Category Archive: Special Events

1. 13 Days of Halloween at Madison Children’s Museum

   October 25, 2018 10:54 am Leave a Comment

   

   Halloween is all about confronting what scares us, in a safe way, and playing pretend—both of which are important to kids’ growth and development.

   Join us for 13 days of fun, with Halloween-themed crafts and programs every day. Wearing costumes is encouraged throughout! See our schedule of special events and drop-in programs below. All programs are FREE with museum admission.

   

   Friday, October 19

   • Animal Feeding | 9:45–10 a.m.
   • Mess Monsters | 10–11 a.m.
   • Playdough Party | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
   • Building Bonanza: Haunted Houses | 1–3 p.m.
   • Glow Critter Cave | 3–4 p.m.
   • Pottery Wheel Throwing with Chandler | 3–4 p.m.

   

   Saturday, October 20

   • Animal Feeding | 9:45–10 a.m.
   • Monster Yoga | 10–10:30 a.m.
   • Cabin Cooking: Pumpkins | 12–2 p.m.
   • Haunted Collaborative Art | 1–3 p.m.
   • Cabin Crafts: Pumpkins! | 3–4 p.m.

   

   Sunday, October 21

   • Building Buddies | 10–11 a.m.
   • Spooky Science for Your Senses | 12:30–2:30 p.m.

   Monday, October 22

   • Museum is Closed

   

   Tuesday, October 23

   • Animal Feeding | 9:45–10 a.m.
   • Wiggle and Jump | 10–11 a.m.
   • Baby Doll Bath Time | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

    

   

   Wednesday, October 24

   • Animal Feeding | 9:45–10 a.m.
   • Little Story | 10–10:30 a.m.
   • Music with Junebug | 10:30–11 a.m.
   • Nature Explorations | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
   • Locavorasaurus: Turnip Day! | 3–4 p.m.
   • Downtown Madison Family Halloween | 3–6 p.m.

    

   

   Thursday, October 25

   • Animal Feeding | 9:45–10 a.m.
   • Early Explorers Playgroup (Morning) | 10–11 a.m.
   • Lily-Pad Theater | 11–11:30 a.m.
   • Textile Technology | 1–2 p.m.
   • Early Explorers Playgroup (Afternoon) | 2:30–3:30 p.m.
   • Spooky Lanterns | 3–4 p.m.

   

   Friday, October 26

   • Animal Feeding | 9:45–10 a.m.
   • Mess Monsters | 10–11 a.m.
   • Wheatgrass Monsters | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
   • Playdough Party | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
   • Taste the World: Panama | 1–3 p.m.
   • Shrunken Head Sculpting | 1–3 p.m.
   • Halloween Concert with Ken Lonnquist | 2–3 p.m.
   • Pottery Wheel Throwing with Chandler | 3–4 p.m.

    

   

   Saturday, October 27

   • Animal Feeding | 9:45–10 a.m.
   • Beakers & Broomsticks | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
     • Starch your pointed hats, and get on your lab-coats: Madison Children’s Museum explores the spooky side of science! Join us for Beakers & Broomsticks, our Halloween theme day. As with all of our theme days, Beakers & Broomsticks is FREE for members and FREE with museum admission. No pre-registration is needed, activities will be open to all while supplies last.
       • Yogaventures: Halloween Story Yoga, 10-10:30 a.m.
       • Monster Spray, Rooftop Clubhouse, 10:30 a.m.-noon
       • Samhain in the Log Cabin, noon-2 p.m.
       • Haunted Collaborative Art, 1-3 p.m.
       • Mad Science, Log Cabin, 3-4 p.m.
       • Exploration Stations, Possible-opolis: UW Society of Women Engineers, 10 a.m.-noon, Alpha Chi Sigma, UW Chemistry Professional Fraternity, 10 a.m.-noon, Madison Area Herpetological Society, 10 a.m.-noon, Adult Role Models in Science, 2-4 p.m.

