About Madison Children’s Museum

We take play very seriously by engaging, challenging, and inspiring every visitor who comes through the Madison Children’s Museum doors. The dedicated staff drives our mission by creating custom-crafted, award winning exhibits; providing programming that brings all ages together; and focusing on sustainability. And, because we know how important play is to everyone, we’re committed to assistance programs that allow all children to enjoy our learning playground.

Mission

Madison Children’s Museum cultivates joy, fuels curiosity, and builds community by inviting all
families into a handmade world of play.

Vision

We will change the world through the power of play.

Madison Children’s Museum is not just a destination but a movement, rooted in local artistry,
healthy spaces, connection to nature, strong community, and the belief that play and wonder
can change the world. Our greatest legacy will be the generations of children who grew up
here—creative, compassionate, and confident in their power to build a better tomorrow.

Values

Our core values guide how every member of our team—staff, board members, and volunteers—
shows up for the children, families, and communities we serve.

Playful Learning: We believe that playful learning fuels curiosity, creativity, and
imagination, and is the joyful right of every child
Kindness: We employ active listening and compassionate communication to ensure
that every person feels seen, valued, and respected
Integrity: We build a culture of trust and resilience by holding ourselves accountable to
our commitments, being honest and transparent with each other, and doing the right
thing even when no one is watching
Thoughtful Design: We create hand-crafted, unique, and beautiful spaces and
experiences to support children at every stage of development
Growth: We embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn, adapt, and
grow stronger—as individuals and as an institution
Experimentation: We create opportunities for children and adults alike to wonder,
unleash their creativity, follow their curiosity, and take healthy risks that support
development and innovation
Partnerships: We build authentic, reciprocal partnerships and collaborations with local
educators, artists, scientists, cultural communities, and organizations to educate
ourselves and to inform and evaluate our work

Inclusion

Every decision we make begins with the best interests of children and is guided by two strategic
lenses—Sustainability and Access & Inclusion—that shape our approach to every priority,
program, and partnership.

Sustainability: We believe that what is good for children and what is good for the planet
are inseparable. By taking bold climate action, making environmentally conscious
choices in everything we do, and modeling our collective responsibility to care for the
natural world, we nurture the resilient, creative human beings who will steward it in the
future.
Access & Inclusion: Access, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just ideals we
aspire to — they are the foundation of everything we do. We strive to create a
community hub where all children and the adults in their lives are welcome, valued,
connected, and included. We continually examine and improve our internal and external
practices to build a more equitable organization and deepen our impact in the
communities we serve

Madison Children’s Museum is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Awards

2025 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2025 • Best Place for Family Fun, Best of Madison – Silver Category, Madison Magazine
2024 • Education, Visitor Services, and Outreach Teams – Winner, Governor’s Tourism Award for Service Excellence, Travel Wisconsin
2024 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2024 • Best Local Museum, People’s Choice Award, Madison.com
2023 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2023 • Best Local Museum, People’s Choice Award, Madison.com
2023 • Distinction – Twelve Museum Innovations in 2023, American Alliance of Museums’ Dispatches from the Center for the Future of Museums newsletter
2023 • Climate Champions Award – Catalyst category, Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change
2022 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2021 • Exhibits Award– Sustainability Excellence Awards, American Alliance of Museums
2021 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2021 • Most Loved Place to Go – Winner, Hulafrog Madison
2020 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2020 • 10 Best Children’s Museums – USA Today’s 10Best 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards
2020 • Most Loved Place to Go – Winner, Hulafrog Madison
2019 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2018 • Women of Industry Award, Deb Gilpin, Madison Children’s Museum president & CEO, InBusiness Magazine
2018 • Best Unique Venue Winner, Best of 2018, Wisconsin Bride Magazine
2018 • 10 Best Children’s Museums in America, Reader’s Digest
2018 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2017 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2017 • Most Loved Place to Go – Winner, Hulafrog Madison
2016 • Certificate of Excellence – Winner, TripAdvisor
2016 • Top Family Attraction for Wisconsin – 50 states series, TripAdvisor
2016 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2015 • Madison’s Favorite Kids’ Birthday Party Place – Gold Category, Isthmus
2015 • Certificate of Excellence – Winner, TripAdvisor
2015 • WASC Friend Award, Wisconsin Association of School Councils
2015 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2014 • Brava Raves & Faves Award, Kids, Enrichment & Extracurricular Classes, Brava Magazine
2014 • One of the Most Loved Kids Party Places, Hulafrog
2014 • LEED Gold Certification for an existing building, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)
2014 • Madison’s Favorite Kids’ Birthday Party Place – Gold Category, Isthmus
2014 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2014 • Best Kids’ Entertainment – Silver Category, Madison Magazine
2014 • Certificate of Excellence – Winner, TripAdvisor
2013 • Madison’s Favorite Kids’ Birthday Party Place – Silver Category, Isthmus
2013 • Star Award Winner, Wisconsin State Journal
2013 • Best Museum, Best of Madison – Gold Category, Madison Magazine
2012 • Wisconsin Art Education Association’s Celebrating Youth Art Month Award
2012 • AIA Wisconsin Design Merit Award
2012 • Wisconsin American Institute of Architects Owner Award
2011 • National Medal for Museum and Library Service – Institute of Museum and Library Services
2011 • MCM received Madison Magazine‘s Best of Madison Gold Award for Best Museum
2011 • Wisconsin Builder Top Projects Award presented to Madison Children’s Museum and J.H. Findorff & Son
2011 • MCM received the MetLife Foundation & Association of Children’s Museums’ Promising Practice Replication Award for its Only Local initiative; the funds will allow for the development of an online tool kit that will share MCM’s green practices with museums everywhere
2011 • MCM won In Business magazine’s Commercial Design Award in the Best New Development or Renovation – Education category
2011 • MCM was ranked the fifth-best children’s museum in the U.S. by Parents magazine
2011 • MCM received the Downtown Madison, Inc. Community Asset Award
2010 • MCM received the Best Practices Award from the Association of Midwest Museums for its Only Local initiative, which includes green practices and involvement of the local community in planning for the new museum
2007 • Top 20 Children’s Museums in America – Grand Magazine
2004 • Folklore Society Dorothy Howard Prize for Folklore and Education for the Hmong at Heart exhibit
2003 • The Freeman Foundation Asian Exhibit Initiative, administered by the Association of Children’s Museums
2002 • Ranked top 10 national children’s museums – Child Magazine

Madison Children's Museum