• Nice Age Tales

    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.

  • Music Time with Tim

    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.

  • Messy Art with Laurie

    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.

  • Early Explorers Playgroup

    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 […]

  • Adult Swim: Green Vibes Only

    Madison Children's Museum 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, United States

    Can you dig it? Groove out at Adult Swim: Green Vibes Only! Get down (to earth) with a far-out night of eco-friendly fun! Get weird with upcycled crafts, compost your competition at trivia, and navigate our recycled obstacle course without leaving a carbon footprint. Join your fellow garden girlies, plant daddies, and eco-enbys as we […]

  • Breathe Easy, Play Hard

    Explore air quality with local organizations and activities. "Love My Air Wisconsin" will show you how you can stay active and learn ways to protect your health through hands-on activities, a story walk, and through technology that can help you learn about the air quality near you. Put your name in a raffle to win […]

  • Saturday Art Adventures: Global Egg Design

    Discover how artists across cultures use patterns, color, and symbols to decorate eggs. Then create your own! Using paint and simple tools, kids will design a wooden egg that reflects their imagination while connecting to global craft traditions. A beautiful blend of art, culture, and creativity.

  • Imagination Station: Magic Wand Reading Pointers

    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.

  • Music Time with Tim

    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.

  • 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 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.

  • Messy Art with Laurie

    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.

  • Braaains! with UW Neuroscience Outreach

    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.

  • Early Explorers Playgroup

    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 […]

  • STEAM Time: Start Your Garden

    Explore how a seed becomes something delicious! In this hands-on planting activity, kids will start their own mini garden while learning about plant life cycles and growth. Take your seedlings home, care for them, and watch science come to life—right on your windowsill.