   

   Sunday, October 28

   • Magnetic Mayhem | 10–11 a.m.
   • Mask Magic | 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
   • Taste of Tech: VR | 12:30–2:30 p.m.
   • Halloween Music and Crafts | 1–3 p.m.
   • Glow Critter Cave | 1–2 p.m.

    

   Monday, October 29

   • Museum is Closed | 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
   • Sensory Friendly Halloween | 5–7 p.m.
     • Join us for autism- and sensory-friendly museum time with a Halloween theme! Everyone can enjoy a little Halloween fun! Kids can wear costumes if they want to, and participate in sensory friendly Halloween activities. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registered attendees will be able to take advantage of express check-in!

   

   Tuesday, October 30

   • Animal Feeding | 9:45–10 a.m.
   • Wiggle and Jump | 10–11 a.m.
   • Baby Doll Bath Time | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

   

   Wednesday, October 31

   • Baby’s First Halloween | 9:30–11:30 a.m.
     • Join us for a Halloween party for our youngest visitors! Visit our photo booth to join our costume contest, enjoy infant and toddler Halloween-themed (non-messy) activities, make a footprint keepsake craft, and join us for a special version of Music with Junebug.
   • Animal Feeding | 9:45–10 a.m.
   • Music with Junebug | 11–11:30 a.m.
   • Locavorasaurus: Pumpkin Day! | 3–4 p.m.

2. Celebrating 100 Years of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building at Madison Children’s Museum

   November 17, 2017 4:31 pm Leave a Comment

   Madison Children’s Museum is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Capitol with a series of seasonal events and kids’ workshops. The museum’s participation in this event is in partnership with the Madison Community Foundation and their Capitol Century grant, an initiative of their anniversary year of giving.

   On Saturday, November 18, the museum lights up for Shine On Madison. At 6:08 p.m. downtown Madison will come alive as all of the holiday lights — from businesses, cultural establishments, and the city’s own decorations — all turn on at the same moment. Madison Children’s Museum is delighted to be a part of this downtown-wide celebration.

   Here’s how we’ll help celebrate the first ever Shine event: On Saturday, November 18, the museum will be open to the public with free admission from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitors are invited to join in special activities, including lantern-making on the Rooftop Ramble, and building a capitol playhouse in the Art Studio. In the museum’s rooftop garden, the Capitol building will be replicated in a very different format: the museum’s popular rooftop climbing structure has been reimagined as the nearby Capitol dome, and will be illuminated from within at 6:08 p.m. The rooftop capitol will remain as a winter-long part of cold-weather activities at the museum.

   

   The Wisconsin State Capitol building as seen from Madison Children’s Museum

    

   Also during the Shine On Madison celebration, the museum’s newest Sidewalk Surprise art installation will open. Mini Caps celebrates the Wisconsin State Capitol building with tiny capitol buildings in many different artistic styles, created by local artists Justin Bitner, Cheryl DeWelt, Renee Earley, Eric Ford, Martha Glowacki, Tracey Honn, Angela Johnson, Erika Koivunen, Chris Murphy, Jeff Repko, Grace Sullivan, John Taylor, Michael Ward, and Claire Wilson. Visible from both the museum’s lobby and the N. Hamilton Street sidewalk, the art installation demonstrates how the same iconic building can inspire artists in many differing ways.

   The capitol-inspired activities continue into the holiday season. Within the museum, even more capitol buildings will be constructed using two fundamentally different, kid-friendly, materials: plastic Lego building blocks and gingerbread.

   The gingerbread house–style capitol is being laser-cut by Sector67, and will be constructed in stages, over the weekend of December 2 and 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Simultaneously, traditional gingerbread houses will be created and displayed during the museum’s annual Casas for CASA event, which supports court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children.

