM's youngest visitors and their caregivers. Through open-ended & process-based projects, empower your little artist to freely explore materials and art-making with their senses. And the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today's we'll experiment with texture and negative […]
Sensory Worlds with Junko
Sensory Worlds with Junko
Join Junko in the Urb Garden as we explore different sensory materials every week! This event is free with general museum admission.
4 events,
Music with Junebug (Morning)
Music with Junebug (Morning)
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in our Celebrations room, and is free with general museum […]
STEAM Time: Chlorophyll Power Hour
STEAM Time: Chlorophyll Power Hour
What's that green stuff? It's chlorophyll! Experiment with plants from the Rooftop Ramble garden to discover how plants process sunlight to get their nutrients. Join us each week for new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. These hands-on programs foster creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, build problem-solving skills, and offer new ways […]
Clay Day: Ceramic Pinch Pots
Clay Day: Ceramic Pinch Pots
Our art studio staff will lead visitors in a weekly assortment of creative clay sculpture activities.
We will create all kinds of collaborative projects- plant pots, jewelry, ornaments, tiles and more.
All ages are welcome to join us and experiment with clay.
2 events,
Exploration Station: Yarn Birds
Exploration Station: Yarn Birds
It's finally springtime, and the birds have migrated back to Wisconsin! Make a little winged companion out of yarn and imitate the coloring of your favorite backyard bird. This event is free with the price of general admission. Image credit: Muhaiminah Faiz
Saturday Art Adventures: Tissue Paper-Dyed Bandanas
Saturday Art Adventures: Tissue Paper-Dyed Bandanas
Dive into an exciting drop-in art experience each week with Laurie and our Art Studio team. Embark on projects with a wide variety of art media and processes for all ages and abilities. Materials are included—and the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today, we'll dye our own custom bandanas using tissue paper. This event is […]
2 events,
Exploration Station: Yarn Birds
Exploration Station: Yarn Birds
It's finally springtime, and the birds have migrated back to Wisconsin! Make a little winged companion out of yarn and imitate the coloring of your favorite backyard bird. This event is free with the price of general admission. Image credit: Muhaiminah Faiz
Let’s Make! with Lexie
Let’s Make! with Lexie
Explore new materials and creative techniques through facilitated art activities and bring home hand-made treasures. Projects vary each week and may include sculpture, painting, comics, printmaking, and more! This event is free with general museum admission.
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Early Explorers Playgroup
Early Explorers Playgroup
Social time for babies and their grown-ups! This playgroup is thoughtfully designed for our earliest visitors. We will provide a space for infants and toddlers (2 years and under) and their caregivers to explore and play together, and engage in activities that support various aspects of child development. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity […]
Playdough Party with Junko
Playdough Party with Junko
Join Junko each Wednesday to create your own scented playdough that's a squishy, smush-able sensory delight. This event is free with general museum admission.
1 event,
Museum Hours: 9 am–12 pm
Madison Children’s Museum will open at 9 am and close promptly at 12 pm (noon) on Thursday, May 16. These abbreviated hours are for one day only, and will accommodate MCM's hosting the Association of Children's Museums InterActivity conference! The museum will return to normal hours (9 am–4 pm) on Friday, May 17.
2 events,
Music with Junebug (Morning)
Music with Junebug (Morning)
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in our Celebrations room, and is free with general museum […]
Music with Junebug (Afternoon)
Music with Junebug (Afternoon)
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in our Celebrations room, and is free with general museum […]
2 events,
Exploration Station: Pet Rocks
Exploration Station: Pet Rocks
Create a custom a pet rock to bring home and care for! Fill out an "adoption certificate" with their name, birthday, and personality traits. This event is free with the price of general admission.
Saturday Art Adventures: Paper Plants
Saturday Art Adventures: Paper Plants
Dive into an exciting drop-in art experience each week with Laurie and our Art Studio team. Embark on projects with a wide variety of art media and processes for all ages and abilities. Materials are included—and the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today, let's get inspired by spring blooms and create our own paper plants. […]
2 events,
Exploration Station: Pet Rocks
Exploration Station: Pet Rocks
Create a custom a pet rock to bring home and care for! Fill out an "adoption certificate" with their name, birthday, and personality traits. This event is free with the price of general admission.
Let’s Make! with Lexie
Let’s Make! with Lexie
Explore new materials and creative techniques through facilitated art activities and bring home hand-made treasures. Projects vary each week and may include sculpture, painting, comics, printmaking, and more! This event is free with general museum admission.
