Open Wed–Sun 9 am–4 pm • Free Thur nights, 4 pm–8 pm • Get tickets
Get those spring wiggles out! This upbeat dance party invites babies and toddlers to move, groove, and explore music together in the Wildernest. With playful tunes and plenty of room to roam, it’s a joyful way to start the day and connect through movement. This event will be limited to ages 3 and under only. […]
Settle in for a special storytime that brings generations together. Eleanor Dougherty shares beloved picture books with young listeners in a warm, welcoming setting. This gentle program invites children ages 0–8 and their caregivers to connect through stories, imagination, and the simple joy of reading together.
Join Abby in the Art Studio classroom on Wednesdays to stretch your creativity with common materials used in unexpected ways. Each week will feature a different activity.
Snuggle in for a delightful mix of stories, puppets, and songs! This trail-side program invites young children to explore emotions, rhythm, and imagination through movement and mindful moments. Grown-ups welcome, too—this is a peaceful pause for the whole family.
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Each week, Tim leads children in singing, rhythm games, and musical stories that inspire creativity and connection. It’s an engaging experience for kids and families—free with admission.
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa shares stories that help us build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join MCM art educator Ms. Laurie for a weekly burst of color, texture, and joyful experimentation. Young children can freely explore art materials in a welcoming space designed especially for our youngest artists. It’s creativity without limits—or cleanup. Come make a beautiful mess with us! Free with general admission.
Get ready to uncover the strange secrets of a liquid that acts like a solid! In this hands-on challenge, you will race two objects to the bottom of a tub of Oobleck to see if a flat shape or a round shape sinks faster. Discover the power of pressure as you watch how this "magic […]
Join our friends from the UW Neuroscience Training Program outreach team for brain-building activities and interact with REAL neurological specimens. Come learn how we think!This program is part of our Free Thursday Evenings, 4 pm to 8 pm each week.
This playgroup is expertly 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 unstructured play that supports various aspects of child development. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to connect with one another over […]
What’s living in our lakes? Become a scientist as you collect and examine water samples from Madison’s lakes. Use microscopes to uncover tiny organisms and hidden ecosystems you might never see otherwise. This hands-on investigation invites curiosity, observation, and discovery—revealing a whole world in a single drop.
Moo-ve over—there’s science in the air! Join us for hands-on games and puppet fun as we explore air quality and how it connects to farming and daily life. Kids will discover how air travels, what affects it, and how we can all help keep it fresh and clean. “Sharing Our Dairy Air” program is funded […]
Madison Children’s Museum welcomes children and families with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and sensory challenges to experience the museum during sensory-friendly hours, free of charge. This program aims to bring families together to learn through play in an environment that supports the unique needs of children with ASD. This program is free to all attendees! […]
Make homemade seed paper using recycled materials and native pollinator seeds sourced from flowers that grow in the museum's gardens. The seed paper can be planted to grow a native flower garden.
Join Abby in the Art Studio classroom on Wednesdays to stretch your creativity with common materials used in unexpected ways. Each week will feature a different activity.