   The evening of December 6 will be Lego Capitol night at Madison Children’s Museum. As part of the museum’s monthly Free Family Nights, which offer special programming and no-cost admission to the public, the first 200 kids will receive their own Lego mini-capitol building kit. A much larger Lego model of the capitol will be on display that evening, with construction completed by the artist as children watch.

   In addition to the capitol-themed special weekend events, several of the museum’s drop-in programs will involve capitol, architecture, and building themes, encouraging kids to find their inner architect though building and sculpting with unconventional media. These programs nicely complement Coops to Cathedrals: Nature, Childhood, and the Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, the museum’s newest exhibit, exploring the inspirations of the famous architect.

   The numerous interpretations of capitol buildings, ranging from less than an inch tall to several feet tall, contrasted with the magnificent capitol building so clearly visible from the museum’s front door, will inspire children to consider the history and art that is part of their daily lives in Madison. The Madison Children’s Museum is grateful to the Madison Community Foundation for their support of this innovative, imaginative project.

3. SummerPalooza is Back!

   June 9, 2015 4:14 pm Leave a Comment

   

                                                 SUMMERPALOOZA 2014                         Click to enlarge

   SummerPalooza, the third annual fun-filled festival on the Square, kicks off summer in Madison on Saturday, June 13. Hosted by Madison Children’s Museum and Rotary Club of Madison, SummerPalooza showcases all there is to do in Madison’s family-friendly downtown.

   This year’s event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features:

   • Free museum admission all day
   • Free family-friendly performances at Rotary Plaza (outside Madison Children’s Museum)
   • Kids’ parade on Capitol Square at noon

   SummerPalooza, began in 2013 as a way to commemorate Rotary Club of Madison’s centennial year and has since grown to be an annual, signature celebration of community engagement, bringing families downtown. Throughout the day, area kids and families can connect with others through music, activities and play, both inside the museum and around the Square. Area organizations and families are also welcome to join with the Handphibians, Cycropia, Madison Circus Space and more, in creating and decorating parade floats for a community parade, which will showcase the diverse and rich culture of Madison.

   The SummerPalooza parade, in true Madison fashion, is a do-it-yourself parade. Groups can carry banners naming the organization and families are encouraged to decorate bikes, strollers, wagons or mini-floats. Instruments, flags, costumes and all things creative are what makes this parade so special.

   Parade Schedule
   11:30 a.m. – noon Groups assemble in MCM Funkyard. Check-in at Information Tent to find assigned spot
   12 – 12:45 p.m. Pedestrian-friendly parade route around Capitol Square
   12:45 – 1 p.m. Parade ends and disperses back at MCM Funkyard

   For more information on how to get your organization involved in the parade, please contact Sandra at shoecherl@madisonchildrensmuseu.org.

   Rotary Stage
   10 a.m. The Madgadders
   11:15 a.m. Black Star Drum Line
   12:45 p.m. Kiddy-Oke with the Gomers
   10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Activities with Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery and Wisconsin Historical Museum

   In the Funkyard
   10 – 11 a.m. Instrument Petting Zoo with Heid Music and Madison Symphony Orchestra
   10 – 11:30 a.m. Bike safety and helmet fittings, bike and float decorating
   10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Inflatable obstacle course
   10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Activities with Madison Herpetological Society and Mad Urban Bees

   

   SummerPalooza is a partnership between Rotary Club of Madison and Madison Children’s Museum, with generous supplemental support from BMO Harris Bank and Habush Habush & Rottier.

   Media Sponsors: Adam’s Outdoor Advertising, HulaFrog Madison, Isthmus and Mid-West Family Broadcasting

4. STRUT! on the Square

   April 14, 2015 4:31 pm Leave a Comment

   By Corinne Burgermeister
   Communication Coordinator

   Madison Children’s Museum, the UW-Madison Arts Institute and the UW Design Studies Department are collaborating to bring a day of art, music and community to the Capitol Square through STRUT!.

