Open Wed–Sun 9am–4pm, plus late on Thur til 8pm. • Get tickets.
Madison's earliest New Year celebration kicks off bright and early at 9 am! This party for ages 0 to 3 (plus siblings) will feature a Baby New Year photo op, a toddler dance mix, and 10 am countdown (when the clock will strike midnight in Perth, Australia)! This event is free with general museum admission.
Celebrate the spirit of the season and decorate your own button to ring in the New Year! This event is free with general museum admission.
Come join us for the very first day of 2024! MCM will be observing our standard hours, 9 am-4 pm. This event is free with general museum admission.
Use shapes and geometric designs to create a unique piece of art inspired by the designs of Wisconsin architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This event is free with general museum admission.
Give your weekend a bright and early beginning at MCM! Enjoy early hours starting at 8 am, every Saturday through March 30. If you've got little kids in the family, we know you're probably up anyway, so come downtown and let them climb the walls (literally, in our Hodge Podge Mahal climber.) Extended Saturday mornings […]
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 create "paintings" with colorful strands of yarn. This event is free […]
Use dried beans and a sprinkle of imagination to make mosaics of your favorite animals. This event is free with general museum admission. Photo credit: Natalie McCatty
Explore the science of phase changes and melt animal figurines out of little "icebergs" (ice cubes). STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities foster children’s creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, and increase problem-solving skills as children explore the world around them. This event is free with general museum admission.
Pick out and plant your own succulent, then bring your plant buddy home in a pot from our Clay Day program. This event is free with general museum admission.
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 create art with repurposed socks. This event is free with general […]
Have an extra-squirrely toddler? Take advantage of the museum's extended Saturday hours! Enjoy the tactile experience of scooping, pouring, and sorting colorful pompoms in the Wildernest, then get out those wiggles for an extra hour in the museum. This event is free with general museum admission.
Pick out and plant a succulent, then bring your plant buddy home in a pot from our Clay Day program. This event is free with general museum admission.
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 […]
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 […]
Choose your own art adventure—drawing, sculpting, cartooning, and more! Drop by the Art Studio classroom for open-ended creative opportunities, facilitated by our talented staff. This event is free with general museum admission, and open to all ages.
Get creative and design a collaborative wintery scene. Move animal figures through the snow and identify their tracks! This event is free with general museum admission.
Give your weekend a bright and early beginning at MCM! Enjoy early hours starting at 8 am, every Saturday through March 30. If you've got little kids in the family, we know you're probably up anyway, so come downtown and let them climb the walls (literally, in our Hodge Podge Mahal climber.) Extended Saturday mornings […]
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 create abstract embroidery designs. This event is free with general museum […]
Have an extra-squirrely toddler? Take advantage of the museum's extended Saturday hours! Enjoy the tactile experience of scooping, pouring, and sorting colorful pompoms in the Wildernest, then get out those wiggles for an extra hour in the museum. This event is free with general museum admission.
Exercise your fine motor skills to create take-home winter bird feeders. Hang it from a tree or balcony outside to attract and nourish native Wisconsin birds! This event is free with general museum admission.
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 […]
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 […]
Choose your own art adventure—drawing, sculpting, cartooning, and more! Drop by the Art Studio classroom for open-ended creative opportunities, facilitated by our talented staff. This event is free with general museum admission, and open to all ages.
Use beginner sewing skills to create miniature versions of your favorite animals! Photo credit: Nomita Vaish-Taylor
Celebrate National Green Juice Day by planting your own wheat grass plant to grow at home. When your wheatgrass sprouts, add it to your smoothies or treat family pets to a nutritious snack! This event is free with general museum admission.
Madison Children’s Museum welcomes children and families affected by 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. Today's sensory-friendly hours are held after […]
Give your weekend a bright and early beginning at MCM! Enjoy early hours starting at 8 am, every Saturday through March 30. If you've got little kids in the family, we know you're probably up anyway, so come downtown and let them climb the walls (literally, in our Hodge Podge Mahal climber.) Extended Saturday mornings […]
Exercise your imagination and fine motor skills to create miniature creations out of milkweed pods. This event is free with general museum admission.
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 create flowing ribbon banners. This event is free with general museum […]
Exercise your imagination and fine motor skills to create miniature creations out of milkweed pods. This event is free with general museum admission.
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 […]
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 […]
Choose your own art adventure—drawing, sculpting, cartooning, and more! Drop by the Art Studio classroom for open-ended creative opportunities, facilitated by our talented staff. This event is free with general museum admission, and open to all ages.
Dissect owl pellets to discover what owls like to eat. Identify bones and examine these dinnertime discards more closely under a microscope. This event is free with general museum admission.
Give your weekend a bright and early beginning at MCM! Enjoy early hours starting at 8 am, every Saturday through March 30. If you've got little kids in the family, we know you're probably up anyway, so come downtown and let them climb the walls (literally, in our Hodge Podge Mahal climber.) Extended Saturday mornings […]
Ring the bell: it’s time for recess! Bundle up and head outside to the Wonderground for a unique active play break every Saturday in January and February at 11 am. Today, warm yourself up at a Wonderground dance party with Francis Medrano, founder of Black Power Dance. This event is free with general museum admission.
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 create whimsical mobiles. This event is free with general museum admission.