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Early Explorers Playgroup
Early Explorers Playgroup
Social time for babies and their grown-ups! This playgroup is thoughtfully designed for our earliest visitors. We will provide a space for infants and toddlers (2 years and under) and their caregivers to explore and play together, and engage in activities that support various aspects of child development. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity […]
Music Time with Tim: Game Day!
Music Time with Tim: Game Day!
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim in the Celebrations room each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. Today we'll play games that include music and movement. This event is free with general museum admission.
Playdough Party with Junko
Playdough Party with Junko
Join Junko each Wednesday to create your own scented playdough that's a squishy, smush-able sensory delight. This event is free with general museum admission.
4 events,
Tales with Teresa
Tales with Teresa
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Messy Art with Laurie: Dinosaur Printing
Messy Art with Laurie: Dinosaur Printing
Join Laurie and our Art Studio staff for a weekly drop-in art experience designed for MCM's youngest visitors and their caregivers. Through open-ended & process-based projects, empower your little artist to freely explore materials and art-making with their senses. And the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today we'll create fiercely adorable dino prints. […]
Sensory Worlds with Junko
Sensory Worlds with Junko
Join Junko in the Urb Garden as we explore different sensory materials every week! This event is free with general museum admission.
4 events,
Music with Junebug (Morning)
Music with Junebug (Morning)
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in our Celebrations room, and is free with general museum […]
STEAM Time: Marvelous Magnets
STEAM Time: Marvelous Magnets
Experiment with magnets to see how they stick together and repel. Test them on a variety of objects and make your own magnet to bring home. Join us each week for new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. These hands-on programs foster creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, build problem-solving skills, and offer […]
Clay Day: Modeling Clay Pictures
Clay Day: Modeling Clay Pictures
Our art studio staff will lead visitors in a weekly assortment of creative clay sculpture activities.
We will create all kinds of collaborative projects- plant pots, jewelry, ornaments, tiles and more.
All ages are welcome to join us and experiment with clay.
2 events,
Exploration Station: Bubble Science
Exploration Station: Bubble Science
Somebody burst your bubble? No worries—we can make new ones! Explore the shiny, pearlescent world of bubble science and learn how these squeaky-clean beauties are formed. This event is free with the price of general admission.
Saturday Art Adventures: Handmade Books
Saturday Art Adventures: Handmade Books
Dive into an exciting drop-in art experience each week with Laurie and our Art Studio team. Embark on projects with a wide variety of art media and processes for all ages and abilities. Materials are included—and the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today, let's make custom handmade books. This event is free with general museum […]
1 event,
Let’s Make! with Lexie
Let’s Make! with Lexie
Explore new materials and creative techniques through facilitated art activities and bring home hand-made treasures. Projects vary each week and may include sculpture, painting, comics, printmaking, and more! This event is free with general museum admission.
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Early Explorers Playgroup
Early Explorers Playgroup
Social time for babies and their grown-ups! This playgroup is thoughtfully designed for our earliest visitors. We will provide a space for infants and toddlers (2 years and under) and their caregivers to explore and play together, and engage in activities that support various aspects of child development. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity […]
Music Time with Tim: Kids’ Choice!
Music Time with Tim: Kids’ Choice!
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim in the Celebrations room each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. Today we'll choose your very favorite songs to sing. This event is free with general museum admission.
4 events,
Tales with Teresa
Tales with Teresa
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Messy Art with Laurie: Spin Art Flowers
Messy Art with Laurie: Spin Art Flowers
Join Laurie and our Art Studio staff for a weekly drop-in art experience designed for MCM's youngest visitors and their caregivers. Through open-ended & process-based projects, empower your little artist to freely explore materials and art-making with their senses. And the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today we'll use the spin art technique […]
Free Thursday Evenings
Free Thursday Evenings
Visit MCM for free every Thursday evening, 4–8 pm! Enjoy extended hours each Thursday, completely free of charge. Please check in at the admissions desk when you visit during free hours. Looking for more affordable ways to visit? During the rest of the week, MCM also offers heavily discounted admission and memberships to families who […]
2 events,
Clay Day: Polymer Clay Mini Foods
Clay Day: Polymer Clay Mini Foods
Our art studio staff will lead visitors in a weekly assortment of creative clay sculpture activities.
We will create all kinds of collaborative projects- plant pots, jewelry, ornaments, tiles and more.
All ages are welcome to join us and experiment with clay.
MCM Members: Nice Age Trail Preview Party
MCM Members: Nice Age Trail Preview Party
Be the first to explore our brand new nature exhibit, the Nice Age Trail! In honor of the opening of the Nice Age Trail, we're throwing a preview party just for museum members. Enjoy exclusive early access to the Nice Age Trail, create make-and-take art using upcycled exhibit components from our "beehive" structure, enjoy Spanish-language […]