   On Saturday, May 2, STRUT!, a parade showcasing artistic expressions and community collaborations, will unite over thirty of Madison’s creative and cultural groups through stilt-walking, dancing, music-making, puppetry and more.

   This event is the culmination of UW Artist in Residence, Laura Anderson Barbata’s spring course, Community Arts Practice.

   Much of Barbata’s work aims to bring together communities through art, music and dance –and this project is no different. Special guests will include Bently Spang, a Northern Cheyenne multidisciplinary artist and writer, and the Brookyln Jumbies, a group specializing in stilt-walking, fire-breathing and traditional African dance and drumming.

   All are welcome to join in the STRUT! parade, whether it be as an individual or with a community group. Following the parade, participants are invited to the Funkyard for a a lively celebration and dance party.

   Deb Gilpin, president of the museum, says “STRUT! is right in line with our mission. We make space to nurture creativity and play, in a central place where kids and families from all communities can celebrate together—and strut their stuff! The new Funkyard  behind the museum was made for this. And we are honored to display Laura’s beautiful work in our museum.”

   Upcoming Workshops

   In the final weeks leading up to the STRUT! celebration, Madison Children’s Museum will hold several workshops where participants can meet to design unique costumes and pieces for the parade.

   Art with Jennika
   Wednesdays, April 15, 22 & 29
   Work alongside our resident artist, Jennika, to create giant puppets and banners out of recycled materials.

   Fiber Fun 
   Thursdays, April 16, 23 & 30
   Work alongside museum staff to create giant puppets and banners, with a focus on the recycled materials used.

   Adult Swim: Word Freaks
   Friday, April 17
   Enjoy an evening at Adult Swim climbing, playing and gerbil-wheeling. Plus, create print posters and Cartoneras in the Art Studio.

   Giant Puppet Workshop 
   Sunday, April 19
   Learn how to make a giant puppet using recycled materials and simple construction techniques. Hands-on demonstrations, instructional materials and some supplies will be provided.

   STRUT! Workshop with Laura Anderson Barbata
   Sunday, April 26
   Meet UW-Madison interdisciplinary artist in residence, Laura Anderson Barbata, and learn how to make costumes and masks out of recycled materials.

   STRUT! is sponsored by UW-Madison Arts Institute, UW-Madison School of Human Ecology and Madison Children’s Museum. For additional information, including costume tutorials and more ways to get involved, visit go.wisc.edu/strut.

5. Celebrating our Youngest Visitors

   April 7, 2015 5:11 pm Leave a Comment

   
   As part of the national Week of the Young Child, celebrated across the country, we would like to honor young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives. Week of the Young Child is an excellent opportunity for early childhood programs including child care and Head Start programs, preschools and elementary schools, to hold activities to bring awareness to the needs of young children.

   All young children need and deserve high-quality learning experiences that will prepare them for life, and as a children’s museum, we believe (and studies agree) that one of the best ways a child can learn, is through play.

   We ask you to come together to celebrate children wherever you may be, from April 12 to 18. Here at Madison Children’s Museum, we present a week of special activities – all free with admission – for our youngest visitors. These programs will help young children learn, play and grow in an fun environment created just for them!

   Singing for Literacy
   Tuesday, April 14, 11 – 11:30 a.m.
   Join local singer Bernie Schlafke and members of the string band Hoot ‘n Annie for a program of popular songs he performs and teaches in daycares to enhance early language acquisition. Tap your toes, dance and sing along to favorites in English and Spanish.

   Parachute Party
   Wednesday, April 15, 11 – 11:30 a.m.
   Celebrate play with our colorful, 25-foot parachute! Join in a variety of games suitable for young children. (Weather permitting).

