Regular winter hours: Wed–Sun, 9 am–4 pm • Free Thurs nights, 4 pm–8 pm • Get museum tickets
Regular winter hours: Wed–Sun, 9 am–4 pm • Free Thurs nights, 4 pm–8 pm • Get museum tickets
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 […]
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT! Can't make the party? Come to Member Morning, on Saturday June 1, 8–9 am In honor of the opening of the Nice Age Trail, we’re throwing a preview party just for museum members. Enjoy exclusive early access to the Nice Age Trail and engage in nature-themed fun throughout the […]
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum for a great addition to your Farmers Market family outing. There's no better way to play before the museum gets busy! Enjoy complimentary coffee and delicious donuts from Ugly Apple Cafe while supplies last. Not a member yet? Become one today! Membership starts immediately, so you can visit for […]
Come celebrate the grand opening of MCM's brand-new nature exhibit, the Nice Age Trail! Buzz, slide, hop, flutter, and tromp through a four-season environment as you "walk in the paws" of some of Wisconsin’s most amazing animals. This interactive nature experience encourages imagination, exploration, and practicing kindness — to animals, to nature, to people, and […]
Come celebrate the grand opening of MCM's brand-new nature exhibit, the Nice Age Trail! Buzz, slide, hop, flutter, and tromp through a four-season environment as you transform into some of Wisconsin’s most amazing animals. This interactive nature experience encourages imagination, exploration, and practicing kindness — to animals, to nature, to people, and to yourself. All […]
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 […]
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Celebrate the emergence of cicadas in Wisconsin by learning about this year's brood and making your own carapaced buddy out of art materials. Join us each week for new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. These hands-on programs foster creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, build problem-solving skills, and offer new ways for […]
Every first Friday this summer, enjoy free concerts at MCM featuring an eclectic mix of Madison bands. Adults get to dance and chat, kids climb and play, and caregivers enjoy low-stress social time in an outdoor play space like no other! Tonight's featured act, Panchromatic Steel, fuses island styles with pop hits, rock, and jazz, […]
MCM's 11th annual free family celebration and kickoff-to-summer returns to the Capitol Square! SummerPalooza includes free museum admission all day (9 am–4 pm), along with exciting activities, guest programs, and live entertainment. Be sure to "take a walk in their paws" and enjoy our brand new nature exhibit, the Nice Age Trail! Performances at Rotary […]
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! This event is free for SummerPalooza!
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 […]
Join Junko each Wednesday to create your own scented playdough that's a squishy, smush-able sensory delight. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join Junko in the Urb Garden as we explore different sensory materials every week! This event is free with general museum admission.
Channel your inner aviation engineer and create your own paper helicopter! Launch it off the Wonderground climber, see the impact of your design choices, and create again. Join us each week for new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. These hands-on programs foster creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, build problem-solving skills, and […]
Enjoy sunny Saturday mornings in the Urb Garden with your little one. Join us for special baby-friendly activities just outside the Wildernest. 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, you'll create your very own mosaic masterpiece to take home. This event […]
Rain or shine, we're making crafts inspired by the day's weather! Possible crafts include kites, sun paper art, rain art, and other weather-related creative projects. This event is free with the price of general admission.
Join Junko each Wednesday to create your own scented playdough that's a squishy, smush-able sensory delight. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join Junko in the Urb Garden as we explore different sensory materials every week! This event is free with general museum admission.
Create colorful, sun-inspired art with vibrant yarn and sticks. This tactile activity is a perfect for little ones practicing fine motor control and hand-eye coordination! This event is free with general museum admission. Image credit: Ana Ziengel
Madison Children's Museum hosts a stage for the city's annual Make Music Madison event! Enjoy free, family-friendly live music at Rotary Plaza Stage, just outside the museum's front entrance. In the event of rain, performances will take place in the Museum's Community Concourse. Rotary Plaza Stage (outdoors) 10–10:30 am, Madison Children's Museum staff band10:45–11:15 am, […]
Create your very own instrument out of recycled materials and see what sounds you can make! Join us each week for new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. These hands-on programs foster creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, build problem-solving skills, and offer new ways for kids to explore the world around them. […]
Enjoy sunny Saturday mornings in the Urb Garden with your little one. Join us for special baby-friendly activities just outside the Wildernest. 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 tactile paintings using colored sand. This event is free with […]
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 […]
Join Junko each Wednesday to create your own scented playdough that's a squishy, smush-able sensory delight. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join Junko in the Urb Garden as we explore different sensory materials every week! This event is free with general museum admission.
See yourself in vibrant color! Get your photo printed and create a collage with joyful colors and affirming messages. This event is free and open to all ages.
Enjoy sunny Saturday mornings in the Urb Garden with your little one. Join us for special baby-friendly activities just outside the Wildernest. 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 printed textiles using dyes and resist made from mud. This […]
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum each Tuesday for Member Appreciation Month! There's no better way to play at MCM, especially for our young visitors who are easily overwhelmed by crowds. Stretch out, enjoy the exhibits at your own pace, and enjoy a chilled-out morning together in the museum. Not a member yet? Become one […]
Choose your own art adventure through exploration of materials. Create robots, cars, houses, 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.
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 […]
Join Junko in the Art Studio Classroom each Wednesday to create your own scented playdough that's a squishy, smush-able sensory delight. This event is free with general museum admission.
Enjoy a sunny Fourth of July with MCM! The museum will be open today for our typical Thursday hours, 9 am to 8 pm, with free admission 4 pm to 8 pm.
Join Junko in the Urb Garden as we explore different sensory materials every week! This event is free with general museum admission.
Let your twig flag fly! Create colorful banners of your own design, mounted on sticks gathered from the museum's gardens. This event is part of our free admission Thursday evenings, 4 pm-8 pm. Image credit: Bonnie Scorer
Every first Friday this summer, enjoy free concerts at MCM featuring an eclectic mix of Madison bands. Adults get to dance and chat, kids climb and play, and caregivers enjoy low-stress social time in an outdoor play space like no other! UPDATE: Don't Mess with Cupid will be unable to perform due to illness. We […]
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum for a great addition to your Farmers Market family outing. There's no better way to play before the museum gets busy! Enjoy complimentary coffee and delicious donuts while supplies last. July is Member Appreciation Month! Look forward to extra-special perks and events just for our fabulous museum members, all […]
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, let's weave handmade baskets. This event is free with general museum admission.