   Early Childhood Professionals Training
   Wednesday, April 15, 6 – 8 p.m.
   Join fellow early childhood professionals for a night at the museum. Learn about WECA Advocacy, Satellite FCC and what MCM have to offer the community. Enjoy door prizes, refreshments and crafts!
   *Adults only; museum will be closed to the public during this event

   Visiting Rooftop Animals
   Thursday, April 16, 10 – 11 a.m.
   Our favorite Rooftop friends are taking a trip down to the Wildernest! Meet with and learn about chickens, snakes and more in a comfortable indoor setting.

   Story Time with Middleton Public Library
   Friday, April 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
   Cozy up for story time with our friends from the Middleton Public Library. Enjoy a reading from 10 – 10:30 and a special art project from 11 – 11:30.

   Giant Bubbles
   Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
   Explore the different properties of water, soap and bubbles in our Funkyard. Plus, learn how to – and try your hand at creating GIANT bubbles!

   See our calendar for a full listing of programming.

6. The Next Generation of Chefs and Journalists Talk Edible Bugs

   March 13, 2015 4:17 pm Leave a Comment

   

   Anika Derby interviews Liliana Heide at the Edible Insect Banquet, part of Adult Swim: Sustainability Sideshow (3/6/15), held at Madison Children’s Museum to benefit the museum and Sustain Dane.

   At the recent Adult Swim: Sustainability Sideshow, Wisconsin State Journal reporter Samara Kalk Derby arranged to attend the event so that she could interview Chef David Heide of Liliana’s about his work on the Edible Insect Banquet. That dinner, with multiple seatings, has become the centerpiece of the annual benefit event.  Afterward, Samara wrote a great “Around Town” piece called Insects, They’re What’s for Dinner Now.

   Now, technically, we don’t allow kids at Adult Swim events. This is the time we clear the museum for the adults to play while enjoying a few adult beverages, if they choose. But Samara needed to bring her 9-year-old daughter, Anika. And Chef Dave brought his 8-year-old daughter, Liliana (namesake of the family restaurant), to help prepare and serve. Liliana was clearly there to work, sporting a smart chef’s coat. We gave Anika a press badge, just like her mom’s, to make it clear she was there in an official capacity.

   It was pretty clear what needed to happen next. While Samara interviewed Chef Dave, Anika interviewed Liliana. That interview follows.

   ---

   Interview with Liliana Heide

   By Anika Kalk Derby, exclusive for the Madison Children’s Museum blog

   I interviewed 8-year-old Liliana at the Edible Insect Banquet held at the Madison Children’s Museum.

   Liliana had mixed feelings about coming, wondering if her Dad, Dave Heide, who was asked to cook food for the banquet was going to prepare whole bugs. But Liliana informed me that the crickets were in a powder. “I think that eating insects is a lot better of an idea than eating regular meat because if you think about it, a bug actually only needs a little bit of food to keep it alive while a cow needs to drink a bathtub of water a day to keep it alive and edible.”

   Liliana told me “I say this because less goes to waste when eating insects and cows are so big and only a little bit of it is used when making meat products, plus there are only so many cows.”

   Well, there are a lot of cows in Wisconsin.

   So overall I thought that Liliana showed a lot of knowledge about the topic and was open minded to the idea of insects being a new food option.

   Anika Kalk Derby is the daughter of Samara Kalk Derby and Jamie Derby. She is a fourth-grader at Lowell Elementary School on Madison’s East Side who enjoys rock climbing, skateboarding, swimming, biking, basketball, Z104, playing piano, drawing and learning Hebrew.

7. MCM and CTM partner for “Play and a Play”

   October 31, 2014 12:28 pm Leave a Comment

   By Sandra Bonnici Hoecherl
   Associate Director of Education
   
   On Friday October 24^th Madison Children’s Museum, in collaboration with Children’s Theater of Madison, hosted 75 kids and their families served through Goodman Community Center to enjoy playtime and dinner at the museum followed by an endearing and enchanting production of James and the Giant Peach.

   For many families it was their first time at both MCM and CTM and the private after-hours party allowed for families and MCM and CTM staff to connect, play, eat and enjoy an amazing performance together.

   This event is part of a larger initiative funded by Madison Community Foundation, Dane Arts and Madison Arts Commission to maximize resources and build collaboration between agencies to better reach, serve and engage underserved audiences.

   Over the next year MCM, CTM, YWCA, Goodman Community Center and other agencies will be working on sharing their best practices and building a long lasting foundation of support for all families in our community to engage in and be a part of the rich and vibrant arts and culture of downtown Madison.

   

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   
   

   Play and a Play is made possible with funding provided by The Madison Community Foundation; the Madison Arts Commission with additional funds from the Wisconsin Arts Board; and Dane Arts with additional funds from the Evjue Foundation, charitable arm of The Capital Times.
   
    
      
   

8. It’s Almost Here–SummerPalooza

   June 4, 2014 3:44 pm Leave a Comment

   Happening June 14, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

   This annual downtown fun event features FREE museum admission, special activities inside and outside the museum, live music, bike decorating, a parade, and so much more.  New this year, you’ll find a bouncy house and a Father’s Day Dunk Tank. Check out pictures from last year’s fun-filled event and join us Saturday, June 14!

   

   SummerPalooza 2014 is a partnership between Rotary Club of Madison and Madison Children’s Museum, and made possible by BMO Harris Bank. Additional support is provided by Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C. Media support has been provided by Isthmus and Midwest Family Broadcasting.

9. Whimsical Wedding Ideas from Madison Children’s Museum

   January 23, 2014 11:51 am Leave a Comment

   Say “I do” on our rooftop garden. Toast a new life among art and whimsy. Celebrate with color and play! MCM is a super space for an out-of-the-ordinary wedding rehearsal, ceremony or reception.

   Just browsing ideas for those perfect, special touches? Look no further than the MCM Pinterest page to find out how to make your special day shine! Our three fun wedding boards are a must-see for any bride-to-be:

   “Magical Wedding Venue” showcases everything MCM has to offer for your future party space. From the dance floor to our rooftop garden, your guests will party like a kid all night long!

   

   “Weddings in Action” will show you how past couples have personalized their event with many different setups and decorations. Plus, get insider tips on great places for photo opps throughout the museum.

   

   “Wedding Ideas and Inspirations” is your go-to board for fun DIY ideas that will show your guests how much you appreciate the little things in life. Whether it’s a whimsical centerpiece, eye-catching decorations, or a glorious flower arrangement, MCM is the ideal setting to make your wedding as magical as you always dreamed it would be. Check out our Pinterest page to get started on your own wedding board today!

   

10. A new Coordinator for MCM’s Bakke Art Studio

    September 19, 2013 2:49 pm Leave a Comment

    Our new arts coordinator, Laurie Rossbach is an artist with a passion for making giant puppets. Since her first visit to MCM 20 years ago, she has dreamed of working for the museum. In the years building up to taking on her new art studio role at MCM, she has volunteered with museum programs, served as a visiting artist, and even built the puppet theater in Possible-opolis™.

     

    As the parent of a seven-year-old son, she especially appreciates the museum’s commitment to free exploration, creativity, and collaboration.

    “This is an exciting place to make art with kids – for parents, artists, and teachers.”

    Originally from New Orleans, Laurie brings a love of festivals and colorful pageantry. She is the driving force behind Madison’s Procession of the Species. She envisions the Art Studio as a place where people come from across the community to collaborate on large projects – perhaps tied to seasonal festivals or other events.

    It takes a reliable, quality team to implement those kinds of projects. So Laurie is thrilled by the chance to work the Art Studio’s assistants, volunteers, and interns.

    

    Coming soon is the Art and Culture Festival. On October 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., it is free and for all ages.

    • Wisconsin artists will demonstrate everything from book binding to hot glass sculpture
    • Visitors can combine this with the Hmong Fall Harvest on the Rooftop Ramble
    • On Saturday, visitors can also participate in the Global Cardboard Challenge